Jacek’s Workshop and Workbench

Shop Tour - Submitted by Jacek
Added on March 21, 2011

This workbench is built out of hard maple. For a long time I couldn’t decide what kind of workbench to build. I was thinking about a MDF top and some less expensive legs. The inspiration was Fine Woodworking magazine (workshop solution). Their’s was little different. I used screws covered with nice wenge plugs instead of dovetails. The legs are mortise and tenon joints, through tenon is reinforced with walnut wedges. The size: 63″ long, 26″ wide, 34″ tall. There are two workbench vises from grizzly, top slab 1 3/4 thick (on sale at woodcraft) front and side apron 1 3/4″ x 5.5″. The total cost was around $450 for materials.

Discussion

Jeffrey Day March 21, 2011 1:14 pm

Wanted to post pictures of my stand alone workshop on your website to share the design but there was no place to perform this option. Is there something I’m missing?

Sincerely
Jeffrey Day

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- thewoodwhisperer March 21, 2011 1:19 pm
  
  You can submit your pictures using the “submit your shop” link in the footer. Bottom right.
  
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Larry Clinton March 21, 2011 1:53 pm

Nice workbench, and shop. It’s too clean, though. It doesn’t look like you work there. I need to get mine straightened up and cleaned up a bit. I’ve got too much junk for my relatively small space.

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Eric R March 21, 2011 5:49 pm

I would be seriously comfortable knocking out projects in a nice shop like that.
Your new bench is awesome too.
Thanks,
Eric

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Marie March 22, 2011 7:27 am

Very nice in deed. Maybe you can reorganize my shop. ;-)

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Fred Freitag March 22, 2011 8:13 am

Great looking workbench!!! Good job!! I am hoping to make mine very soon.

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Jacek March 26, 2011 8:14 am

Thanks, Yes its clean ,I took this pictures after big clenup :)
Now its nice messy and dusty again :)

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Michhes March 31, 2011 5:05 am

Jacek–how are you lumber storage racks constructed? They look like wooden 2x2s mortised into 2x4s.

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Jacek April 2, 2011 3:09 pm

They are 2×2 inside and 3/4 plywood on each side, very easy and cheap to build and.

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Ron Cannell May 10, 2011 10:39 am

My Lounge area in our house is not as clean and tidy as some of these palaces. Does anything ever get made in them? I would prefer a little character, some shavings and dust around. Maybe even something currently in the building process.

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- thewoodwhisperer May 10, 2011 10:53 am
  
  You’re really just looking at one set of pictures from one moment in time. I think its unfair to assume these shops aren’t being used just because they cleaned up before the pictures were taken.
  
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Jacek May 12, 2011 2:08 pm

Yes exactly , I took this pictures after clean up. I’m trying to keep my workshop as clean and organized as I can. I’m not crazy about that but for me more clean means more safe.

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Ross May 19, 2011 1:42 pm

I built my workbench out of scrap I had lying around. It is actually quite sturdy, despite being scrap. I am a utilitarian sort of guy: until I need it, it would only be a luxury. Even when it comes to jigs, I feel that way. It seems like I have to be in the middle of a project in order to build a jig or upgrade the shop.

Beautiful workbench, though!

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Dave Stanton July 2, 2011 1:55 am

Hi Jacek. I like the feel of your workshop. If you were to do a reorganisation of the layout, what would you move and why?

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Jacek August 7, 2011 10:15 pm

Hi Dave, I just moved the workbench. now its next to the wall instead of band saw. Works better this way, I have more space to use band saw. Also I wish to have higher ceiling but there is nothing I can do about that.
I have few more ideas. Maybe to move the lumber storage over the miter saw and put the jointer where the lumber is and install the router on table saw wing, then I dont need a router table, this way I can save some space.Also make a bigger door between does two rooms.On the picture with the bandsaw you can see the closet door, this is where I have water pump and pressure tank, so maybe move this stuff to the boiler room and get some extra space. New Idea every day :)

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Dave August 22, 2011 10:01 am

Nice bench – excellent craftsmanship. Your shop is very practical. But, I have a questiion. What kind of pipe did you use for the dust collection system? I can’t tell from the pictures. I’m about to install a dust collection system myself and am looking for thisng that work well and are reasonably priced. Thanks.

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Jacek August 29, 2011 5:21 pm

I’m using 2.5″ plastic pipe kit from woodcraft for my shop vacuum but its look like they does not carry anymore, this kit works fine for senders and router, for table saw and bigger machines I have 1 hp dust collector (4″pipe) 2hp could be nice.I founded this kit here so you may take a look.http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/2498878168.html
There was also one from ridgid available at home depot a while ago, you can ask them maybe they still have some.

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Steve K November 10, 2011 4:16 pm

You done a great job organizing your benches and tools to make use of limited floor space. I’m just starting out building a shop in my garage, so your photos are giving my some great ideas. I’m really envious of your vacuum system. Thanks for posting your photos.

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Charles N January 25, 2012 5:16 am

Well spoken Mr S, and Mr.e Jacek I applaud your ability to maintain such a orderly shop. Looks GREAT. I have always felt that a clean and organized shop is a much nicer & safer environment to work in . . Now that bench tells it all NICE WORK . . .. KEEP UP the great shop appearance.

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Jacek’s Workshop and Workbench

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