Workbench and working comfort basics

Shops need several types of specific workbenches and worktables. All should be of sturdy construction, because a rickety workbench is annoying.

The main types of workbenches are basic work and assembly, welding and mobile. All three have special requirements. When the budget is tight, many shops build their own during slack time.

A basic assembly and work version should be rectangular with a maximum width of 36 “. Much wider and it’s hard to reach across. We surface our general benches with a whiteboard material called melamine that is similar to what is used for dry erase boards. We also add a short rim on three sides on some of the benches near machinery to keep tools and parts from rolling off.

A table height of 36 ” to 40 ” is appropriate for most workers. A lower height causes back pain after a long day. Generally, higher is for fine work and lower is for heavy work.

Light-colored replaceable tops reflect light and make small parts easier to see. When they get beat up, changing the tops makes the tables look brand new. Beware of the lower shelf; it’s an area that tends to collect junk.

Courtesy of T. Lipton

A short rim on three sides keeps tools and parts from rolling off a workbench.

I used to believe that the only things in a shop that should be on wheels were a hand truck and forklift. I have since changed my mind. For maximum versatility, most—if not all—workbenches should be on wheels, with the exception of heavy welding tables and benches that have heavy machinery attached to them. These need to be stable to do decent work.

To clarify this a bit, the wheels need to be swivel ones with a brake and swivel lock. Otherwise, skip putting wheels on a workbench.