Woodworking is fun

[Pew]

I've never worked with power tools or wood before except a band saw in highschool but I've always wanted to learn. Finally took the plunge yesterday and bought a bunch of 2x4s to make my first workbench. I thought this was super fun! What do you guys think? Any tips or tricks or ideas of what to build next? All I have is that Ryobi 6-tool set with a circular saw and a handsaw.

I went through so many Reddit posts and youtube videos. It was kind of depressing to see the DIYs from folks who already had fully kitted shops.

 

[spasm3]

I would add a diagonal brace in the back.

 

[Carmudgeon]

It is. And another rabbit hole to fall into.

Once you've developed some skills with functional pieces that can be made with relatively cheap lumber, you can dive into the finer stuff that requires higher levels of finish, with nicer wood.

And another thing that's great is being able to fashion something specific to your needs. I needed a pair of desktop speaker stands and wasn't satisfied with the off-the-shelf options, so I made my own.

Once it gets warm again, a grill table for my Weber kettle is on the project list (shoulda, but didn't buy the Performer with the integrated table).

I would add a diagonal brace in the back.

That, or a full panel that would not only provide some bracing, but also prevent things from falling off the back, or getting lost in the gap to the wall. Hate that.

 

[ctechbob]

That, or a full panel that would not only provide some bracing, but also prevent things from falling off the back, or getting lost in the gap to the wall. Hate that.

And a place to put hooks for more storage. Can't ever have enough of that!

 

[Pablo]

Wait until you get a tablesaw, router and table, planer, jointer.......then bandsaw, lathe, time saver sander, etc

Your first hardwood project, you will love your new hobby.

 

[billt460]

Are you going to stain it, or paint it?

 

[Wheel]

Are you going to stain it, or paint it?

I'd hit it with a light coat of danish oil. Easy to repair, and not slick if you don't let it build thickness. (danish oil being a 1:1:1 mix of varnish, boiled linseed oil and turpentine)

 

[Lubener]

I would add a diagonal brace in the back.

and a vice at a front corner.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I'd hit it with a light coat of danish oil. Easy to repair, and not slick if you don't let it build thickness. (danish oil being a 1:1:1 mix of varnish, boiled linseed oil and turpentine)

No, No, No. That's what the spilled paint, oil from filter C&P's, dripping glue is for.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Its fun until you decide to retrofit a whole house, then its work. And your garage is full of tools that don't work for cars.

I sold all my tools when I moved. I basically have a air nailer and skill saw left. Biggest thing I have built in a decade is a fence.

Your bench looks very good. I would put the wood tools away and rebuild an alternator on it or something.

 

[burbguy82]

I've never worked with power tools or wood before except a band saw in highschool but I've always wanted to learn. Finally took the plunge yesterday and bought a bunch of 2x4s to make my first workbench. I thought this was super fun! What do you guys think? Any tips or tricks or ideas of what to build next? All I have is that Ryobi 6-tool set with a circular saw and a handsaw.

I went through so many Reddit posts and youtube videos. It was kind of depressing to see the DIYs from folks who already had fully kitted shops.

View attachment 256924

Man, for a first time project, that looks killer. great job......for that matter, a 10th job......nice

 

[Astro14]

and a vice at a front corner.

I love a good vice….

Even better, a good vise…like the one I found at an antique store, and restored. A bit more than the current cheaply made, big box store junk available, but it is well made, durable, and will last forever. You’ve discovered woodworking, now, enjoy a bit of restoration, too!

 

[Pew]

Thanks guys. I was going to put a thin plywood sheet in the back and add diagonal brace behind

Are you going to stain it, or paint it?

I did one layer of polyurethane on the top so far. I was playing with the idea of using a gunstock color stain but I wasn't sure how easily the stain would be damaged (Although I'm okay with experimenting.)

 

[burbguy82]

Its a work bench, dont spend so much time on the finish. The proper finish of a workbench is random oil stains, and maybe a bit of blood.

 

[burbguy82]

I love a good vice….

Even better, a good vise…like the one I found at an antique store, and restored. A bit more than the current cheaply made, big box store junk available, but it well, made, durable, and will last forever. You’ve discovered woodworking, now, enjoy a bit of restoration, too!

View attachment 256963

I have broke two new cast wilton vises. snapped the moveable portion in two. I thought about buying a Ridgid forged vise, but at $500 bucks, nah.....I just have to not use super gorilla strength mode.

 

[Astro14]

I have broke two new cast wilton vises. snapped the moveable portion in two. I thought about buying a Ridgid forged vise, but at $500 bucks, nah.....I just have to not use super gorilla strength mode.

Seriously?? Wow!! I’ve never broken a vise, much less a Wilton. A made in the USA Wilton is the best you can get, gorilla strength, indeed!

 

[burbguy82]

Seriously?? Wow!! I’ve never broken a vise, much less a Wilton. A made in the USA Wilton is the best you can get, gorilla strength, indeed!

They were both cast, not forged. Not sure much could destroy a forged one, reasonably. Probably another of the dozens reasons my back is messed up.

 

[supton]

I was well into my 30's before I bought a circular saw. All my life, it took forever to cut a board to the wrong length--now I can do it in record time.

Love construction screws. For a time I used drywall screws in all the wrong places but now most stuff I build use those screws. It's funny, every box comes with a T25 bit, but I've probably gone through 20 boxes on the same bit. All it takes is putting together something wrong once, zip it apart and fix, to realize just how nice it is to not deal with swinging a hammer. [But I do recommend ear plugs with the quarter inch impact, it's not that loud but it can't hurt.]

When my kids were little I made a little workbench for them. They never really used it, but I've found it handy. I forget how high it is, 24" or whatever, but I found that my cheap small drill press sits on it at a good height. A low bench sometimes has some uses like that, might be working on something tall-ish.

 

[Astro14]

I've never worked with power tools or wood before except a band saw in highschool but I've always wanted to learn. Finally took the plunge yesterday and bought a bunch of 2x4s to make my first workbench. I thought this was super fun! What do you guys think? Any tips or tricks or ideas of what to build next? All I have is that Ryobi 6-tool set with a circular saw and a handsaw.

I went through so many Reddit posts and youtube videos. It was kind of depressing to see the DIYs from folks who already had fully kitted shops.

View attachment 256924

You did a nice job, the screws are evenly placed, the ends accurately cut.

Now, to prevent racking, you need to use a sheet of plywood, or a diagonal 2x4 on the back and on the sides. Doesn’t need to cover the whole back or all of the sides, in fact, you could use a couple of small triangle shaped gussets to accomplish this. It’s going to feel tight and stable right now. But as you use it, particularly if you install a vise, those joints will loosen, and the bracing will keep it from racking under load.

 

[burbguy82]

I'd hit it with a light coat of danish oil. Easy to repair, and not slick if you don't let it build thickness. (danish oil being a 1:1:1 mix of varnish, boiled linseed oil and turpentine)

danish oil 100%.....excellent for heavy use wood.

i use it on gunstocks