| Building your own workbench for the garage is | | | | For the DIY workbench designers out there, |
| a fun practical project for anyone why likes | | | | consider building it permanently to the |
| working with his hands. A workbench provides | | | | exposed wall studs in your garage walls. This |
| an area where you can ticker to your hearts | | | | type of bench is, for all intensive purpose, |
| content. Someplace you can cut, carve, cobble | | | | permanent, but can easily be dismantled in |
| your way to the next greatest invention. | | | | needed. It gives work space far more sturdy |
| | | | than the types found for purchase in the |
| Planning is essential for a successful build. | | | | hardware store, and can be customized as much |
| Skills with tools and woodworking are | | | | as you want. |
| important, but you still need a plan now | | | | |
| matter how skilled you are. | | | | Once you have a good idea on the size and |
| | | | location of your workbench, it's time to |
| There are workbench blueprints you can buy, | | | | consider storage space for tools, supplies |
| or you can design your own. Take a look at | | | | and raw materials that you tend to work with |
| the blueprints even if you do design your | | | | most. You can build shelving underneath the |
| own, because your bound to glean some new | | | | workbench to provide enormous amounts of |
| ideas just by viewing other designs that have | | | | storage space for hobby supplies or other |
| been hashed out already. You can always | | | | garage relegated storage. Cabinets or shelves |
| modify someone else's design to fit your | | | | above the workbench provide additional |
| needs. | | | | storage, or you can always use pegboard to |
| | | | arrange tools for hanging storage. |
| A good starting point in planning your | | | | |
| workbench is to measure the dimensions of | | | | Finally, with location, and storage options |
| your garage. Get a good idea of how much work | | | | figured out, it's time to calculate all the |
| space you'll have available at any available | | | | supplies, and tools you'll need for building |
| location inside the garage. Any workbench you | | | | your new garage workbench. Try not to leave |
| build should fit this minimum criteria. | | | | out anything. Accurately calculate the number |
| | | | of screws or nails you'll need so you make |
| 1. Access to electrical outlets. Extension | | | | sure to buy enough first time around. You'll |
| cords bringing power to a workbench is no a | | | | have a good idea of the cost of your project |
| good idea, and could violate local codes. In | | | | by accurately projecting these needs. You can |
| case of fire, you could find yourself without | | | | save a lot of money buying these fasteners in |
| insurance. | | | | bulk, and if you have some left over - that's |
| | | | one less hardware store trip the time you |
| 2. Don't crowd out the floor space. You're | | | | need nails. |
| going to need plenty of floor space remaining | | | | |
| for the hot-rod you're planning to build - or | | | | With these line items complete, you can |
| the wife's Volvo. | | | | being. It really doesn't matter if you plan |
| | | | on buying plans for a workbench or going with |
| 3. Consider distance from the garage door if | | | | your own design. Follow these handy helpful |
| you plan on hauling materials directly from | | | | hints and build the last workbench you'll |
| your truck to the workspace. | | | | ever need. |
| | | | |