One thing I would like to advocate, having the air lines and ac power hanging down from above the bench, just out of the way. Its surprising how much energy it saves every day not having to plug hand tools into a wall or bench outlet, keep the extension cables out of the way, pick them up off the floor, etc. You did not say if you have 360 degree access to the bench, I'd guess most of us don't have that kind of space in our garage workshops. But a deeper bench I think is always useful.

----- Original Message ----
From: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 9:41:37 PM
Subject: I'm seeing workshop bench sizes and ideas

I am in the process of doing the drywall and paint in my work shop.
Next I will be building a new work bench.  My original bench was wood
and 24" deep and 36" off the floor and 8' wide - it served my
purposes but now it is time to upgrade to something better.

The
new area for the bench will be 16' wide with four dedicated120V 20A plugs
- my air compressor will go under one section of this bench and some
mobile tool cabinets under another section.  I have a surplus of
2x6" lumber so this will be the frame work of the new bench.  To
top the bench off, I will be using 3/16" thick steel that will be
bent up at the back to catch any spills and bent down at the front for
neatness.  I want to go deeper that 24", but how deep and this
is the question for you people out there who have shop benches.  If
you were to do it again how deep would you go - 32" or 36"
?  I will have a vice on there, drill press and will be doing things
like cylinder head assembly and also fabricating and TIG welding items on
there as well - with the steel bench there will be no need to ground the
work, just make sure it is on the table.  So - please share with me
what you like and dislike about your current setup and stuff that you
would do next time if you got the chance.

Cheers!

David Marshall

http://www.hasenwerk.ca
http://www.fastforward.ca

Box 4153, Quesnel BC, Canada V2J
3J2