Help choosing basic hand tools and workbench

[JAZZCNC]

Off course, depending on how enthusiastically Jazz has tuned the router, you may need to add a couple diagonal braces to stop the whole lot wobbling around.

MC I tune them to Rock whole Sheds so whimpy bench aint much challenge. .

[Clive S]

As have been said 4x2 frame (2x4) for the folks over the pond, with diagonal brace and 40mm kitchen worktop.

As regards tools I would buy them as needed but a vernier is a big help. Its always good to get them for birthdays

[Boyan Silyavski]

here are my thoughts on the basic router bits you will need for starters and general jobs- post #6

add to that some surfacing bits - http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/9622-...and-t-slot-bit

The best bit to figure things out is the 3mm or 1/8, as its cheap, so if you break it its not a big deal. Then move onto bigger ones. The typical bit i use at home is 6mm, its cheap, its strong, it has small kerf so less material waste

[goldtop]

Thanks chaps. I was famous at school for making the class' worse ever birdbox (not a solitary tit ever bothered with it when it was hung in the garden). So I won't be embarassing myself by trying to make a workbench. ;-) Sure, it looks so easy in the videos, but...

Had a look on ebay and most don't have such sturdy legs as 4x2", but this type seems better than most: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281942662716 - and I sould certainly be able to add some additional diagonals for bracing, if necessary. I could also replace the relatively thin top with a kitchen worktop, as suggested above.



On bits, the #1 most common job for me is a board with lots of round 2.9mm holes and then a much smaller number of 3.5mm and 10mm holes. So for machining speed I was planning to make the 2.9mm bit my 'go-to' and buy them in some quantity.

[Lee Roberts]

Thanks chaps. I was famous at school for making the class' worse ever birdbox (not a solitary tit ever bothered with it when it was hung in the garden). So I won't be embarassing myself by trying to make a workbench. ;-) Sure, it looks so easy in the videos, but...

Had a look on ebay and most don't have such sturdy legs as 4x2", but this type seems better than most: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281942662716 - and I sould certainly be able to add some additional diagonals for bracing, if necessary. I could also replace the relatively thin top with a kitchen worktop, as suggested above.



On bits, the #1 most common job for me is a board with lots of round 2.9mm holes and then a much smaller number of 3.5mm and 10mm holes. So for machining speed I was planning to make the 2.9mm bit my 'go-to' and buy them in some quantity.

Sod cnc, i'm gonna start building work benches and nock them out on eBay, mine is 7x3 and a very similar design, material came to about £45 !!!

.Me

[goldtop]

Forgot to say that the bench and machine will sit in a corner so I could bolt the bench to two sides of the unit (typical breeze-block walls), if that would help with rigidity or help to manage the machine's movements?

[Clive S]

Forgot to say that the bench and machine will sit in a corner so I could bolt the bench to two sides of the unit (typical breeze-block walls), if that would help with rigidity or help to manage the machine's movements?

That will be fine , as you say if it starts moving just but an L bracket to the wall.

Have you priced it up at 6' x 30" wide?

[goldtop]

That will be fine , as you say if it starts moving just but an L bracket to the wall.

Have you priced it up at 6' x 30" wide?

Inspired by Jazz, I'll put a sign on the door; "When this shed's a-rockin, don't come knockin".

Haven't priced it up yet, just rounded up some Ebayers who have what look like suitable benches.

Lee - I hear you, and I'm more than happy to offer you £90 for your bench. :D

[Lee Roberts]

Inspired by Jazz, I'll put a sign on the door; "When this shed's a-rockin, don't come knockin".

Haven't priced it up yet, just rounded up some Ebayers who have what look like suitable benches.

Lee - I hear you, and I'm more than happy to offer you £90 for your bench. :D

Only reason I got involved was because i hoped to offer you that i would build you what's in the pic, for material cost only.

However your 3 hours away so I think the logistics have killed it, I know a half pallet will be about £60...

3x2 will be fine it's the cross bracing that will count, mine has ply sides sides and triangles on the back top corners half the leg length in both directions, it's solid as a rock I can assure you...no need for a slege hammer to crack an egg.

Two years old, 12 months weathered (was an outside work horse while I built my workshop) and 24 months later is still as strong as the day I built it.

Are you sure you can't be tempted to built your own, if you get the wood yard to cut to size all you got a do is screw/bolt it together?

.Me

[Clive S]

Inspired by Jazz, I'll put a sign on the door; "When this shed's a-rockin, don't come knockin".

Haven't priced it up yet, just rounded up some Ebayers who have what look like suitable benches.

Lee - I hear you, and I'm more than happy to offer you £90 for your bench. :D

And theirs me thinking that a stand came with the router