Workbench recommendations

[The Real Doctor]

Folks,

I have decided to add another bench to the middle of my workshop. Standard height (29"?), 8', 2'6" wide. I built all the other benches myself, but it would be quite nice to have something a bit more dismantleable for this one, in case a major car project requires the whole workshop at some point.

So I was thinking of going for some metal-legged, mallet-assembled jobs like a couple of WB2s or a WB6 from

the equivalent from other places.

Except that I can help noticing a lack of diagonal bracing, and can't help wondering if wobbliness results. Can anyone testify to the sturdiness - or otherwise - of these designs?

Many thanks,

Ian

[Roger Mills]

How tough does it need to be? For example, are you going to mount machinery on it or do heavy hammering etc.? If not, would a sturdy folding table suffice? I use a 'banquet table' of the type which Makro do for £30 from time to time. It's about 6' x 2'6", and just the job for when I need extra surface area for laying out tools and/or components. It has a sturdy frame, locking legs - but folds up flat for storage against the wall when not needed.

[The Real Doctor]

I'd like to be able to stick and engine or two on it from time to time. I'm definitely looking for something sturdier than a folding table.

Ian

[Piers Finlayson]

That looks awfully like exactly the same uprights, supports and shelving as the racking available here:

recently bought some Rapid 2 which is medium duty - the link above is the heavy duty stuff so should be stronger and sturdier than what I have. The stuff I have seems pretty sturdy and strong, and hasn't flexed yet, but then I haven't full loaded it either. The benches you link to have two shelves, which I suspect will fit pretty snuggly and should also add to the strength.

You could of course add some extra diagnoal cross-bracing if you so desired.

[The Real Doctor]

Thanks for that. I suspect the answer to my question lies in the attachment method between top and legs. Some extra cross bracing sounds like a good idea - as this bench is planned to run down the middle of the workshop the bracing will have to be at the ends, but every little helps!

Ian