Hey everyone! As someone living in an apartment, I'm on the hunt for ideas for a smaller, standalone workbench. Ideally, I want something that's sturdy enough for joinery and planing, without it being a permanent fixture. I've used some big workbenches in the past but now I'm limited on space and options. I'm not looking for portable benches that require another platform, and I can't secure anything to the floor or a wall. I have both western and Japanese tools, and I usually work with softer woods like maple for small to medium furniture projects. I've been feeling a bit lost with this, so any suggestions for either buying plans or ready-made options would be greatly appreciated! Also, noise shouldn't be a problem since my neighbors below don't mind! Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
You might want to check out the low Roman workbench! I just built one for my shed workshop, and I love how compact it is. It's easy to put together and doesn't take up much space. Plus, it supports using dog holes and other workholding techniques, which is super handy. If you're looking for something portable, I recommend building one around 4 to 6 feet long, depending on your space.
That sounds great! I've been thinking about making one for my deck as well. It's convenient for both work and seating, so it saves space!
I built a really lightweight workbench with folding legs years ago. I used a torsion box for the top, which keeps it strong and light. It’s super easy to store and actually pretty sturdy once it’s set up, especially with added dog holes. You might want to consider something similar for your space!
That sounds really convenient! I’ve been looking into folding options for ease of storage.
I’m with you on this! I love the idea of a lightweight workbench that’s easy to transport!
If you're considering building, a Moravian workbench could be the way to go. It's designed for stability and can handle tasks like planing without falling apart. I've got a solid set of free plans I found, plus a video tutorial that walks you through the process. Rex Krueger has a simpler version too, the Quick Stack Workbench, which is also very easy to make and can be modified.
Great suggestions! I need something that can support my hand planes as well, so I'll explore those designs.
Thanks for the tips! I love the stability of the Moravian design—definitely looking more into that!
Totally agree! I’ve been using mine viceless with just my dog holes and it’s been working wonders for me.