Workbench

In October 2008, my Mum and Dad came to visit me in Cranbourne North. One of the projects Dad and I tackled during their stay was the construction of a wooden workbench to go across the back of my double garage.

It was an adaption of the design Dad used to build his workbench in the single garage at Wood Terrace, Whyalla, back in 1970.

Wooden Workbench Plans

While downsizing my Rye setup in March–April 2025, my brothers found the plans drawn by Dad for this wooden workbench, plus receipts from some of the numerous trips we made to Bunnings and elsewhere for materials and tools.

The wooden workbench measures:
Length: 393 cm
Depth: 87 cm
Height: 100 cm.

Download/View the 2008 workbench plans and materials list
(PDF, 4 pages, 288 KB).

Download/View DLB's 1970 workbench plans
(PDF, 1 page, 8,638 KB).

Under Construction

Workbench Under Construction - Early.

The picture above shows an early stage of the wooden workbench under construction.

Workbench Under Construction - Progress.

The picture above shows Dad with the workbench under construction, and the small workbench that came with the shed in the background.

Workbench ready to move into position.

Above, the workbench is ready to be moved into position. Note the cutouts at the rear so that it will fit in between the shed frames.

This wooden workbench is built solidly.

Above, this wooden workbench is built solidly, to be sturdy and last.

Workbench finally in position at Cranbourne North.

Above, the workbench in position, fitting nicely between the shed frames.

Workbench Accessories

A Dawn Fabricated Engineers 150 mm (6 inch) Bench Vice Offset with a set of Dawn Soft Jaws (150 mm Magnetic Plastic) was purchased for $400 and mounted at the right end of the workbench.

• Manufactured from steel plate and designed for heavy-duty work.
• Long life is assured with replaceable case-hardened jaws.

An Abbott & Ashby Utility 200 mm (8 inch) Bench Grinder was purchased for $300 and mounted at the left end of the workbench.

• Powerful Induction Motor.
• 2.6 Amps - 240 volt, 1 Phase, 50 Hz with standard 10 amp plug.
• 2850 RPM.
• 'Sealed for life' ball bearings for prolonged life.
• Vibration Absorption Pads on the base for smoother running and a better finish.
• 25 mm wide grinding wheels with 36 and 60 grit wheels standard for fast removal of material.
• Cast Iron Body and Base make the grinder strong and hardwearing for years of performance.

Eight outlet powerpoints were purchased and mounted at the rear of both ends of the workbench.

Workbench with accessories in Rye.

Above, the wooden workbench 16 years and 6 months on from construction and after four moves.

Non-Portable Workbench On The Move

This workbench was built for my Men's Shed at Cranbourne North. It wasn't meant to be portable. However, it then moved with me and was adapted to fit my Men's Shed in Frankston South. It then went with me to Rosebud, then Blairgowrie, and finally Rye.

When my bothers, Kym and Paul, took on the task of downsizing my Rye setup in March–April 2025, as preparation for me moving to NSW, the big question was what to do with the workbench. Well we advertised it on Facebook Marketplace. A bloke around the corner decided it would be great for his son who had just moved into country Victoria. But how to move it?

The solution was to saw it in half!