Workbench Buying Guide
Almost every home needs a home workbench, but which one? The answer likely depends on many questions. Which is best for you? We'll try to give you the questions you'll need to ask in this workbench buying guide. Which workbench is best for you? The first question might be, is there more than one You? If so, you need to ask these questions of everyone who will be a major user of the bench.
What Height Do You Need? Where will you put it? It needs to fit its environment, too. Is it a garage workbench, or a utility room workbench? Should it be a mobile workbench, or a permanent workbench? Will you use it to store tools? Would you like it to have a light, or drawers, or an electrical outlet? Maybe most important, can you organize that space enough to find room for your proposed wooden workbench? If you're putting it in the garage, you need to find someplace for all the stuff that's there now. |  |
What Will I Be Using It For?
Multi-use industrial workbenches are good for multiple uses. But if you are going to be doing something specifically, make sure you get the right workbench for that purpose. Most surfaces are also multi use, but if you're working with a lot of heavy oils or solvents, plastic and steel workbench tops are better than wood. Wood handles heavy weights. If you need a certain accessory, make sure you can add it. Someone working with a lot of electric currents may find it worthwhile to invest in an ESD top.
Steel workbenches are utilized as steady, safe workspaces. If you're working on especially heavy and heavy-duty projects, you'll need an especially heavy-duty workbench.
At What Cost?
Of course, we'd all love our dream workbench, and they're out there. You can get anything on it you could ever dream of or want. The question is, if that costs too much, where are you willing to compromise? What do you really need, and what would just be nice to have? Where does your budget intersect with your dream?
Good, solid, ergonomic workbenches are out there, at reasonable prices. Remember, the important thing is all the fun you'll have actually working at that work bench.
