Workbench Topics

A workbench can be any surface on which tasks are performed. It can be anything up to and including a couple of sawhorses with a board lay across them. It can be, literally, a work bench. But when many of us think of workbenches, we envision something far grander. And that option is certainly available, too. The purpose behind all of them is to give you a better environment in which to complete your task. A good garage workbench is one which makes doing the job more convenient, comfortable, and safe.

What Is Its Purpose?
The word workbench itself may be a slight misnomer. A better description may be a work space, a work table, a work counter, or a work station. And you should look at it accordingly. First, it should be the right height. You need to be able to work comfortably, work efficiently, and work safely. If you get a backache at your work bench, you've got the wrong one. Likewise, you need to be able to see what you're doing, to keep your attention on the task at hand, and work with your hands without awkwardness. A good garage workbench allows you to have everything readily available, yet also out of the way.

Many offer the option of being able to clamp items to the work surface, allowing you to safely use both hands for better accuracy. Meanwhile, the garage workbench itself should be just as steady.

Should it Be Portable or Permanent?
Some workbenches are highly mobile, easily put together and just as easily broken down. Others are semi-permanent, but can still be rolled across the garage, or even taken to a job site. Others are permanent, such as laboratory workbenches, which stay where they are, but might even come complete with a heat source and sink.