Perhaps most of the men can handle the tool and prefers to independently solve a number of problems that arise in everyday life. A lot can be done without assistance, while saving a lot of money and enjoying the process itself. Joiner's workbench is an indispensable assistant in this matter. It will allow to carry out a number of works quickly and efficiently. Having such an assembly in the workshop is very good. Further, in fact, we will talk about how to choose a table in accordance with needs, what kind of joiner's workbenches are and what their purpose is.
Key Points
The word "workbench" is of German origin. So on a professional slang they call a table on which materials are processed and shaped. Moreover, in addition to wood, steel products and workpieces from other materials (plastic, composites and others) are also processed on workbenches. Processing can be carried out both manually and with the use of an electric tool (jigsaw, drill, plane and others).
Make a workbench yourself or buy a factory one?
Joiner's workbench is a universal and very useful thing in any workshop or garage. If necessary, it can be equipped with a wide variety of devices for carrying out a wide range of technological operations for processing wood (and not only) materials and products. Wooden carpentry workbenches can be easily purchased both in a specialized store and on the Internet. There are even special workbenches for children. But the prices for the first and second are by no means childish.
The wooden carpentry workbench has a rather simple structure that even an inexperienced craftsman can recreate at home. Therefore, many prefer to do them yourself. The cost of manufacturing a joiner's workbench is extremely small. And if there are stocks of wood suitable for use for these purposes, then the workbench can do absolutely free.
Some arguments in favor of self-made workbench
If you take the matter seriously, you can create a very worthy copy that will not be inferior in functionality to store counterparts. And if you set a goal, you can also provide the product with a decent appearance.
You can and even need to pre-designate and outline a place in the workshop where a joiner's workbench will be installed. A folding table will allow you to use the workshop space with maximum efficiency. Thus, you can make a table specifically for you. Such a workbench would ideally be in the space reserved for him.
Finally, the third argument, for someone, perhaps the most important one - making a workbench with your own hands, the master will save a large amount of money. These finances are best spent on tools and other equipment.
General requirements and recommendations for the manufacture of a workbench
On the surface of the desktop must be fixed stops and clamps to secure the workpieces. To ensure the flexibility of production and the possibility of readjustment for the release of new products, it is recommended to make these elements removable, and make technological threaded holes for their fastening with an equal pitch over the entire surface of the table.
The height of the workbench from the floor should be such that it is convenient for a person to work behind it. It is selected experimentally (usually equal to 60-90 centimeters).
Shelves and places for fastening tools should be installed taking into account the individual preferences of the worker. So, if the carpenter is left-handed, then they should be located on the left, and if the right-hander - then on the right. At first glance it may seem that this is a trifle, but far from it: with a reasonable and thoughtful placement of the tool, the joiner will not have to be distracted by secondary tasks, he will concentrate on solving basic technological processes and observing safety standards and rules when carrying out carpentry work. Ergonomics is a science. And it should not be neglected at the present stage of life.
Purpose of the workbench
Before you start assembling a carpentry workbench or go to a specialized store to buy it, you need to determine exactly what work will mainly be carried out on it. Although this device is considered universal, it can also have a special design, which allows you to perform a number of technological operations for processing products in a more rational and faster way. If the workshop room is not large, then you should consider the possibility of arranging a folding carpentry bench. Perhaps, over time, such a table will lose its rigidity and become loose, but these problems are quite easily fixed. If the workbench is supposed to be used rarely, then this option is the most optimal in all respects.
In the household, as a rule, universal carpentry workbenches are in demand, which allow performing a wide range of works and can be equipped with a wide variety of equipment: a vice, circular saws for cutting sheet material and sawing up bars. Equipment allows you to improve the usability and quality of manufactured products.
Workbench Requirements
Like any other industrial equipment, a workbench must meet a number of strict requirements. The main ones are as follows:
- the product must have high reliability and good strength characteristics. After all, the mass and dimensions of the processed products, as well as their material (mass and density) can be very different;
- all surfaces should be smooth and polished to minimize the likelihood of workers getting injured and injured;
- the structure should not contain the peak of nails protruding outward and the self-tapping screws with which it was assembled. This could result in serious injury.
Existing designs
The dimensions of a carpentry bench can be different. The main thing is that the table fully provides safety and convenience. They are selected by each person based on their own needs and the estimated dimensions of the processed products. An important factor is the presence (absence) of free space in the workshop. A workbench cannot occupy half of the room: this will create objective difficulties in moving and in normal operation.
As a rule, the possibility of installing a vice for a carpentry bench is always provided. In some cases, this measure can significantly accelerate the manufacturing process of the product and increase the level of industrial safety.
As a starting material, it is recommended to use a wooden beam or strong boards. And if the frame can be made from ordinary wood, then the desktop itself needs to be made exclusively from hardwood. If the working surface is made of ordinary low-grade wood, then such a workbench will hardly serve for a long time. Most likely, the wood will crack after the first blows with a hammer, which will lead to the need to replace the entire surface. And well, if you do without injuries. It is better not to risk your own health and not save on material. The thickness of the timber should be at least 6 centimeters. This condition is dictated by safety considerations. In addition, the massive desktop absorbs vibration well, which is the key to the quality of the products obtained and comfortable work, and also allows you to install a vice for a carpentry bench and other necessary equipment. To install technological equipment at the ends and on the outside of the working table, holes of a given diameter and in the required quantity are drilled.
For the manufacture of the legs of the workbench, it is advisable to use light wood: this will not affect the quality of the products and the performance characteristics of the workbench, but will significantly reduce the weight of the entire structure.
The design of any good workbench should provide space for fastening the tool necessary for work. This solution can significantly reduce the manufacturing cycle of the product and reduce the fatigue of the worker, significantly relieves it and allows you to concentrate exclusively on working moments. As a result, there is a reduction in injuries due to fatigue and loss of attention and a significant increase in labor productivity. These indicators are important not only for industrial enterprises, but also in everyday life.
The device of a carpentry bench often provides for special shelves for storing materials and tools. This solution allows not only optimizing the space, but also reducing vibrations during the operation of the power tool, which reduces the risk of injury and improves the quality of the finished product.
Materials for countertops
As previously noted, the most common material for the manufacture of countertops is a massive beam of noble wood. But with the development of modern technology, this traditional material has gained worthy competitors. In particular, MDF boards with a thickness of 30 millimeters are increasingly being used for these needs. Sheet steel is also used.
Existing types of workbenches
The purpose of all workbenches is the same - they serve as the basis for cutting wood (sawing, planing, drilling, etc.), as well as for a number of other technological operations: bending, gluing, artistic processing and others.
Depending on what types of work will be predominantly carried out on a workbench, one or another design may be preferable. The following types of workbenches are distinguished: stationary, mobile and composite. Each of the listed species has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Stationary workbench
Designed and assembled taking into account specific conditions and restrictions. A place for him is chosen in advance, and sometimes moving it is quite problematic. Such a table is appropriate to equip in mass production. Although, due to its wide versatility, such a workbench is perfect for a home workshop. The technology for creating such a table is simple and reliable, which determines the durability of the workbench. The height of the table should be such that a particular person can work comfortably. That is, it can vary.
Features of mobile workbenches
Ideal for small home workshops. When folded, it is so compact that it can be stored on the balcony or even on the section. In the assembled state, the dimensions of the table are 100 * 70 centimeters.
It’s hardly possible to make such a workbench on your own. After all, for this you need to have at your disposal a fleet of metal cutting machines and equipment for bending a metal profile.
However, the rigidity of such a table leaves much to be desired, and this despite the fact that a metal frame is used for manufacturing. A joiner's workbench of this type is quite expensive, and its performance is inferior to other peers.
These features determined the scope of such workbenches - small hobby apartment workshops. If you try to process dimensional and weighty products on such a workbench, then it will simply fall apart.
Of the advantages of products of this type, one can note a small weight (up to 40 kilograms) and external attractiveness (design).
Design features of compound machines
Such equipment is classified as professional. A joiner's workbench of this type is very complicated and expensive to manufacture. But it is extremely convenient in operation and with simple settings can be used to carry out a variety of work. Thanks to original solutions in the design, the functional blocks of the equipment can be rearranged and changed, adapting to specific technological needs. Thus, a wide range of work can be performed on such tables. Moreover, on a professional level, and not, as they say, on the knee.
Features of the device of the working surface and frame
Before proceeding with the assembly of the workbench, it is necessary to fix stiffeners to the countertop with self-tapping screws . Pine or spruce boards with dimensions of 100 × 60 × 800 millimeters are longitudinally attached, and boards with dimensions in cross section of 50 × 60 and a length of 1.8 meters are transverse. In this case, longitudinal boards are necessary in order to exclude warpage of the countertop, and transverse - for further installation of equipment.
It may seem that these works are performed by eye. However, this is a fallacy. Dimensions must be maintained. If inaccuracies are made, then in the end there will be problems with the fastening of the support legs to the countertop. And the operation of such a table will be overshadowed by poor stability.