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Standard workbench width is anywhere from 20-28". The bigger widths are usually on benches that have storage troughs. One thing to consider is the length of your clamps. If you have 24" clamps, then yu probably want a width less than 24" so clamps can reach across the entire width of the table.
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Allan Hill
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Think in terms of kitchen counters. Easy to reach.
They are 25" deep. That's what I built when I did a 16' run of shop lower wall cabinets.
Steve
Mo.
I miss the days of using my dinghy with a girlfriend too. Zack Butler-4/18/24
The Revos apparently are designed to clamp railroad ties and pull together horrifically prepared joints
WaterlooMark 02/9/2020
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I prefer length over width so my bench is only 20" wide. I have an assemby table that is 24" wide and that could be wider, but for my main bench, I want 18"-21" width
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Good idea. My workbench is about 32" deep, and it's a bit much for my reach. Should I ever rebuild, I'll probably make it 30" deep.
The only time an extra-deep workbench is helpful is when working on a really big panel, such as a table top. But you can also put those kinds of things on sawhorses, so there are always work-arounds.
I don't think you'll regret trimming it down to 28".
Steve S.
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Contrary point of view, but perhaps with different objectives:
I just built a work / assembly / glue-up table, 48" x 96". I inventoried all the projects that I've made over the last 5 or 6 years and most of them were tall or very wide (queen & bunk beds, dressers, linen cabinets, shed doors, bookcases, etc.) I got tired of stuff always hanging over my 3'x5' prior one. I debated on height. I ended up a couple inches higher than a 36" countertop. And I made access on 3 sides. But all that said, I'm 6'5" and wear a 37" sleeve. I made it the same or slightly lower than my table saw, that I also jacked up. I do not plan for it to ever be just a junk bench; tools and supplies are all stored away.
I do have a Tage Frid scandinavian design workbench against the opposite wall that I always found way too narrow and I finally filled in the "hog trough" that always just collected junk and sawdust.
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Twenty eight should be enough.
Mark Singleton
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I built three work benches (two on wheels) modeled after the Festool MFT bench on the assumption that they did the engineering and I only had to copy.
The Festool dimensions are:
Built to be sturdy, the Festool MFT/3 Multifunction Table offers a workspace that measure 43-3/8-inches by 28-1/4-inches, and can support loads up to 260 pounds.
No animals were injured or killed in the production of this post.
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(10-29-2019, 06:27 PM)toolmiser Wrote: I know this has probably been asked before. I have a workbench (was an old chemistry lab table) that I have in my shop against a wall. It's 38" deep and I have hanging tools in back of it against the wall (bench is against wall also). It's always been clumsy but I never wanted to alter it for some reason. I've decided I should cut it down and wonder how much? I have another free standing bench in the center of the room.
I think it will be much nicer to be able to reach over it better (I'm 6' tall), and it will give a little more room in the shop-who doesn't need or want that.
I'm thinking making it 28 or 30", but I am not going to cut it twice.
This is more of a "junk bench"-place to set something on more than a bench to build on. It does have a woodworking vice on one end, but it's not my most used vice, but I will reinstall it on the bench.
Thanks!
All thoughts are appreciated
I used to make lab benches about 200 or so. Also made 7 woodworkers benches. Standard woodworkers benches was 27" + or minus.
Lab benches 32". Try reaching across the bench and see what is comfortable. Short person will want a narrower bench than a basketball player. You do not need to follow any set dimensions, what is comfortable for you is the only criteria.
mike
