Bench position

[wcndave]

My new roubo bench will replace this one.

I have all my tools on French cleats on the wall.

However I always envisaged the vises being near side. That means I have to walk round to get tools.

But if I put vice the other side I will have my back to natural light.

Maybe better to have a small shed and no option but to put bench against wall ;-)

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[wcndave]

So I guess the question is, any recommendations from those who've tried both positions?

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[rafezetter]

Could you not turn the bench perpendicular to the tools so you are clear of the light on either long side plus it's a walk to the nearside end of the bench to get tools from either side.

 

[RogerS]

Why not make a rolling open sided trolley and put your tools on that rather than the wall? I like the idea of being able to walk round the bench and clamp any large items all round.

 

[wcndave]

Thanks guys, I will defo have my bench away from wall, that was a real pain in my last shop.

I can't really turn the bench as the table saw will be in the way. The room is carefully laid out in that regard, with the ability to use bench as infeed for massive boards if required. I have sideways space for 8' panel and turning bench would probably reduce that and make the sliding table in the way.

I thought about rolling tools, however I really want to keep everything out of the way on the wall and get as much floor space as possible. Empty space is so handy!

I will probably go with vices on near side, as I tend to pile up current tools on the bench. Then if it becomes obvious I will turn the bench. Pretty heavy though, so I was sort of trying to get a poll as to what people had found best, rather than another solution. Thanks again for responding!

 

[Mr_P]

Can you not reduce the width of the old one and place it against the wall ?

Benches are like heads, two are definitely better than one.

 

[wcndave]

Can you not reduce the width of the old one and place it against the wall ?

Benches are like heads, two are definitely better than one.

This one is promised to the children for use in the garage space.

I have the roubo coming plus, kreg bench, a table with grinders and sharpening tools, one large one with the chopsaw, and then various benches for lathe / sanders / router table plus the tracksaw / outfeed rig.... so i defo agree about work surface!

sometimes i find though that having space to move is just as important. Now I can plane / thickness 3m boards without any rearranging!