I have never had a proper solid work bench with solid vices. I have been using my B&D workmate for many years. My shop is very small and everything needs to be on wheels so that it can be rolled into place and out of the way when I am finished with it.

I decided to convert my rolling shop cabinet into a small workbench. I removed the old top and cut down the middle of three drawers to make room for the new workbench top. The top is 34×24. It is 2” thick with a 4” apron.

The top is raised about 4” from the top of the rolling cabinet to provide room for clamping and a small place for tool storage while working. I have added a front and side vices. I will turn the vice handles next time I have my lathe set up.

The top is made from reclaimed hardwood pallet lumber (mostly oak). These rough 3×3 timbers were used to stack truck frames and were obtained from a Ford plant were my late uncle worked. They were originally about 6 feet long and were cut into 18” lengths for firewood. There were in my father’s firewood pile for about 20 years. (Good thing he does not use his fireplace very often). They cleaned up nicely to about 2×2 and were joined together to make the top.

The remainder of this wood will not be going into the firepalce. However I have to finish up a few more projects before my wife will let me bring any more wood home.

I couldn’t bear to part with the workmate so I made a new top for it as well.

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