Hi
I am at level 0 with woodworking but wants to build some shelves in garage.
After watching some videos and reading some blogs about DIY and woodworking, I think I can safely use circular saw, multitool and jigsaw.Should I get workbench like https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-folding-bench-n-vice_p5860871 or saw horses https://www.bunnings.com.au/toughbuilt-2-piece-sawhorse-and-jobsite-table_p5820831 ?
Workbench seems good choice but need advice from experts.
What are some good workbenches or saw horses?Thanks
Hi @legopoint
Welcome to the world of diy beginners! I'm also as green as when it comes to diy. I tried the Craftright saw-horses and returned them when one of them died mid-project. I started using some stacked pallets as a quick fix and am so pleased with the stability I've kept using them! 😁 If you have the room, a workbench would be my preference mainly because of the stabiity, but also to set your tools up permanently. There are lots of diy workbench projects on the Workshop site (drop down the menu, open Garage & Shed). The Bunnings facilitators and community members are incredibly helpful with a massive bank of knowledge. And I've been told by a tradie that diy sawhorses are super easy to make. If you want to stick with buying sawhorses, don't be shy with the cost and go with a better brand like Irwin. I strongly recommend some online research too. If a sawhorse collapses while you're using the circular saw then it's likely you'll need an ambulance and a long recovery.
Cheers 🤗
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @legopoint. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about selecting a workbench or saw horses.
Neither of those are necessities to your project, but they will come in handy. If you are working with large panels for this shelving, I'd go with the saw horses, but if it's a smaller unit, you could use the folding table. The folding table would be useful for other smaller projects in the future. I'd recommend you consider the Ryobi Foldable Workbench With Adjustable Angle and possibly pick up an additional set of quick-clamps.
Folding workbenches are a great solution for someone with limited space or just beginning; I worked off one for years. If you were considering really getting into woodworking, then a great project is building yourself a workbench. Have a look at this step-by-step guide on How to build a workbench, and check out our Top 10 most popular workbench projects for inspiration.
If you did want to go for the saw horses, I can recommend the Craftright Folding Metal Leg Saw Horse, as I've never had any issues with those. @Tyro's experience might have been with the plastic versions.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Good Afternoon @legopoint
I was reading the comments on sawhorses so thought Id throw in things I use 🙂
I was lucky enough to get some ex telstra stools. These work well in three planes, On the feet, on its end and when stacked flat.
Essentialy its a box with feet, I have used upside down drums for resting lengths of timber on, brickwork, benches. Id suggest you start with your shelves and see what you "need" as your needs will rock up fast. Someone in Telecom industries worked out the right dimensions for multiple uses and made these for the works to use in telephone exchanges. (OHS wise 😲 but they are supper handy)
Only rules are
Needs to be solid and support the weight of what you are cutting.
Needs to be able to be leaned on.
Needs to be light to be able to be moved about.
Storage of the horses afterwards.
Some things to remember when cutting (I still make these mistakes when I dont listen to my internal voice.)
Cut after the last supporting horse not before it (Think like a ruler between two supports, if you cut in between the blade gets jamed as the timber is cut)
If the piece that you are cutting has a long overhang support it with another (Horse/drum) so you dont get a jagged edge.
Dave
Hello @legopoint
It's fantastic that you've received excellent feedback from our members. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend thinking about building your own sawhorse. This would give you an opportunity to practice your D.I.Y skills and build a project that will help you in your workshop.
I've placed a sample sketch below to give you an idea of how you can build one. This is roughly based on my grandfather's sawhorse which doubled as a worktable. He purposed built it to 700mm so that your legs would fit under if you placed a seat next to it. It also served as a toolbox for some of his tools.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
All of the above.
Plus - should you decide to upgrade to a larger workbench, I highly recommend a vice, even a small one - you'll never regret it. 👍
Thank you very much @Tyro , @MitchellMc @Dave-1 @EricL @Noyade I have a lot to learn.Design shared by @EricL looks interesting but I don't have enough confidence yet, so I have saved the design for future.
I also found a dismantled table from Ikea with metal legs. Assembled it and it looks it is going to hold some minor projects.Bought 2 clamps. I have some MDF board left from previous job by a contractor.Got jigsaw from Aldi(Am I allowed to mention other stores?). it says 710 W.Going to experiment with it tomorrow just to build some confidence.
Another thing I realised that I must buy a vacuum for the garage to collect dust from projects.
I'll go though projects submitted by community members for inspiration.
Just remember to post your project and share it with the community so that our members can see what you've built. If you run into any issues while building your project, don't hesitate to ask questions. We'll be more than happy to provide advice and information.
I also suggest having a look at the Bunnings Tool line up. When investing in tools, I recommend going for brands that offer battery flexibility. One battery to run multiple tools like the Ozito or Ryobi sets. You'll find both the convenience and functionality of these tools to be outstanding.
Here are some handy topics that will help you on your D.I.Y journey:
Morning @legopoint
🙂 Toolsl! You get to play with tools 🙂 Strange how that inspires the need for other tools as our list of what we have grows.
If you havnt used power tools before it can seem a little daunting, my scariest was a jigsaw of all things. I struggled at first to figure out how to use it.
A saber saw is another one I dont own but my brain baulks at 🙂 Just remember in here there are no bad questions of how to. Ask and there is a fair chance someone will be able to show you what/how to do it.
I use Ozito stuff mostly as it just keeps on going. Who would have thought a cheap brand is decent but yep it is. (Love the warranty period on them)
Never used the warranty but it was a deciding factor in going down the route of what brand to use.
Hope to see some projects down the track.
Hi @Dave-1
Thanks for the tips for sawing timber. Those boxes were a great save and so versatile! If you have the time, it would be really helpful to get the dimensions.
I haven't even taken my circular saw out of the case yet, but your tips are welcome and an encouragement for me 😂. I'm a bit confused with what you mean "Cut after the last supporting horse not before it" ... can you explain that a bit more please? Does than mean not to kill the power too early?
Thanks! 🤗
Hello @Tyro
Let me tag @Dave-1 to make sure he's aware of your question. When cutting timber panels and they are supported underneath with your sawhorse several things could happen as your blade cuts through the timber. If the cut piece is unsupported it acts like a timber vice and begins to pinch the blade of the circular saw.
You'll start to get a strong burning smell from the timber when this sometimes happens. This is because the blade is rubbing against the cut timber at high-speed causing it to heat up. That's why you'll sometimes see burn marks on your cut timber.
If the cut piece is long and heavy, it will even sometimes stop the saw in mid cut, and you'll be wondering why it has stopped. The technique to avoid this phenomenon is to place another support on the cut piece. Another way to do it is to place a wedge at the start of your cut so that it forces the cut panels apart thereby removing any stress on the saw blade.
There are a few other methods, but the ones I've mentioned are the most common ones used. You'll be more aware of this situation when you begin using your circular saw.
Thanks @EricL
I'm thinking I need more coffee as the mental image of this hasn't struck home ... I understand the vice-like behaviour of the timber on the saw blade. So do you mean to offset that effect, something heavy needs to be put on top of the cut piece of timber to act as a sort of counter-weight?
Morning @Tyro
I will try and remember to take some meausurments this weekend. I might even make a table.... But shall see 🙂
The boxes are the horses, The Pink is a piece of Timber. What I mean by cutting after the last horse is to have the timber cut after the last horse and not cut before. The weight of the saw will flex the timber and make for a rough cut or even jam. If there is a long offcut then the same applies have a horse support the length but cut near the previous horse so there is no flex in the timber. Too many times my brain goes "Its only one easy cut" only to end up with a mess or some sort of issue because I didnt take the time to reposition the horses.
I just saw @EricL @ response and yeah he describes it well.🙂 When starting out sometimes descriptions seem to make no sense. After you start using or even placing tools/build all of a suddern it goes "click" and you go "Thats what it meant!" 🙂 Canmt wait to hear your eureka moment! 🙂
Will see if I can set up my saws and take a couple of pics this weekend to show.
Hi again @legopoint
Something in your post has only just registered with my tired brain ... the need to get a vacuum cleaner for the dust etc. Depending on the size of your work area you might find a leaf-blower does a better job of clearing up the saw dust. Domestic vacuums have a tendency to clog up, especially if you use MDF as the dust particles are so very fine. I got myself a blower/vac for a great price at Bunnings.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-2400w-corded-3-in-1-blower-vacuum-mulcher-blv-2401_p3380601
I think I get it now ... but pics would be fantastic! Thanks a million! 😁👏
Brilliant @Dave-1
A picture says a thousand words! Now I definitely know what you mean 👏
... and I feel like nominating you for an Archibald art prize for your drawing! 😂
@Tyro
hahahaha mmmmm a quick scribble on a post-it note and the horses arnt even the same size but was too lazy to redraw 🙂
Thanks tho 🙂
Brilliant, just the same @Dave-1
🤗😂
Good Afternoon @Tyro
I took some photos of the saw horses and also drew up the meausurements. Saw Horses (Ex Telstra industries)
I forgot one meausurement lol I will take it when I get home.
Thanks @Tyro I was thinking of getting one which could be attached to the tool but your idea is not bad while starting out.
I think I probably have one stored which never got used once we moved house and current house doesn't have leaves issue.
Thanks @EricL That is very useful list
If you do decide to go with a vacuum @legopoint, a wet & dry workshop vacuum would be the way to go. With adaptors, then can be connected to various tools and, due to the bucket design, hold far more waste and don't get clogged up like domestic vacuums.
Hi there,
You will likely get differing view points on this question you have raised and both options certainly have merit. I actually built my own saw horse from scrap timber i had left over from previous projects or from old disused timber pallets even (??). Its a bit rough looking but relatively easy to make and potentially a bit cheaper than buying one.
+1 for vice, wish I had one.
Hi @KevinMall
Thank you for sharing your D.I.Y. sawhorse. I believe that it is always best to use the materials you have on hand rather than keeping on buying new timber which produces more off cuts and adding to the pile. In this manner, you maximize the use of all the timber in your work area. The best part of course is that it did not cost you anything to build it.
Regardless of how it looks, as long as it functions with the purpose it was intended for it is a good sawhorse.
Again, thank you for sharing a great project.
"wish I had one."
I don't know if Bunnings still market the 'Uni-Jaws', but I always thought it a clever concept and a very usual vice if workshop space is limited.
Well said and thank you Eric.
