I am excited to get started building my first Cigar Box Guitar.  I have wood working experience and have some portable and power tools.  I want to build a workbench/table that will give me good height and size for the many operations involved in building a CBG.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

Peter

Views: 597

Replies to This Discussion

Get a stick and a box.

beat the box with the stick?

I had a 10' X10' room with power, water, exterior door, heat, window, etc.  Built a 7' work bench.  This works pretty well.  I now have a small drill press on the lh side.  Lots of storage for tools and parts and cigar boxes.  I think the tool bench surface is 31" from the floor, but not sure.  I am not there now.

There is also a small band saw on its own table.  I put a bed over the bench and I stay there sometimes.

Hope this gives a few ideas.  I have more photos/

Thanks Gary.  I envy your "heat, window, etc," I'm working in my garage.  First order of business is to clear out the clutter to make room for a CBG building space. 

You said your bench is 31" above the floor.  That is just above kitchen table height (30"). I guess this height bench would be most comfortable with a kitchen chair, not standing.  Also good for using a bench mounted power tool like a drill press or band saw.

I missed the "bed sometimes", "in the doghouse" reference. I hope that when you bed down the power tools are turned off.

You can build a nice simple workbench using just 2x4s.  Just Google "simple workbench" and you should come up with lots of ideas,  Try Wood magazine and Woodworkers Journal websites and there may be free plans available.  You can find a small wood vice for about $40 and you are in business.  You will have a lot of fun with building these guitars.

Don Bear - Thanks for the reply.  I saw a Google link to a You Tube of a guy building a workbench using 2x4s and a solid core door for the top.  Weighs a ton, but pretty solid for sure.

What would you suggest as a material for the top? Also, what do you think about putting bench on casters?

I think work bench height will vary based on the height of the individual using the bench. Do you have any back problems. If you do, you really don't want to be bending over any more than necessary. I want my work bench to fall somewhere between to top of my belt and my belly button. Whether you plan on standing or sitting is important too. What kind of chair can you sit in for several hours? Once you have the chair then determine what height would be comfortable while seated in that chair.

Ken - thanks for your analysis. After considering your comments, and the replies of other CBG mavens, I think the best height for me is probably in the belt to belly button zone.  This puts it at about 36" above the floor which will be good for standing and also for sitting using a standard bar stool height. 

I have a standard height bench belt level and a storage unit about 20 inches higher - I find the higher unit great for doing any fret and electronics work but the standard height bench gets 90% of my time. I prefer standing puts less stress on my bum hip.

Ooops - make that 10 inches higher not 20 - can't seem to edit the previous comment. 

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