Where can I buy a proper workbench (USA)? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dave92F1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 03:22:06 am
content: I'm old and I've become picky.Where can I get an old style electronics workbench, the sort that used to be bog-standard stuff at Digital Equipment and IBM in the 80s? I mean the kind with:* Sturdy steel legs* Instrument shelf on a riser with electrical outlets at the front (and NO LIP at the back of the shelf)* 72" wide x 36" deep x 30" tall* 2 or 3 drawers on one sideESD top isn't important - I buy ESD mats and cut them to size.I'm in south Texas USA. I'll buy new if I have to, but I can't find anybody who makes these things anymore.Closest I can find is stuff I've put in the photos - either no outlets, or a lip at the back of the shelf (long instruments won't fit), or no riser or no shelves.Suggestions?

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 04:00:17 am
content: Since it's easy to do, (and I don't do much on-line my route would be straight toO'Rielly's Auto !You could probably check stock on-line, but decent chance they at least sell some kind of 'portable, knock apart or folding 'bench'.Could then customize, as you would ready have a sturdy structure, (even though crappy plastic, at first glance.

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 04:24:36 am
content: https://www.iacindustries.com/I bought a couple custom benches from them a few years ago. Good quality and sturdy. I ended up making my own electrical panels and lighting as those options were overpriced in my opinion.I've also made benches from parts at McMaster-Carr, they have even heavier duty options if needed.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 05:40:09 am
content: My current workbench that meets almost all your criteria except for the lip at the rear is fromGlobal Industrial. I have the ESD top, but they have other options. I got the standard duty version, and specified a riser that includes a power strip. I also got a drawer and a 'lower shelf' which is a good foot rest. It seems like the rear lip (the backstop) is optional and can be removed.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 07:24:47 pm
content: Harbor Freight has the one in the middle, we have one in the garage. Sturdy and nice natural wood surface, really good for the $. Our electronics lab benches are made up from the IKEA stuff (desk type), also really good for the $. Not as sturdy as a proper work bench for heavy mechanical work, but good enough for our electronics needs!!Best

author: Dave92F1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 08:12:59 pm
content: Can you post a link? When I go on HF's web page, below is all I see for "large workbenches".None of those is 72" wide or even close.

author: Dave92F1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 08:17:47 pm
content: Quote from: radar_macgyver on February 27, 2025, 05:40:09 amAre you sure? If I can remove it (without sawing it off), I'd buy that. I have a bench that looks similar and the lip on that one is definitely not removable.It's too big to order and then send it back if it's no good.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 08:51:22 pm
content: Quote from: Dave92F1 on February 27, 2025, 08:12:59 pmIt's a Husky like this one from Home Depot. We got it from Harbor Freight tho long ago.Best,

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 10:28:36 pm
content: You've gotten a lot of good ideas, but my two favorite workbenches are made from salvaged bowling alley lanes:https://cleveland.craigslist.org/mad/d/bowling-alley-wood-multiple-sizes-types/7824520923.htmlShipping is prohibitive. They are heavy. If there's been a bowling alley fire or one going out of business nearby, that's the place to go. Get two, if you have the space. Then, I bought steel legs with a cross brace for them. That said, for my electronics, I just use a typical office desk with a modesty brace/panel across the back. If you want a drawer, nice metal drawers can be had reasonably and screwed to the bottom of the top.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 12:14:31 am
content: If the lip is an issue, just put a piece of wood or some other riser on the top shelf.If no outets is an issue, just buy an outlet bar and screw into place.Not that hard.Or pay out the ass for something like thishttps://www.homedepot.com/p/ProLine-60-in-W-x-30-in-D-Heavy-Duty-Adjustable-Height-Workbench-with-Laminate-Top-BIB2/304242363

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 01:22:57 pm
content: You can look first at McMaster. They have all the parts and you just order the ones you want. They do have the 72" x 36" size you mentioned. As far as the backstop on the upper shelf, just turn it upside down. But ask if that is going to work before you buy.https://www.mcmaster.com/products/workbenches/workbenches-2~/workbenches-6/There are others if you don't find what you like there. Grainger will save you the shipping cost if you can pick it up at a local store. Again you order the pieces you want and assemble as you like. And just flip that upper shelf over.https://www.grainger.com/category/material-handling/storage-workspace/workbenches-shop-furniture/open-base-workbenches/stationary-open-base-workbenches-with-storage?redirect=workbench&searchRedirect=workbench&tier=Tier+&categoryIndex=2And Global:https://www.globalindustrial.com/c/work-benches/workbenches_worktables?q=workbenchAnd MSC:https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn?navid=2105590&searchterm=workbenchAnd many, many others.If you want that "bog-standard stuff", just where do you think those companies you mentioned and all the other companies, beyond number purchased it? NOT at HF or Sears or Radio Shack or other retailers. They went to industrial suppliers. More expensive? You betcha! Two, four, even eight or ten times as much. But that's what they charged then as well as now.I also worked at those "bog-standard" benches all my career, mostly at smaller companies you never heard of. But that's where they bought them and they paid those industrial prices.But personally, in my own shop I'm cheap. I mostly MAKE MY OWN. It is not only less expensive than the industrial stuff, but also less than the consumer benches at HF, etc. And frankly I can do the same work at any kind of bench. It ain't the bench: it's the man seated at the bench.

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 01:34:31 pm
content: Adding an outlet strip! Bingo! That's what I do, often more than one. I have one bench with two, heavy duty, six outlet strips attached to the front edge. I bought them at a local home supply store (Lowe's or Home Depot or similar) and they cost about half what a professional strip would cost. Edit: That bench actually has three of those outlet strips; two in front and one on the end of the rear back-splash. I have work stations both in the front and on one end where the rear strip supplies the power.Other benches that I have feature similar strips at the rear. I never run out of outlets. Of course they could be at the back or on the shelf or on the legs or whatever suits your fancy.I also like adding theunder the cabinetsstyle lights that are sold everywhere. Mounted under a shelf they give me a lot of light right where I need it. I have two of them at some benches.Another edit: While I am editing this response I will say this about drawers. Many benches feature a vertical stack of drawers at one end. This is OK and two of my benches are like that, but I have constructed my most used bench with four drawers mounted side by side, just under the top. Again, being cheap I used some drawers that were salvaged when my kitchen was remodeled. I added ball bearing tracks and repainted them. They allow my legs to be under the bench along a much longer space. It isn't pretty, but I really like how it worked out. IMHO, that is a lot better than taking up all the knee space at one end.Quote from: thm_w on February 28, 2025, 12:14:31 am

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 08:47:23 pm
content: Quote from: Dave92F1 on February 27, 2025, 08:17:47 pmI had missed that you were referring to the lip on the shelf rather than the benchtop. The shelf lip is on the top piece of sheet metal that is bent upwards. You could cut it off or bend it flat, but that would make the top structurally weak (the bend is what gives it cross sectional area to avoid bending in the Z axis). If the idea is to allow deeper instruments to dangle off the back, a piece of plywood or MDF to raise the whole instrument up to the level of the lip would do the trick. I also have the Proline bench linked to by@thm_win my garage (I bought it off Craigslist for ~$400); the Global Industries bench feels sturdier to me.The only 'deep' instrument I have is an R&S ZVC VNA, and that would likely collapse the riser due to its weight

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 08:58:23 pm
content: Quote from: Dave92F1 on February 27, 2025, 03:22:06 amThis place.https://www.lislecorp.com/All of the really good workbenches that I've seen in places like IBM and inside of US Gov contractors are almost always this brand and they are built like the proverbial Brick****house. But the prices are positively eye-watering! But they do show up on Ebay occasionally and since they're soheavypeople don't want to ship them so if they're local or if you're willing to drive to pick up up in person you can usually negotiate a very good deal. You can probably also buy them through Grainger and the otherIndustrialequipment suppliers.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 03:29:12 am
content: I swear by the old-school Lista work benches or work stations. Nobody but companies can afford to buy them new, but sometimes they can be found at auctions or on local sell-sites.

author: neverendingstudent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2025, 04:51:06 am
content: Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace / local auction houses.If you buy new, expect to sell a kidney.You can get them SUPER cheap (in comparison) on the secondary market, you just have to do a bit of hunting around your local options.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2025, 12:42:33 am
content: OP: At auction in 1980s, we Bought several of the last bench in your initial post.Indeed the upper shelf was useless, short and risky.We gave them to a fine carpenter, Elliot removed the upper shelf and built fine formica shelf, 18" deep, with backstop and 5 deg tilt.Even heavy rackmount instruments are secured.We added outletstrips under the shelf and above the main surfece.The 4' depth is especially useful.Your comments appreciated,Enjoy,Jon