What's Your Thoughts On This Bench?

[Ray]

I would like to buy a bench and could do with some input please. I found this one on ebay

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATCH-MAKER-BENCH-3-5ft-BY-2ft-HAND-MADE-NEW-STRONG-BENCH-/281393251977?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item4184584689

 

What do you reckon, do you think it looks suitable?

 

 

I'd prefer this one but can't justify that kind of money at the moment

 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/jewellers-watchmakers-benches

 

 

Or is there anything else anyone can recommend please, need something with more height then the desk I'm currently struggling with.

 

Thanks

 

Ray

 

[WillFly]

If I was going to get one - which I'm not - I would make one from a steel strut system, like the old Meccano girders but bigger. Once a basic framework is made to suit your requirements, then a top can be fitted, and plastic trays/boxes used as storage fitted into spaced struts. It might not be pretty, but it might be a darned sight cheaper...

 

Musicians use all sorts of metal racking systems for amps and other sound equipment, so the materials are available.

[Ray]

True, it is pricey for what it is and the materials it's made out of. Need to do something tho, I'm using my home office desk at the moment, and shifting the computer and everything off it to use it is a bit of a phaff, it's far too low as well so not good for the neck and back.

 

I'll look into your suggestion, cheers.

[ro63rto]

I've seen a great one assembled from parts at Ikea. Not sure on cost but it looks great.

These are the parts he listed.

100% IKEA parts used:

2 x EKBY Alex, 2 x ALEX, 3 x EKBY TÖRE, 2 x CAPITA 16 cm, 1 x CAPITA 10 cm, 1 x LINNMON Grau

[Ray]

Thanks for that, this must be the one you mean.

http://www.ikeahackers.net/2014/03/ikea-watchmakertable.html

Looks good, I'll price it up and check the dimensions

[ro63rto]

Thats the one.

[atimegoneby]

I would like to buy a bench and could do with some input please. I found this one on ebay

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATCH-MAKER-BENCH-3-5ft-BY-2ft-HAND-MADE-NEW-STRONG-BENCH-/281393251977?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item4184584689

 

What do you reckon, do you think it looks suitable?

 

 

I'd prefer this one but can't justify that kind of money at the moment

 

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/jewellers-watchmakers-benches

 

 

Or is there anything else anyone can recommend please, need something with more height then the desk I'm currently struggling with.

 

Thanks

 

Ray

Hi Ray,

 

It looks like the ebay one would be simple to make for a fraction of the cost & you could buy some nice tools with the money you'd save, especially as it comes flat pack anyway !       :)

[haratua]

That IKEA setup is pretty neat.

[bobm12]

I like the IKEA a lot too. I believe it should be about the same price but more elbow grease...maybe.

[Ray]

Think I'm going to go for the ikea option, don't think I'll bother with the drawers/shelf mounted on the back of the desk top so could put it together for around £200 depending on the top I choose. It stands around 100cm high so hopefully that'll be ideal. I'm taking a week off work at the start of next month so I'll get it then, there's no way I'm going to ikea on a weekend, tried that once 10 years ago and vowed never to go through that again!

[Ray]

Got my ikea bench assembled and ready for use

[bobm12]

Great job Ray, looks wonderful. Was it too difficult? I will eventually get one myself. Have you considered adding a railing around it? It will stop most flyers when you work on watches.

[Geo]

I do like that Ray, I would buy that one myself if I was re-organising.

[Ray]

Thanks guys, wasn't much trouble getting it together and I'm really happy with it. Only tricky bit is getting the bench top on the drawers, you have to fit it to the top drawer panel before assembling the drawers because it would be impossible to get your hand in if you assembled the unit first, oh and the legs at the back under the bench top are way too short so you need a lot of washers to get the height correct. Apart from that pretty straight forward and seems really sturdy. Regarding the railing, at the moment I have made a guard out of wood which I can place on the desk to stop flyers but will have to think of a more permanent solution to the problem.

Going to buy a decent lamp next which should fit nicely at the back of the bench top.