What do you use for a work bench?

sean hood

New member
I am planning on doing my first pickup change and need to find a good work bench. Any recommendations? Do you just build your own, or can I buy one? Thanks,

Sean
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I just went to my local Menards this weekend and bought a $50 wooden workbench. I had to put it together myself, but it's real NICE for the money. :)
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

Just don't use your lap! I have a wicked scar from a sodering iron to prove that it is a bad idea.

More recently I've just been using a desk (anything that is long enough for the guitar an a little extra room to set down your iron). I lay down some bubble wrap so that the guitar doesn't get scratched when I flip it over.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I am one of those weird people who keep their garage somewhat organized - that includes my wooden bench that I built :)
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I live in an apartment, so I don't really have a good work area. When I do work on my guitar I do it on a footlocker I used in college. Ideally, I'd get off my lazy butt and get some plywood to put on a card table or something and then I could actually sit in a chair and do the work on a surface I don't mind damaging.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

i live in an apartment as well so i dont have a basement and my garage has the bike and other crap in it so theres no room so i do it on the table, i have one of those guitar pads with the neck holder so i push all the crap off the table and put that on. i keep an ash tray near by to knock extra solder into
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I'm like Stevo . . . "somewhat" organized garage, with a bench I built, covered in grey carpet. Works great.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

Somewhere perched between a bedside table/desk and bed in my uni flat.

I have a reminder here for those in a similar position not to accidentally leave a soldering iron on before getting into bed.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

What - nobody else uses the kitchen counter? Corian is pretty tuff stuff, the lighting is good, and the height is right for working while standing up.

I put the guitar on a big wooden cutting board with a thick cotton placemat as a cushion.

I did learn the hard way that the beer needs to stay in refridgerator until after the soldering is complete ;)

Chip
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

sean hood said:
I am planning on doing my first pickup change and need to find a good work bench. Any recommendations? Do you just build your own, or can I buy one? Thanks,

Sean

I have a huge wooded kitchen table that I lay a towel across...I work on the towel and I have room enough still to have components and other things on the table with me to keep from walking back and forth for stuff....I'd like to actually have a work bench out in my garage,but here in Florida it's way too hot to spend anytime in the garage with the heat and humidity we get...

John
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I either use the floor, or if I'm soldering, I use a Black & Decker Workmate 425 I picked up at Home Depot for somewhere between $50 and $100. I'm in a townhouse and there is zero storage here (anyone ever hear of closets? Jeesh!), but it folds up nicely for storage under a sofa.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I just lay a beach towel across the coffee table and keep the tools and soldering iron AWAY from the leather sofa. The most important thing is to have a small soft towel to put on the guitar's body, so pickups and tools don't fall across the top. That's my workstation. My girlfriend loves it. :rolleyes:
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

Don't laugh. I built a small table that I clamp into my folding sawhorse Black and Decker thingy. The small table is wood, with padding, and covered in red crushed velvet. It looks like it came out of a French house of ill repute. My wife shook her head. I love that table!
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

i use my little home studio workstation (by ultimate) ... i put the synth on the floor while i am doing guitar work and lay out some thick beach towels to cushion everything real good

works fine

good luck
cheers,
t4d
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

Well, if it's just a pick up change and nothing else (routing, glueing, sanding)
then I've got either an old wooden desk with drawers covered with carpet
( swing lamp, power strips, shop vac beneath, soldering station to side, and other goodies) that butts up against a wall with some component organizers, and wire rack ... pretty easy to make your own, a sturdy wooden desk, with good leg room, a drawer or two for tools, components, and other supplies ... ample work sapce, and space to the side for other things can be found at yard sales, flea markets, second hand furniture stores, etc. So once you get that you can customize it anyway you want. I say a wooden desk/work bench thing because you can screw/mount all the extra stuff you need right to it (power strips along side and back, that magnified swing lamp, a small vice or parts holder, or what have you).Plus most desks are at a pretty comfortable level to work from, a good comfy computer chair and you are there.
For what you asked though, an old blanket on the floor or towel (protect the carpet from falling solder), and protects the instrument from getting scratches from a plain or hard wood floor, those fret rest things are helpful, and fairly cheap also. Don't have any pets or children running amuck, and be careful where you put your soldering iron, you may have to elevate the body a bit and cushion the headstock. Folded towels do nicely, although nothing to fluffy (causes problems with lint in polishing, cleaning, etc.)
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

I just found a great bench......the stand up ironing board. I found it perfect height to work on the axe.
 
Re: What do you use for a work bench?

Fresh_Start said:
I did learn the hard way that the beer needs to stay in refridgerator until after the soldering is complete ;)

Chip

Well, I don't know about that, some of my more innovative work has been done that way ... :laugh2:
Of course, make no mistake, that was *my* personal work, not someone else's guitars. There is nothing like sitting there scratching your head going ... what did i do to that circuit last night ... :scratchch
 
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