Bike work bench ideas?

**5150** · 5th August 2013, 08:50

As the title says. I am looking for ideas to build a bike work bench. Any one has any ideas on how to build one on the cheap? I know hospital beds are good as the basis, but I wanted to make one on bare bones no thrills cheap az. Don't mind if it is fixed with a ramp. I am looking to lift the Bonnie up around a 1 metre off the ground to comfortably work on. Alternatively, does anyone have one they want to get rid off or pass on on the cheap?

**Hitcher** · 5th August 2013, 08:51

Work on the floor. Things can't fall off.

**unstuck** · 5th August 2013, 08:53

Arronduke made a really cool one, not sure what the cost was though, but it looks the shizzle.

In this thread soewhere. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...xtensive+clean

**F5 Dave** · 5th August 2013, 09:39

I was at the right place right time having a beer & a mate had bought a flash one & had the old one he was going begging - thanks again Jelly (actually he had a couple but one was not in use. Was made from solid bits of wood covered in galv sheet).

You could do a hunt to see if you can find some mega chunky table, I bought one that had steel legs made of serious metal that would have done.

But don't get a M off the ground. Mine is ~400mm & its perfect. You want to be able to get to all areas of the bike. your seat can be cut down to help.

I made a drop in hole for the ramp which has a bolt that drops in it. I also got some ~100x100 (two 1/2M lengths) angle iron & welded some flats so one cold be bolted to the bench & made an upright & other bolted to that. The front wheel drops in place & gets tied to it with a captive tie-down & I use a race stand at the back or strop the back to the roof, or alternatively turn the bike around & lift the front like that.

erm bit like this (sorry about Rusty, its a long story involving Hippies). Rag is in way of upright, but you get the idea.

**5150** · 5th August 2013, 13:09

And speaking of building own bench. Any advice on whether this might be a good arc welder to start with? Just want to learn the basics of welding and make my own bench. Saw this on Trade Me. I know it is not top end quality, but would it be ok for a total newby moron like me to learn on?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=621817299

**dogsnbikes** · 5th August 2013, 13:59

Plenty of cheap ideas out there

http://www.homemadetools.net/motorcycle-table
http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=ply...w=1366&bih=643

other ideas #4 of 5 is two F&P washing machine shells bolted end to end cheap as chips and by cutting a hole in the sides it makes great storage..

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**BIG DOUG** · 5th August 2013, 18:27

Spend a bit more on a good welder you can get some good deals on tig welders these days,and these will also arc weld.As for lifts I have a taiwan made lift which has worked fine,but about three years ago got lucky and scored a HANDY brand lift for $500.00 best investment I have ever made.

**unstuck** · 5th August 2013, 18:35

Originally Posted by 5150

And speaking of building own bench. Any advice on whether this might be a good arc welder to start with? Just want to learn the basics of welding and make my own bench. Saw this on Trade Me. I know it is not top end quality, but would it be ok for a total newby moron like me to learn on?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=621817299

I have a wee one almost identical to that one, just for smaller jobs. Happy with it and what it does. I have a bigger one for heavier work though, but that one your looking at would be ok to learn on.

**varminter** · 5th August 2013, 19:30

Will not weld wood, must be one of those cheap one's.

**nallac** · 5th August 2013, 19:37

Originally Posted by varminter

Will not weld wood, must be one of those cheap one's.

I'm LMAO at that reply........

**Akzle** · 5th August 2013, 21:06

plywood. about 3 sheets, cut into seven bits and slotted together like a badass.

**Akzle** · 5th August 2013, 21:07

edits... i see someone has posted:
something like this... oh fucksake. the last one.

**5150** · 6th August 2013, 07:24

Originally Posted by varminter

Will not weld wood, must be one of those cheap one's.

Yup. had a chuckle at that too.

**KenHMT** · 10th September 2015, 04:56

Originally Posted by dogsnbikes

Plenty of cheap ideas out there

http://www.homemadetools.net/motorcycle-table

Ken here from HomemadeTools.net.

I know this thread is an old one, but thanks for the link!

To celebrate our 20,000th homemade tool, we made a new ebook featuring our top 50 homemade tools. You guys are welcome to it for free:

http://download.homemadetools.net/50MustReadTools.pdf

**jasonu** · 10th September 2015, 09:18

Originally Posted by 5150

As the title says. I am looking for ideas to build a bike work bench. Any one has any ideas on how to build one on the cheap? I know hospital beds are good as the basis, but I wanted to make one on bare bones no thrills cheap az. Don't mind if it is fixed with a ramp. I am looking to lift the Bonnie up around a 1 metre off the ground to comfortably work on. Alternatively, does anyone have one they want to get rid off or pass on on the cheap?

Buy some 4x2's and some plywood and some nails or screws.