In the new house, I’d like to move to a standing workbench, and computer desk and abolish sitting except at at the dinner table to eat. So in the basement, where the workshop will be, I want to build myself a workbench, and a computer desk that is both stylish and functional. The workshop space will be shared with a small theatre space, and I’d prefer to not have 2×4 work benches if I can get away with it.
Both computer desk and workbench will be 44″-47″ tall (haven’t decided yet on a final height).

UPDATE:
– Having used the workbench, it would be useful if I could adjust the height of the table a little. The current height of about 46″ is great for detail work, but working on larger components it’s a little high. It’s hard to lift heavy objects to this height, and applying lots of force is more difficult at this height.
– For the computer bench this should be no problem as not much force is applied at this height.
– Looking for a slick method to raise and lower the table surface. Since the counter is pretty heavy, I want a method to lock the height which is also rigid (and won’t create a wonky table surface). Maybe something based on a thread and a couple of stepper motors to raise and lower the work surface??

Computer Desk

The computer desk will likely end up looking very similar to something like this.
I do like the look of the Godmorgon legs since they have a bolt thread on both side so it can be attached securely to an upper and lower component.
The desk mentioned above has the coutner top secured only to the back 3 brackets, by the use of a 3 bolts that stick through the desk surface. The front of the desk is free to move. I don’t like that.
I do understand why he did what he did. The table is hollow, and there’s nothing to put wood screws into to hold the bracket . What I’ll likely do is glue 3 of these shelves to the underside of the counter to have something for the brackets to solidly attach to. For the added $3 per shelf ($9  total) the look of the desk will be much cleaner and most importantly there are no through penetrations to the top of the table top. It only raises the desk up by an extra 5/8″ (2 cm). Need to remember to scuff up the area to be glued on both surfaces (counter and shelve).
The Expedit Shelve and the Vika Amon table top will line up at the back of the desk, so the table top overhangs over the front of the shelving unit. The Capita Brackets that are used to space the coutner from the shelve will be angled: Two on each front corner of the shelve, will point towards the front edge of the table top. Two rear corner brackets will be angled to the side, and one rear bracket will be be central and also pointed to the side.
So in summary, the computer desk will consist of:
– Vika Amon Table Top (link) $59.00
– Ekby Laiva Shelf (link) 3 x $3.00
– Capita Brackets (link)  3 x $20.00
– Expedit Shelving ;black-brown (link) 1 x $80.00
– Capita Legs (link) 1 x $17.00
OR
– Expedit Caster (link) 2 x $10.00

Workshop Bench

For the workshop bench the idea is to have the bench in 2 pieces. Part of the bench would be on wheels (like a floating island) and the other part would be solidly attached to the wall. Both bench tops would be made of the Lagan countertop material. It’s 1.125 thick with a durable white laminate on top. I used this counter top for a workbench before, and it’s solid stuff. And the price is right at $60 for 7ft of it. I’d use one for the stationary desk, and another 7ft piece for the floaring island. The stationary part of the bench would have just two (or maybe 3?) of the Vika Byske legs and the back of the desk will be solidly attached to the wall in a clean way. Make a 2×4 structure under the table (just underneath the counter material between the legs and back to the wall) to add some stiffness to the countertop, but will have to hide it somehow as at 44″ tall, everything will be visible.
To hide the 2×4 wood support, I can set up a row of drawers and use a tall front to hide the 2×4 behind the drawer front. Ikea drawers like the Inreda drawers would work nicely with a set of Besta Vara drawer front.

The Vika Byske legs allow quite a large height adjustment which should easily get me to the 44″-47″ height that I want.

To size the height of the stationary workbench (which is infinitely adjustable due to the legs), I will start with the movable workbench, then make the stationary bench to the same height.
– Lagan Countertop (link) 1 x $60.00
– Godmorgon Legs 22cm (link)  6 x $10.00
– Expedit Shelving, white (link) 1 x $80.00
– Besta Casters Locking (link) 3 x $10.00

Total height is 1089.225mm or 42.88″

OR

– Lagan Countertop (link) 1 x $60.00
– Lillangen Legs (link)  2 x $10.00
– Expedit Shelving, white (link) 1 x $80.00
– Expedit Caster (link) 3 x $10.00

Total height is 1159.225mm or 45.64″

I think I’d rather go with the taller version of 45.64″

Milling Machine Counter

Cabinet for under the milling machine (link)

More to come as I make decisions…