Anyone got tips on building a cheap, but solid, workbench? Argos sell one with a tool board for abotu £60, but that's gotta be pretty shonky.

Mines just some 4 x 2 timbers to make a frame and then piece of kitchen worksurface on top. The base is 4 legs with horizontal braces at low level and diagonal bracing across them and front to back to hold the 2 frames together.

These come out really sturdy, made mine taller and wider with extra legs and a better top.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html

thanks tinribz, love the name of that site

£58.73

http://www.freeww.com/garageworkbenches.html
some good designs

The clarke one qwerty has a picture of above is pretty good for the cash, i've got one in my home workshop, I have replaced the back board and two tops with thicker marine ply though as the MDF stuff that came with didn't like engine oil much!

build your own, from 2*4's and kitchen worktops

Have a look on the Sealey tools site, they are doing a good deal at the moment in their new years sale, £170 off a bench with backboard and roller draws. But, I'm building myself a bench tomorrow, i'll show you when i'm done!

Mine is kitchen worktop. You could get some from a skip or ikea sell lengths with a few chips for £10.

I`ll build you one if you live near chester,

I have the Argos one and it looks identical to the Clarkes one pictured in every respect (excluding colour) but including price.
The Argos reviews are all good for that workbench.
It's not shonky at all.
The only bad point I'd say is the peg board is a little flimsy BUT the pegs are awful.

But overall its been a good buy for me.

Mine's just a bit of ply, some legs and a baton fixing it to the wall. Sturdy (and cheap!) as anything. Sturdy enough to hold my giant vice anyway. Why pay more?
Search for the "show me your workshop" thread for a pic!

HERE! If this link works its worth a look!

Has anyone tried putting a vice on the clarkes/Argos workbench? Just wondering if the worktop is strong enough.

no that's why I put the marine ply on it too, the sealey, clarke and argos ones are the same thing.
And have another heavy duty bench made out of fence post legs and half a heavy weight door for the top for my monster vice.

I built my own.

Wood was cut to size at the DIY store and most joints use coach bolts.

Instructions here:

Click for bigger

Rubbish picture: