Rant: my garage workbench collapsed because I ignored the simple stuff

Last fall I built this big workbench in my garage in Austin, Texas. I used 2x6s for the top and thought I was being smart by beefing up the frame with extra screws. But I got lazy about the leg brackets. I just used some cheap L-brackets from the hardware store and called it good. About 3 months in, I set a 60 pound air compressor on one end and the whole thing just folded. The brackets bent like tin foil and everything slid to the floor. My drill press took a hit and the chuck got knocked out of alignment. I ended up rebuilding it with 4x4 legs and proper Simpson Strong-Tie brackets. Cost me about $80 more but it's rock solid now. Has anyone else had a garage project fail because they cut corners on the little hardware pieces?

2 comments

2 Comments

brown.susan2d ago

Oh man, that sucks about your drill press lol. I gotta say though, 60 pounds on a workbench that was built with cheap L-brackets sounds kinda optimistic. Those little brackets are really only meant for holding up shelves or light stuff, not a whole air compressor. I bet if you had used something like 3/8 inch lag bolts into the studs for the legs instead of relying just on the brackets, it might have held a bit longer. Hope the drill press is an easy fix anyway.

grant5692d ago

@brown.susan I used to be the same way honestly, thought any bracket would do the job if you used enough screws. But after watching my whole bench fold like a cheap lawn chair I'm a total convert on this stuff. The L-brackets I grabbed were those thin 16 gauge ones meant for picture frames or whatever, not for holding up a workbench with tools on it. Now I go overboard with the Simpson brackets on everything and I check the load ratings before I buy. It was a hard lesson but at least the drill press is fixable with a new chuck and some patience.