Benchwork legs

[woodman]

Medina, that's exactly how I built my legs. I used 1X4 screwed and glued to a 1X3 to form an L shape. I then ripped a 2X4 down the center and cut it into 8" sections, installed a T-nut and bolt. It made leveling the layout a breeze. Th entire layout is rock solid.

[Johnnny_reb]

2X2's at most big box stores are firing strips and should never be confused with 2X2 deck balusters

[Stevert]

dknelson

  But recently I have had horrid luck getting 2x2s that are not warped beyond all usefulness.  Some are downright hilarious looking (you could use them as templates for easement curves).  I may have to return to ripped 2x4s even though I prefer the look of 2x2s.

Dave Nelson

Look for "composite" 2x2's sold for building backyard decks.  They are more expensive, but they are more resistant to moisture/rot as well as being straight as an arrow since they're manufactured.  I believe that I got mine at Menard's.

I also got "top hat" bolts at Menard's.  They're a little more expensive than hex or carriage bolts, but they have a large, flat head surface that I think makes for a much more stable leg.

[dknelson]

I built work benches for my artist/woodworker/metalsmith spouse using the L shaped 1x4 and like you, used a bit of 2x2 to mount the T nut and carriage bolts as levelers.  It does indeed work like a charm.  I suppose it has the additional virtue that the wood is not touching the floor which might invite rot over time.

I even found a small wrench that I had had as a kid, possibly part of a child's tool box, that is only about 1/8 inch thick, if that much.  That makes it very easy to turn the carriage bolts.  I wish i could find another like it.

My layout benchwork has all 2x2 legs and I also use the T nuts and carriage bolts for leveling.  But recently I have had horrid luck getting 2x2s that are not warped beyond all usefulness.  Some are downright hilarious looking (you could use them as templates for easement curves).  I may have to return to ripped 2x4s even though I prefer the look of 2x2s.

Dave Nelson

[Medina1128]

I just finished the benchwork for 2x10' of badly needed staging. I've made my legs for the previously existing parts of the layout using the "L" shaped 1x4" method. For this new section, I added a piece of 2x2 to the inside corner of each leg. I drilled the ends, lengthwise and inserted tee nuts. I threaded a 1/4-20 x 2" carriage bolt into each one. Leveling this new section is a snap. I attached the 2x2 flush with the bottom of each leg. I rough adjust the legs when I attach the legs to the benchwork. Laying a beam level on the benchwork, both lengthwise and crosswise (is that really a word?), the final adjustment is made with a 1/4" open-end wrench. What a time saver!

Oh, and while I was working on this project, I made some serious brownie points with the CFO (the missus) by making her an 8 foot long flower box to put on the rear deck.