You may think that the humble work bench is just a rectangular-shaped table-like structure, but there is more to it than than meets the eye. For a start, a work bench has to be strong, and able to accommodate an individual manual worker or a group of them doing their various tasks. In terms of size, a work bench in a jewelery shop will be many times smaller than those for making space-craft or battleships. And as you can imagine, their structures will vary quite a lot depending on the work being done on them, even though they are essentially tables for working on.

Work benches will have many similar features, even if they are different shapes and sizes. For instance, the work surface will usually be 900mm off ground level, as this is a good height for humans to work in ergonomic terms. Most work benches will feature facilities for people to sit or stand when working. The choice of whether to sit or stand will depend on a number of factors such as the type of work being done and whether a lot of movement such as reaching is part of the task. There will also usually be a clamp or clamp-like device to enable items to be held steady for sawing, drilling, molding and so on. There will also be conveniently arranged compartments, slots or hangers for tools.

Work benches can be made from a number of different materials. These include metal, wood and plastics. Whether a work bench is made of metal or wood will be dictated by its use, and there are many different uses.

Portable or multi-purpose or portable work benches tend to be low in weight and as such are popular on the domestic scene. Usually in fold-away designs incorporating built-in clamps, they are easily carried around and stored in the garage where they can be hung on a hook from the ceiling.

There are different types of work bench for each trade and craft. Factories and laboratories have their own special designs. Sculptors and artists will heave their own types too, as will dressmakers. Metalworkers and woodworkers too will have other varieties of work bench.

When you're purchasing a work bench, look for high standards of of manufacture and materials, a record of good performance and customer reviews, a fair price, and follow-up support from the firm you purchase from. The best work benches will be very strong, with an adjustable lower shelf that can support a UDL (Uniform Distributed Load) of at least 300kg. Such benches will often feature a steel center support for extra support. Adjustable lower shelf levels are commonly seen in the very best work benches which are adjustable and so more versatile that types which can't be adjusted. Another plus point of the best work benches is an assembly methodology that is so simple that thay can be put together in minutes. Here, a rubber mallet is used to ‘tap together' the parts instead of having to use screwdrivers of spanners.

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