A reader emailed in, introducing me to Rogue Supply’s tool board system, a heavy duty-looking pegboard-like wall-mountable tool storage panel and accessory system. (More on that later.) When I took a closer look at the company, I saw that they make a very robust-looking workbench that grabbed my attention with stronger interest.
Just look at that thing!
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And before you say it, yes – I know many of you are capable of building something like this yourselves. But not everyone welds, or has the tools to work with heavy steel tubing. Others don’t have the time.
Rogue Supply offers workbenches in 2 lengths, 6-feet and 8-feet, and 2 heights, 33.25″ (sitting) and 40.25″ (standing). The heights are for just the frames, and don’t include the worksurface thickness.
Each workbench, whether 6 feet or 8 feet long, is 36″ deep, giving you plenty of tabletop space.
Related: Size Matters. How Big Should a Workbench Be?
You have your choice of worktops. They offer steel or butcher-block-style wood. The steel top looks like it’s a steel plate with bent and welded corners, but it could be steel-wrapped MDF or similar.
The 6-foot sitting-height frame-only weight is 135 lbs. With the steel top, the workbench weight is 290 lbs, and with a wood top it’s 255 lbs.
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There’s also a frame-only option.
Each frame is made from 11 gauge 2.5″ x 2.5″ steel tubing, which should be rock-solid. The frame bolts together, and looks to offer some flexibility in how it’s configured.
Although they don’t offer it now, hopefully Rogue Supply will consider selling a height-adjustable version of the frame or workbench in the future.
Or if you have a different specific height in mind, other than their “sitting” and “standing” heights, they might be able to accommodate your request.
You also have your choice of finish: satin clear, or satin black. The stand-up version also has an available gunmetal finish.
They don’t offer separate components on their website, but Rogue Supply describes their bench as modular, and they show this row of workbenches as an example. Here, there are 2 full workbenches, plus an extra set of cross sections and an extra top, resulting in a seamless 3-section configuration.
Rogue Supply builds these workbenches in the USA, but pricing looks reasonable. It looks like these are priced higher than mass-produced consumer workbenches, but less than industrial-grade workbenches, and certainly less than custom-made workbenches.
You might be able to build something similar for less, but it’ll take some heavy duty tools and welding equipment (and skills) to do so.
Pricing (Subject to Change)
- Frame-only: $495 sitting height, $530 standing height
- 6-foot with steel top: $640 sitting height, $675 standing height
- 6-foot with wood top: plus $215
- 8-foot length: plus $40
These workbenches are made in the USA.
Buy Now(Sitting Height Bench via Rogue Supply)
Buy Now(Standing Height Bench via Rogue Supply)
There’s no specified weight capacity, but I’d imagine that these benches can handle any reasonably load with ease.
Jesse
Rogue Supply is the same company as Rogue Fitness. They make some pretty amazing gym equipment, no doubt those tables could hold some serious weight. I went to their retail store last fall, and it looks like made all of their own display fixtures. They were awesome looking.
If I had the space currently, I would have one of those benches.
KenZ
They need to extend one side so it can double as a squat rack.
P
Hmm, looks like similar ruggedness to a Pollard bench, though a bit cheaper. I’ve been less and less impressed with Pollard’s bench-tops as my company orders more. Their QC seems to be missing more and more (had issues with splitting or de-laminating tops and miss-drilled holes).
Nathan
Got to ask where is it made for that cost.
and yes looks sturdy as all hell
Stuart
USA
Jesse
Columbus, OH
mike aka Fazzman
man looks awesome but that price is just ridiculous. square steel tubing does not cost all that much as a fabricator I just dont see that much labor in this.
I could build a pretty robust workbench along the entire wall of my garage and then some for this dough.
Diplomatic Immunity
^This.
KokoTheTalkingApe
I agree, and it seems like welding would not be required either. You just need something that can cut the steel, like a band saw or an angle grinder with a cutting wheel. You could bolt gussets or sections of slotted steel angle stock.
In fact, I am sitting at a work table I built from slotted angle stock and a store-bought glued-up pine top. I triangulated the corners for strength, except at the front, which wanted clear so I could roll my chair underneath, so I bolted on a pair of biggish flat “corner irons,” (they look like big L’s stamped out of sheet metal.) Steady as a rock, and easy to knock down. Took less than a day to build. If I were building an actual workbench, I might add a center brace, and use a thicker top, of course. If I need yet more strength, I might use non-slotted, or hot-rolled angle, or slotted square tubes.
pete
Totally agree, i can’t remember what 2.5×2.5 @ .1196 costs a stick though, seems like they’re charging for all the circles that are laser or water cut out of the steel when it’s not really needed.
Nick
I’ve got Rogue lifting stuff in my garage and it’s pretty robust. Looks like the same tubing they use for the weight racks, so it’ll probably handle just about anything.
A couple weeks ago I was near a construction site where they’re putting up a gigantic warehouse, I asked and it turns out Rogue Fitness is building it. They’ve grown quite a bit in the few years they’ve been around.
mnoswad
Also in columbus as well. Where are they moving to? never been to the current location.
…………But as a fabricator and design facilitator of large scale creative projects, i’m a bit jaded when i see products like these and find it slightly difficult get interested in them. And agree that it could be made or bought for less……..but for many folks thats not in the cards and these products are for them. I imagine the product would be well suited for adding to a customers existing collection of Rogue equipment.
I do however, appreciate the minimal aesthetic, the clean assembly and efficient fabrication design methodology. cool stuff.
I should try to check out their shop someday.
RC Ward
Cool looking bench but 650 bucks for a work bench? That is a crime. Seville makes one that is close to this for 200 bucks. If you have the money to spend then it’s another story, if not, go with the Seville. Nice write up. #TIACREW
Jerry
With the holes drilledmthrough the legs every few inches, it wouldn’t take much to have 2-piece legs where the lower part telescopes into the upper part, and held in place with a bolt or two. One could have maybe a foot of adjustability and still be strong and solid. If Rouge could do this as a reasonably priced option, I think they would sell a few.
Matt J
That’s what I was hoping to hear, if you’re taller than average, or need to drop a couple inches to fit under cabinets or something on the wall it seems like you’re just out of luck with these.
Robb
If someone were inclined to build their own frame, Any recommendations on where to get bench tops similar to these?
Stuart
Lots of places sell butcher block workbench tops.
Here are some on Amazon by Grizzly – and also check their website for price comparison.
I don’t think I’ve seen 6-foot by 3-foot benches, though. Most of the time 24″ depth is the norm. Just now I learned that Grizzly has a 6-foot x 2.5 foot size.
There was a comment in the past 6 months, mentioning a benchtop maker, but I can’t recall the brand.
fred
Deeper bench tops are more practical for benches that you can walk around. I have 1 old bench (more an assembly table) like that that is just over 4 x 8 since the top was made from 4x8x1 plywood with maple edging.
If I had to do it again – I would never have built it.
Shallower benches are more practical for setting against walls – with everything in reach from the front. Unless you happen to be an Orangutan with exceptionally long arms – the depth is kind of limited to your reach.
Norman
When i needed a bench for my garage I looked at a few premade benches and saw that 24″ depth seemed to be the norm. Apparently i did not look too hard as i also only saw benches of 6 ft long too. Finally I decided to build my own at 8ft wide by 32″ deep. I am glad I did. I am not especially tall nor do I have especially long arms but the extra depth is very nice to have and I have no issues with access even though the workbench is against the wall. I don’t understand why 24″ seems to be the standard as to me it is much too shallow.
That being said, I have a situation where having the extra depth did not impinge on parking of cars as my bench is in an extra bumpout that is not part of the main garage parking space. If you are putting a bench on the side or end of a garage, then those extra inches can make a big impact parkability of vehicles.
Also I do personally prefer to have a lot of bench space. Same thing for desks too, I have the same issue with desks that I find almost always are not deep enough either.
JSBSON
Menards and others I’m sure have butcher block tops in 36″ depths
Butcher Block Top 36″ Wide x 6′ Long x 1.5″ Thick
http://www.menards.com/main/kitchen/countertops-laminate/view-all-countertops-laminate/butcher-block-top-36-wide-x-72-long-x-1-5-thick/p-1444430610433.htm
matt
Hmmm…I have two Gladiator Benches and they suit me just fine. The 24 inch depth is fine although some will have a different opinion.
I like how I can put rolling cabs under the Gladiator bench.
The Rogue benches featured have a cross bar at the bottom which will not allow you to put rolling cabs under. Based on this, I would pass.
Stuart
25-inch depth. =)
Kent
Love that it’s made here, but that’s crazy money for a bolt together bench.
Alex
Was curious if this had a roundabouts weight rating at the standing height with a steel top.