Internal wall stud spacing, new build (2017+). Is 1200mm normal?

[TheLoraxxZeus]

First time poster here, I'm looking to build a workbench in my attached garage and want to run 50x100m timber from stud to stud (on top of the plaster board) to support the bench. However it seems my studs are spaced 1200mm centre to centre. Is this normal?

It's a bit frustrating because it limits the length of the worktop if I want to properly secure the mounting timber to the wall. Below is a pic of my design so you can visualize what I am describing. This bench is 1200mm but I would prefer 1500mm, however there would be no stud to secure it to at the far end of that 1500mm. Also with 1200mm stud spacing the center of the timber would not be attached to the wall unless I use drywall mounts for those areas. All the timber in the below design is a chunky 50x100mm. The bench will be used for automotive work, my 1500mm version has space for a vice at the left so it's going to get weight put on it.

I'm not really in a position to rip the plasterboard out and add intermediate studs.

Any thoughts or advice? This should be secure enough right?

 

[Deluks]

It'll work. (Assuming the wall is restrained at the top)
But why not take the legs down to the floor?

A temporary removable vertical leg under the vice will be useful if you are doing any heavy bashing work in the vice.
You could oversail the worktop at one end by 300mm and reserve that end for storage/light assembly.

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

It'll work. (Assuming the wall is restrained at the top)
But why not take the legs down to the floor?

A temporary removable vertical leg under the vice will be useful if you are doing any heavy bashing work in the vice.
You could oversail the worktop at one end by 300mm and reserve that end for storage/light assembly.

I originally had that but the garage is pretty small. It's 2500mm wide and I need to park a 1968 Mustang alongside this workbench (which is 1850mm wide), which means I need floor space under the bench to store items like hydro jack, jackstands and what not. I didn't want to lose anymore floor space and those things are too bulky/heavy to put on a shelf higher up.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Stud centres won't be 1200.

 

[^woody^]

4x2 will span 1200 centres for the main fixing no problem, and then just put a wall plug half way for stability. The support timber could also run past the studs to give you your 1500mm.

You could do away with one layer of the bench board and put another 4x2 across the front edge to transfer heavy loads to each support bracket

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Stud centres won't be 1200.

I may be measuring/looking at it wrong. I can visibly see where the plasterboard is joined, which is on a stud. I can not see a stud between them and it sounds hollow. Am I missing something?

You could do away with one layer of the bench board and put another 4x2 across the front edge to transfer heavy loads to each support bracket

Sorry can you mark on my photo what you mean? Do you mean a brace that spans from the left to the right under the bench at the front like you would get on something like a desk/table?

 

[^woody^]

BTW, this would be a better way of forming the joints for load transfer.

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

BTW, this would be a better way of forming the joints for load transfer.

View attachment 387397

Oh nice right. So for attaching to the wall fixing a notch would be better. So the 45 degree "legs" are sitting flat against the bottom of 2x4 coming from the wall? How would I secure them since coming in from the top would require a huge screw + might cause wood split. Would it come up the inside and you would screw from the outside in?

I'm not a joiner by any means, in case that wasn't obvious lol.

Also I had only went with x2 plywood on top because it was cheaper to by 18mm ply and double it than buying a single 25mm ply.

Also is 100mm (x2 50mm) legs completely overkill? I mainly went with that to reduce any chance of twisting but on reflection that seems impossible with your design suggestion.

 

[endecotp]

Have you looked for the intermediate stud(s) using a magnet?

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Have you looked for the intermediate stud(s) using a magnet?

I did yeah, I've ordered a stud detector because my magnet is not picking up anything between both studs and it sounds more or less the same when you knock on it. I don't think the plasterboard is secured to the intermediate stud so no screws (and would also explain the hollow noise).

I'll report back

 

[endecotp]

I find “stud detectors” less effective than a magnet…

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

I find “stud detectors” less effective than a magnet…

Well I would like to think this magnet would find a screw if the plasterboard was attached to the stud because it's a 20kg 25mm magnet, grabs onto anything metal from 5cm away.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It must be some of that magic plasterboard that only needs to be fixed at the perimeter.

 

[foxhole]

Hinge at wall and you can fold it up out of your way .

 

[stevie888]

I wonder if the OP has those awful Paramount board walls: timber tongue pieces at 1200 would fit?