Workbench

Workbenches allow Sims to craft items which they may be able to sell or use.

The Sims: Livin' Large
The Sims: Livin' Large introduced the KraftMatic Woodworking Table, which could be used to make gnomes. This workbench reappeared in The Sims: Makin' Magic, where it was accompanied by the Craft-A-Gargoyle workbench. Both of these items build a Sim's Mechanical skill.

The Sims 2
Workbenches were reintroduced in The Sims 2 in Open for Business and FreeTime, where they build badge skill as a Sim creates objects while using them. They allow a Sim to either make a single item, which is usually left on the bench after being finished, or many items, which will be placed in the Sim's inventory. When a Sim starts to craft items on a workbench, a dialog will appear with a default name and description, as well as an "Accept" and "Cancel" button. The player is able to edit the name, and may be able to edit the description. Items made on workbenches can be marked for sale a Sim-owned business. When they are, their "wholesale price" is considered to be the price they can be sold for after being finished, not the amount paid to make them. If a workbench is in a Sim-owned business, a employee can be assigned to make items on it; these items will appear in the owner's inventory.

"That Smells Great!" Floral Workstation
Associated skill: Creativity

Associated Badge: Flower Arranging

Cost: §1000


 * No Badge: Bouquet of Daisies (Decorative Item)
 * Bronze Badge: Wildflower Bouquet, Tulip Bouquet (Decorative items)
 * Silver Badge: Rose Bouquet, Mixed Flower Bouquet (Decorative items)
 * Gold Badge: Snapdragon Bouquet (Raises motives when successfully made)

Success or failure in flower arranging depends most on the aspiration of the Sim doing the flower arranging. A Sim in platinum almost never creates "Evil" snapdragons, while a Sim in deep red aspiration can create them up to a third of the time.

If FreeTime is installed, crafting at this workbench builds enthusiasm for the Arts and Crafts hobby.

"Non-Deadly" Robot Crafting Station
Associated skill: Mechanical Creativity

Associated Badge: Robotics

Cost: §2000


 * No Badge: Toy Robot (Raises Fun)
 * Bronze Badge: Cleanbot (cleans messes on the floor); Hydrobot (puts out fires; waters flowers)
 * Silver Badge: Sentrybot (zaps intruders); Munchiebot (fetches food)
 * Gold Badge: Create a Servo (robotic Sim)

Sims with lower Mechanical skill are more likely to create robots that start out non-functional. These can be repaired (place them on the floor to see the option) to restore their full value and make them operational.

If FreeTime is installed, crafting at this workbench builds enthusiasm for the Tinkering hobby.

Crazy Fun Toybench
Associated skill: Creativity

Associated Badge: Toy Making

Cost: §1500


 * No Badge: Sir Bricks-A-Lot
 * Bronze Badge: Little Heroes Fire Truck and Clown-in-a-Box
 * Silver Badge: Brinks Kite and Twirl, Spin, and Wobble!
 * Gold badge: Wet 'n' Wild Water Wiggler

Failed toymaking attempts may end up creating "evil" versions of the Clown-in-a-Box, Brinks' Kite, and Water Wiggler.

If FreeTime is installed, crafting at this workbench builds enthusiasm for the Arts and Crafts hobby.

Upright Pottery Wheel
Associated Skill: Creativity

Associated Badge: Pottery

This also raises enthusiasm for the Arts and Crafts hobby.

Cost: §1000


 * No Badge: Plates
 * Bronze Badge: Vases and Tea Sets (raises the environment motive better in the kitchen)
 * Silver Badge: Pitchers and Pots (raises the environment motive up to two rooms away)
 * Gold badge: Amphora (best sculpture for raising the environment motive in the whole area)

Mechanical Stitching Machine
Associated Skill: Creativity

Associated Badge: Sewing

This also raises enthusiasm for the Arts and Crafts hobby.

Cost: §1250

Unlike other workbenches, Sims sit while using the Mechanical Stitching Machine, and will be unable to use it unless a chair is placed in front of it. Also, the Mechanical Stitching Machine always places its products in the Sim's inventory, even if the Sim is only making a single item.
 * No Badge: Pot Holders
 * Bronze Badge: Teddy Bears and Curtains
 * Silver Badge: Quilts and 'an outfit', i.e. any one-piece outfit that can be bought, including custom content, but excluding Outerwear.
 * Gold badge: Nifty Custom Outfit

The Sims 3
Workbenches returned in The Sims 3 with the Ambitions expansion pack. It is used to 'invent' objects, while also improving a Sim's Handiness and Inventing skills.

Pedestrian Sculpting Station
Skills improved by using the object: Sculpting.

Scraptronic™ Workbench
Skills improved by using the object: Handiness, Inventing.

Catalyst Chemistry Lab Station
Skills Improved by using the object: Logic

§1,000

Aleister’s Alchemy Station
Skills Improved by using the object: Alchemy The alchemy station helps a Sim gain their Alchemy skill. They can Research Alchemy, where they gain the skill, and Mix Elixir, where they mix an elixir and make one bottle (or two/three when he/she is level six or higher of the skill) of it. The alchemy station has a fun rating of 1.

The Titanic Toy Machine

 * The Titanic Toy Machine (545 SimPoints)

Description: ''The Titanic Toy Machine was designed and built by a group of vagabond gnomes. They have since disappeared without a trace and no one knows exactly how the machine works, so thank heaven for clearly labeled buttons. Regardless, if you are looking for amazing toys for all ages, then fire it up and watch the magic happen. Just don't be surprised if those gnomes threw in a few kinks.''

Woodworking Table
The Sims 4 reintroduces the woodworking table which can be used to create wooden furniture and sculptures. With Outdoor Retreat, Sims can craft more objects like planter boxes, mirrors, wall shelfs, wall hangings or the Camping Mascot Sculpture.

Skills improved by using the object: Handiness

"Violets are Blue" Flower Arranging Table
The Sims 4: Seasons reintroduces the flower arranging table. Sims can craft various types of flower arrangements. Using flowers from the Sims' inventory will reduce the cost and ultimately lower it to §0 if all flowers required for the arrangement are available.

Skills improved by using the object: Flower Arranging