How to Build a Sturdy Workbench

 

Quick Question:

What in your opinion would be the most widely used piece of equipment in your workshop or shed? Dartboard?…Beer Fridge? ? If you said the workbench, l would have to give you a High Five in agreement. Your workbench is used in practically every project that you do. You build stuff on it, clamp things to it and you even occasionally sit on it!

The good thing however, is that it doesn’t have to be an incredibly time consuming or difficult thing to build and nor does it need to be a costly endeavour.

 

Pro Tip:

There’s no need to purchase expensive, exotic building materials for the workbench. House framing pine and construction ply is all that is required.

 

 

 

 

 

For most of us out there, a basic workbench is all we need and if you want to improve on it at a later stage by adding something like a peg board or a vice, you can.

Check out my video below where l construct an easy to build workbench for the workshop or garage. As always, it’s a limited tools project, and all the materials required can easily be purchased from your nearest hardware store.

 

Build this “Must Have” Workbench. Easy, Quick & Cheap!

 

Tools and Materials Required to Build this Workbench:

Please note that we deal in the Metric System over here in Australia. Metric and the Imperial System don’t convert exactly the same which is why my Imperial Conversions are approximates. I have tried my best to get as close as l can. Thanks.

• For the legs: 90mm x 35mm (4” x 1 ½”) house framing pine. 2 @ 3.6 metres or 2 @ approx. 12 feet.
• For the Frame: 90mm x 35mm (4” x 1 ½) house framing pine. 8 @ 2.4 metres or 8 @ 8 feet.
• For the Edge Trimming: 42mm x 19mm (2” x 1”) DAR (which simply means ‘dressed all round’). 6 @ 2.4 metres or 6 @ 8 feet.
• Ply for Benchtop and Shelf Underneath: One sheet @ 2.4 metres (8 feet) x 1.2 metres (4 feet) x 17mm ( ¾  inch)
• Bolts for the Frame: 8 cuphead bolts @ 100mm (4 inches) x 10mm (3/8^th inch)
• Screws to Assemble the Workbench: 120 @ 65mm ( 2 ½ inches) Phillips head wood screws.

Dimensions of Workbench:

• Overall width of benchtop including the pine trim: 690mm (27 inches)
• Overall length of the benchtop: 2.0 metres (6’ 6 5/8^th inches)
• Overall height of the workbench including the ply benchtop: 900mm (35 ½ inches)
• Overall width of the workbench frame: 570mm (22 ½ inches)
• Overall length of the workbench frame: 1880mm (6′ 2 inches)
• Overall height of the workbench leg: 880mm (34 ½ inches)

 

Before you check out the awesome tools required to complete the project, an important disclosure:

The  links below are affiliate links which means that if you choose to make a purchase, l will earn a small…and l mean small, commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you but it certainly helps to keep the lights on here over at DIY For Knuckleheads so that we can afford to keep producing great, informational content for You.

Tools:

Handsaw, Circular Saw or Mitre Saw.

Corded Drill or Cordless Drill.

10mm (3/8^th inch) drill bit.

 Countersinking drill bit.

No.2 Phillips Head driver bit.

Adjustable Wrench to Tighten Nuts.

Combination Square.

Builders Square.

Measuring Tape.

Pencil.

Spirit level.

Wood workers glue.

The Do’s and Don’ts When Building Your Workbench.

1: Don’t Make it so Nice That You’re Scared to Use It:

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take care when building it. To the contrary…build it to the best of your ability because you want this Beast to last! What l am saying however is, dont waste you time, effort, and money for example, on finishing it with something like an expensive high gloss polyurethane that will look awesome, but you’ll be too scared to scratch it or accidentally put a saw cut into it. Workbenches get knocked around  a lot, so being too precious about it will limit its uses. Check out the top of mine after three years of use….or should l say Abuse ?  I think you get the picture.

 

 

 

 

2: Bench Height:

It’s important that you make you bench at a height that is comfortable for YOU to work at. That’s why there’s no magical specific number as everyone is of a different height. A good general rule of thumb is build it so that it’s close to the the top of hand knuckles when your arm is hanging next to your body.

This scientific method…yes scientific method, works well for me but some may like it a little higher. It’s really personal choice.

 

3: Just Get Started:

There’s no reason on earth why you cant build your workbench this weekend! It’s not hard, expensive (for what it is) or time consuming. Involve the kids, get them to help you source the materials from the hardware store. When the jobs complete, let them stamp their mark on it by stenciling their name and date on it or even spray painting a hand print..

 

4: Look Around:

Do some research. There’s a multitude of workbench examples scattered all over the internet. Just type ‘Workbench Designs’ into Google Image Search and away you go.

Talk to your mates who may have built one in the past. What worked for them and what didn’t? There’s no substitute to hearing from another persons experience. It can spark ideas into your head that you otherwise may not have thought of.

 

Pro Tip:

If you are considering making your workbench mobile so that you can move it around..DO NOT..I Repeat…DO NOT purchase cheap Workbench Casters (wheels)…you will regret it! Take it from me, who did, and was very disappointed! If you want a recommendation, check out these awesome wheels, or casters, from POWERTEC.

These casters allow you lift, and move the bench around with ease and then set it back down in place to give you a stable bench to work on.

 

 

And Finally:

 

5: Assesorise or Not to Assesorise…That is the Question?

Don’t stress out to much about it. My idea is just to get the workbench built first. You can always add things to it later as you see fit. Whether that entails power outlets for your power tools, a peg board for your hand tools or even an attachment to sit your portable table saw on, you’ll work that out for yourself as you go along.

 

So that’s it folks. I hope you found some of these Workbench ideas handy and l wish you all the luck with yours. I’d love to see how yours turned out so why don’t you upload some photos and a description to my DIY For Knuckleheads FaceBook Page for others to admire and comment on. They’re a very friendly, and encouraging bunch of like minded people who just may inspire you to go out and build something else.

 

Have a good one and l’ll talk you all again soon.

 

GREAT TIP KNACKERS!

 

Cheers. ??