Workbench for Mere Mortals
Most of you know that I’ve had a huge 4′ x 8′ workbench in the middle of my shop for years. When I built it, I reasoned that its size would be handy for cutting full sheets of plywood and for assembling large projects. It took me over ten years to figure out that I rarely need that much work surface and I prefer to break down sheet goods in the driveway. It also took me that long to realize that my shop was feeling needlessly cramped, especially for shooting video.
Downsized workbench
The new workbench is similar in design to my old one, and I was able to recycle much its lumber. For the kind of building I do, I don’t require a traditional “woodworking” bench, such as a hand-tool user needs for holding down work pieces for chiseling and hand planing. When I require hold-downs, a clamp hrabbing the edge of the bench works fine.
What I do require in a bench is strength and stability. Something I can pound on and abuse! The structure of this workbench is all made with 2x4s. For the top, I glued together two pieces of 3/4″ (19mm) plywood, making it beefy and perfectly flat. I like to tack a sheet of 1/4″ (6mm) hardboard (AKA: Masonite) to the top. This gives it a smooth surface that can easily be replaced if needed.
Another thing I wanted was a bit more height than the old bench. I made the old one to match the height of my old table saw so I could use it as an outfeed table, which I rarely did. This new bench stands 36″ (914mm) tall, which is much more comfortable for me to work on without leaning over too much.
Finally, I included plenty of storage space in this workbench. I left one half open, for storing wood, and I utilized the space between the 2x4s on the ends for shallow shelves. Don’t know what I’ll use them for yet, but it’s nice to have.
January 16, 2015 @ 11:56 am
really nice workbench im gong to biuld one for mysely ill send a picture of my new work bench when i biuld itthanks alot for the video i really enyoyied it thanks a lot
from a really consitant viewer MARK
July 2, 2016 @ 10:00 am
I am Sharing my personal experience about one of the wood working plan i am using for my project. it contains all woodworking plans include workbench plans, shed plans, chair … blueprints and detailed instructions for building all kinds of wooden,
check out here to download the wood working plans ( http://tinyurl.com/best1wood )
All the best have a great day
January 16, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
I’m in Minnesota and am spending time in my shop..huh..I think you’ve motivated me into downsizing my bench.. more room would be nice..
January 16, 2015 @ 12:16 pm
Wow, glad to see you have finally made something that someone might really want to make for their shop again. Nice job
January 16, 2015 @ 4:48 pm
Loved your enthusiasm and like the plans but could you do us a favor and include a material cutting list on one page so we don’t have to make notes of the dimensions of all those pretty pictures. Keep the great videos coming.
January 17, 2015 @ 5:09 am
I actually included a cutting diagram on this project. Make sure you download the PDF.
January 16, 2015 @ 7:08 pm
Any chance we could see what size/type of nails and screws you used for this? Nice-looking project. Eager to build one of these. Thanks.
January 17, 2015 @ 5:07 am
I just used a variety of whatever I could find in my shop. I’m not sure what the lengths were. Just make sure they are long enough to hold two pieces together without coming out the opposite side.
January 17, 2015 @ 9:56 am
Hope you Can help me with that
January 18, 2015 @ 7:07 am
It’s a pocket screw jig. Mine is made by Kreg.
January 17, 2015 @ 11:06 am
nice job! I built my bench that I use for building on so it fits under my bench along the wall and put locking wheels on it so when not in use I can just tuck it away.
January 18, 2015 @ 4:31 pm
What are the dimensions of A-H? I don’t see them in the pdf plans.
January 20, 2015 @ 9:46 am
You’ll find the dimensions of these pieces on the pages following the initial cutting layouts of A-H. So on page 5, you’ll find the dimensions of A, B, D, and G. Hope this helps! 🙂
January 20, 2015 @ 3:04 pm
Yes, this saves me a lot of time when re-making the plans in metric.
January 18, 2015 @ 10:43 pm
Great timing. Here are some pics of my build:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+MikeMilano/albums/6105870674632969953
Thank you,
Mike
October 29, 2016 @ 12:10 pm
Mike your de Man,
Great photo’s, Great bench !
Tell me where you got all the bits of lumber in first pict. ?
If I send you a tape will you give us some stats?
How long ,wide and what breath ?…..also size of end product
Would love to see that Bad Boy Bench Before Breakfast Brother
Any other little bits of craft (Art) ?
January 19, 2015 @ 2:18 pm
You are a legend! Great bench and fantastic plans. Really appreciate it. Love your other videos too. Thanks a lot, from Jersey, Channel Islands.
January 21, 2015 @ 3:32 am
Nice workbench but I could not help but to spot all those cans of finish stacked up behind you, have they came from the old workbench and if so you will need to make some more cabinets to store it all, I wonder how much room you will have after the new cabinets are put in?
January 21, 2015 @ 5:43 am
Those are cans of paint. I made sure they will fit on the floor under the workbench! I may keep them out in the garden shed though since they only get occasional use.
January 21, 2015 @ 8:16 am
i really enjoy this video super & Simply make work bench..
thanks to lot………………………..
……^……
January 21, 2015 @ 4:24 pm
Love your videos Mr Ramsey, nice and simple projects leading to solid useable items and delivered with such infectious enthusiasm. This bench in particular requires little skill, you only have to be able to use a measure, use a saw, drill a few holes, use a drill driver bit, glue 2 sheets of ply and hammer a few nails into the top cover of hardboard. Not one joint to be cut in the whole bench., great stuff for us mere mortals; good on ya!
January 25, 2015 @ 2:58 pm
Awesome build, how many sheets of 4’x 8′ plywood did you use total?
January 25, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
I think about 2.
January 31, 2015 @ 7:07 pm
Fan from Iceland! I made that Workbench with the most basic tools ever! Thanx for the plans!
Photo:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113116404060331398211/albums/6110707151675925681/6110707165158578098?pid=6110707165158578098&oid=113116404060331398211
February 3, 2015 @ 11:40 am
Love the project – I would have suggested one thing, that when laminating the legs and stretchers, I would have added a glue. Over time the glue will help keep the bench more rigid and not rack when you push sideways on it.
But I definitely need to build something similar, for the storage… since I use the table saw for assembly now – – LOL
February 4, 2015 @ 5:21 am
I really love this workbench…. but…. I love more…. the fact that there are free METRIC plans! jejejje!
Really like you work and videos Steve! I’ve a group of friends that really enjoy your projects! I hope that this never end!
Maxi, from Argentina!
February 11, 2015 @ 1:25 pm
I made this last weekend. Used a few measurements from the “metric” plans but cut other pieces to fit as they’re dependent on the exact dimensions of the timber. I just used 90 x 35mm non-structural pine from our local Bunnings (think Home Depot but Australian)
For the top I ended up layering two sheets of 19mm yellow-tongue. (Chipboard designed for flooring. It’s comes sealed). Ply here is ridiculously expensive. One sheet of 15mm construction-grade is $65. And that’s nasty stuff full of knots. The good stuff is over $100. On the other hand my yellow tongue was $24. Topped with Masonite it’s just as sturdy as the original.
I’ll get a photo up as soon as I finish attaching the top and make the final ‘D’ pieces.
Thanks Steve!
February 17, 2015 @ 9:38 am
do you have an idea for installing cast iron bench vises
February 1, 2016 @ 4:56 am
Love the workbench! I took on the project this past weekend. I customized mine just a little to use the workbench for building R/C airplanes. I’ve added wheels so I can roll it outside and work on sunny days.
I tried to add a fence, sort of, to the sides of the bench using cabinet magnets to keep my glues and other small assortment of supplies in place when moving the workbench.. That was a failed experiment! lol
In the end, I was able to eliminate a tall metal shelf and, everything has a neat little home now. Here’s the pic: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1261583297192394&set=a.638177379532992.1073741825.100000222080262&type=3&theater
Thanks for the videos and the plans! You do help a lot of, “Woodworker Wannabes”, like me, build some gret looking projects.
February 16, 2016 @ 1:04 pm
Love this workbench! I started it last night and am done with everything that requires 2x4s. However, I don’t have the cool toys to be able to cut the plywood very accurately 🙁 But I’m working on that.
I just have one question. I’m mainly using this for the outside. Is this waterproof or would you make any additions to make it that way?
July 2, 2016 @ 9:56 am
I did lot of review about wood working plan and I found One of the best website, I am using for my wood working, it contains all woodworking plans include workbench plans, shed plans, chair … blueprints and detailed instructions for building all kinds of wooden, check out here to download the wood working plans
( tinyurl.com/bfwood )
Have a great day
June 13, 2017 @ 1:47 pm
Great video….I am now watching all of your videos. I replicated this workbench from your video not your plans! Where can I leave a pic of mine?
July 17, 2017 @ 9:48 am
Steve!!! Thank you very much for your plans!!! I love all of them! I am going to build this workbench, but I would love to make it mobile. I am looking for wheels to attach but I don’t know what could be the weight load of this bench. Do you have an idea?
Thank you very much!!!!!!!
Sergio
March 12, 2018 @ 1:15 pm
Hey Steve, I love watching hour videos and it’s what got me into woodworking. I’ve recently built this bench (and in honor of you, painted the non working areas bright blue and red) and love it so far.
I kind of misjudged the weight of it however and would like to see if I could find wheels that flip up (similar to the mobile attachment to the sawstop), thus possible giving some mobility to it but am not sure how heavy it is. Do you by chance have any idea how heavy it is? Or maybe an idea to make occasionally moving it easier? I won’t be moving it often, so wheels are probably overkill, but asking a friend over every time I do, isn’t ideal, haha.
Anyway, thanks for all the amazing work you do!
April 13, 2018 @ 5:52 am
Mr Ramsey I want to thank you for this and all the video’s you have done. I have always had a little inkling of wanting to do wood working but was always into cars. Now I’m a little older and when I ran across your video’s on youtube my interest peeked. I am now in the process of building my first work bench from your plans and I thank you. But my thanks is far from my appreciation to you.
April 13, 2018 @ 5:55 am
Sorry in giving my praise I forgot to as my question..lol would particle board be ok in place of plywood? Thanks again
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