How to Build a Workbench: Super Simple $50 Bench

May 19, 10:45 PM [GMT -5]

I'm getting ready to start this project and I have one question about the screws used.

The plans say to use drywall screws. I was reading another article on this website about the difference between drywall screws and wood screws. Should this project use wood screws instead of drywall screws or will drywall screws do a great job of holding the whole project together?

April 28, 4:13 PM [GMT -5]

Looking at FIgure C. This is what is required. As you cut each piece, write on one end which piece letter it is, and make a stack similar to the one shown. It makes it much easier to organize.

From Left to right there is 5 2x4x8 in the first pile, 4 in the second 4 in the third and two in the 4th. 5+4+4+2 = 15 2x4.

As folks have mentioned it wouldn't hurt to pick up an extra 2x4 in case of mistakes.

Good Luck!

A x9 - 71-7/8" (backer boards, upper shelf legs and rims)
B x4 - 68-7/8" (work surface and lower shelf rim)
C x4 - 35-1/2" (legs)
D x4 - 27" (end rims)
E x5 - 24" (work surface joists)
F x5 - 15" (lower shelf joists)
G x7 - 9" (upper shelf joists)

April 27, 10:55 AM [GMT -5]

For those looking for 2x4 cut lengths, click on "Cutting List" under Additional Information.

March 27, 12:39 PM [GMT -5]

I see the cut measurement for the plywood. What are the cut measurements for the 2x4's?

March 16, 11:04 PM [GMT -5]

A good friend of mine said he was going to build a work bench, needed my help to figure the dimensions and such. I immediately recalled September 2009 issure p. 50 a "Super Simple Workbench" project, which I built and still enjoy. No dimesions to figure, thanks to The Familyhandy Man magazine, they supplied the materials list.

February 19, 8:00 PM [GMT -5]

I built this bench, with some slight modifications, shortly after it was published in the print magazine. I have been using it for some time and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I even added some features/add-ons that were in other issues of Family Handyman. If your looking to build a solid, user friendly, low-cost workbench, this one comes highly recommended!

February 16, 12:37 PM [GMT -5]

I built this bench in an afternoon. I used 4 x 4 legs instead and made it a little bigger with a 30 x 72 top it was a great project added the shop light some power bars and am in the process of adding drawers to it too. So far it seems to be great work bench. We sold or house and are renting right now while house hunting and i needed a work bench that was more suitable than what was in the garage at this place and it works great.

February 12, 11:20 PM [GMT -5]

I have looked at all the pictures and can't find the sizes of the cuts on the 2x4x8's. Am I missing a diagram? How did everyone else build it without the dimensions?

February 09, 9:25 PM [GMT -5]

This was a great project! I made this for under $80 and it took me less than 3 hours to assemble. Now I have pleanty of work space and can start re-organizing my garage thanks to my new great looking work bench!

January 31, 1:13 PM [GMT -5]

I made this shortly after seeing this magazine in my dentists office after publication. This workbench is perfect! It is sturdy (actually took it with me when I moved houses because I liked it that much)

The hardest part for me is keeping it cleared off :)

but it is very useful and provides ample workspace

January 22, 8:47 AM [GMT -5]

I'm new to woodworking and I needed a work bench, so I started here. The project was very easy to complete and I had fun completing this project. I'm working my way up to bedside tables and end tables in the near future. My only issue is that my bench isn't quite level and straight all the way around. This could be due to a few slightly warped pieces of wood.

Does anyone have any advice for ways to make sure the projects like this will come out as close to level as possible?

January 20, 9:12 AM [GMT -5]

Just completed this yesterday (last night at midnight actually) and have to agree that this is more of a day project than a couple hours. The result is fantastic though! Very sturdy.

I already had wall storage so I didn't do the top part. I reportioned the 2x4 cuts pretty easily. The shelf is near floor level and the same size as the top (allows me to rest my feet up on the front part while I sit). This required an extra sheet of ply cut the "D" width which left another 21 inches section that I cut into 3 7 inch strips and used as an attached "back splash" to prevent objects from rolling off the back end of the top and each shelf.

I am already looking at what DIY workbench upgrades I might be able to add...
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Woodworking/Workbenches/diy-workbench-upgrades/Step-By-Step

January 14, 8:51 AM [GMT -5]

This project is very solid and simple design makes the finished product that much better. I built the project exactly as designed, using 3/4" plywood for the benchtop. Adding a shop light, a few power strips and a full pegboard made mine that much nicer. Thanks to the FHM for well put together instructions and minimizing waste.

Be sure to pick through your local DIY store for the straightest 2x4s. The wood moves all the time, an extra 2x4 wouldn't hurt anyone's project for mistakes or wood warping.

First real project tackled from this magazine/community, looking forward to many more!

January 13, 7:54 PM [GMT -5]

I went to Lowes to buy the wood and decided to bring the instructions and cut sheet with me. The man at Lowes cut all of the wood for me in about 30 minutes. He was even nice enough to label each piece by letter to match the cut sheet i provided him. This gave me some time to pick up some other items I needed in the store. Total price of the wood was $90. I had a bunch of screws at home so I didn't need more for this project. Once I got the wood home it took me about 5 hours to assemble. Directions were great. My workbench looks great. Now it's time to accessorize. Thank you The Family Handyman!!!!!

January 11, 12:03 PM [GMT -5]

This was my first real project I've ever completed. I put some shelves up in the garage but never a real project. Got some new tools for xmas so decided to put them to use. After searching around for a nice workbench I decided on this one just for the size and ease of instructions. Project went great and was very easy and straight forward. At first you think you do not have enough wood but the project has exactly the amount of wood you need with very little scrap! Thanks FHM for the instructions and great website! Now with a great workbench I can tackle a few more projects on here!

January 10, 7:30 PM [GMT -5]

Work in progress!!!!

I agree the design is simple and wasted only minimal wood in the cutting, but this project is a lot more than a couple hours.
Took me about an hour and a half to cut the wood to size with a table mounted miter saw. Maybe I took the measure twice, cut once to the extreme!!
Spent about 2 hours so far building the tabletop frame. So far the project has cost about $110, but the costs should be over.
Will comment again when Im done!

January 09, 1:32 PM [GMT -5]

Just finished this and I love it!

I did have some issues with leveling the top shelf as my 2 x 4's were not completley straight but overall it worked out great and I now have a bench that not only is useful to work on but acts as a great storage :)

I cut the 2x4s at home myself (I learnt that the distance between the front dashboard and the back of my trunk - down the middle through the back seats and into the trunk - in my Mazda 3 sedan is exactly 8 feet :) )

The guy at Rona cut the plywood and the pegboard to size. They offer 4 free cuts per sheet so cutting it was free (and made transportation much easier).

Price break down for me (I'm in BC Canada) was:

15- 2x4's at $2.50 a piece = $37.50
sheet of plywood = $26.00
peg board (I covered entire back piece) = $21.00
2 sizes of screws (approx -- including cost of lots left over)= $ 20.00
Peg board hook and container kit = $20.00
sand paper (on already on hand) = free
Light and power bar (on hand already) = free

Total = $124.50 + tax
Not bad for exactly what I wanted

January 02, 7:52 AM [GMT -5]

built this in one day with my dad. cost around 150 $ but i think it mught be more expensive in australia. i used 150, 75mm screws and 50, 50mm screws it worked out heaps well. realy easy and good instructions verry recommended (:

January 01, 6:53 PM [GMT -5]

Very simple bench to build. I increased the length to 8' and ran the peg board across the entire back surface thus increasing the cost a little--around $75 dollars to complete. My 14 y/o and I built this in about 5 hours. I opted not to have the lumber pre-cut since I wanted to do the project with my son and we took liberal breaks every couple of hours. Regardless of skill level, this can be built by anyone and is very functional.

December 28, 7:59 AM [GMT -5]

Great project. Went a little over budget since for some reason-I decided to start the cutting list from the bottom....lesson well learned! ! However, it did come out great, I even used better plywood and stained the tops, and added a full pegboard.