14 Super-Simple Workbenches You Can Build

Every home workshop (even if it's just a sliver of your garage) needs a quality workbench. One of these 14 designs is sure to suit your needs. PLANS INCLUDED.

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Folding and Mobile

Want a mobile workbench with a sizable work area that folds up to only 7 in. thick? The materials to make the one shown here cost about $100 at home centers. Or, build it any size that suits your home shop by adjusting the frame sizes to accommodate the folding parts. Watch the video tutorial and get the full plans here.

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flip top bench features

Flip-Top for Stationary Tools

Over the years I’ve had a variety of workshops and work benches. When I was a young apartment dweller, my workshop was a 3 x 3-ft. broom closet (for real!). Today, I’m lucky enough to have a shop with plenty of elbow room. But in between, most of my workshops consisted of a workbench loaded with tools, tucked into the corner of a garage or basement. Check out this flip-top workbench with drawers if this sounds like you. The revolving center section of the workbench gives you a double platform for your bench top tools. — Spike Carlsen.

You can also make a plywood storage rack and customize the size based on your own needs to store away in this awesome garage space saver.

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2x4 workbench

2×4 Construction

Here’s a woodworking table that’s easy and quick to build. It can also absorb a real pounding. This workbench is as rugged as a spendy European-style woodworker’s bench, but it’s made entirely from 2x4s.

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Super Simple Workbenches You Can Build

Check out these super simple workbench projects you can build yourself!

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Fold Up Workbench Lead

Stow-Away

The best part about this simple workbench is that you can fold it up and out of the way when you’re not using it. Click here to check out the plans, tech art and video tutorial for this project.

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classic workbench
Family Handyman

Classic

If this workbench looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen one a lot like it in your father’s or grandfather’s shop. Variations of this design have been around for decades, and for good reason: The bench is strong, practical and super easy to build. You can run to the lumberyard in the morning, grab a few boards, and by noon you’ll have a perfectly functional workbench. Find the full project plans here.

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drop-leaf workbench

Drop-Leaf

Here’s a workspace that’s huge and accessible from all sides, yet folds down and stows away easily. If you don’t have room for a full-size permanent workbench but really need space to spread things out, this workbench is it.

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PVC legs workbench

Light-Duty Table

If you ever need a light-duty work surface anywhere in the house for sewing, painting or school projects, this one’s for you. Get to the home center and buy a hollow-core door; four toilet flanges; a 10-ft. length of 3-in. PVC pipe; 16 No. 10, 1-1/4 in. long screws and a tube of construction adhesive. See more details here.

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workbench with drawers

Built to Last

Use this simple workbench plan to build a sturdy, tough workbench with drawers that’ll last for decades. It has drawers and shelves for tool storage. It’s inexpensive. And even a novice can build it in one day. Learn to build a DIY workbench with storage.

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modular workbench

Modular

Here’s a workbench design that’s ready when you are. This bench layout lets you quickly fold out, slide out and pivot into position all the tools and work areas you need. When you’re done for the day, you can have everything stashed neatly away five minutes later!

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cheap workbench

Cheap

This sturdy 30-in.-deep x 6-ft.-long DIY workbench is the ultimate in simplicity—and costs less than $50 to build! It’s made from only fifteen 8-ft.-long 2x4s and one sheet of 1/2-in. plywood. Learn how to build this cheap workbench by following these simple plans.

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fold-up workbench

Fold-Up

This compact garage workbench with drawers has an expanding top that folds out for extra work space and tucks away when not in use. It also has easy-to-assemble drawers and a shelf for convenient storage.

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knock apart workbench

Knock-Apart

This table is made from a full sheet of 5/8-in. plywood for the interlocking base stand and a sheet of 3/4-in. plywood for the work surface and shelves. You’ll also need four 10-ft. lengths of 1×3 pine for the edge banding and cleats. Here’s how to build this knock-apart workbench.

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utility workbench

Utility

This simple wood workbench is perfect for a garage or utility room, and it takes up almost no floor space which allows for storage beneath. Click here for the full plans.

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kid size workbench

Kid-Size

Give your child a chance to make projects on their own DIY workbench—a smaller-scale version of a classic design that’s been used for over a century. Get full plans for this kid-size workbench here.

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apple box workbench

Adjustable-Height

Assembling parts is easiest when you can work at a comfortable height. But the height of that working surface depends on the size of the project. These ABC boxes, so called because they’re made with sides of three different dimensions, make a variable-height assembly table base. By rotating the boxes or standing them on end, you’ll get three different working heights.

Next: Checkout what not to do during garage remodeling