New Year… New Workbench Baby!
Happy New Year friends!
I am SOOO excited to share this latest build with you! I decided to build a little something for myself this go around. I figured it was time to get a lot of my projects off the garage floor and onto a workable space. Check out my simple DIY workbench!
Ahhh… Isn’t it perfect?? I love everything about it! Ashley and I have been working with our friends at Ryobi Power Tools to create fun DIY videos for you guys. They always have the BEST workbenches for our shoots, and I come home feeling super inspired to build one for myself. Well… I finally did. This is a large workbench, but it really is a very simple build! I tried my best to break it down for you, but feel free to ask me anything!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE PRINTABLE PLANS!!!!!
Here we go!
New Workbench Supply List
2 – 2x6x8
7 – 2x4x8
2 4×8 sheets of 3/4″ MDF
4 5″ locking rubber casters
2.5″ wood screws
Kreg Jig
I started by building my frames. This workbench has two frames… A top frame, and a bottom shelf frame. Here are the measurements of both.
I used 2×4’s for both frames. I also used my crazy awesome Kreg Jig to put the whole thing together. If you don’t have a Kreg Jig, you can also predrill and attach all the pieces with 2.5″ wood screws. But, I totally suggest the Kreg Jig! Makes this part a breeze and you won’t have screws showing on the outside.
I used 1 1/2″ pocket holes and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws to attach all my pieces. I did this because the width of the wood is 1.5″.
Now for the legs! Each leg is made from one 2×4 and one 2×6 piece. These measure 26.5″ long each. I attached the legs together first using my Kreg Jig. You can see where I put my pocket holes into my 2×4 pieces. I did 3 on each 2×4 piece. Then, I used Gorilla Wood Glue and 2.5″ screws to attach the legs together.
Here is another shot of the legs…
Each leg will also have a 5″ 2×6 piece on the bottom of each leg. These will hold the bottom shelf in place and hold the casters once it is all built. I used wood glue and 2 1/2″ wood screws to attach these to the bottom of each leg. Here it is after I attached the frames to it…
Once I had all the legs built, I attached them to my frames. The legs will line up on the outside of the bottom shelf frame, and on the inside of the top frame. I used heavy duty 2.5″ torx screws on this part. You can see them on the inside of my top frame. I also used my drill to pre drill before attaching.
Now for the shelves! This is the heavy part…So I got my hubby to help me lift them up. I used 3/4″ MDF for each shelf. I had the nice guys at Home Depot cut it down for me.
Here are those measurements…
Bottom Shelf – 30″ x 66″
Top Piece – 36″ x 72″
I used my Ryobi Airstrike Nailer to attach both pieces of MDF. I didn’t use glue on this part, because I want to be able to easily change out these pieces when they get too worn.
That’s it! My final step was adding the casters which I found at Northern Tool. These are 5″ rubber locking casters. I also gave the my frames and legs one fast coat of white paint and used my Corner Cat sander to distress them a bit… Every good workbench should be cute too, right??
Here’s the New Workbench all finished up!
Did I mention I totally love it?? Just checking! I built the whole thing for under $130.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I would LOVE for you to pin and share my new workbench with all your friends! Let me know if you have any questions at all!
~Whitney
I’d like to make this workbench 12’ long to mount a slab mill on it. Needs to be as flat as possible- with extra cross supports, do you think this will do the trick? Any tips for making it 12×4?
Thank you for these plans. I just finished the bench and I love it. My only question is did you do anything to finish/seal the top of the MDF. This is my first time using MDF. Thank you in advance.
Great plans. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for sharing.
I am not familiar with a Kreg Jig. Which type/model should I get? I think Home Depot has them.
I just thought of a great upgrade…..modify top to be melamine or msple.plywood…..here it comes….. add 3\4″ width of mahogany (waxed or with poly)….now that will pop!
A big thank you for the plans.
This was my first real woodworking project and it turned out great!
Hi – do you have the plans for this in metric measurements? Thanks!
Great bench just made it, but needed to adjust the leg height. The height with 26 1/2″ leg cutouts and footpads makes this bench 28″ high with no casters. The plans are not accurate at the end. It shows 34″ with no casters.
Great plan, description and instructions. The color coded cut list and layout are awesome. I built this today and then thought to add a slide out shelf made of 3/4″ plywood to put my miter saw or Makita router table on. Cool, easy and fun to build. Thanks!
do you think you could put the entire 4×8 sheet of MDF on the size frame you have built so that it will have a bit of overhang?
I’m building these for a classroom and people will have the option to stand or sit at counter height stools. I wasn’t sure if the MDF board would be strong enough to hang over an entire foot to 8in, but I want to keep the full size of the board if possible and want to have some overhang so it’s comfortable to sit under.
Thanks for the great plans!
I built a version of this over the weekend for my garage and absolutely love it. I added MDF to the sides and back and used 5″ lockable casters, worked out awesome.
Page needs way more pop-ups and ads, I almost found what I was looking for…..
Your downloadable instructions differ from the website on the legs section (2), where in the document you say to drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes into the 2×6 pieces and attach to the 2×4 pieces, but in your images on the site you said drill them into the 2×4 pieces.
Just finished building this yesterday. Took me the afternoon. I’m a real beginner and it was easy enough. My only comment would be the ze as above, I think I should’ve made the mdf a little bigger to have it be easier to clamp stuff on.
I know this post is like 5 years old, but I am making this bench from the printable instructions and there is a misprint. on Page 4 when It talks about drilling the pocket holes to make the legs, the instructions say to “drill the pocket holes into the 2×6 legs and attach them to the 2×4’s”, but according to the drawing and the video, the pocket holes need to be drilled into the 2×4’s and attached to the 2×6’s. Could you update the printable PDF so no one else makes this mistake?
Heh — I just came across this project and its PDF instructions, and the answer to your question after two years, four months is: no, they can’t update it. But at least there’s this comment section for user updates!
Ladies, thank you for the bench plans! I built it yesterday and the plans were great. I did have some trouble with the bottom shelf though. I took out the top frame brace so it would go in more easily!
I think “more easily” should be “at all.” I don’t see any way to insert the bottom shelf in the way that the PDF plan indicates at the last step (step 7). This implies that the plan document was an afterthought based on inaccurate memory. So we have to go over it carefully to fix the errors and avoid problems.
Great build and plans!
I just made this for myself, but of course made a few tweaks to make it my own.
1) exact height of my table saw to act as an outfeed table
2) incorporated a middle shelf and cut away part of top workbench to House my router table
3) drop down casters for secureness when working but still able to be mobile
4) left a 2” lip all around for clamping
5) went with 3/4” birch instead of MDF
Would like to add pic, but not sure how.
Still have some more customizing to do, maybe a drawe/cabinet beneath router station for storage of router and accessories, mounting dust collection below, and maybe a drawer or two underneath the table top?
Anyway, thanks again for a great project and great starting point for some additional customization!!!
Please if you are going to make this – don’t rely on these measurements! Measurements in downloaded plan were wrong.
How can height of finished bench be 34″ when legs are 26.5 + 2 (feet) + 3/4 mdf???
How can bottom frame sit inside top frame and legs? – it doesn’t fit! Length of top frame should be cut to 74″ not 72″!
Design is ok but do your own math please! You cannot rely on these plans!
Yeah how does no one else realize this?? The measurements are way off!
Agreed! I wish they would address this! I thought I was going crazy!
2×4’s are not two inches thick, they are 1.5 inches thick. The measurements for the length of the bottom and top frames are correct with a length of 72″.
Height, however, looks incorrect based on the schematics. It appears they included the casters in their final measurement without making it look like they did. Either way, you should probably be custom measuring the height of a bench like this anyhow.
Well I like your plan so well I when ahead and built one. Then I have radial arm saw, so I built a small unit of it and but a cabinet under it, like every thing about it. Like to send picture, but see where I can
Nice workbench. I started building mine today. I’ll let you know how It turn out. Thanks for sharing your plan.
I just finished my workbench using your plans. Thanks so much. The instructions were easy to follow and the project was simple and turned out great. The bench is perfect for my needs. Having in on rollers is great because I have limited space in the garage and I can roll it outside to have more workspace and enjoy the outdoors while I work. It also allows me to prevent messes in the garage and work in a ventilated space.
Couple of notes;
The total cost of the project was $200.
Required tools were minimal.
Be cautious of using lumber that has not been dried out. The small 5″ pieces the rollers attach to the legs with split initially and had to be replaced before final assembly.
It easy to find ways to add on to the project – attaching power strips, additional shelving underneath, etc.
I was going to attach a pic but didn’t see that option.
Thanks again.
Hi could I please have the plans for this workbench
Kind regards
Gary
It would be handy if you could down load the plans, so you could take out to the shop with you .
You can download them from this page. That’s what I did.
I have made a few similar work benches. One I made the top and bottom hinged and used 2×6 in the framework. That way I had tons of storage for hardware like screws, nails and other items. In another bench I drilled a couple of 3 inch holes with a hole saw in strategic places in the top surface, so I could use wood clamps down through the top. I always include the mounting of at least one 2 foot long magnetic holder for some tools and a good quality power bar. On one bench I bought some plastic self contained drawer storage units that I mounted under the top giving me drawer space. The things you add help make it a total work center.
I have built two smaller versions of the work bench and love them, now I am going to build this size for an assembly table.
Looks great to me. I am going over measurements in my mind. I would have thought that the base would have been 4″ less at 29′ and not 27″ ?? I am going to have a go at this and see what eventuates. Like the ideas of the 2″ overhang and even a backboard to be added.
Is there a printable plan for this new workbench?
I have been looking for it too! If someone knows where we can get the PDF for this project please let me know.
I know this is an older post, but can someone describe how they mounted the 5″ block at the bottom of the bench and how the legs were attached at the bottom? Kind of wondering where I should be putting screws for the sturdiest design. Would love to see the bottom to see how these got mounted. And do the bottoms of the legs mount straight through same as the top in the picture?
Hi Shanty2Chic girls! Portuguese fan here! =) I’ve been following your work for a while now and I want to build this workbench to start my home woodshop. The problem is converting the US measurements into our metric system (cm or m), because I always end up with not even numbers (1 inch = 2,54 cm and so on..) and these doesn’t match with commercialy available wood sizes. Could you help me get the right measurements for this plans? Thank you so much and keep up inspiring us with your awesome works!!
Nice simple plans for a great workbench! I made mine a little taller to match my table saw and also added a 2″ overhang on three sides for clamping. The fourth side I left flush so it still fits in front of the truck in the garage 🙂
I’m about to start building mine tonight. Just got the lumber and the tools I need. Drafted up a quick model last night to make sure I’m all set.
Trying to find where you can print a copy of the plans.
Thank you,
Lavon
Thanks for the plans! I just finished my build today and can’t wait to use it for the long list of other projects I have to get finished. Unfortunately, adding height was an afterthought, but I just doubled up the 5″ 2×6 pieces before attaching the casters.
Found your post on Pinterest.
I just finished my workbench yesterday!
Do we have to worry about the entire board of MDF absorbing water? or just the edges?
I’ve read to seal the board with an oil based primer, but I wanted to double check.
What kind of torx screw did you use to attach the legs to the frame? Do you have a link to Amazon (or other website) maybe?
Thanks for the plans. Here is how my workbench turned out
Looks perfect James!!! Way to go!
hi, what kind of wood you used on this bench?, thanks
Thanks for the great instructions. I followed them but chose to not add casters. I also added a backsplash with outlets.
How much does this bench weigh? How much are the casters ? Everywhere I look they are expensive
Not sure about the weight but the red casters you see in many of the pictures run about $10 a piece.
Finished mine last night! Only change I made was adding 5″ to the legs to accommodate my 6′ 3″ height. Thanks for the inspiration!
Plan to be making this bench by the weekend so I can start the long list of projects my wife has for me. Having the bench on wheels is a great idea when working with little space.
I just built one of these. I made many mistakes and learned quite a bit. Thank you for a great site, I have learned a lot from
it!
Nice workbench!
Hey, I just finished making this. I am about to attach the casters and I was wondering what kind of hardware you used to attach them?
I reduced the size to 24”x48” but used the same plan. It gave me an opportunity to use my Kreg jig that I got as a present. I love it. I would send you a photo but I can’t figure out how to insert it into this comment.
Sat on my garage floor to build this workbench. Thanks! Love it! Now I’m a Kreg-for-Lifer
I am going to make two of these. One for my welding room and wrap the top and sides with metal so the work will be grounded and wood is cheaper (most times) than metal. I can get more working space and I really need to organize my scape metal pieces I use for my “Art Welding” pieces. The other will be used in the garage and used for projects only – no storage nothing but the current working project. I have 3 tables now all the same size you have if not larger and I have crap on all of them – even my metal work table I made in my ALC (Adult Learning Center). The other table was to be used for painting and stains…ha! It has car crap, fishing stuff, 5 gallon pales, 3 battery testing terminals – mostly all liquid stuff and is always in the corner with my motorcycle – mower – 2 tool chests – planer, jointer and table saw and 15 gallon vacuum – car lifts (drive up on racks) etc. I have a 30 X 30 garage and I can’t find a place to work in it. So another promise…to use these as IN PROGRESS working surfaces – no bags, boxes or ….You might think I am talking to my 5 guys crew…nope – I am talking to myself. Many arguments are handled wrestling in the yard – I don’t win most of the time. Thanks Shanty Ladies!!!!
It has finally warmed up here in the Toronto area, and this project was #1 on my spring to do list.
Thanks for the plans, they were perfect.
Terrific workbench. I found it on this site about 10 days ago when I was looking for a workbench plan and built it today. The plans are easy to use: A picture with dimensions and a few words of wisdom. I bought a Ryobi Airstrike as well for the top and some trim work that I am doing for my entertainment room. Very nice tool. I am a Dewalt guy usually. Their equivalent was more than $100 more and not as nice.
I looked at the suggestions and went with Melamine for the top and bottom shelf and added a pair of magnetic strips. The neighbors stopped by as I was finishing it up and were impressed. Thank you for posting the plans. I look forward to doing more of your projects.
Thanks so much Mike for your awesome comment! It totally made my day reading it! Happy you are pleased… We would love to see a picture of yours if you ever want to send one along 🙂
Can I make these but tall like sales counter height?
No, that’s not authorized!
🙂 that made my night ?
Hi. Nice bench. Did you run the frame pieces thru a jointer & planer ?
Great simple design & tutorial. I wish I had read the comments, or thought about customizing first. At 5″10″ this bench is too short for my standing comfort. Going back to the lumber store so I can build up the bottom & put the wheels back on.
Thanks for the plans. They are great benches!!! I built two. One for my girlfriend and one for me. Hers I made to your specs, Mine I made larger and added home made Bench Dogs and a vise
what did you use to attach to the base in order to attach the casters to the bench. Did you use actual Kreg screws or another brand?
I built your bench and then added drawers on both ends now ihave more work and storage space. thanks for the great plans and jut to let you know the Kreg Jig is the best gift ever.
That is so awesome Paul!! Loved this message! And yes… The Kreg Jig is AMAZING! Enjoy your new table!
Hey Paul… How did you add the drawers? I was thinking of doing the same!
Thanks for sharing! I am in the planning process on a miter saw cart (just got a Ryobi 10″ sliding compound miter saw!) and I’m waffling over the height, which will affect a subsequent workbench build.
What height do you ladies find comfortable (and how tall are you)? Or better yet, what is the tabletop even with on you? wrists? belt? etc.
Gosh, that sounds so personal…
I don’t know if it is different for females, but most recommendations for wood work bench height suggest the top should be about level with your wrist when standing. This certainly works well for me.
Thanks, TBJWebmaster! 32″ seems way too low…nervous about building something all wrong 🙂 Will try to set up a temporary table to work from at that height to test it out.
Thanks again!
Hi Lauren I am just seeing these so sorry! With casters this stands 35″ which is almost the exact height as my miter saw bench. I personally love the height. I’m 5′ 2″. We have had several people that have made this table just as I did and are very pleased with it. And I am totally able to clamp to it… I do it all the time. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the kick in the pants. I’ve needed to make a new bench for a while. Love your site!
Oh that’s awesome Gregory!! Thanks so much for the nice words!!
I love the size of this and totally love that my hubby or I can take it out to the drive way for big jobs or just to work in nice weather! Thank you so much for sharing. SO ready to get this project going.
I love the idea of the magnetic strip! I am always searching for my boxes of bits, and this takes away that issue — just grab what you need from the strip. I’m going to look for a way to add one of these in my garage work space. Thank you for the inspiration!
Once I opened my Kreg Jig just now I answered my own question about the pocket hole screws! Happy they included some because I’m making a couple of your blanket ladders right now! 🙂
Do you think it would work for me to use 2×3’s for this? I just have a ton of them so it would be cheaper for me but I don’t want to if it won’t be durable enough. I just got a Kreg jig so this will be my first project with it! Yay! But one question, are pocket hole screws much different than regular screws because no one at Home Depot had any idea what I was talking about! Thanks!!! 🙂
Hi Tara,
Re: HD and pocket hole screws: I had a similar problem with no one knowing what I’m talking about. Make sure you talk to the tool expert- the Kreg screws are usually with the Kreg tools, and they would know.
You can get Kreg screws on Amazon or at Lowes (if you have one nearby).
They have fine ones for hardwood and coarser ones for softwood. They take a #2 square bit (much better than crosspoint) and the heads are shaped to fit the hole left by the Kreg bit. They are also self tapping.
I find I have to be careful when using them near end grain (screwing into the undrilled section), and often use a size 1/4″ less than they say (or adjust the jig) to avoid the point sticking out.
That said, they are excellent, much better than stock shelf crosspoints.
Hi Tara,
If you don’t want to get the Kreg Screws or your HD doesn’t carry them, you can find pocket hole screws in bags down the screw isle. They will be under the premium wood screws section.
Thank you all so much! Apparently the tool expert on duty at my HD wasn’t such a tool expert after all! I have a Lowe’s and a HD catty-corner from each other so that makes things convenient! 🙂 I’ll check again!
Glad they helped you Tara! I like ordering on amazon too… I can always find what I need there. Hope you got it all worked out!
Just a thought, I use melamine for my workbench tops, cleans up a lot easier and is nice for drawing out full size drawings of projects. I’ve used it commercially for years and it’s tough and durable. Even wood glue that drips onto it comes off easily with a scraper of after a short soak with a wet rag. I’d also second Matt’s suggestion that an overhang be left around the edges for clamping. Great tutorial though!
Awesome! Thank you for sharing how you built this. I am not clear (or I’m dense) on how you attached the bits to the legs to support the bottom shelf. Can you expand on that, please?
A smaller version will be perfect for my single car garage, and can be easily wheeled out to the driveway when working on projects. LOVE IT.
Looks like you permanently attached your Kreg jig, right? And is that a magnetic strip? Also wondering about the clamping question from Matt. Great build though. Might be my first project with my jig!
I feel a new bench coming on for our garage! Thanks for sharing ya’ll – Happy New Year!
Whitney,
This bench is great and thanks for the tutorial. I am just about to be in need of a new one myself and this will be perfect. Thank you for all that you share!
– Matt
I’d certainly want an overhanging edge for clamping. I would reinforce the edge with 2.5″ (or wider) x 3/4″ timber glued underneath (to give total thickness of 1.5″) to prevent damage from the clamps and a little more stability. I would also consider an edging piece around as I don’t like seeing the edge of MDF.
I haven’t had a hard time clamping to the table at all. I use the 2×4 that runs just under the top. And you can certainly finish it however you like… I don’t mind the look of that MDF, but an edge banding would be an easy fix. Thanks!