Knowing how to build a workbench will make all your projects much easier

Having workbench plans and knowing how to build a workbench will not only give you a great woodworking project, but will give you the space and surface you'll need for more projects for many years to come.

This bench is made from standard 8 foot 2 x 4's and a sheet of plywood. I would recommend at least a 3/4" thickness for the plywood.
Instead of plywood, you could use MDF (medium density fiberboard) for a smoother finish but if you're planning on getting it wet with anything from wood stain to beer you better stick to plywood as MDF will swell if it gets wet and there's no unswelling it.

I'll break the construction down into steps that can be easily followed and if you need to stop building for a day or two you won't get lost and not know where to start again.

Materials Needed:

• 15 2 x 4s
• 48” x 96” x ¾” plywood or MDF
• Screws or nails
• Tape measure
• Pegboard

Cut two of the studs down to 69" and cut two pieces to 30", then build a rectangle frame using the cut studs.
Using screws or nails,attach the 24" pieces to the ends of the 69" pieces. This should measure 30" x 72" overall.
Now you'll need to cut 5 pieces to 27" and attach those as ribs to the frame.
Space them at 12" on center.

Now cut two more studs to 69" and two more pieces to 27".
Attach the 27" pieces to the ends of the 69" pieces, leaving an overhang of 9" on either end. These ends will attach to the legs later on.

If you need to see the tools page, here it is.

Ok, now cut the 5 pieces to 15" and attach them to the shelf frame at 12" on center.
These workbench plans can be modified to make a larger or smaller bench. Unless you can modify the cuts on your own, stick with the sizes on this How to Build a Workbench plan.

The third step is to cut the legs and attach them to the work table. You'll need to cut 4 pieces at 35" and attach them the the table top. Lay the table on the ground and attach each leg upside down perpendicular to the framing supports on the outside of the frame.
Now flip the table over and start to attach the bottom shelf.

The fourth step is to attach the plywood to the shelf and table. Using a circular saw, cut off a 72" piece of the plywood.
Now rip cut a 30" piece from the 72" piece you just cut. Attach the 30" x 72" piece to the table frame and the 18" x 72" piece to the bottom shelf frame.

The fifth step is to make the top shelf and attach it to the bench. You'll need to cut 9 pieces at 72" and 7 pieces at 9". Take two of the 9" pieces and attach the 72" pieces to the ends of the 9" pieces opposite of how you attached the table and shelf frames.

The overall dimension should be 72" x 12". Cut off a 12" piece from the plywood and rip cut a 24" piece from the remaining plywood and attach them to the top of the shelf.
Now attach the four legs to the top shelf upside down. Flip over the shelf and legs and attach it to the workbench at the table height and near the bottom shelf.

The final step is to add the backer boards to the space between the worktable and the top shelf.
Attach the boards to the top shelf legs and make sure they are spaced evenly at around 11" on center.

If you like, you can add a pegboard to the backer boards and store some tools.

Once you have mastered the skills on how to build a workbench, you have advanced to another level of craftsman.

Maybe you'd like to try building a pergola.

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