Introduction: Simple, Sturdy, Wooden Workbench for Around $70

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We have a fairly small garage, and a couple tables to work on, but they are quite temporary and unsatisfying (I.e. Sawhorses with plywood, folding tables, etc.). I decided to build my own workbench that is simple, solid, and relatively inexpensive. Above are the (very rough) drawings of how it will (sort of) look (maybe). This is my documenting of a project I'm doing, and hopefully it will help anyone who needs it--whether it's closely following these instructions or simply looking for ideas.

Step 1: Materials

Lumber:

1. 2''x4''x8' (x9)

3. 4"x4"x6' (x2)

4. 3/4"x4'x8' (x1) Particleboard or MDF

5. 4'x4' Pegboard

Hardware:

1. 48" florescent light assembly (optional)

2. 3" screws

3. Pegboard mounting supplies and accessories

Step 2: Tools

1. Drill

2. Miter Saw

3. Table Saw

4. Tape measure, squares, level, etc.

Step 3: Measure, Re-Measure, Cut to Size

The measurements for the various components are built around the fact that the bench is a 4' x 3' x 2' box. Therefore, the frame around the top is made of 2' and 4' two by fours. The four legs are 4" x 4" x 351/4" (3/4 inches under 3 feet to accommodate for width of the particleboard or MDF on top.

On each layer there are three crossbars made of two by fours 21" long, resting on the inside of each frame. The crossbars holding up the top face are cut down by 3/4" so they don't protrude underneath.

To fasten everything together all I used were 3" screws (8 x 3). Once everything is together it is amazingly sturdy, and had no need for angled crossbars like I had initially expected.

Step 4: Adding the Top

The top (which I made out of nice particle board because of the price of MDF) is the size of the interior of the two by four frame of the top, which measures 21" by 45", however I trimmed down the front two by four so the particle board prodrudes by about 3" so I could clamp a small table vice on.

Step 5: Pegboard

The last thing I did was add a 4' by 4' square of pegboard on the back. All I used were two 7' long two by fours screwed into the top and bottom of the back. I then got a simple bundle of hooks for pegboard, including all the necessities such as spacers, screws, etc.

Step 6: Finished!

I'm quite happy at how my (first) workbench turned out. Our house is quite small so it's the perfect size for our garage, and holds quite a few tools. This design is easily scalable and could be built much wider or narrower. There are several places which could be much more elegant, and a number of times I messed up and had to redo things or return to the store(s). However, I had a great time doing it.

Later on I'll add a middle shelf with movable pegs and holes to adjust its height, and I've got a fluorescent light assembly that I'll hang from the ceiling above the bench.

I'm glad I worked in multiples of two, four, and eight, as that is how two by fours, sheets of plywood, MDF, and basically everything is sold.

Thanks for reading this, hope it's helpful!

Happy building, you creative people!