Introduction: Table Saw Workbench With Wood Storage

By ToolBox Divas
About: Empowering women (and their husbands and boyfriends) one DIY project at a time -- We teach basic home maintenance and home improvement skills.

I recently got into woodworking. I am developing my skills and found a used portable table saw on Craigslist. I needed a place to store my table saw along with the reclaimed wood I was purchasing. I searched online for various plans and could not find exactly what I needed. I needed something mobile, compact and simple to build. SO I made a few sketches on a notepad. This is the first time I've taken on a challenge in woodworking where I'm building something from scratch, developing my own plans. I made a few mistakes. But I learned a lot. Most importantly, I learned it's ok to make mistakes. It's how you learn.

And yes my workbench is purple. I am a Diva after all!

Total Cost: $70 - $80

OK, Let's Get Dirty!

Step 1: ​Materials (costs Vary):

  • 2" X 4" X 96" – 8 boards without Optional Section 11 boards with Optional Wide Storage Section. Cost $2.76/each at Home Depot4’X4’ Pegboard. Cost $8.27 at Lowes
  • 2 – 50 piece boxes of 2 ½” pocket screws $4.97/each
  • 1 sheet OSB $8.25
  • Finishing Nails
  • Castor Wheels - Kobalt 4-Pack 3-in Rubber Locking Swivel Casters; $19.99 at Lowes

Step 2: ​Cuts:

Basic Workbench:

  • 10 – 21 5/16”
  • 1 – 21 ¾”
  • 3 – 23”
  • 2 – 24”
  • 4 – 26 9/16”
  • 5 – 32 ½”
  • 2 – 53”
    • Optional Wide Storage Section:
      • 4 – 8"
      • 2 – 32 ½"2 – 53"

Step 3: Dimensions:

Step 4: Instructions:

For this project I used pocket screws as my fastener of choice. While screws are a little more expensive than nails, screws, it made error correction a lot easier. Lets say I cut a piece incorrectly, I simply unscrewed the piece and replaced it with the appropriate piece. The length of the screw is determined by the thickness of the wood. In this case, I used 2x4's, which in actuality is 1.5" in thickness. So according to the Kreg Jig table the appropriate screw length for this project is 2½ inches.

I'm using the Kreg Jig Jr to drill the pocket screw holes.

All of the cuts are clean straight 90 degree cuts using a Miter saw.

Step 5: Section 1:

Start with the two ends of the form of the workbench.

If this were furniture, none of the screws would be exposed. However, This is for my garage so I made my life easier by not under-mounting the screws if the angle position for my arm was uncomfortable.

Step 6: Ensure Shelves Are Level

Ensure the two sides are level. It's ok to write on the wood and make notes. Instead of using a carpenter's pencil, I use art pencils like this red watercolor pencil

Step 7: Section 2: Constructing the Base

Attach the bottom 2x4s flat side down to the two end pieces. This will provide stability.

Step 8: Section 3:

Attach the center support pieces as displayed in the pictures.

Step 9: Section 4:

Ensure the pieces are level.

I double checked that the pieces were level by placing boards that were 3/4" in thickness under the table saw.

Step 10: Section 5: Table Saw Support Beams

Create a supportive base to hold the saw. Instead of a single board in the middle of the for the table saw I placed two beams at either side of the shelf so that I could place a dust bag under the table saw. The placement of this dust bag is really by trial and error. I think I will have to adjust the placement of the bag to ensure it captures as much sawdust as possible.

Step 11: Section 6: Securing the Shelves

Secure the top shelving by adding the additional side support beams.

Step 12: Optional Wide Storage Section:

Attach the pieces for the additional wide storage.

Step 13: Cutting the Sheathing for the Shelves.

Once the structure and its pieces are all secure and level, cut the OSB board for the shelves and secure with finishing nails.

Step 14: Section 7: Attach the Locking Castor Wheels to the Bottom the The Workbench.

Step 15: ALMOST Done....

Attach the table saw dust bag. I found this bag at Harbor Freight for $5.99.

Step 16: PedBoard Backing

Add additional storage by adding a pegboard to the back of the workbench. Attach the pegboard using a brad nailer/staple gun or you can use a hammer and nails. One 4'x4' pegboard will work. Simply cut the pegboard down to 34" (creating a 48"x34" piece).

The larger piece can be attached as cut. The remaining small piece should be cut down to 12"x34."

Step 17: Now for Some Your Done!

Step 18: Prime and Paint

As for me...I need some color! I used the paint left over from an older project. Prime first.

Step 19: Now I'm DONE!

For more details on this project visit Toolbox Divas.

Till Next Time. ~ T.