Wrap around workbench under $100

 by falks79
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I am not a carpenter or a professional in any sort of way.  I took the ideas of several other instructables on this website, designed my own design and am here to post my project for you. 

 
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Step 1: Step 1

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The first thing you will need to do is figure out how big you want your bench to be.  I made mine 6 ft wide so that when I bought my 3/4" ply wood top, I wouldn't have as many scrap materials.  With that being said, here is my material list:

4 - 4x4x10
8 - 2x4x10
1 - 4x8 ply wood sheet cut into (3x2, 3x2, 1.5x4, 1.5x4, 2x4)
1 - box of 2" wood screws
1 - box of 3/4" wood screws
1 - 2x4 peg board
1 - peg board starter kit pegs

Total $98.00 @ Home Depot
monty324 says: Apr 11, 2013. 12:02 AM
this is a great design, i love the wrap around idea
i'm gonna build one of these but a hell of a lot bigger
Soulsbane says: Apr 3, 2012. 9:40 PM
Great workbench. But I think that the middle section of the bench is too wide and it would be hard to reach to your tools, also the peg board should be centered. But it might just be the angle that makes it look like the pegboard is too far away.
tim_n says: Oct 7, 2011. 4:31 AM
Has inspired me to rip out the hideously bodged area in my garage and get my tools organised - I can never find anything. I may need to fit drawers though.
falks79 (author) says: Oct 6, 2011. 9:34 PM
Thank you everyone for your compliments and kind words! I am so Honored to have each of you take the time to give your praise, ideas, and improvements. I hope it inspires you to make something great!
wilgubeast says: Oct 6, 2011. 4:42 PM
That is a great-looking table. It is made even greater by the prominent position of the Colorado license plate.

Awesome job. Can you clue us into which 'ibles you used for inspiration?
mbusby says: Sep 30, 2011. 7:35 PM
Top idea and I am going to build one similar to yours but it will have a dual purpose.

Firstly I am going to put castors ( two will be locking ones) on the legs so I can move it around.

Secondly the height will be the same height as my table saw so I can turn it into an Outfeed Table.
I already have two work tables, one of which is a dedicated mitre saw table so I don't need to fix any machines to it.

Great Instructable and a well thought out and constructed project too.
Capt Chumbucket says: Jun 12, 2011. 8:48 AM
Do you have an accute case of `roids or is that a bundt cake pan hanging off the right front side of the bench? And if it is a cake pan why is it in the garage?
Thanx'
the Capt'n.
hiboyford in reply to Capt ChumbucketSep 12, 2011. 2:27 PM
That is a cord reel. If you enlarge the picture you will see this.
karossii in reply to Capt ChumbucketJun 12, 2011. 8:57 AM
Try viewing the pic at its original size; it is then easily seen it is a "cord pro" - an extension cord spool.
HandyMan1959 in reply to karossiiJun 12, 2011. 11:27 PM
I own 2 Cord Pros for over 6 years, love them and show them to everyone I meet. Like your bench would suggest a hinged mount for the saw though, like a sewing machine style mount or something to keep the saw out of the way when its not in use.
skiedra says: Jul 27, 2011. 12:10 PM
Very well done, falks79!
SantaB says: Jun 13, 2011. 6:40 AM
Nice, this has inspired me to add onto mine... I have a 30"x4' one now with a shelf where your drawers are, but adding a left side would be awesome.

You actually could put in some lower shelving on the sides there. Just notch the plywood to account for the 2x4s. Then nail the plywood to your bottom frame braces.
Anianna says: Jun 13, 2011. 6:10 AM
I have 4 kids who have tools, building kits, scrap wood, and a desire to build. I have been wanting to build them a workbench where they all can work on different aspects of their projects safely at the same time. I like how this design defines space and separates work areas. I think this is just the sort of design I am looking for. Thank you so much for posting it! My children (who have been patiently waiting for mom to get their space going) thank you, too!
mengel says: Jun 12, 2011. 11:33 PM
Nice project, man!
I like your container box of drawers - where can I buy similar?
Silence says: Jun 12, 2011. 8:01 PM
I think stringing the side benches out at a 45 degree angle would give you more elbow room. 3ft is an adequate workspace, but elbows are in short supply, especially around mounted devices :P
Creativeman says: Jun 12, 2011. 10:38 AM
Excellent instructable/project...a man after my own heart! A few questions arise, however: You must be a tall dude, as a standard bench height is 36"...desk height would be 26-28in.Your bench would be too high for me. Also did you really use 10 ft posts? Could have saved money by buying 8 footers. (8ft = 96in., 96/2 = 48in...more than enough for your 40in. height. Good job.
rachel in reply to CreativemanJun 12, 2011. 1:30 PM
Second this Creativeman, but: a woman after my own heart! Pretty sure, from the last pic and the fact that falks79 has 'female' marked on her Instructables profile.
Creativeman in reply to rachelJun 12, 2011. 5:09 PM
I stand corrected,thank you. And my apologies to "Christina".
altontoth in reply to CreativemanJun 12, 2011. 12:22 PM
Something else that I've done, is you take two 2x4's and screw them together to form an L shape. Lighter, much cheaper, and nearly as rock solid as a 4x4. No shake at least.
HowlinPreacherMan says: Jun 12, 2011. 3:50 PM
Great workbench! Thanks for documenting the build!

As a couple of additions/modifications, you could:
- add some heavy-duty hinges to 'flatten' the bench against a wall to make space for a car (or a second, depending on your garage)
- reduce the length of the 4x4s by 1/2" to add a sacrificial hardboard/plywood top
velorna says: Jun 12, 2011. 2:41 PM
So nice, I wish I had the room for it.
rachel says: Jun 12, 2011. 1:31 PM
falks97, awesome job, clearly documented. If I had space for a workbench, I'd probably make one nearly exactly like this! I like the wraparound idea very much.
dustynrobots says: Jun 12, 2011. 8:28 AM
Great work, and I reeeealllly can't wait to have enough space to make my own! Dumb question - what did you use to cut the u-shape out of the plywood top? Did you do it before you installed it or route it by hand after it was on?
probablepossible in reply to dustynrobotsJun 12, 2011. 11:08 AM
the top is made of three pieces, one across the full length, two that stick out from it...
dustynrobots in reply to probablepossibleJun 12, 2011. 12:07 PM
ah, thanks
pashanoid says: Jun 12, 2011. 11:14 AM
I'm impressed! You inspired me to build my home office computer table w/shelving
BobMarleyFan says: Jun 11, 2011. 7:08 AM
this could also be a good wraparound desk for a home office too!
zazenergy says: Jun 10, 2011. 1:02 PM
Great workmanship!
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