One Hour Workbench

Build a simple workbench in just 1 hour!

Supplies

Tools Needed:

Circular Saw

Drill

Speed Square

Clamps

Materials Needed:

(Qty. 5) 2”x4”x8’ boards

(Qty. 2) 2’x4’ 3/4 inch MDF Project Panels(1 Box) 2 1/2” screws

(1 Box) 1 1/4 inch screws

(Optional) 4 inch casters

Cut List:

1. Legs = (8) 2x4’s cut 28 1/4 inch long (Legs for a 34 inch tall bench) note if you skip using casters add 5 inches to the leg height 33 1/4”

2. Frame long sides = (4) 2x4’s cut 42 inches long

3. Cross members = (6) 2x4’s cut 15 inches long

4. Workbench top = 2’x4’ MDF project panel uncut

5. Lower shelf = MDF project panel cut to 42” x 18”

Step 1: Cut the Legs

Using a circular saw cut the 8 boards needed to make the legs by cutting the 2x4’s to 28 1/4 inch long. Cut to 33 1/4 inches if you are not adding casters. (Note - 4 inches casters add about 5 inches total height)

Step 2: Build the Frames

Cut 2x4’s into (4) boards at 42 inches long for the sides of the upper and lower frames.

Cut 2x4’s into (6) boards at 15 inches long for the cross members of the upper and lower frames.

Using a speed square to ensure the pieces stay 90 degrees to one another attach the 15 inch cross member to the end of the 42 inch side driving in two 2 1/2 inch screws through the 42 inch side into the cross member.

Attach another 15 inch cross member to the opposite end of the 42 inch side board again ensuring it stays square as you drive in the screws.

Attach another 42 inch side board to the opposite ends of the cross members. You should not have a box shape where the long sides cover the ends of the short sides.

Measure in 21 inches and attach another 15 inch cross member to the middle of the frame driving in 2 1/2 inch screws on each side.

Repeat these steps for the second frame that is identical to the first.

Step 3: Build Legs

Line up the 28 1/4 inch boards parallel to one another so the face of one board is attached to the side of the other in an L shape.

Drive in (3) 2 1/2 inch screws spaced evenly along this length.

Step 4: Assemble

Lay a MDF project panel on the ground to use as a flat reference surface.

Lay one of the frames you just constructed on top of the MDF panel. With the long sides of the legs on the short ends stand up the legs and brace them around each corner of the workbench.

Attach the legs to the first frame and attach with (2) 2/12 inch screws on each side of each leg drilling into the frame.

Remove the frame and (4) leg assembly you just made and lay out the second frame on top of the MDF panel.

Flip the leg and frame assembly over so the legs slot in around the edges of the second frame. Attach with 2 1/2 inch screws of each side of each leg.

Step 5: Attach MDF Panels

Attach the full size 2’x4’ 3/4 inch MDF project panel to the top of the workbench frame with a 1 1/2 inch overhang on all sides with 1 1/4 inch screws drilling down into the frame. (Option to pre-drill these holes for a cleaner finish)

Using a circular saw cut the 2nd 3/4 inch MDF panel down to 42 inches by 18 inches to fit on the lower shelf. (Its a good idea to measure before you cut in case you lower shelf is a bit off)

Attach to the frame with 1 1/4 inch screws.

Step 6: Attach Casters & Finish

I used 4 inch double locking casters for my workbench and attached them with 1 inch lag screws.

I sealed the MDF with Total Boat Halcyon Varnish (optional)

You’re all done, and it should have taken you about an hour or less! If you have questions or comments please reach out to: [e-mail]

Comments

[bubbles81]

I really think I can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[morsecom]

Nice project! I finally got around to building it myself and am very pleased. I splurged a bit and got a high grade of plywood for the top and shelf. Looks great! My wife likes it so much now she wants one to use for a cutting table for her quilting and art projects. Keep up the good work!

[french_john]

Is there room for a vise? John

[Ole Country Lawyer]

I have the same question. I'm building it now. I choose to heighten it a bit as I'm 6 ' 5" and too feeble to stoop a lot. Another change I am making is I plan on putting an air compressor on the bottom on one end. It is just under 20" wide and about 24" tall. So, I will either put additional side runners down the length of the table frame (about half way between bottom and top table tops) and attach 2x2 as flooring for mini shelf space on other half. And I might just let it extend above the air compressor so will have shelving clear across as a third table top so to speak.y

My plan is to use bottom shelf that adjoins compressor to store 2 circular saws, sander, jig saws another power toys I hope to buy soon. (I'm just an unskilled ole bankruptcy lawyer and in my 7th decade of life and only just now taking up woodoworking. ).

And I will hopefully find (or go plumb crazy and try to build with scrap wood!) baskets that fit neatly on the middle shelf to hold other indisposable smaller items that clutter otherwise clutter things up for me. I hope to have a separate basket for each of the following:

wood clamps
rotary sander disk papers
drill bits and odd shaped jointer tool
air compressor attachments
glue & carpenter pencils and sharpener
speed square and small hand compass
gloves and protective eye gear

Any suggestions or caveats as to my plans (besides keeping my day job) are welcome and will be appreciated.

By the way I found Jonny Builds on the worldwide web by accident and actually understand his terrific design and superb instructional presentations. I am excited to see he coincidentally operates in neighboring Oklahoma City and hope to look him up soon so I might enjoy a moment or two to sit at the heels of the woodworking master.

[lclaiborne]

I want to adapt this to an 80”x 36” flush door, I need a big cutting table for my sewing room.
If I build the frame to around 30” x 70 ish do I need more reinforcement? Extra casters?
(No, I haven’t pondered the math of two bys yet, only hatched a quick plan...)
Great design!
Thanks!

[Waste Of Space]

I would give it two extra cross supports, and maybe even another longitudinal one as well. 36" is rather long (wide) to be unsupported even though you are only using it for sewing. Even so, you could probably get away without the longitudinal support.

[Rick Peabody]

A friend of mine build a bench like this. In order to protect the bench top he cut a sacrificial board out of Masonite and attached it with roofing nails. When the bench top gets beat up he simply pulls up the Masonite and puts on a new piece
This keeps the top of his workbench from getting all chewed up.

[LoginC]

I'm confused.
The frames cross beams are 15" plus a 2" board at each end = 19" but the bottom MDF panel which is a flush fit is only 18" How is this?

[GDC]

Dimensional lumber in the US is based on the historical size before finishing. Finished lumber is smaller than the nominal dimensions. A 2x4 is actually 1.5”x3.5”.

[psanpitak]

Great and simple design, well plan.

[joe_cool_knows]

wow, easy to follow plans, love the color coding and so simply I think I can even build it..

[Mik194254]

as indicated by others it is not possible to cut all the 2 x 4 pieces from 5 lengths. The following is my cut list (being in the UK it is in metric)

[crites57]

Added this to my project list! Looks good.

[marshall.gatten]

Nice design, simple and sturdy. But be sure to change the materials list to 6 two by fours, not 5. Anybody who goes and buys five is going to be mightily challenged to get all those cuts out of them. It’s not possible. They’ll need to find a board stretcher. :)

[lhorn2020]

This cannot be completed with (5) 2"x4"x8' boards. (3) 2"x4"x8' and (2) 2"x4"x10' wiil do it, though.

[elgordo42]

Looks great!
But I'm not seeing links for the casters or the varnish. Help?

[Stickman1945]

The links are on the YouTube video.

[Grandpa Zee]

Nice design.

[JohnnyCiocca]

Ok, finally one I think I can actually try! Every time I see a project like this around here, people already have a table, bench or whatever to use... seeing this one being built on the floor makes me think I can actually do it! Nice one!

[RajendraKumarS]

Nice work! Good woodwork!
Thanks for guiding us too.