A Must-Have Work Bench Plans for the DIYer

An article by WoodWorking Helper   

A Must-Have Work Bench Plans

The woodworker’s most important tool isn’t an electricity-driven or battery-operated equipment or gadget. It also does not have a motor with a cutting edge technology.

Believe it or not, a woodworker’s most important weapon is a simple woodworking bench. A traditional work bench is free of clutter in order for it to be able to accommodate vises, bench dogs, hold down clamps, and other woodworking equipment.

A work bench helps the hobbyist perform more efficiently. Aside from storing and organizing tools, it helps keeps a project in place.

If you have the finances, you can buy a ready-made workbench. Alternatively if you are tight on the budget, I highly recommend to take a glance at teds woodworking plans – making your own work bench just becomes much easier!

Preparing To Make Your First Work Bench

This first project will only cost you about $20. The materials for this work bench include 8 feet 2 x 4 lumber, one partial 2 x 4 approximately 6 feet long, 2 pieces of oriented strand board or OSB, and some 3-inch and 1 5/8-inch deck screws.

For the tools, prepare a circular saw, a cordless drill or driver, a hammer, a tape measure, a 4-inch level or chalk line, a jig saw or hand saw, and a power miter saw.

Using two saw horses, set two 2 x 4s on it and place an OSB on top of them. Use the wider OSB of the two scraps. Mark some cut lines on the OSB. Using a 4-inch level to draw lines for short distances since it is easier and more precise than making use of a chalk line. Cut the OSB using the guide lines.

If you are using a full sheet of OSB, cut out two 24” x 48” panels. The remaining board will be able to make another bench.

Next, lay a plank on the saw horses and place an 8-feet 2 x 4 plank on top it. Measure 32 and 64 inches on the board and cut them out using a miter saw. This plank will make 3 legs.

If you want to make 4 legs, the smartest choice would be to use a 10-foot 2 x 4.

After all the lumber cutting, you will get 45 inches long side “stretchers”, 32” long legs, and 26” long side stretchers. Mark the legs 6 inches above the floor. This will allow for some space under the bottom shelf where you can store some flat items.

Lay the side stretchers on top of the legs aligning the lower edge of the stretcher with the marks made beforehand.

Align the corners so they are close to being square. Pre-drill a hole on each corner and drive in a 3-inch deck screw.

Make necessary tweaks you are not satisfied with the diagonal measurements. After that, drive in all the screws.

Next, turn over the side stretchers and stand an end stretcher upright and fasten it to legs and side stretchers. Repeat all these steps to form the other half.

To assemble the whole work bench, turn the half frames upside down and attach them together by the help of a quick-grip clamp and some deck screws. Flip the bench over. Place the OSB on top of the frame and secure them using 1-5/8-inch deck screws 6 -8 inches apart.

To attach the lower shelf, create notches on the other OSB board bigger than 3 x 5 inches. Take note that the 5-inch measurement should be made on the long side of the panel. Then tilt the board to put the shelf in place. Secure it with the deck screws.

There are many variations on work bench plans depending on your needs. The most important thing is that you make it sturdy and rigid enough to deal with the pressure that comes with woodworking.