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Home > DIY Projects > Woodworking > Workbenches > How to Build a Workbench: Super Simple $50 Bench

How to Build a Workbench: Super Simple $50 Bench

Got two hours to kill? Do we have a workbench for you!
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This workbench is simple enough and cheap enough that you can make it in a morning, and yet it's big enough for serious woodworking and hobby projects. Add pegboard, a bench vise and a few other accessories and you'll have a serious work center.
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The Family Handyman This hardwood room divider is a good looking way to partition a room or hide clutter. You can even customize it to fit your existing decor with a wood finish and panel covering of your choice. Learn how you can build it: http://shout.lt/d1jg

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1 of 8 Photo 1: Frames Assemble the frames for the work surface and lower shelf.

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This sturdy 30-in. x 6-ft.-long workbench is the ultimate in simplicity. Its made from only fifteen 8-ft.-long 2x4s and one sheet of 1/2-in. plywood. Follow the cutting diagrams to cut the parts: Figure B to cut the plywood tops, then Figure C to cut all the framing. Use the lengths provided in the Cutting List (see Additional Information below). You can either screw the framing together with 3-in. screws or hand- or power-nail it together with 3-in. nails. Screw the plywood down with 1-5/8-in. screws. To make these project plans even easier to follow, we tinted the parts that get added at each step.

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Construction and Cutting Details All the dimensions and pieces are shown in Figures A, B and C, and keyed to the Cutting List in Additional Information (below). All together you'll need fifteen 2 x 4 x 8s and one sheet of 1/2-in. plywood.

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Figure A: Main Workbench Parts

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Figure B: Plywood Cutting Diagram

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Figure C: 2 x 4 Usage Diagram

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1 of 4 Lighting Good light is mandatory for any workbench. Buy an inexpensive 4-ft. shop light and screw it right to the underside of the top shelf.

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Additional Information
Cutting List

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Tools & Materials

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. Miter saw Cordless drill Tape measure Circular saw Straightedge Safety glasses

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list. 2x4s 4 x 8 x 1/2-in. plywood 3-in. drywall screws 1-5/8-in. drywall screws

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dav2ph November 26, 1:55 PM [GMT -5]

Completed building this workbench for my work room Very clear diagram and directions. Man I didn't think I could do this at first,but now i feel like a Real Carpenter.I wish i could find the 1 1/2 thick foam?? I made my bench 8' instead of 6',and i used the whole peg board on back,,,Looks very good and sturdy..I think i'm going to try to put some big wheels on it and i'm going to add the vise and the grinder...THANKS GUYS VERY GOOD INSTRUCTIONS Now I need some help to make a cover on the side of my work shop to cover my riding mower and push mower.... Thanks

Berts_apprentice November 25, 9:50 AM [GMT -5]

Just completed building this workbench for my basement. Very clear diagram and directions. My cost was a little higher, but well worth it: 15 2x4x8 = $39.75 1 sheet 1/2" 8x4 plywood (I chose sanded) = $25.87 2 lbs 3" drywall screws = $12.94 1-5/8" drywall screws = $6.47 Total : $85.03 I added pegboard at the back of the top portion, rather than leaving that open space. Really happy with the results. Thanks!!

Hexkopf November 22, 10:39 AM [GMT -5]

I am doing this!! Looks easy.

vagwada September 26, 9:08 AM [GMT -5]

Followed your plans pretty much to the letter. Had the wood cut for me free of charge at Home Depot and finished it in less than a day including a coat of flat black paint. Thanks a lot for these plans. I'd been looking for something like this for months!

flstateu2002 September 15, 11:59 AM [GMT -5]

Finished this bench in a little under a day (my first big project). I modified the design slightly, add 4x4 for the legs, and attached the major component together with 1/2" hex bolts so that I can take it apart (I move ALOT). I also used 3/4" hardwood for extra support. It looks great and I can't wait to move onto my evergrowing list of projects. Thanks!

samantha65 September 14, 11:54 PM [GMT -5]

You have some great information on your site. There is no denying that the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement in America (and around the world) has actually picked up speed over the last few years as more and more people become interested in creating ornamental pieces, and even furniture, in the comfort of their own woodworking workshops.http://www.benchwoodworkingplans.net/

bkpsu September 05, 10:27 PM [GMT -5]

Great project! I used 3/4-in MDF instead of plywood, and had to drop my shelf 6 inches due to a low ceiling in the basement, but the instructions and illustrations made this a snap! Build took about 6 hrs start to finish...

pipewrench August 27, 3:14 PM [GMT -5]

only things that i did different was upgrade the 2x4 to 2x6 as well as made it 8ft with a full sheet of pegboard also pegboard on the sides and changed the top to 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood glued and screw together with 1/4 tempered brown hardboard glued to the top for a perfect flat top

pjord037 August 26, 1:44 PM [GMT -5]

Easy and Affordable project. It has plenty of work space and storage for all your needs. It fits perfect in my garage and has really helped me get organized.

flstateu2002 August 25, 3:47 PM [GMT -5]

I'm moving into my first house next weekend and this is the first project I'm tackling. Can anyone tell me if I should use treated 2x4's or just standard lumber? Also, any ideas about me using MDF instead of plywood? Thanks!

jusnelson August 21, 10:44 AM [GMT -5]

This was a nice and easy project. The cost is closer to $100-$120 though. Decent plywood is around $30-40 and 15 2x4s add up. The bench looks great and very sturdy.

Michrails August 20, 5:11 PM [GMT -5]

@lynnelmore, Here is the cutting list. Cutting List KEY QTY. SIZE & DESCRIPTION A 9 71-7/8" (backer boards, upper shelf legs and rims) B 4 68-7/8" (work surface and lower shelf rim) C 4 35-1/2" (legs) D 4 27" (end rims) E 5 24" (work surface joists) F 5 15" (lower shelf joists) G 7 9" (upper shelf joists)

lynnelmore July 28, 2:06 PM [GMT -5]

Can someone please provide me with the cutting list. For some reason I cannot open the link provided.

coffeejoejava July 10, 9:42 PM [GMT -5]

Cost me a little over $85.00 but well worth it!! So functional and looks great. Better than most I saw at Sears and other retailers. Besides...I built it!

andybodine June 27, 9:49 AM [GMT -5]

I built this workbench over a period of about a week. Since I had limited space in my work room I made the length about four feet. I later made an eight foot long version for my garage. Very simple to construct. Great project!

ajs42 April 01, 11:36 PM [GMT -5]

my workbench project turned out really well i finished it in 6 hours with paint if i had a nail gun things would have worked out faster.thanks for the plans i look foward to more projects in the future.

ajs42 April 01, 11:36 PM [GMT -5]

my workbench project turned out really well i finished it in 6 hours with paint if i had a nail gun things would have worked out faster.thanks for the plans i look foward to more projects in the future.

ranwayb

March 16, 10:51 PM [GMT -5]

I cut this bench down to 5ft to meet my space needs and extended the peg board height to 4ft. Gonna mount my light a little different so i can still use the shelf on top of the peg board. Materials were not 50.00 in my area though. Cost was a little over 100.00. Love it!

tb618 February 20, 8:42 PM [GMT -5]

@pfbrd1969- The 2x4 dimensions are located on the "cutting list". There is a link towards the bottom of the home page of this DIY. Here it is as well: http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH/Attachments/FH09SEP_SIMWOR_CL.pdf Cheers

tb618 February 20, 8:38 PM [GMT -5]

This DIY was great. I omitted the upper portion for space reasons but added a smaller table for my particular needs (I am utilizing this as a home brewing station as well).

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Cutting List
KEY A B C D E F G QTY. 9 4 4 4 5 5 7 SIZE & DESCRIPTION 71-7/8" (backer boards, upper shelf legs and rims) 68-7/8" (work surface and lower shelf rim) 35-1/2" (legs) 27" (end rims) 24" (work surface joists) 15" (lower shelf joists) 9" (upper shelf joists)