How to Build a Garage Workbench for Less $$$

A garage workbench is essential to the home mechanic. This article will show you how to build one that is extremely strong, quick to build and easy on the budget.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2x4x8 (4)
• 4x4x8 (1)
• slab door
• 16d nails or 2 1/2" deck screws
• hammer
• tape measure
• level
• saw

1. First off when you purchase the door slab at the local home improvement center, you normally have a choice of 28, 32 or 36 inch wide units. Pick the size that suits your garage space. Collect the rest of the materials and if you have a power saw and power drill, so much the better but you do not have to have them to complete this project.

2. Determine where you want the workbench as it will be attached to one of the walls in your garage. Make sure that the location you pick allows you to clear your vehicle and any entrance door that you might have. Once you have selected the location, find and mark the location of the studs.

3. Cut the first 2x4 to the length of the door (normally 80") and then take a quick measurement from the floor to your waist. You can place the bench at any height you choose, but most people are comfortable with the bench at waist height. With that measurement taken, deduct 3" inches from it. As an example if your floor to waist measurement was 42", after deducting the 3" your measurement would be 39". Mark this measurement on one of the middle studs for your bench location. Using this mark, place your cut 2x4 against the studs and nail or screw it in place with one nail or screw. Now pick one side of the 2x4, place you level on top of it, level it up and attach the 2x4 to the remaining available studs. Use at least (2) screws or nails per stud.

4. Now, depending on the size of the door you selected, you will create a frame of 2x4s for the door to rest on. You want the the 2x4s arranged so that their 3.5 side is vertical giving your frame the greatest strength. Do not attach the frame to the door slab.

5. Place one long side of your newly constructed frame on top of the 2x4 that you nailed previously to the studs. Position the 4x4x8 inside one of the outer corners of the frame as this will serve as a leg for the workbench. Bring the frame up on the 4x4 until it is level and mark the 4x4 for cutting. Once the 4x4 is cut you can then position it again inside of the corner and nail or screw it into place. Now nail or screw the long side of your frame to the studs just as you did for the first 2x4. The last step for your frame is to use the remaining piece of 4x4 to create the opposite leg for your workbench. Again, make sure you are level, make your mark and cut the 4x4 as needed.

6. 
   workbench in use for 6+ years, still going strong!

   With your frame completed, you can now lay the slab door on top of the frame and attach it with either nails or screws completing your new workbench. An optional item that you can do is to add an additional brace to the frame right in the middle, you should have a piece of 2x4 left over to do this.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider giving your new workbench several coats of clear urethane to protect it and make it much easier to clean.
• A perfect location for a bench vice is directly over top of one of the 4x4 post, it will prove to be very strong.
• Shelves can be added easily to the bottom of the workbench for additional storage space.
• Make yourself a sandpaper cutter by attaching a standard hacksaw blade to the front or side of the bench with two wood screws.
• We just purchased these materials for another workbench in my son's garage. The door slab was $42, 2x4x8 were $1.76 each and the 4x4x8 was $7.64 for a total of $56.68 plus screws or nails.