How to Build a Garage Workstation

Your garage can be more than just a place to park your car--it can also contain a highly-evolved workspace. Ample room will allow for a work bench and two cars, making for a very precious commodity. Learn how to build a work table with nearby shelfs and storage space.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood 2 X 4s Pine planking Shelf brackets Pegboard with hooks Circular saw Saw horses Galvanized box nails (#12) Galvanized box nails (#6) Hooks for pegboard 4-foot level

Instructions

How to Build a Garage Workstation

1. Choose the section of your garage where the work bench will go, most likely the back wall. Perhaps your garage is designed so that one side of the interior area holds some extra space. Decide at this point how far from the wall you feel comfortable extending your work table. Three feet of work space is plenty of room for most projects, but you might have to settle for less.

2. Build the work table first. If there is an open 2 X 4 frame wall present, tie the table top right into the wall. Choose a height and width for the table and extend several 2 X 4s from the wall. Don't forget to add the 3 1/2 inches for the width of the framing members--minus 1 1/2 for the table frame--that make up the wall. If your table is 3 feet wide, cut the pieces for the table top at 38 inches. This is because there will be a 2 X 4 at the front end, so you need to subtract 1 1/2.

   Also choose a height for the table. Somewhere in the order of 3 feet will be good. Cut the two vertical pieces of 2 X 4s and connect them at the two outside edges of the table in a L shape.

   Now run one piece lengthwise, attaching the first piece at the ends of the 2 X 4s that extend from the wall. You now have a rough outline for your table top, but it is going to need more bracing and framing.

3. Add the rest of the cross members for your table. These are the 38 inches that extend from the inside of the wall out to the the long horizontal 2 X 4. You should place one on every stud, so that your table top has a cross member every 16 or 24 inches. Nail these tight with the galvanized box nails.

   Every place that you have a cross member, add a brace at a 45-degree angle. These will be made from 2 X 4s, and each end should be cut a 45-degree angle to allow for a clean installation. They can be nailed or screwed into place.

4. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch plywood to cover the top of the table. Nail this with #6 galvanized box nails. Once this is done you should have a study work bench.

5. Take a 4 X 8 sheet of pegboard and set it on top of the table and push it so it sits right against the stud wall. Screw the pegboard to the vertical framing members of the wall using 1 1/4-inch flathead wood screws. Each framing meber should get several screws and pilot holes are a good idea.

6. Decide where you want shelves and where you want the special hooks that insert into the pegboard.

7. Buy some pine planking and shelf brackets to match the width of the pine boards. Take a 4-foot level and mark a level horizontal line wherever you want the shelves to go. Install the shelf brackets with flat head wood screws along each line and then cut the board to the proper length.

8. Insert the hooks into the remaining space on the pegboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Build a bench that suits your particular height and body type. The 3-foot high by 3-foot wide dimensions are only suggestions. A longer bench can be built if space allows.

• Make sure that there is no danger of getting hit by a car while you are working.