How to Build Work Benches
A work bench is an essential part of a workshop or garage, allowing a sturdy platform for the experienced artisan as well as the weekend project warrior. A work bench may be built into a garage or shop, or built to be easily moved for use with on-site projects. Work benches can be purchased at various hardware stores but are easily built with basic carpentry tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Work gloves
- Four 32-inch long, 2-inch by 4-inch slabs
- Four 48-inch long, 2-inch by 4-inch slabs
- Four 26-inch long, 2-inch by 4-inch slabs
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter's square tool
- Hammer or screwdriver
- Nails or screws
- Two 26-inch by 48-inch pieces of plywood or particle board
- Sandpaper or orbital sander
- Paintbrush
- Paint or wood stain
Instructions
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1
Use the pencil, measuring tape, carpenter's square tool and power saw to measure and cut the 2-inch by 4-inch slabs to the lengths needed to construct your work bench, if you are unable to purchase the pieces in the specified sizes. The carpenter's square tool is necessary to ensure that a 90-degree angle is measure and cut into the pieces.
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2
Measure and draw a line 6 inches from one end of each 32-inch long slab. Lay two of the pieces down on a flat surface and place one of the 48-inch long pieces across them so that the ends of the long piece are resting on the two 32-inch pieces, creating two 90-degree angles. Nail the pieces into place. Do this with the other two 32-inch pieces and another 48-inch piece.
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3
Place the remaining 48-inch pieces along the bottom of the 32-inch pieces and nail into place to create rectangular frames.
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4
Enlist the help of a friend or family member to hold the two frames up while the 26-inch pieces are nailed into place. The 26-inch pieces should attach to the 32-inch pieces in the location where the 32-inch pieces and 48-inch pieces intersect.
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5
Lay one of the plywood or particle board pieces on the top of the legs and frame and nail into place to create the top of the work bench. Cut down the corners of the second plywood or particle board sheet, and place on the lower frame to create a storage shelf for the work bench. The lower piece has to be placed by sliding in at an angle.
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6
Sand the surfaces of the work bench and paint or stain as you desire.
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Tips & Warnings
To further personalize your work bench you may add handles or hooks to hold tools in place when they are not being used.
