How to Build a Long Basic Workbench

If you are doing a great deal of building in your home, odds are you will need a work bench to do it on. Without a work bench, doing any sort of home improvement project can be difficult. If you are already handy, building a work bench is actually a simple project. Building one can save money and allow you to make the dimensions exactly what you need them to be.

Things You'll Need

• 1 board, 2-by-5 foot of 3/4-inch plywood
• 1 board, 22-by-50 inches of 1/2-inch plywood
• 2 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 5 feet long
• 7 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 22 inches long
• 2 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 57 inches long
• 4 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 33 inches long
• 4 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 8 1/2 inches long
• 4 boards, 2-by-4 inches, 17 1/2 inches long
• Drill with screwdriver bit
• Wood screws
• Measuring tape
• Square

Instructions

1. Construct a rectangular frame from the two 5-foot 2-by-4s and two pieces of the 22-inch 2-by-4. The 5-foot pieces will be located on the outside of the 22-inch pieces. All pieces should have the 2-inch side facing down. Square the corners using the carpenter's square and screw the pieces together with two screws in each corner.

2. Place three of the 22-inch pieces inside the rectangular frame. These are the supports for the table top. These pieces should have the 2-inch side down and be spaced 15-inches apart to support the top evenly. Make sure these pieces are level and square. Screw them into the frame.

3. Build another rectangle with the last two 22-inch boards and the two 57-inch boards. The 22-inch boards should be between the 57-inch boards. Slide both 22-inch boards 3 1/2 inches toward the center of the 57-inch boards. This creates a rectangle that is 22-by-50 inches which will have 3 1/2 inches of overhang on all corners. Screw the rectangle together and place the piece of 22-by-50 inch plywood on top of this rectangle. Screw the plywood to the frame.

4. Place one of the 33-inch 2-by-4 boards on a flat surface with the 4-inch side down. Then place one of the 8 1/2-inch pieces of 2-by-4 on top of it so both pieces are even at one end and the 4-inch sides are together. Make sure they are square and screw them together. Repeat this for all four pieces of the 33-inch board.

5. Measure 4 inches from the top of the 8 1/2 inch board along the 33-inch board and mark this location. This is the placement of the bottom of the 17 1/2 inch board. Place the 17 1/2 inch board on the 33-inch board at this mark so that the 4-inch sides of both boards are touching, square it, and screw it into the board. Repeat this for all the 17 1/2 inch pieces

6. On all four 33-inch boards there will be a gap of 4-inches. This gap is where the overhang from the smaller rectangle will fit in. Place the 33-inch boards on the inside of the rectangle so the overhang fits into the slot and the 8-inch piece is below the overhang. Screw these pieces into the smaller rectangle.

7. Place the larger open rectangular frame on top of the 33-inch boards. The boards should fit into the corners of the frame. Use two screws at each intersection and screw the frame to the 33-inch pieces so the tops of the 33-inch pieces are even with the top of the frame. Place the final piece of plywood on top of the frame and screw it into place once you make sure it is square.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the wood cut before you take it home. This will make the job of assembling much easier.

References

• EAA1000.av.org: Standardized Work Table Plans