How to Build a Cheap Workbench
A sturdy workbench is the backbone of every workshop. A well-designed, strategically built workbench can handle a variety of tasks and does not have to cost an arm and a leg. With just a few items found at the local hardware store, and a few hours of work, the workbench is ready to use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2x6 pine
- 2x4 pine
- Hardwood plywood
- 3/8-inch bolts
- 3/8-inch nuts
- 3/8-inch washers
- 2-inch wood screws
- 2 1/2-inch wood screws
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Level
- Circular saw
Instructions
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1
Cut four 2x4 wood pieces to frame the top of the workbench. Cut several 2x6 wood stock pieces for the workbench top. The amount of 2x6s needed will be determined based on the workspace designated for the workbench. Most workbenches will take five or six pieces. A good rule of thumb is to design the workbench between 24 and 36 inches wide. The average height for most workbenches is 34 to 36 inches.
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Start by drilling 3/8-inch holes into the legs and braces of the workbench. Drill two sets of 3/8-inch holes into the bench legs and braces, (a set at each end.) Using 3/8-inch bolts, screw the base of the workbench together. Using nuts, washers and bolts enables the ability to tighten the workbench as the wood dries and loosens.
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3
Use 90-degree metal angles and 1-inch wood screws to assemble the workbench top frame. Square the frame and lay out and butt the 2x6 wood together on top of the frame. Check to ensure a square and, using 2-inch wood screws, assemble the workbench top, placing two screws in each end of the 2x6s.
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Turn the workbench top right side up and set it on top of the workbench base. Using the 3/8 holes in the bench legs, drill through the workbench top frame, and bolt the top to the frame. Tighten each bolt once more to ensure they are snug. Cut a piece of ½-inch hardwood plywood to the exact size of the workbench. Screw the plywood to the workbench top with 2 ½-inch wood screws, remembering to sink the wood screws below the work surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Using construction-grade lumber keeps the cost of building a cheap workbench around $50.
Using scrap lumber, such as that leftover from a newly constructed home, will keep the cost under $20.
