r/Workbenches

Since I now have my own home I decided one of the first projects would be to build a workbench so I have a space to work on all the other projects to come. I decided on 8'x28" top and 39" in total height.

I'll be using 4x4s for the legs and 4" casters.

I'm going to do a bottom shelf as well.

I am curious if I should finish it or coat it with anything.. also are there certain screws I should use for connecting the casters? Anyways, cheers!

I recently polished an existing 3d print file for a locking bench dog to add extension pieces on to an MFT or paulk smart bench/station. The commercial TSO versions of this are quite expensive. I haven't put these through a lot of load testing but they seem quite strong. If you have a 3d printer try them out.

https://makerworld.com/models/2992907?appSharePlatform=copy

I built my first workbench. It’s not perfect but I’m pretty excited about it.

THIS IS A MODEL!! Very new to woodworking and thought a good start would be to build a workbench. I couldn’t draw these details so thought I would take some scrap and make a small model for me to wrap my head around the configuration of the legs. I will add another set of boards that run across near the bottom of the legs but just trying to picture the top of legs and how it will work. The second pic is how my top will sit framed in. Does this look good?

Really simple question I know, but I recently built this workbench of my own design, I'm really happy with it but want to add a custom set of drawers and can't decided which side to put them on. Pic 1 or pic 2?

For what it's worth, the space where I don't have drawers i will store my drill press, belt sander, bench grinder, and a couple of other larger tools just to store them down there, and then take them out from under the bench and clamp them to the top whenever I want to use them.

It was quite an operation. Circular saw for the butcher board top. Added some bracing, then a sawzall to go all the way around, then made new pocket holes and screwed the framing of the back of the bench into its new place to make it small enough to get through the door.

Pretty happy with the results not ecstatic. Plan started with a rolling bench and the left cabinet side was going to be the router station. But later realized that a 24” x 24” router table wouldn’t suffice and also I like my fingers so decided to change directions and make dedicated miter station. Got the tealish paint at Lowes because someone wasn’t happy with the mixing and thought it might match Bosch blue but yikes! Looks like grandma’s 70’s furniture but missus digs it. 😝

I’ve been wanting to build a bench for some time to replace the small metal one I have that is super unstable and just too small. I’ve been holding off because of just lumber cost, time etc. My neighbor was moving out and he was just renting so he gave me his old workbench with a cabinet he made. It was pretty stout was but was sitting level and needed more rehab than it was worth. So I took it apart and figured I could use it for something else like some planters. Went down to my brand new Home Depot and picked up some lumber along with a new chop saw. It would be much faster than doing it all with a circular saw. Grabbed a Rigid 10” Chop Saw for $229 along with a Diablo 60th blade for 54$

So, I've been a long-time lurker (different account), but I have been dreaming of my first build for about 5 years now. I finally got into a position to do it, using the plans from Shop Nation to pull it off. I did do some heavy customization toward the end, but I am very happy with the end result. I chose not to fully finish / stain the entire table, but I did want to protect my MDF top! Just wanted to share!

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP2A22JAfrGLxHdVEX68RwC326QBSOWSnD7DgRiyvBlGwwH2pCST5ONziUcURwmkA?key=UGg4VUtWUy1ya0J2WXM4eVo0TDQyX3dFbWU4eGdB

I know it's not much, but it's at the point where now I just decide what I want to add to it.

I am pleased.

I keep seeing these around on job sites and am working on drawing up some plans for when I eventually get around to building one. Am I missing anything other than doghole layout? I’m toying with the idea of a built in router table but for now this seems okay. I’ve modified the length to fit in the bed of my truck and intend on setting it on some sawhorses i already have

I have a build video on my instagram if you are interested.

This is my sleeper workshop setup.

From the outside it just looks like a normal coffee table in my living room.

The entire workspace is only 1 metre wide, but it handles everything from wirework and assembly to photography prep and packaging.

Tools, materials and equipment all disappear back into the table when I'm finished, so the workshop effectively vanishes when not in use.

Most people assume you need a dedicated room, garage or shed to start making things. This setup has made me question how much space is actually necessary.

I'm curious what the smallest workspace you've successfully worked from has been.