Easy Workbench
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Supply List
*see instructions below for where to buy countertops
Tools
Instructions
Planning
Using these special corner brackets makes project is SO much easier than you would think! The awesome part about this product to is that you can com
If you just want to copy me exactly here are my measurements, but I’ll also write out how to do the math if you want to build your own custom plans! (this is my first time explaining project math so hopefully it makes sense haha)
Copy my plans:
(4) Legs cut at 36in out of 2x4s.
(4) Horizontal supports cut at 15in out of 2x4s.
(4) Horizontal supports cut at 84.75in out of 2x4s.
(2) Shelf supports cut at 19in out of 1x2s.
Countertop: 90in x 25 5/8
or
Do some custom math:
Figure out how tall you want the workbench to be. Standard height is around 36in (same as kitchen counters). I’m pretty tall so I made mine a little taller at 40in.
Decide on your table top material. My friend gave me an old piece of butcher block they removed from their kitchen house so I used that! I got so lucky because those can be pricey depending on the type of wood. If you also want to use butcher block they sell it at Home Depot, but I have also seen some great deals on it at Habitat for Humanity Restore. Another great option if you don’t want to splurge on butcher block would just be a piece of plywood. My butcher block was painted so I used citristrip paint stripper to get the paint off and then a quick little oil on top to finish it up. Super easy!
Now for a little math, let’s figure out the table leg height! (don’t worry it’s not bad). Take the total height you want the table to be (40in for me) then subtract 2.5 for the wheels and subtract whatever thickness your countertop is (mine was 1.5in thick). Here is how my math turned out for me: 40 - 2.5 - 1.5 = 36in This number is going to be how long you want to cut your legs. You will need (4) 2x4 boards cut this measurement.
Now let’s find the measurement for the long horizontal supports. Start by deciding the length you want the workbench top to be. I wanted mine to be 90in with about an inch overhang. Take you counter top number subtract 2in for the overhang. Then subtract 3.25 to account for the thickness of the 2x4 legs and the brackets. Here is how my math worked: 90 - 2 - 3.75 = 84.75in You will need (4) 2x4 boards cut this length, and (2) of the 1x2 boards cut at this length.
To find the width we do a really similar process as step 4. Find your desired width, mine was a weird number 25 5/8in because that’s how the butcher bloack came. Subtract 7in from that number (to account for the leg thickness) and then subtract however big you want your overhang. My math looked like 25.625 - 7 - 3 = 15.625. I ended up just cutting mine at 15 because it was easier lol. You will need (4) boards cut at this measurement.
To measure the shelf pieces you will first need to start by finding the overall width of your base. That number is 7 + the width of the supports you measured in step 5. So for me that was 7 + 15 = 22. Then subtract 3 (to account for the thickness of the horizontal supports). 22 - 3 = 19! The quanitity of boards you cut for this step just depends on how long you are planning to make your table and how dense you want the shelf slats. I liked the look of completely filling in the shelf but you don’t have to do that and can have some space in between the boards.
Yay math, you’ve got this!
Build
Step 1: Now it’s time to make your cuts!! You can totally get these 2x4s cut for you at the store if you don’t have a saw, but I’ll link a beginner friendly (and cheep) saw for you here if you want to get one.
Step 3: Now it’s time to build! Grab the corner brackets and your drill. I did this process upside down because I thought it was easier. Grab one of your brackets, a leg, a side, and a front 2x4 and screw the three of them into the bracket. The longer part of the leg board and the side pieces will all be in a row with each other.
Now just repeat that process of screwing the boards into the brackets until you get all the way around. It should look like a rectangle now with 4 sticks poking up!
Step 4: Next figure out at what height want your shelf. To make it easy I just lined up the bottom of brackets with the bottom of my 2x4s legs, but do whatever distance feels natural with what you plan to store down there. Now repeat the process of screwing in the brackets and 2x4s for this lower level.
Step 5: Grab your wheels and screw them into the bottom of the legs. I got wheels from my local store, but the ones I linked look the same!
Now flip the whole thing over! Honestly it shouldn’t be too heavy yet but getting help might not be a terrible idea lol
Step 6: Using the 1x2’s let’s add some supports for the shelf. To do this you will need either a drill and screws or a nail gun! Hold a scrap piece of 2x4 next to your bottom shelf board so the tops are flush with each other. Make a mark under that 2x4, that’s where the top of your 1x2 should go. Nail/screw it in to the horizontal 2x4. I used a clamp to hold it in place while I did this. Repeat this whole process on other side of the table as well.
Step 7: Here is where you will need to figure out how many 2x4s you need for the shelf! Honestly you don’t need that many, especially if you are doing rubber buckets like I did. I had it with just a couple supports to start and it worked great, I just like the look if it being a completely filled in shelf so I started adding more. The 2x4s should just sit on top of the 1x2 supports you nailed in!
Step 8: Last step is attaching the top! Because I was using a fancy wood I didn’t want to see any screws. So I used small brackets underneath the table top to attach it to the 2x4s. I used 8 brackets for mine and just tried to space them out evenly. I got my brackets locally, but the link is the same size, etc.! If you are using plywood you could use the brackets as well or just screw down into the 2x4s through the top of the plywood.
YOU ARE DONE! I love how customizable you can make the shape / design and you creative you can get if you start adding in paint color, etc.! Total I spend about $151 on this project. I got super lucky my friend gave me that table top which saved a ton. Let me know if you give this a try!
Don’t forget to follow me @dawson.diy to see what I work on next!
