Build an all-in-one workbench

DIY - $270 (Have It Done for $470)
SkIll - 2/5

Time - Half a day

 

 

Rick Musco built a workbench for his son to house his growing collection of tools and shared the simple design with us. The sturdy 750mm x 1800mm workbench includes pegboard backing for hanging tools and storage on shelves above and below the bench with the lower shelf doubling as a footrest.

Make it from 12mm CD plywood and 90 x 45mm radiata pine, cutting the plywood using a circular saw and a straightedge guide. Cut the framing parts with a mitresaw, following the setout to avoid waste.

Fasteners
The frame is secured with 75mm x 10g screws and the plywood tops are secured with 40mm x 8g screws.

 

Lay out the bench and lower shelf pieces, butting the bench rails and lower shelf rails against the ends and positioning the joists between them (see Diagram), checking the frames for square by measuring the diagonals and securing the joints with 75mm x 10g screws.

Tip - Position a try square next to the joint while securing the framework to keep it square.

 

Position the front and back legs against the bench, securing with at least two offset screws in each and using a spirit level to check they are plumb. Turn the bench upright to attach the lower shelf frame to the legs 300mm up from the floor. Use 150 grit abrasive paper to round the edges of the bench and lower shelf tops then secure to the joists with screws.

 

Assemble the upper shelf, butting the joists, including the ends, against the upper shelf rails and securing with screws. Position the upper shelf top, marking the centre-lines of the joists to secure with two screws into each. Secure the legs and temporarily brace across the base to keep them parallel for attaching to the bench.

Tip -  Plumb the legs with a spirit level while securing them to the upper shelf.

 

Position the upper shelf at the back of the lower shelf top bench, securing it to the lower shelf and bench with two screws at each joint then removing the temporary braces. Secure the three backing rails with screws then attach the pegboard with 40mm screws.
Tip -  Have an electrician install a fluorescent light under the upper shelf and set up a power point on the leg for charging batteries and using power tools.