Build It
How to Build a Simple, Solid Workbench
Sturdy, flat, and affordable. A bench that doesn’t rack when you plane, pound, or assemble.
Before you start — safety
- Build on a flat floor and check for twist as you go.
- Use eye protection when cutting and drilling.
Steps
- 01
Size the bench to your space and height
Wrist height when standing is a good starting point. Too tall or too short fights you on every project.
- 02
Build a rigid base first
Square the legs and stretchers. A racking base makes a flat top impossible to keep true.
- 03
Add a thick, flat top
Plywood (or layered tops) fastened well. Leave a slight overhang if you want clamps to grab.
- 04
Level and finish for real use
Shim if the floor isn’t flat. A simple finish keeps glue and paint from soaking in forever.
Common mistakes
- Undersizing stretchers so the bench walks when you saw.
- Using interior furniture standards for a shop bench that takes abuse.
What a solid result looks like
A work surface that stays put—so your attention can stay on the project.