| Building this work bench over the weekend is a | | | | assemble the two sides of the workbench, secure |
| snap and it will serve you well for a lifetime. The | | | | with screws and set aside until the glue is dry. A |
| materials will run you about $150 but everything is | | | | quick tip; get the lag screws stared so the tip is |
| readily available. | | | | just coming out of the hole. Ready to go into the |
| There are many variations that can be built into | | | | rail. |
| this workbench it all depends if you want to trim | | | | Proceed with the rest of the assembly by joining |
| and finish it out with more details. I will cover the | | | | the two sides of the workbench together with |
| basic bench. Nothing more then what is necessary | | | | the shorter rails. Glue and secure the upper and |
| to have a functioning work bench. | | | | lower middle stretchers with deck screws. With |
| Materials List | | | | will give the workbench more rigidity and add |
| 4 - 4" x 4" x 35" Legs | | | | support to the lower shelf. |
| 4 - 2" x 4" x 80-1/2" Upper and Lower Long rails | | | | The surface of the workbench is made up of two |
| 4 - 2" x 4" x 32-1/2" Upper and Lower Short rails | | | | 3/4" sheets of plywood. To secure the sheets of |
| 2 - 2" x 4" x 34-1/2" Middle Stretcher | | | | plywood together cover the surface of one sheet |
| 3 - Sheets 3/4" Standard Plywood upper work | | | | with wood glue and align the second sheet on top. |
| surface and lower Shelf | | | | Screw together with 1-1/4" screws. This provides |
| 1 - Sheet 1/4" MDF Replaceable work Surface | | | | a flat and stable working surface that will be easy |
| 32 - 1/4" x 2-1/2" Lag Screws | | | | to clamp to and hold a nail or screw well. |
| So let's get started. The first step in building your | | | | The 1/4" MDF is intended to take the brunt of |
| work bench is to cut the 4x4's to length. Use the | | | | the abuse this workbench will be put through. This |
| miter saw and trim the four legs to 35". You also | | | | is why it is secured with 9 - 3/4" deck screws |
| should pre-drill the holes for the lag screws. Drill a | | | | and nothing more. When it becomes damaged |
| 1-3/4" countersink with a 1/4" through hole. The | | | | beyond use simply replace it with a new sheet. |
| top rails are flush with the top of the legs and | | | | The lower shelf is ideal for storing tools, jigs or |
| centered on the legs. The lower rails are centered | | | | other wood working supplies. It is made of a |
| on the leg with the bottom edge 10" from the | | | | sheet of 3/4" plywood and is screwed to the |
| floor. | | | | frame with 1-1/2" deck screws. |
| Cut all the 2x4's to length making sure the ends | | | | To finish your workbench you can either use clear |
| are square. | | | | polyurethane if the wood is nice and you want to |
| Time for some assembly. | | | | preserve the look of it. Otherwise use paint to |
| Start by assembling the long rails and posts. With | | | | protect the surface from water and other stuff |
| the lag screws and some wood glue proceed to | | | | that it will be subjected to. |