A workbench offers a handy way to store your tools in your garage or shed, as well as a place to work on tasks or hobbies. You don’t have to head to the store to buy a workbench for your home. Instead, put your woodworking skills to the test by building your own workbench. The following tips provide a rough idea of what it takes to make a DIY workbench.
Tools and Materials
For a simple workbench, you’ll need a circular saw, miter saw, cordless drill, straightedge and tape measure. You should also have safety glasses available to protect your eyes while building your workbench. You’ll also need drywall screws and plywood cut to the lengths you want your workbench to be.
Frames and Legs
Your DIY workbench starts with building the frames for the surface and the lower shelf. When the frames are done, you’ll then attach the legs to the surface frame. Once you’ve attached the legs, you can attach the lower frame. Set paint cans or similar items below the lower frame to help it stay in place while you attach it to the workbench legs.
Work Surfaces
The work surfaces for your workbench should provide a smooth and sturdy place for you to store items and work on tasks. Attach pieces of plywood to the surface frame and lower frame to create these work surfaces.
Top Shelf
The top shelf on your DIY workbench offers a place to hang or store tools to keep them off of your work surface. Keeping these items on the top shelf makes them easy to reach when you need them. After attaching your work surfaces, your next step is building the frame for your top shelf. Once the frame is done, you can attach a piece of plywood to the top shelf and connect the top shelf legs. When you have the top shelf legs attached, you can then attach the entire top shelf to the main part of your workbench.
Finishing Touch
The back of your workbench will be open, but you can attach pegboards or another type of backer board to it. These boards provide a good way to organize various tools you might need for your projects. Other finishing touches to consider include lighting, power strips and vises. Lighting provides the illumination needed for working on tasks at your workbench, especially if you’re handling smaller tools or items. Mounted power strips offer a convenient place to plug in power tools. A bench vise is an essential tool that allows you to do tasks such as sawing or sanding as safely as possible.
About the Author
Linda Cappello, Broker, GRI, ABR
Linda A. Cappello, Owner/Broker of Cappello Realty Shoreline Properties. Cappello Realty is a full service boutique Real Estate firm that specializes in 06855 - East Norwalk, and services all of Norwalk and Fairfield County, CT. Linda has been in the Real Estate business for 20+ years, spending 18 of them as a Owner/Broker. Being a Broker adds a lot responsibility to her job. She is responsible for overseeing every transaction and agent in the office. This is a challenge that she looks forward to and takes very seriously. She is constantly taking continuing education classes and attending seminars to keep abreast of the ever changing market as well as the industry standards, rules and regulations.
She is a native to East Norwalk, and has an in-depth knowledge of the city that she loves, as well as the intricacies of the many unique neighborhoods and areas that Norwalk offers. Linda offers her clients a network of professionals ranging from Attorneys, Mortgage Brokers, Home Stagers and Home Inspectors to any and all pros that you may need for a successful transaction and for the convenience of her clients.
"My job doesn't end at the closing table. It goes far beyond that, keeping in touch and staying friends who refer their family and friends. A lot of my business is referral business which is the greatest accomplishment and honor of all. Earning my clients trust."
