A workbench plays an important part in each garage. You can create a variety of things from your workbench, make everything perfect with less effort, why not? There are many garage workbench ideas on ways to use your workbench - from fixing a bike to drilling and sawing. Want an affordable option? Try building a do-it-yourself (DIY) workbench in your garage with these instructions.

Why should you build a workbench for your garage?

By building it, you can choose the worktable height, the material for the workbench legs and work surface, and even the number of workbench shelves.

Learning how to build a workbench also can be a great way to improve as an amateur DIYer. Using simple workbench plans can leave you with a sturdy and reliable piece of furniture that you can rely on when you come up with future workbench ideas.

Building a workbench doesn’t have to be hard. If you follow these 16 workbench plans you can create a homemade workbench that can increase your productivity and pleasure in the workshop.

How to build a workbench for your garage?

Tools

• Circular Saw

• Power Drill

• Power Sander

• Wrench

• Tape Measure

• Safety Goggles

• Dust Mask

• Hearing Protection

• Clamps

Materials

• 2-in x 8-in Lumber (Actual: 1-1/2 in x 7-1/4 in)

• 2-in x 4-in Lumber (Actual: 1-1/2 in x 3-1/2 in)

• 1 Sheet 1/2-in x 8-ft Plywood (Actual: 7/16 in x 48 in)

• 16 - 3/8-in x 4-in Carriage Bolts

• 3-in Wood Screws

• Wood Glue

Cut List

Assemble the DIY Work Bench Top

Step 1: Assemble the Substrate

Using wood glue and clamps, join the 2-by-4 boards for the top substrate together so they give the appearance of a butcher block top. This substrate row gives the bench strength and stability.

Step 2: Sand the Substrate

Use a power sander or a hand plane to flatten the top of the substrate.

Step 3: Attach the Work Bench Rails

Lay the substrate out, top side down. Align the short 2-by-8 top rails flush with the short sides of the substrate. Use a power drill to drive 3-inch wood screws to secure the top rails to the substrate.

Step 4: Add the Top Rails

Align the long 2-inch-by-8-inch top rails with the long sides of the substrate. The ends of the long top rails should be flush with the outside face of each short top rail. Secure the long top rails to the substrate with 3-inch wood screws.

Step 5: Attach the Rail Stretchers

Insert the rail stretchers between the long rails, positioned 1/3 of the way in from each end of the bench. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the long rails into the ends of the rail stretchers.

Cut and Assemble the Work Bench Legs

Step 1: Assemble the Work Bench Legs

Construct four leg assemblies. Butt the edge of one 2-by-4 leg piece to the face of another and line the ends up flush. Join the leg pieces together with 3-inch wood screws.

Step 2: Fasten the Top Rails

Set the legs inside the corners where the long and short top rails meet. The joints between the leg assemblies should be visible from the short sides of the bench. Bore 3/8-inch holes through the top rails and legs. Insert 3/8-inch-by-4-inch carriage bolts from the outside face of the top rails through the leg pieces. Install a washer and nut on the backside of each carriage bolt and tighten.

Step 3: Secure the Rails to the Legs

Measure 12 inches from the bottom of each leg and mark. Align the tops of the long 2-by-4 bottom rails flush with the marks and use 3-inch wood screws to secure the rails to the legs. Insert the short 2-by-4 bottom rails between the long 2-by-4 bottom rails. The outside face of the bottom rail should butt to the inside face of the leg. Secure the short rails to the legs with 3-inch wood screws.

Step 4: Secure the Substrate

Stand the two right sides up. The bench will be heavy, so have someone help you. Align the edges of the 1/2-inch plywood top flush with the edges of the bench. Secure the top to the substrate with 1-inch flathead screws. If the plywood top is damaged later, it’s a fast and inexpensive job to remove and replace it.

Formulas to Size the Wood Work Bench Parts

Below are the formulas we used to determine the size of our two parts. Use them to customize the bench to your own needs. We’ve included our dimensions as examples.

Plywood Cover for the Top

The dimensions of the plywood cover for the top are equal to the overall width by the overall depth. Example: 60 in by 30 in by 1/2 in

Length of 2-by-4 Boards for the Top Substrate

Overall Width: 3 in. Example: 60 in - 3 in = 57 in

Number of 4-by-4 Boards for the Top Substrate

(Overall depth - 3) ÷ 1.5. Example: (30 - 3) ÷ 1.5 = number of 2-by-4 boards for the top 27 ÷ 1.5 = 18

Length of Long 2-by-8 Top Rails

Overall width. Example: 60 = 60 in. Regardless of other dimensions, the bench will require two long 2-by-8 top rails.

Length of Short 2-by-8 Top Rails

Overall depth - 3. Example: 30 - 3 = 27 in. Regardless of other dimensions, the bench will require two short 2-by-8 top rails.

Length of 2-by-4 Rail Stretchers

Overall depth - 3. Example: 30 - 3 = 27 in. The bench should have at least two rail stretchers positioned 1/3 of the way in from each edge of the bench.

Length of 2-by-4 Legs

Overall height - 4. Example: 34 - 4 = 30 in. Regardless of other dimensions, the bench will require eight 2-by-4 leg pieces.

Length of Long 2-by-4 Bottom Rails

Overall width - 6. Example: 60 - 6 = 54 in. Regardless of other dimensions, the bench will require two long 2-by-4 bottom rails.

Length of Short 2-by-4 Bottom Rail

Overall depth - 9. Example: 30 - 9 = 21 in. Regardless of other dimensions, for the DIY we will require two short 2-by-4 bottom rails.

Make your project easier with metal outdoor table legs/bases from Flowyline, why not?

Metal outdoor table legs and bases from Flowyline Design are highly crafted by handmade metal furniture makers, so they are prolonged to use, unique look, contemporary elegance, are budget-saving, easy-setting, and are easy to care for. 

Go especially well with any of your table or benchtops, be it the live edge, wood, or epoxy, be it your custom table, dining table, console table, or oval butcher block table.

These metal table legs and bases are always packed nicely, ready to be delivered to spruce up your living space, and come equipped with adjustable levelers hidden well in the feet. All you need to do is to bolt the base on your table or benchtop and go.