DIY Woodshop Workbench

By And Illustrations Will Shelton
Published on February 1, 2001
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Frame
Frame
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Completed workbench
Completed workbench
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Interior assembled
Interior assembled
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Interior and Door Components. Once the interior is assembled, you can put together the door and drawer components.
Interior and Door Components. Once the interior is assembled, you can put together the door and drawer components.
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Drawer components
Drawer components
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Top and masonite door components. The finished top attaches to the plywood subsurface and has overhang for clamping.
Top and masonite door components. The finished top attaches to the plywood subsurface and has overhang for clamping.
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Material Cutting List
Material Cutting List

Step 1: The Frame

Begin by cutting all of the 2×4 and 2×3 frame pieces to length. Cut the 3/4″ plywood panel for the top and bottom to size (ideally, both panels should be exactly the same size). Set the top panel aside until after the interior is completely installed.

Tools Lists: 24″ carpenter’s square, jigsaw or skill saw (or handsaw), drill motor with a basic set of bits (or hand drill), screwdriver, four 6″ C-clamps, hammer

Refer to the “Frame” illustration and lay the plywood bottom panel down flat. Position the two bottom, 21″ cross braces 12″ apart and ensure that they are 90° or perpendicular to the plywood edges. (Later, the side drawer enclosures will attach to the cross braces; see parts B in the illustrations ). If they’re out of alignment, the drawer won’t be able to slide in and out.) Next, temporarily screw a pair of 20″ cleats to the bottom plywood panel on either side of both cross braces. Remove both cross braces and scribe a centerline in the now-visible cleat slots (to learn more about cleats see ” A Note on Cleats ” below). Drill 1/8″ holes on the centerline, 4″ in from the left and right sides. These four holes will allow you to locate the centerline of the cross braces when you are screwing them in place from the underside up. The temporary cleats will hold the cross braces in position.

Next, glue the rim pieces and the cross braces to the plywood. Lay out the 2×4 rim pieces and cross braces in position on a flat surface, apply glue and place the plywood bottom on top of the rim assembly, engaging the cross braces in their temporary cleat slots. Using nails, secure the plywood to the 2x4s. (Note: the plywood can act as a “guide” for squareness. Before nailing, run some self-tapping drywall screws through the plywood into the 2x4s.)

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