Workbench BUILD Project. Easy, Cheap, Solid!

$125 Workbench Build Project. Easy, Cheap, Solid! - The Next Project
Accessories not included, but who knows what the list of add-ons may be.

SPECS:
90 inches wide x 30 inches deep x 36 inches tall.
Three-ply laminated legs are 3.5 x 4.5
Bench Top is 3.25 inches thick.
Weight is ±300 pounds, but feels heavier.
Plenty of room for expansion and working on anything from wood, to engines or electronics, whatever you needs to be worked on.

First step is to identify the types of work a bench will be used for. Not all benches need to weight 1000lbs, have 8x8 legs, or be made from maple, hickory or oak. Nope, this no-frills bench will be just fine as built and who cares what the neighbor has in his garage with the high-gloss epoxy floor, diamond plate wall cabinets, $7K snap-on t-box and checked flag posters on the wall...Jeez, that guy needs a real hobby.

With lumber prices slowly returning to acceptable, it was time to jump on a project that's been on my list for a few years.
This is a butcher block style construction grade lumber workbench on the cheap-ish.
This is not a sheet of plywood and some sawhorses, but I've done that many times. We do what we need to do.
This project isn't the fancy show-room YT influencer display workbench, but rather a working workbench. I took the time to look at the type of work I do and typical needs, all led me to this bench.
Yes, it could be fancier, but I'll just be wrenching, cutting, sanding, grinding, welding and who knows what else on this bench. It's a workbench!

Materials used:
Southern Yellow Pine 2x4x8 framing lumber. Carefully selected from a large stack. Not all of that wood was good. I chose straight, heavy and as clear wood as I could find. There are still knots to be found, that add character and won't slow me down any.
Titebond original glue was used to laminate the top. One-third of a gallon to be precise. 5/16" threaded rod was used to "clamp" the top together as the glue set. Simple, effective and substantially more affordable than the racks of parallel clamps that would have been needed for this job.
A box of Construction Screws, NOT DRYWALL SCREWS, were also used at glued joints to add a mechanical fastening point where needed.

Total build time was right around 20 working hours, spread over 2 weekends.

Accessories and additional build elements include, adding retractable casters to make the bench mobile within the garage space. 1/2" plywood back and base self to add stiffness and temporary storage space. Additional upgrades will include adding side panels for added stiffness, a woodworker's face vice, and cast iron bench vice, bench-face threaded anchors, a few dog holes, and multiple drawer and cabinet build-out as time allows.

Before any additional build-out of the bench was done, the top and leg assembly weighs in at around 300 pounds. It feels like far more than that, but the lumber data sheet puts in in the 300 range ( still feels like more ).

Thanks for watching, if you enjoyed the project please hit the thumbs-up icon, leave a comment and subscribe if you don't mind.

Be safe and take care!

#workbench #diy #woodworking #projects

[outersketcher]

Hey, I just picked up a pair of 3/4", 6 foot, parallel pipe clamps at a local antique mall for $9.00 each. They were leaned up in a corner of the consignment area. Obviously, the seller didn't know what to make of them, and was happy to get rid of them. Just sayen, check out your local flea markets, antique stores, swap meets, etc.

[-canopus-]

hopefully gonna make this and finally go from working on my floor breaking my back to being able to comfortably stand and work.

[adamcone]

I have to build a bench to house my new woodworking tools. I will likely use this project plan. Thanks for the video presentation.

[DavidWlodarski]

My knees are hurting watching you work. Great looking bench

[jurgenzoller]

Not that I need a bench currently, but I just enjoy your vids john. I always enjoy your ingenuity and design know how. Excellent bench

[marktanner]

Very cool 🤟
Clamping solution (including the setup drill guide down to "push the rod through as you glue up" 😉
Priceless and fun vid and build.
Cheers

[realitystudioscustomshop]

That's a very tidy bench... look forward to seeing it's evolution

[islesbelarus]

Looking to build my first workbench and while there are some easier builds, this right here is quite straightforward, absolutely beautiful, sturdy workbench and it moves to the top of my list. It will be more than 20 working hours for me for sure, but I'd love this workhorse in my basement. Great job, TNP!

[staipari]

I've enjoyed your last few non guitar videos. I came for the guitars but liked this just as much. Nice work. The bench looks like it will last well.

[xpucckz]

I loved the way you clamps the table top ❤

[achimdg]

Wow!
Very cool!
And you can even roll it!

[ekbanjosworld]

Look into the bar clamps from Harbor Freight! Paul Sellers recommendations! No rods!

[jstriker]

If this is what you consider easy, I'd hate to try one of your more difficult builds. Easy is definitely relative to people's woodworking experience, and access to tools/machines.

I gotta say that was great ingenuity on the cheap clamps, using the rods.

[philipchandler]

Excellent workmanship love the planning and cost savings

[jimsturgill]

That turned out to be a very nice workbench. I think it will last you a long time. Nice job. Don't know about you but I'm always happy when making sawdust.

[GeeDeeBird]

FYI... Harbor Freight has 36 inch bar clamps just like Paul Sellers uses for $13 each. 48 inch for about $16 each. Thanks for sharing!

[bubastro]

Hello TNP, congrats for another great job. That work bench looks at "bomb proof" !!!

[NWGR]

Excellent job and advice at the end, especially to build a bench to fit your own needs rather than just copy and past another's design.
Looking forward to more. Subscribed.

[bobvador]

Nice project, at least on this one you didn't have to sand ;)
take care !

[stephenpiersa]

Smart build! I'm going to try this for myself! Fingers 🤞