These Make The BEST WORKSHOP TABLES / WORKBENCH!! (Tips, Tricks, Secrets--Workshop Table Full Build)

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These Make The BEST WORKSHOP TABLES / WORKBENCH!! (Tips, Tricks, Secrets--Workshop Table Full Build)

Every good worshop needs a great workshop table or workbench! These stations give you a great surface to cut on, assemble parts on, and get projects up off the floor. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you some of the BEST workshop table/workbench tips, tricks and secrets out there...plus, it includes a full build!

The best trick I learned a long time ago for building workshop tables and workbenches is to make the table top out of a FLAT SOLID CORE DOOR!

These doors are heavy and dense, and completely flat. They made of layered up material. The edges are often solid wood. The surfaces are plywood veneers. And the cores are either MDF or masonite, or possible glued-up solid pieces of wood.

The one in this video runs about $80 at local big box stores.

It's best to purchase these doors without mortises or lockset holes already cut into them. This makes them better suited for flat, solid workshop tables and workbenches.

Really, it's like you get two table tops out of a flat solid core door, because when one side gets badly damaged, you can just flip it over and start fresh with the other side!

They're also the perfect size for a workshop table or workbench--32" or 36" wide, and 80" tall (height).

The other tip or trick that I like to employ when make a workshop table or workbench is a TOOL SHELF.

This is a narrow shelf just beneath the table top. Mine has several 5-1/2" windows spread around the various sides of the table that allow you to pull tools off the table top, and keep them just below on the flush-top shelf where you can easily reach them.

The walls of the shelf are similar to a normal table skirt. I leave 3" of material at the top to support the work table surface, and 2" of material at the bottom to support the tool shelf.

The legs of the table are made of 2x4s with the coped edges ripped off. This makes them look more finished, and gives them more flat surface for a better glue connection when I make long L's out of the 2x4's

I set the legs and the tool shelf skirt in 1-2" from the edge of the table. This gives me a CLAMPABLE EDGE around the full perimeter of the table.

The total overall height of my workshop table or workbench is just shy of 36". For someone like me, who is 5'7", this is a good workshop table height.

I also put my workshop table/workbench on rolling, lockable 5" casters that are heavy duty. This makes it mobile around the shop--though I could create custom chock blocks later to make it stationary.

For the full workshop table / workbench build, plus all the other tips, tricks and secrets I used, check out the full video!

Thanks for watching! Be sure to visit us at The Honest Carpenter Website:

[anthonybeasley]

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've watched more than 50 of these workbench builds. THIS is the one that I have settled on building for my own workshop. Most practical table I've seen yet. Simple, yes... But there are plenty of upgrades that can easily be added to this design. PERFECT!!! Kudos to you my friend!

[kashel]

Those sweet moments in life when one of your favorite channels uploads EXACTLY what you needed and were looking for. Thank you!

[williamdaly]

My dad built his workshop table with a solid core door much the same way about 30 years ago. My dad is gone but I have his workbench, tools, and an incredible old Stanley vise! Love this channel and the builds.

[WoodsmokeSelf-Reliance]

I have made the same work tables in the past. The one added difference is I edge-band the door top with 1/4” oak that stands proud of the top by 1/8”. I then drop in a piece of 1/8” double tempered Masonite which becomes a sacrificial top that protects the solid core door top, and when the top-side of the Masonite gets damaged I simply flip it over and I have a new top.

Once that sheet of Masonite is completely worn out I can easily replace it with a new piece. That way the bench top (door) last indefinitely and makes for a bench that will last for generations.

FYI: depending on how you care for the work surface, a sheet of Masonite can last for years. My second work table is for assembling wood projects only and the original Masonite that I installed on it 22 years ago is still in near mint condition, so I have yet to flip it over to the second side.

My first work table is on the second side of the original sheet of Masonite. I flipped it about 4 years ago. It was originally installed in 1993.

[dgs]

Suggestion for the window corners, as you used a hole saw for the radius, use the hole saw to cut the corners

[bongothewonderchimp]

Solid core door for tabletop....that's all you needed to say...pure genius

[mirameejung]

This is Genius!! I haven’t seen this tip recommended anywhere else; you’re the first! Thanks so much for sharing & good luck on finishing up your new workshop. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[denafredrickson]

Would you please consider doing a really slowed down version of this for us beginners? Love your videos!

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

So good I watched it twice. Very basic, solid & fast - just like you said. It’s a nice mod on the design Ron Paulk uses - but way simpler, and a more efficient use of materials. I build custom workbenches, and offer a similar design as a starting point for clients on a lower budget. My only concern is racking (front to back & side to side)., especially if skipping the casters, or using retractable casters w/ leveling feet. An easy fix would be to add stretchers ~12” from the bottom of the legs. The stretchers provide support for another shelf if desired. This shelf provides semi-permanent storage for tools, so i bump mine up to 3/4” ply. Thanks for sharing your design. Your videos are always worth watching for practical advice.

[bobfinnecy]

Ethan…I really like your simple approach to solving some everyday issues. I think we like to over complicate things and you are very wise to show the simple yet effective solutions. Keep them coming..greatly appreciated.

[GlasgowGallus]

Now THIS channel is what YouTube should be about: a sharing of skills that are essential, especially in these times where everything's disposable and not enough people make things. The past few years has seen me become a real 'wood' guy. I buy, or get for free, offcuts, pallets old furniture and actually get creative and USE these things. I'm not as skilled as I like to think I am, but I'm getting there😂, thanks to real craftsmen sharing what they know. Thanks man, keep it up. Oh aye: Subscribed👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[rossmarshall]

Love the door idea, one little thing, when you used the hole saw for your radius, why didn’t you use the saw to cut the corners instead of fighting with your jig-saw? Still a brilliant video, keep them coming 👍

[curtisyoung]

Awesome Idea, Thanks, I have resisted the idea of building a shop table due to the storage issues. This is perfect .

[dannewman]

My father used solid core doors as well for work surfaces back in the 60's 70's and 80's. I've done my part to carry the tradition forward as well. Wasn't aware that it was perhaps a common practice.

[Artz]

Loving all of your vids! Could you make a video on beginner woodwork projects. I want to get into wood working but I'm a complete rookie and have no idea where to even begin! Thanks! 😂

[gracesimplified]

I’ve used them for a desk with a file cabinet on each end.

[billcompton]

Great design
Very simple and straight forward
I will make it the right height to be my outfeed table for my table saw
Thx
Bill C

[crustyoldfart]

I'm an old codger in his late 80's, so the most important thing in a work bench for me is its HEIGHT. I've built a couple in recent years one using 3/4 plywood, the last one using 3/4 soft pine " laminate " material. That is material which is not laminated at all but multiple blocks glued together, and a lot cheaper than plywood. The best height is elbow height, so there is no bending over. Deep edges allow easy clamping to the point where no vice { cf vise in US speech ] is necessary. Not much good for planing, but I have not used a plane in years in fact.
If 3/4 tops are too bendy for you add a longitudinal stiffener along the long centre line of the top, say about 2 inches deep by 3/4.

[stede]

This is legit the most No BS starter workshop table I’ve seen. Looking forward to giving it a go.

[jsm]

Excellent video. I’ll be building one of these very soon and will use your plans. Thanks for sharing.