Hey y’all!! I’m needing to build a workbench in my newly inherited shop.
I could really use ideas and maybe pics of y’all so if y’all don’t mind or have the time. How about a little help???

Thanks.

The only thing i can tell you is it won't be big enough.

Lol, he's not wrong. Make it heavy duty. If you're questioning if its heavy duty enough it probably needs to be heavier. I initially made mine to tall. I think a little shorter is better than to tall.

this isnt mine- but its real close to what mine is
i used scrap 2x, 4x and ply that I had from other projects

I already knew that Hal.

But thanks for the reminder

As far as heavy enough Darwin. I’m gonna repurpose some powerline cross arms.
So heavyduty enough ain’t gonna be a problem. Lol
The peg board is a great idea I1ranger.

Build it like the one in the pic but screw it to the wall studs in the back and one end. Mine is a lot like that but a bit deeper and with an MDF top. If you use MDF you need to seal it with 3-4 coats of poly varnish or something similar. Also let the top overhang the wood a bit to make clamping things to the top easier.

I build them for Sale in the summers. The favorite ones are All repurposed 2 x 6's framed, 2 x 10 " top ...a back that is not pegboard but with boards that go across old heavy crate or pallet wood , the back i add a wood shelf with holes that allow for tools. Nails driven in on back as needed to hang anything.

Add a HD powerstrip up high on the back for cords.

A Super HD vise on the front corner bolted on.

Made 2 of these for my reloading room. I used 2 X 6 the sides and cut a double kerf for slides. Pans are from Dollar Tree and cost $ 1 each. There were several sizes available, I used loaf pans. I also did some under the main bench as well that I keep often used tools in. Those slides were cut about 1/4" deep and full length so they could be slid under the table out of the way.

Those are some great ideas y'all. And your excatly right 330. I've got a nice stout 4"vice that's going on 1 corner and a 6 " bench grinder on the other corner.

And don't worry drifter, the pan idea is as good as stole!!! Lol

Make the bench top on a slope and you wound have to worry about "stuff" cluttering it up.

For the tabletop, I used a solid core fire door I salvaged out of a house. If I didn’t have that I’d buy a sheet of 1-1/8” “sturdi-floor” plywood, and double it if I wanted it thicker. It’s a solid high-density ply. A lot of guys just make a 2x plank top and it works fine, but of course lumber has the possibility of splitting when you end up drilling clamp/peg holes in it, or torquing on your vice, etc.

Whatever you use to make the bench top, I always put an expendable sheet of plywood or particle board on top, so when it gets torn up I can just replace the skin without rebuilding the whole bench.

Biggest thing is the intended use and purpose of the bench and the space you have for it.


What I use to stock longrifles isn't what I'd use for much else...but, I still consider it a work bench...lol.



I used 2 layers of MDF to make the top and a sheet of tempered hardboard for the top. 2x4s made the framing. Used cheap thin plywood to make 2 shelves where I already had supports ran.


Mine is for stocking longrifles and stands free in the center of my basement so I can spin a 5-6ft rifle freely as needed.

I did this style in one of my shops. I angled the supporting legs to the wall/floor plate so I can clean better and not stumbling over the posts going down.

Great Idea Snowy, how deep does the surface do back?

^ 3 feet of bench. This one is built light but can use a 4x4 for outer edge and legs if you wanted.

The biggest thing mine will be used for Mauser is gonna be general tinkering. I’m going 2’ x 8 ‘ wall mounted.

And that’s absolutely a great idea snowy. I’ll have to do measuring and see if I can make it work out for me.

Build the top at a 45* angle and it will not accumulate a pile of "things" you mean to get around to working on.LOL

I have several benches but I really like the full length wall version with bins, Each color coded area has bins for , nails, bolts, screws. plumbing, electrical, pneumatics, automotive, etc. The top is just laminated flooring that cleans up well with acetone and larger storage beneath it. My goal this year is to not keep it so clean son my wife won't plan parties in it lol.