Workbench Plans: Build a Workbench or Buy One?
Who Needs Workbench Plans?
Today my knees are really killing me, again. Even after promising myself that I would never try to build anything on the floor, last night I was in the basement, back on the concrete, trying to replace a vacuum belt. I tried to make the job more tolerable by throwing in one of those foam pads you look like for yard work. I even tried throwing away some old pillows and blankets, but nothing seemed to really work. Then I started thinking about those pro-style knee braces that I always see at Lowes, which I always overlook because I think I’ll only wear them once.
So today I decided that what I really need is a way to lift my work off the floor and keep it at a reasonable height … something my back will appreciate. That is easy. But where do I get one? I’m not even sure what “get” means at this point. I guess I’ve seen a couple of workbench kits at places like Home Depot and Lowes, but I didn’t actually see a huge selection. You could buy one of those bright red metal frame workbenches that have a particle board top and a pegboard back. Those workbenches would probably be easy enough to set up without too much trouble. I mean, if I’m willing to pay the $ 100 or so to buy it … and also if I have a way to fit those huge boxes in my car.
Build a workbench or buy one?
I guess I’m thinking that a simple workbench should be something pretty easy to build myself. And doesn’t it make sense to build my own … especially if I’m going to use that workbench to build more stuff? That makes sense. Also, a lot of the workbenches I’ve seen in other people’s basements look pretty simple … like they’re together with 2x4s. I could handle that. If only he could remember (or even understand) how it all went together. That’s the problem. Even with my rough sketches of the type of workbench I think I’d like to build, I’m still a bit confused as to what kind of joinery I should use at the corners where the legs meet. After all, I’m not an engineer and I don’t want this to wobble all over the place after I install it.
A little help with a plan
What I’m looking for is just a little help with the overall design of the workbench. So with a quick Google search for “workbench design” and “workbench plans”, I see a lot of websites that say they can help me with a plan … and most of these I can get for free. At first I am quite excited that there is so much to choose from.
Carpentry or just work?
The first thing I notice from my web search for workbench plans is that the word “workbench” refers primarily to woodworking … which may not be exactly what I’m looking for. Here’s the proof: If you have no idea what a mortise and tenon joint is, then most of the workbench plans that come up in a Google search are probably not what you’re looking for. Actually, nothing against carpentry. In fact, I hope one day to delve into the fine craft of building fine furniture. That would be wonderful. Maybe build a crib for a grandson. If this is something you are leaning towards, then you should consider taking the leap to build (or buy) a good woodworking bench.
A workbench can be a beautiful store cabinet, actually. And seasoned carpenters take no more pride in having a beautiful workbench to show off to their friends. It is a very passionate hobby, where serious carpenters are encouraged and excited by just a little bit of sawdust in the air. That kind of things. But trust me, serious carpenters pay the bill for their passion for woodworking. Most really nice woodworking benches (made from hardwoods like oak or maple) will cost you no less than $ 500 for a kit (like on Rockler.com) or at least several hundred dollars worth of wood and materials alone. to build it yourself. Not to mention, you’ll also need some pretty fancy shop tools to build the really nice woodworking benches … like a planer, a drill, a milling table, that sort of thing.
Something simple
But back to my original problem, what I need is simply something to lift my work off the floor and to a reasonable height, and not spend a lot of money to do it. The type of bench I’m talking about goes hand in hand with really simple materials … like 2x4s and wood screws that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes. And this is something that could even fit in the back of my hatchback (and save $ 50 on shipping costs). Heck, you can even slide 2x4s in the rear trunk with some cars (if you have an open panel behind the rear seats).
But I’m not ready to go to the lumber store yet. I still need to get a rough idea of how the 2×4 boards should go together, and then how many of the boards I will have to buy once I get there. This is where at least some kind of workbench plan can come in handy, especially if you want to get started on the project right away. Trust me, starting with someone else’s design can eliminate a lot (and I mean a lot) of the guesswork you would face if you designed your bench from scratch.
Find a simple workbench plan
If you haven’t noticed yet, there are tons of websites on the topic of building a workbench. However, be prepared to do a little research to find the kind of simple workbench design I’ve been talking about so far. Remember, most of the “workbench” plans you’ll find on the web are designed for fairly serious carpentry jobs. They might look good, but be prepared for instructions that require you to work on a planer, drill, router table, and a few other tools you’ve never heard of.
Free plans?
The next thing you will notice with your online search is that many of the listings advertise free plans. Trust me, I have thoroughly reviewed these “free workbench plans” websites and can tell you without hesitation that this is all rubbish. Like many things on the web, it is simply a ploy to get you interested in looking for something else … like a new cell phone or a free credit report.
A better plan … less than $ 10
My take regarding workbench plans in general is better to spend the $ 5- $ 10 and get something that looks more like what a real workbench plan should be, step by step instructions with nice illustrations, cutting diagrams, and shopping tips and techniques. What I’m talking about here are plans that have at least five pages of content (as opposed to the photocopied isometric drawings that some free sites have) and some reasonably good quality photos of the finished product. Photos alone can be a real life saver when trying to put everything together the way it should go.