Compact Workbench
Draft · not yet checked by a carpenterA heavy 4 ft bench for a small shop or garage corner: 4x4 legs, a thick plank top and a shelf underneath for tools and bins.
- Skill
- Beginner
- Build time
- 4 to 6 hours, plus finish
- Lumber
- 2 4x4s, 2 2x4s and 3 2x6s
- Joinery
- Pocket holes
- Finished size
- 47″ L × 22″ W × 36″ H
What you need
A 4x4 is actually 3½″ × 3½″, a 2x4 is 1½″ × 3½″ and a 2x6 is 1½″ × 5½″. Every measurement in this plan uses the real size.
Shopping list
- 24x4, 8 ftFor the legs.
- 22x4, 8 ftAprons, rails and the brace.
- 32x6, 8 ftTop and shelf. Pick the straightest boards in the pile.
- ~702½″ coarse-thread pocket-hole screwsA box of 100 covers it.
- 82½″ wood screwsFor the shelf boards.
- 1Wood glue
- —Sandpaper, 80, 120, 180 and 220 grit
- opt.Stain and a clear topcoat
Tools
- Miter saw or circular sawThe 4x4 legs may take two passes.
- Pocket-hole jigSet for 1½″ material.
- Drill/driver
- ClampsAt least two that open 24″ or more, for the top.
- Speed square, tape measure, pencil
- Random orbit sander
Cut list
Seventeen pieces from seven boards. Label each piece with its letter in pencil as you cut it.
| Part | Qty | Size, inches | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALegs | 4 | 3½ × 3½ × 34½ | 4x4 |
| BLong aprons | 2 | 1½ × 3½ × 37 | 2x4 |
| CShort aprons | 2 | 1½ × 3½ × 12 | 2x4 |
| DShelf rails | 2 | 1½ × 3½ × 12 | 2x4 |
| ETop boards | 4 | 1½ × 5½ × 47 | 2x6 |
| FShelf boards | 2 | 1½ × 5½ × 44 | 2x6 |
| GCenter brace | 1 | 1½ × 3½ × 16 | 2x4 |
Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.
Build it
Nine steps. The 3D view follows along as you scroll. The parts you're working on are yellow, and the pocket holes or screws for that step are red.
- 01
Cut all the pieces
Cut every piece on the cut list. Before you start on the 2x6s, sight down each board and save the straightest for the top.
- A Legs, four at 34½″ from the 4x4s
- B Long aprons, two at 37″
- C Short aprons, two at 12″
- D Shelf rails, two at 12″
- E Top boards, four at 47″
- F Shelf boards, two at 44″
- G Center brace, one at 16″
Watch outAll four legs must be exactly the same length or the workbench will rock. Clamp them side by side and check that the ends line up. - 02
Drill the pocket holes
Set your jig for 1½″ material. Drill on the inside faces only, so no holes show on the finished piece:
- B long aprons: 2 at each end, plus 4 along the top edge for attaching the top
- C short aprons: 2 at each end, plus 2 along the top edge
- D shelf rails: 2 at each end
- G center brace: 2 at each end, plus 2 along the top edge, all on the same face
- E top boards: 5 along one edge of three boards, starting about 4″ from each end. The last board needs none.
TipMark the inside face of every piece with a big pencil X before you drill. It's easy to drill a show face by mistake. - 03
Build the two leg ends
Lay two legs (A) on the bench. Fit a short apron (C) between them at the top, flush with the tops and the outside faces of the legs, pocket holes facing in. Glue and drive 2½″ pocket screws.
Fit a shelf rail (D) between the same legs with its bottom edge 6″ up from the bottom of the legs, flush with the outside faces. Then build the second end to match.
TipCut a 6″ scrap block and stand the rail on it while you screw. Both ends come out identical. - 04
Connect the ends with the long aprons
Stand both ends up. Fit the long aprons (B) between them at the top, flush with the tops and outside faces, pocket holes facing in. Glue and screw.
Measure the base corner to corner both ways. When the two diagonals match, it's square. Push on the long corners to adjust before the glue sets.
- 05
Add the center brace
Mark the middle of each long apron, 18½″ from either end. Fit the center brace (G) between the aprons on those marks, flush with their top edges, pocket holes facing the same way. Glue and drive 2½″ pocket screws.
The brace stiffens the middle of the top so it doesn't bounce when you hammer or clamp.
- 06
Add the shelf boards
Lay the two shelf boards (F) on the shelf rails, between the legs, with a 1″ gap between them. Keep the ends flush with the outside of the rails.
Pre-drill and drive two 2½″ wood screws through each end of each board into the rails.
- 07
Join the top boards
Lay the four top boards (E) face down with the pocket holes along the joints. Line up the ends, clamp the boards flat, glue the edges and drive the screws. Work from the middle out.
Watch outClamp across each joint right at the screw you're driving so the faces stay flush. A step between boards means a lot of extra sanding. - 08
Attach the top
Lay the top (E) face down on a blanket. Center the base upside down on it, with 1½″ of overhang on every side. Drive 2½″ pocket screws through the apron and brace holes into the top.
TipDon't glue the top to the base. Solid wood moves a little with the seasons, and screws alone let it. - 09
Sand and finish
Sand the top with 80 grit until the joints between boards are flat, then 120. Flat matters more than smooth on a bench.
Skip the stain. Two coats of wipe-on oil or polyurethane keep glue and finish from soaking in. A workbench gets dents and scuffs, and that's fine.
Tip36″ suits most people. For a better fit, measure from the floor to your wrist with your arms at your sides, and cut the legs to match.
Build at your own risk. Check every measurement against your own lumber before you cut, test-fit before you glue, and wear eye and ear protection. Full disclaimer.
