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Free Plan: Workbench Clamping Jig Secures Drawers for Planing

Still don't have a workbench? This one is easy

Asa Christiana, editor, Fine Woodworking magazine

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This workbench, from the Getting Started in Woodworking video series, is easy and inexpensive to make. Download the free plan or watch the how-to video below.

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When I got interested in woodworking, I thought it was all about the tools and started collecting them quickly. But I quickly realized it was a struggle to get anything done on sawhorses and wobbly shop tables. And I've seen friends go years without a good way to hold workpieces.

A woodworker won't get far without a solid workbench of some kind, with a vise made for woodworking. But most workbench plans are so complicated you need a workbench to build them! That's not to mention the expensive hardwood and the large arsenal of tools and skills they require.

That's why we created this workbench for our free Getting Started in Woodworking video series. It uses common lumberyard supplies, and requires just a drill and a circular saw. I know you've all got those! So if you've been thinking about getting started, or if you've been struggling without a real bench, you don't have any excuses anymore.

Here's how to build the base. And download the free PDF woodworking plan for measured drawings and dimensions.

Visit Getting Started in Woodworking for more episodes from the series. We complete this project and show you 10 great ways to use a woodworking bench. We also put the bench to work building an oak bookcase.

Update: Thanks for the feedback below about this bench. If you’ve made it… please snap some pictures and post them in our gallery, like masswood who uploaded photos of his bench. Also, for more on the Getting Started bench on the World Wide Web, check out Karen’s workbench, the tale of Dave’s workbench odyssey, and a version on instructables.com by jdege.

For a SketchUp version of the bench, visit the Google 3D Warehouse and download a model drawn by Jack Wilson of Fort Worth, Texas.

The Workbench Book
by Scott Landis A Craftsman's Guide to Workbenches for Every Type of Woodworking $24.95 more info...

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Comments (25)

connerww writes: I built the bench per the plan with the only deviation being a 9" vise from Rockler. A week later the bottom piece of MDF started to split. I don't know the difference in weight between the vise I purchased and the 7" Groz prescribed but the MDF was a bad choice in retrospect. Is there another plywood anyone would recommend for more strength and longevity? Shop time is precious and I don't want to spend the time required for a hard wood glue up - thus the choice to make this bench in the first place. Posted: 9:35 pm on October 20th

Banjoman writes: If you just want to eliminate wobble on an uneven floor, all you really need is one leveling screw, as long as you can raise or lower the screw foot in relation to the other legs. Posted: 9:48 pm on October 12th

hittinchains writes: Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this workbench in a "knock-down" version? I dont have the space to leave it erected permanently, I do have the need for a solid bench. Any ides on the modification of the legs to make them so they retract and I can put it away when not in use? Posted: 3:59 pm on October 12th

hammerattack writes: Has anyone made this bench top with two pieces of half inch sanded plywood. Would the MDF be much better? Don't like the idea of spilling water or more importantly a beer on the MDF and it warping. Getting ready to build, need feedback. Thanks Posted: 3:55 pm on October 2nd

jhcatch22 writes: I built something similar to this about 10 years ago, but I laminated spruce for the top. I used inexpensive 2x6 lumber, cut it into 2" thick strips, smoothed them on a thickness planer and glued them up. Total cost for the top was about $25 and it has served me well over the years. Posted: 12:35 am on October 2nd

KentMich writes: Or, on second thought, maybe I should try the MDF again, but simply screw without the glue... I can't imagine the pieces slipping with all those screws. Posted: 3:14 pm on September 30th

KentMich writes: I laminated the top as instructed with 3/4" MDF, letting the MDF acclimate to my shop for 2 weeks before gluing and screwing. Both pieces were dead flat.

Several hours after laminating, I returned to find the MDF had warped apart and left a 1/8" gap at each end. I didn't bother to clamp the sheets together with all those screws - but the 1-1/4" wallboard screws had just pulled out!

Do I dare try again, this time with clamps, or should I just bite the bullet and laminate wood strips together the way the more expensive benches are made? Posted: 3:01 pm on September 30th

majs writes: I'm planning on making this workbench. I’ve never owned or used one, so I'm wondering if there's a particular reason/benefit why the table overhang is located in the front of the table on the same side as the vise. I’d like to keep the vise at the same position but move the overhang towards the back. Is there a reason for me to keep it in the front as per the plan?

I would like to make it movable buy put locking wheels on the table. If I account for height considerations, can you think of a compelling reason not to do it?
Posted: 4:06 pm on September 29th

AsaC writes: fshanno--
No problem using pocket screws to attch the top and shelf. Good idea.
--Asa Posted: 9:50 am on September 29th

shortly writes: Looks like a great workbench. However, some of us with limited garage / shop space might have to take a different approach.

I recycled the really ugly old 3' solid-core exterior door from my front entrance into a new work bench. The three hinges are screwed into a ledger board on the garage wall allowing it to fold down flat against the wall when not in use. A pair of folding 2x4 legs hold it upright when in use and swing away out of sight when it's folded down. With the hinge side securely anchored to an exterior wall the bench is surprisingly stable even with the two folding legs.

My lovely wife can still park in her garage (most of the time!)and there's a strong incentive to clean up at the end of the day. Posted: 3:49 pm on September 26th

fshanno writes: I wonder if there would be a problem using pocket screws to attach the top and the shelf? Posted: 3:14 pm on September 25th

AsaC writes: I'm so glad to seee that people are happy with this bench. Tell your friends about it. I think a lot of woodworkers struggle for years without a real bench.
A few notes on the suggestions. I think a thicker finish would be great, but like someone said, when the MDF top gets beat up, you can always make another. Maybe that's a good reason not to glue the two MDF layers together but just use the screws we showed.
The leveling feet seem like a good idea, but they might make the bench skitter across the floor when you handplane on it, for example. Maybe some kind of leveling feet with rubber on the bottom of them?
And don't worry about the bench racking sideways. No diagonal stabilizers are needed when you have those long bolts and nuts all tightened down. You could chuck that base off the roof of your garage and it would be fine. Wait, hold on, I can just see the YouTube video now. Posted: 1:47 pm on September 25th

Sawdust66 writes: With a few modications I made this workbench a couple of months ago--it is great!! Solid as a rock and easy to put together.

Have put it to a lot of hard use. Posted: 10:33 pm on September 24th

wmoore6130 writes: This is a simple and effective bench. To go one better, go to Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area and get one of those solid wood office doors. They are very soild and are usually covered in hard formica which is an excellent surface for the bench, because glue, paint and anything else won't stick to it. You can beat on it all day long and it still bounces back. It probably will only cost a few bucks and it is for a great cause. Posted: 5:53 pm on September 24th

Kaimuki writes: Well that's fine and I expect it work well, but I saw more than just the three tools you started the video with.

Forstner bit, brad point bit, I suppose a hacksaw to cut the allthread to length, socket and ratchet, dowel center, ... anyone count more than these?

I wonder how well the base holds up to loads that tend to push it out of square? There are no diagonals to resist these forces. I would be tempted to use a sheet of 1/8" ply (door skin is only $7 at Home Depot) on one of the long faces of the base to keep things square.

Now if only i had space to put such a bench... Posted: 2:55 pm on September 23rd

dbc1 writes: Great design! Functional and easy to build as advertised.

Clinton66's concern about liquid spills bulging the top are well founded, and I'd recommend either a couple coats of clear waterproof finish, or better yet, plan in an extra 1/4 of top thickness for a sacrificial piece of hardboard on top of the MDF.

I tack this down with a finish nailer which sets the nail heads below the surface (no glue) and coat it with varathane, spar varnish or whatever happens to be handy.

After it's suffered the inevitable damage that a bench top will, or after rebuild your greasy motorcycle engine on top of it, you can pry it up, pull the nails and attach a new one. Posted: 12:52 pm on September 23rd

mcelhajj writes: I built this workbench keeping a printed plan handy and watching the videos many times. I also had trouble finding untreated 4x4 but eventually found them. My bench is a little longer and a little wider. I used a Groz 9" vise instead of 7" so added the appropriate length. I now know MDF comes in larger sizes than 48"x96". When I sawed my MDF in half I just kept the extra width. I drilled all my holes on the drill press after measuring and measuring and measuring again. They came out fine. I rounded the bottom edges of the legs with a router so they wouldn't tear out sliding it around the shop. I painted the bottom 6" of the legs with clear satin paint to protect them from liquids that might get to them, the shop is also a garage. I used plywood for the bottom shelf and just let the weight of the shelf and anything stored on it to hold it on place. The bench is a perfect height to work on and does make a great outfeed table. Thanks for a terrific plan.
Posted: 11:30 am on September 23rd

kerfwerks writes: Great job, guys. May I suggest the addition of leveling feet. In my experience, concrete floors are rarely flat. In keeping with the simple and straightforward methods employed, 4 pilot holes and 4 lag screws will eliminate any wobble. T-nuts and rubber- footed inserts even better. Posted: 10:01 am on September 23rd

Jinca writes: I built this bench a little while ago, I couldn't find untreated 4x4's so I glued 2x4's together and planed them down a little, then adjusted the stretcher lengths to suit. I love the bench - my only complaint is that now I don't have any excuses not to finish the looooong list of stuff to make my wife and I came up with over summer - Thanks Asa! Posted: 8:23 am on September 23rd

Epistaxis writes: I'm in the middle of making this myself. I'm planning to make the top of the bench just a hair below the outfeed of my planer. Just order my first vise today and it should be at my door before the weekend. Hope to find the time to finish it then!
Thanks for the info FWW! Posted: 2:34 pm on September 22nd

clinton66 writes: I built this as my primary shop table and have been very pleased with it. It is heavy and doesn't wobble when using hand tools. If you use waterstones to sharpen your tools, be sure and put down something to block the water or use another bench. If the MDF top gets wet it will swell and make your top not flat anymore. My only complaint is that evertime I go to use the bench it's covered in tools. Posted: 3:31 pm on September 21st

LAWatts writes: Very solid bench and stable due to the weight of the MDF top. Works great for the outfeed of my table saw. Posted: 9:45 pm on September 19th

MotorT writes: I built it and it is great. In a word very sturdy. In my area I couldn't find 4 x 4's untreated so I used the treated work out fine. The other day when at my favorite lumber company, what do I find untreated 4 x 4's, go figure. The nice thing about this bench if it gets a little loose just tighten it up.

I just added another 144 square feet to my workshop to spread out a bit, was getting a little cramped with a 12 x 16, so now it up to 12 x 28 should be nicer. Posted: 6:53 pm on September 19th

GEide writes: True... it takes up a bit of space. For more on woodworking in small (odd) spaces, check out these links:
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/5097/woodworking-in-a-new-york-city-apartment
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/14479/wood-shop-al-fresco
http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=gluetube&entry=11
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/5097/woodworking-in-a-new-york-city-apartment Posted: 11:53 am on September 17th

jakegest writes: That's really quite nice... now if I just had space to put a bench. Posted: 12:21 am on September 17th

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