GREAT project, I like that you stick with the basic 2X4 design. Wood that's always available and using basic tools with a very functional outcome! !! !!!
Thanks for posting a video with - in all respect - normal woodworking. Not fancy joineries with a massive amount of expensive special tools. It awakens my desire to go back in my small shop after almost 3 years ... Happy New Year to you Sir!
I love this bench/video...but to your comment, he used a bench top planer, a router, the high end kreg pocket hole jig, etc. Also, "fancy" joinery is best done with simple hand tools. Watch someone like Rex Krueger and it might help the issues you're having. His book really gave me my passion back. *I'm not trying to be a dick, hope it didn't come off that way
Like the look and strength of all your work stations. So many use plywood for tops! Love my menards tools too! Menards should sponsor woodworkers videos.
Nice little build. I like the idea of making the drawers the same size as all the other ones. It's easy on the mind and you can swap any drawer anytime you need to instead of grabbing a bunch of tools from wherever.
Thanks! The craft paper has really been coming in handy. I just flip it up and down until it gets bad enough to replace. I have yet to try it with stain to see if it’s thick enough to absorb that and still protect the top.
Great design very well thought out and it looks killer. Well worth a subscription and your laidback style makes you so therapeutic to watch cheers mate have a great New Year
Great video, great tutorial. Nice to see a video and immediately feel I'd be able to go and build it - no festool domino, no UKJ Parf Guide Jig, no real need for a table saw even. Just build a functional, low space bench!
Nice one I'll make this I think. Perhaps with a 1.5 inches top. I really don'T know why people think they need such a bi slab. Just gonna put anti-slipping stuff under so it won't move and it'll be full of storage stuff so the weight will be there anyway. Won't use dog holes tho. That's probably the reason for the thickness.
This the best bench I have ever seen! Do you have a cut list? And measurements where to drill dog hole? You used a planner. How can I achieve flatness? I don't have a planner. I am a beginner.
Unfortunately I don't have a cut list ready made but here's a quick one for the main components: Frame: 4 posts @ 31.5” 4 width stretchers @ 21.75” 4 depth stretchers @ 19” Top: 17 top pieces @ 36” For the dog holes, I based them off the vise plates. With the vise plates @ 18" wide, I put the dog holes 2" in from the ends (centered at 2" from end). The dog holes are 3.5" apart. The location and spacing of dog holes isn't super critical, as long as they don't fall into the vise hardware - so I would double check where the vise hardware falls before drilling dog holes. For flatness, if you're careful with trimming the edges of the 2x4s off on the table saw then you shouldn't have to worry about needing a planer. The planer was more of a side note as an easier alternative to spending time jointing on the table saw. If needed, you can always use a traditional hand plane or powered hand plane to flatten the top - that can be difficult but you can mostly eyeball it by looking down the top. You could also consider a plywood "torsion box" for the top instead of 2x4s. It's a great way to create a flat surface without worrying about planing. Also handy for certain dog hole hardware. Hope all this helps!!
Good video. I will modify this to double as a outfeed table for my saw. I like the vices but would use double 2X material for movable jaws. Or at least put vertical cleat behind screw face. Excess clamping pressure on top edge using dogs will likely break jaw across screw face.
That's great! I actually have a router table video using the same modular design (well, mortise and tenon instead of pocket screws, but same style) ua-cam.com/video/fMpFR2aGDZk/v-deo.html Also added the link to the description in case it doesn't go through on this comment. Hope the build goes well!
Love it! Thank you for describing the actual cut dimensions. Great "not" seeing a $300k, lime-green-filled woodshop ;) Two questions please; 1) does applying glue on the porous, open-grained ends of the 2x4's really help? 2) is the 2x4 (pine) top durable?
I think the glue helps. It’s definitely a weak glue joint so I’m adding glue just to help prevent small movements that could weaken or loosen the screw over time. In terms of durability, the pine top is “good enough” for my use. All workbench tops will get dinged up over time so the benefit of pine is how quickly you can resurface it, whether sanding or planing. That being said, the use of 2x4s is primarily to save cost and I just accept that fact that it will most likely always looked dinged up.
WoodbyWright just did a video about a new type of retractable casters that you should check out. They work by just lifting the bench slightly instead of the foot lever that always is a pain
Thank you, nice project. Obviously, you're in the menards service area I'm wondering how the master force power tools are holding up and would you recommend them for around the home use thank you again
For around the house they’re great. The only masterforce tool I’ve been disappointed with is the cordless electric brad nailer. I don’t think they have that anymore. Other than that, they all have plenty of power being on the 20v platform.
Okay I have watched probably close to if not more 100 videos where that person said this is easy to make and I don't have a freaking clue of how to make it because I am so green at DIYing. But this project I think I can actually do. I have you name it tools and equipment but never really made anything cuz again I don't know what I'm doing sometimes 😳
Happy to hear this looks approachable! It helps to break projects into components and cut lists, which is my goal in my videos, so I would suggest doing the same in a build. That’s what I do when I work on projects. I find it helpful to focus on one component and cut at a time.
Nice, simpel, bench without fancy joinery. One question though - the "box" for drawers appered to be fixed to the bottom, without access to the room under the bench surface. How do you remove sawdust ect (i.e. washers, springs that can't complete without) from there??😊
Haven’t so far. Considering adding water based polyurethane but sometimes that’s a bad idea because it makes the surface slippery, making it more difficult for clamping. Thinking some oil or wax could be good, mostly to help keep the wood stabilized. I’m always torn about finishing the top of a workbench because sometimes that’s makes re-sanding/flattening more difficult.
I really like most of this build. The only objection I have is the casters. It's not even the placement I mind. The fact that these elevate one at a time means that with every activation, you're purposely racking the assembly and stressing joints. It's a beefy build, granted. But over time, it's still causing unnecessary stress in the joints and the top. The simple solution is a crossbar that activates them two at a time. Square tube would be most effective, but wood would be fine, and replaceable if it starts to cup. Other than that, I think this is a really nice build.
With it being so small, maybe two straight casters on one end, two adjustable feet on another, and a flip caster in between the adjustable feet. My table saw base is that sort of setup.
@fangerwoodworking That's probably just as easy, and still keeps the stress from that side centered instead of racking the corners. Again, beefy build, so there might not be a lot of force on it. But no sense in stressing the joints or top if you don't have to.
I use 1/4-20 for all bolts. It's a super common size for jigs and readily available in hardware stores, so I standardize on that. For the threaded inserts, I added a link to the description for the exact kind I use. I like the threaded inserts instead of t-nuts because they have a strong hold. Hope the build goes well!
I didn’t keep exact count but from quick math I believe I used 14 2x4s at most - 8’ in length. I wasn’t trying to optimize for length so the 14 count would have extra off cuts. For the pocket screws I use 2.5”. That’s what kreg recommends for 1.5” material thickness.
Maybe the detachable ones would help with not getting in the way of other workbenches. I’ve heard good things about those, although they have the same functionality for lifting. I may look into making my own caster lifting mechanism. There’s an old episode of The New Yankee Workshop where Norm makes something like that.
I watched alot of videos with diy workbenches for small workshops. The problem with almost all of them is that you need a big workshop to build them. But I guess it's like building a small fortune. The easiest way to do that is to start with a big one.
I would say that size determines what counts as a small workshop and you can easily fit a hybrid table saw and lunchbox style thickness planer into a small workshop, like a single car garage workshop. Also the thickness planer was pointed out as a side note, an optional tool to make things easier. Your definition seems to exclude miter saws or any bench top tool from small workshops as well, which is not how most people would define a small workshop.
@@fangerwoodworking thicknesser in particular requires way too much space to operate in what you'd call "average home" (e.g. Requires space back n front equal to the piece you're feeding it). A powered hand planer would be a lot fitter. There's that bald gay guy I don't recall the YT channel ("Rex" something?) who does stuff actually feasible in common households - to grasp what size I mean (and see around).
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER cut round stock on a bandsaw the way you did in this video, very bad things can very easily happen. Jimmy Diresta did a video about bandsaw safety that I think you will enjoy watching, just for this very reason. I love this little work table, I think I'm going to build one for my mini lathe.
Nice bench, but I have a suspicion that you soon will get sick and tired of stumbling over those protruding wheels, there are better, less protruding solutions. 😊
Make the top bigger than the drawers so that it overhangs a foot past the wheels. Unless you are a big foot, you won't step on those protruding wheels.
The lever and wheels are removable. You can see he attaches them to the mounting plate with pins. Only the mounting plates are attached to the bench directly.
@ I have a small workshop and would benefit from a workbench like the one you designed and built. I don't have half of the tools and space you used to built it.
I'll agree but if there's not an option, always spread glue on the endgrain and allow it to set and tack up. Then glue again and assemble. The first coat will adhere to the endgrain better making a stronger joint though still not perfect, always give yourself the best shot.
Very simple, I love it! I think I may take this and try to match my table saw height so it can double as a small out feed for my small shop!
GREAT project, I like that you stick with the basic 2X4 design. Wood that's always available and using basic tools with a very functional outcome! !! !!!
Thank you! Glad you like the 2x4 design.
Thanks for posting a video with - in all respect - normal woodworking. Not fancy joineries with a massive amount of expensive special tools. It awakens my desire to go back in my small shop after almost 3 years ... Happy New Year to you Sir!
Half laps aren't fancy, but they would help to prevent racking. Pocket holes are fine for cabinets but I wouldn't build a workbench frame with them.
I love this bench/video...but to your comment, he used a bench top planer, a router, the high end kreg pocket hole jig, etc. Also, "fancy" joinery is best done with simple hand tools. Watch someone like Rex Krueger and it might help the issues you're having. His book really gave me my passion back. *I'm not trying to be a dick, hope it didn't come off that way
Like the look and strength of all your work stations. So many use plywood for tops!
Love my menards tools too!
Menards should sponsor woodworkers videos.
someone at some point built in a bench with a plywood top, its as flat as a potato chip, and I am willing to bet its not even a full 20 years old
One of the best small bench designs I have seen!!!
What a great little affordable workbench. Well done.
I see your subscriber numbers growing, and it's well earned. You have a very pleasant demeaner.
i like the paper roll hangar idea - great build. very cool
I was gonna say the same thing. That would come in handy for me ALL THE TIME, and I've never seen anyone do that before..
Nice little build.
I like the idea of making the drawers the same size as all the other ones. It's easy on the mind and you can swap any drawer anytime you need to instead of grabbing a bunch of tools from wherever.
Thank you! Also, besides swapping drawers, with the modular design I can swap entire cabinet boxes if I change what tools I want on workbenches.
Love the design! Ive been looking for a vice as well. Thanks for the link. I'll be building one of these for sure. I desperately need one in my shop.
Glad this helps!
Nice and practical workbench build! Well done! 👍👍
That is an awesome workbench! Wish you’d made this video two years ago 😊.
Haha me too!
really nice. I like how you used it to finish it.
This is a great design! May have to build one for my shop!
Thank you! You inspired me to build a new bench for my (soon new) workshop.
Nice bench,great video production , especially the lack of repetitive steps
Thank you!
Interesting design. I could use such a small workbench in my workshop. Thanks.
Awesome work and I love the modular design and the craft paper roll, that's thinking out of the box! Thanks for the video.
Thanks! The craft paper has really been coming in handy. I just flip it up and down until it gets bad enough to replace. I have yet to try it with stain to see if it’s thick enough to absorb that and still protect the top.
Great design very well thought out and it looks killer. Well worth a subscription and your laidback style makes you so therapeutic to watch cheers mate have a great New Year
Great video, great tutorial. Nice to see a video and immediately feel I'd be able to go and build it - no festool domino, no UKJ Parf Guide Jig, no real need for a table saw even. Just build a functional, low space bench!
Outstanding.......Great job....Like the size and the method of building,
Thanks! I’ve been using it more and more and the size is working out perfect for most project parts.
Nice and simple design. I'm looking to upgrade my workbench at some time. Perhaps I will take inspiration from this :D Cheers.
Thanks! Hope the new workbench build goes well.
Nice! Good use of the KISS Principle.
😊😊😊
Très bien ce petit établi fonctionnelle en plus !
Loved the video Mate. ❤ Its the video i have been waiting to build my workbench from 2 years😂😅
Thank you!
Nice one I'll make this I think. Perhaps with a 1.5 inches top. I really don'T know why people think they need such a bi slab. Just gonna put anti-slipping stuff under so it won't move and it'll be full of storage stuff so the weight will be there anyway. Won't use dog holes tho. That's probably the reason for the thickness.
The thickness also seems to be important for the vices
This was a great little build. I would like to build something like it but for my planer.
Great job
Very comprehensive bench. Nice work
I was thinking the same thing about the paper holder with the dowels protruding past the work top. Still a great tutorial either way
Love this workbench. Do you have plan’s available?
Great looking table. Thats the one I'm going to make. Thank you so much, and have a healthy and New Year my friend
Thank you! You have a good new year as well!
Great build and video
Thanks!
Nice job! Great video! I like this idea.
Good inspiration for a future desk. Might try something like this in 2026, added it to the playlist.
Me too, saved to my future builds for when I get my life figured out
Excellent video. Subscribed!
Very beautiful. Thank You for posting this. Building one for myself
Superbe vidéo
À bientôt
Very cool and super useful build 🙏🏼
Thank you!
You are one clever man - great job, wish I had your ww skills.
Very nice! Saved and subbed.
Yeah! Chad & Dan!
This the best bench I have ever seen! Do you have a cut list? And measurements where to drill dog hole? You used a planner. How can I achieve flatness? I don't have a planner. I am a beginner.
Unfortunately I don't have a cut list ready made but here's a quick one for the main components:
Frame:
4 posts @ 31.5”
4 width stretchers @ 21.75”
4 depth stretchers @ 19”
Top:
17 top pieces @ 36”
For the dog holes, I based them off the vise plates. With the vise plates @ 18" wide, I put the dog holes 2" in from the ends (centered at 2" from end). The dog holes are 3.5" apart. The location and spacing of dog holes isn't super critical, as long as they don't fall into the vise hardware - so I would double check where the vise hardware falls before drilling dog holes.
For flatness, if you're careful with trimming the edges of the 2x4s off on the table saw then you shouldn't have to worry about needing a planer. The planer was more of a side note as an easier alternative to spending time jointing on the table saw. If needed, you can always use a traditional hand plane or powered hand plane to flatten the top - that can be difficult but you can mostly eyeball it by looking down the top. You could also consider a plywood "torsion box" for the top instead of 2x4s. It's a great way to create a flat surface without worrying about planing. Also handy for certain dog hole hardware.
Hope all this helps!!
Nice job very simple design thanks for sharing
Beautiful piece!
Good video. I will modify this to double as a outfeed table for my saw. I like the vices but would use double 2X material for movable jaws. Or at least put vertical cleat behind screw face. Excess clamping pressure on top edge using dogs will likely break jaw across screw face.
Thanks for sharing. Very useful, very practical.I hope to model it in SketchUp and to create the plans in Layout.
Thank you! Hope the sketchup model goes well.
This is just perfect! Are there printed plans available?
Unfortunately only the details in the video
I need a router table and with a little modification, this is a perfect design.
That's great! I actually have a router table video using the same modular design (well, mortise and tenon instead of pocket screws, but same style) ua-cam.com/video/fMpFR2aGDZk/v-deo.html Also added the link to the description in case it doesn't go through on this comment. Hope the build goes well!
So practical!!! 👍👍👍👍
Very nicely done.
Good stuff.Nicely done sir.
Excellent design and great production for the video! Very much appreciated my friend! Happy New Year 👍👍👍
Thank you!
Love it ❤❤❤
Great job! Simple and looks awesome!
Good job, well done. A good basic bench for a small shop. I'd probably not use pocket hole joinery, though.
Thanks! Mortise and tenon would definitely be stronger. I’ve thought about half laps but haven’t tried that yet. Would be interesting to try.
Work of art.
Smart. Very smart ans user friendly
Really nice 👍!!
Thanks!
Nice.
Saved for future reference, thank you.
Thanks! Hope it helps with a future build.
VERY NICE, THANK YOU........HAPPY NEW YEAR!😀😀😀😀😀
Vraiment top bravo 👍
À bientôt
Thanks!
@fangerwoodworking de rien
Subbed! Nice work!
Great build. That's a big old thumbs up and a subscribe from me. Thanks!
Love it! Thank you for describing the actual cut dimensions. Great "not" seeing a $300k, lime-green-filled woodshop ;) Two questions please; 1) does applying glue on the porous, open-grained ends of the 2x4's really help? 2) is the 2x4 (pine) top durable?
I think the glue helps. It’s definitely a weak glue joint so I’m adding glue just to help prevent small movements that could weaken or loosen the screw over time.
In terms of durability, the pine top is “good enough” for my use. All workbench tops will get dinged up over time so the benefit of pine is how quickly you can resurface it, whether sanding or planing. That being said, the use of 2x4s is primarily to save cost and I just accept that fact that it will most likely always looked dinged up.
WoodbyWright just did a video about a new type of retractable casters that you should check out. They work by just lifting the bench slightly instead of the foot lever that always is a pain
That sounds cool, I’ll have to look that up!
@fangerwoodworking yes, after seeing them, my next and all future benches are getting them
Thank you, nice project. Obviously, you're in the menards service area I'm wondering how the master force power tools are holding up and would you recommend them for around the home use thank you again
For around the house they’re great. The only masterforce tool I’ve been disappointed with is the cordless electric brad nailer. I don’t think they have that anymore. Other than that, they all have plenty of power being on the 20v platform.
Nice bench! I’m actually going to build this! I wanted to k ow how many 2x4’s you used, and what length did you buy to get the most out of them?
I think I used, at most, 14 8’ 2x4’s, although I wasn’t trying to get the most out of each so that would include extra.
Okay I have watched probably close to if not more 100 videos where that person said this is easy to make and I don't have a freaking clue of how to make it because I am so green at DIYing. But this project I think I can actually do. I have you name it tools and equipment but never really made anything cuz again I don't know what I'm doing sometimes 😳
Happy to hear this looks approachable! It helps to break projects into components and cut lists, which is my goal in my videos, so I would suggest doing the same in a build. That’s what I do when I work on projects. I find it helpful to focus on one component and cut at a time.
Nice, simpel, bench without fancy joinery. One question though - the "box" for drawers appered to be fixed to the bottom, without access to the room under the bench surface. How do you remove sawdust ect (i.e. washers, springs that can't complete without) from there??😊
There’s an opening on the sides, because of the offset from the depth stretchers.
Do you sell your products or have a gallery somewhere?
Nice. Will you add a top coat of something, like shellac or some kind of oil?
Haven’t so far. Considering adding water based polyurethane but sometimes that’s a bad idea because it makes the surface slippery, making it more difficult for clamping. Thinking some oil or wax could be good, mostly to help keep the wood stabilized. I’m always torn about finishing the top of a workbench because sometimes that’s makes re-sanding/flattening more difficult.
The amount of tools you used though 😮
I really like most of this build. The only objection I have is the casters. It's not even the placement I mind. The fact that these elevate one at a time means that with every activation, you're purposely racking the assembly and stressing joints. It's a beefy build, granted. But over time, it's still causing unnecessary stress in the joints and the top.
The simple solution is a crossbar that activates them two at a time. Square tube would be most effective, but wood would be fine, and replaceable if it starts to cup.
Other than that, I think this is a really nice build.
With it being so small, maybe two straight casters on one end, two adjustable feet on another, and a flip caster in between the adjustable feet. My table saw base is that sort of setup.
@fangerwoodworking That's probably just as easy, and still keeps the stress from that side centered instead of racking the corners.
Again, beefy build, so there might not be a lot of force on it. But no sense in stressing the joints or top if you don't have to.
Do you have any plans available?
What tool is that at 9:28? Thank you.
That’s the WEN mini lathe. I have a link for that specific one in the description.
@ Thank you. 👍
2:47 "need top"
Same, buddy.
Im currently in the process of building this, what did you use for nut zerts and bolts?
I use 1/4-20 for all bolts. It's a super common size for jigs and readily available in hardware stores, so I standardize on that. For the threaded inserts, I added a link to the description for the exact kind I use. I like the threaded inserts instead of t-nuts because they have a strong hold. Hope the build goes well!
Could use 4x4s for the top to the corners are already more squared out than a 2x4 and looks like you are going 3 1/2 thick anyways
so how many 2x4's? what length? what size screws?
I didn’t keep exact count but from quick math I believe I used 14 2x4s at most - 8’ in length. I wasn’t trying to optimize for length so the 14 count would have extra off cuts.
For the pocket screws I use 2.5”. That’s what kreg recommends for 1.5” material thickness.
What mini lathe is that?
It's the super cheap one from WEN. I added a link in the description for the one I have.
I have tried using the same casters, but they don't function as well as I thought. And also, the "locking brake" gets in the way of other workbenches.
Maybe the detachable ones would help with not getting in the way of other workbenches. I’ve heard good things about those, although they have the same functionality for lifting. I may look into making my own caster lifting mechanism. There’s an old episode of The New Yankee Workshop where Norm makes something like that.
Nice bench. How many 2x4 did you need in total?
Doing some quick math I think I used 14 at most
Is there a benefit to wasting all those 2x4 vertical?
I watched alot of videos with diy workbenches for small workshops. The problem with almost all of them is that you need a big workshop to build them.
But I guess it's like building a small fortune. The easiest way to do that is to start with a big one.
Does anyone knows the dimensions of the bench?
Hi.
(Please consider making plans that you would sell. I would buy them.)
Thanks for letting me know. I’ll consider making plans in the future.
Can you imagine the prices of those wood?
👍👍
😎
Topheavy and not enough width between the legs to make it worthwhile for heavy duty work.
😂 Hello, petit mais fonctionnelle,bravo
I really like these "small workshop" videos where wood is passed through industrial sized (and priced) equipment
In my video? Where is the industrial equipment?
@@fangerwoodworking small workshop = (+/-)handheld tools (electrical ones as well)
thicknesser + fully sized table saw is in an actual workshop
He didn't say a cheap garage.
I would say that size determines what counts as a small workshop and you can easily fit a hybrid table saw and lunchbox style thickness planer into a small workshop, like a single car garage workshop. Also the thickness planer was pointed out as a side note, an optional tool to make things easier. Your definition seems to exclude miter saws or any bench top tool from small workshops as well, which is not how most people would define a small workshop.
@@fangerwoodworking thicknesser in particular requires way too much space to operate in what you'd call "average home" (e.g. Requires space back n front equal to the piece you're feeding it). A powered hand planer would be a lot fitter. There's that bald gay guy I don't recall the YT channel ("Rex" something?) who does stuff actually feasible in common households - to grasp what size I mean (and see around).
I wish you would you have started with what it looks like and what it can do and then go into the build.
This isn’t cable tv, you can jump forward
🏴🥇👍
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER cut round stock on a bandsaw the way you did in this video, very bad things can very easily happen. Jimmy Diresta did a video about bandsaw safety that I think you will enjoy watching, just for this very reason. I love this little work table, I think I'm going to build one for my mini lathe.
Nice bench, but I have a suspicion that you soon will get sick and tired of stumbling over those protruding wheels, there are better, less protruding solutions. 😊
Lots of people use wheels like that with zero issues. They are very popular.
Make the top bigger than the drawers so that it overhangs a foot past the wheels. Unless you are a big foot, you won't step on those protruding wheels.
EXCELLENT!
The lever and wheels are removable. You can see he attaches them to the mounting plate with pins. Only the mounting plates are attached to the bench directly.
😅
LOL -- You need a large workshop to make a workbench for a small workshop.
How so?
@ I have a small workshop and would benefit from a workbench like the one you designed and built. I don't have half of the tools and space you used to built it.
Gluing end-grain joints is about as effective as putting out a house fire with a spray bottle.
I'll agree but if there's not an option, always spread glue on the endgrain and allow it to set and tack up. Then glue again and assemble. The first coat will adhere to the endgrain better making a stronger joint though still not perfect, always give yourself the best shot.
Near square in size and on casters, no need for 2 vices......
you use too much glue