The Ultimate Functional Workbench
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Plans available here: www.thebencomp...
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I FINALLY built a workbench! This thing is jam packed with unique features that make it super functional. So many features that I had to break it up into two parts. In this video, I build the heavy duty frame, several storage solutions for bins, paint and art supplies, sandpaper, and large tools. No longer will I be building things on the ground! Enjoy!
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Music by: David Cutter Music - www.davidcutter...
I searched for 3 months for the work bench I wanted to build. Bens bench was the best choice for me. space was not a problem, since I have 2K sq feet of space in my basement. After retirement in June I am getting back into woodworking. Now I have my Wife, Yard( 2 acres), making stuff, and my thing (Golf). Thanks Ben. AC in NC
Hi Ben having never and I mean never having done any woodwork until my dear wife was diagnosed with a brain tumour and I needed to create a kitchen island, lay wood flooring, build a dog feeding station from the waste off the island to make her life somewhat stress free - I have been looking for a bench design as I will be getting a shed soon so want to have a sliding mitre saw station as well as a router table...so I've been learning when I can and I was so please to come across your channel and it was very refreshing to finally have a content creator that actually gives sizes as well - thank you mate
I've decided that I will live my woodworking life vicariously through this channel.
I'm right at the stage of desperately wanting a workbench - and one I can sit at.
This is it!
I've watched umpteen UA-cam videos but this I've saved - I plan to copy it and drill holes to make a MFT style top.
Oh, and I'll have mine on casters so I can move it about as needed.
I'm itching to get started....
Right on!
Hey Ben - I just started getting into woodworking this summer after buying my first house and buying my first power tools to assist in some move-in renovations. I browsed UA-cam for months mulling over what kind of workbench I wanted to build - Not just for woodworking, but for all sorts of hobby projects. When I saw this workbench, I loved it so much that I immediately bookmarked it. I made my own plans in Sketchup for a workbench of my own based heavily on your design here. As of yesterday, I've just put together the entire frame of 4x4s and lag screws. I'm really excited to do the miter saw shelf and the french cleat table saw attachment this weekend! This has been one of my first "bigger" woodworking projects and I know it will help me springboard into more projects in the future.
I just wanted to say thanks for the huge inspiration!
That’s awesome! Send me some pictures of your progress!
@@BenTardif Here's the Sketchup plans:
i.imgur.com/9d2f9DN.png And here's the finished product: i.imgur.com/pFXGoQz.jpg
@@MickSwanson That looks great!
Anybody else get a weird sense of satisfaction seeing him do all this with cheaper Ryobi tools? Nice to see someone do a project without a $600 festool screwdriver for a change.
One of the Thing most Workers have to learn... It's not always about the Quality (and espacially not the price) of your tools... if your a good Worker you can build awesome things even with the shittiest tools you can get! Skill > Tools... sure, better tools make your life more easy... but awesome tools aren'a a garantie for good result if you are unabel to use them probertly... for ecample... in my job I use a Handtool I got like 7 years ago when I started at this company... the blades are all worn out like to complete tool is... but even with this problem I'm getting better result than many of my co-workers with their brand new tools... cause I learned how to use my tool and know exactly what i can do with it and what i can't... and also how i have to handle it to get the result i want... Also: Ryobi has no bad tools... sure, their cheaper and not as highclass as like Dewalt, Bosch or Festool... but like i said... if you know HOW TO USE them... you can get same results and sometimes even better ones... most companies nowadays charge you onle more money cause of their name... not cause they are realy better... sometimes they last longer... but if you don't use your tools like 24/7 it is unnescessary to pay for a tool that could survive an atomic war if you use them only for hobby ^^ and sometimes this is the case: You buy a Router from Ryobi for like 150 Bucks... it lasts like 5 Years... you can also buy one from Festool for like 300 Bucks... sure it lasts for like 7-8 Years... but if you can buy 2 Ryobis that are as good as Festtol ones for the same price a Festool one costs but the two Ryobis last you 10 years while Festool only lasts 7-8 Years... you have saved money with Ryobi ^^ just a thing to make you think...
So TLDR: Skill > Tools... better Tools make your live easier... but Skill is more nescessary than good tools!
I could probably afford more expensive tools at this point, but a Ryobi tool does the job at an affordable price, so why not?
Festool is only good for 2 things: Tracksaws and Domino's, the rest is a ripoff
Yes, because I have some Ryobi and I’m sick of DeWalt snobs.
I wouldn't call it weird. The videos that show how to make something good, starting from where most beginners would be are a lot more educational.
Good thing you bought all this lumber last year. That stuffs like gold now.
I love the design and how sturdy it looks. I also appreciate the fact that your storage is up off the floor. Great job
I'd like to see it about another 2 inches up so you have room to actually get under there and clean/not be such a critter-cozy spot. Having a quarter inch gap just looks like Black Widow heaven to me. LOL
You will need 56 lags. Box of 50 are over $50, I went with 2 3/4 sanded hardwood sheets for the top $114, 12 4x4s $168. Bought at Lowes. Was a good solid build, I put a clinometer all over the table and I'm within 0.3 level. Came out awesome. Thanks for the video!
Something that I started doing with sandpaper is to use those expanding storage folders. It works well and let's you keep grits nice and organized.
Like it! A basic, No muss, no fuss workbench with tons of utility and simple enough to build in a relaxed weekend.
Love the bench. Just sent the link to my buddy Joe who is looking to build a work bench. He's also looking to build a table. He's also looking to build a desk, etc, etc, etc. Mostly his DeWalt and Makita tools just sit around looking pretty. He pokes fun of my Ryobi but they have so far proven durable and true for my many projects.
I... think I'm going to build this exact same workbench. I love the design. Storage will be different but the layout and the cutout for maximum workspace is perfect. Well done. I've been going through dozens of workbench DIY videos and this is easily the most straightforward but functional option I've found.
A good workbench is a must. I attended an auction at a bankrupt factory and ended up buying one of theirs. It's 4'x8'x4' high and the work surface is 3/4" steel plate. The frame is 4"x4" heavy wall square tube. The whole bench is mounted on steel casters that lock. I paid $135 for it. It's so heavy. I had to rent a forktruck just to get it unloaded. I would love to build one like yours. Liked and subbed.
Thank you so much for making this video. I scored dozens of 4 x 4 boards where my first project is to build a workbench for my shop. I have wrestled with the design/layout. Mine will ultimately be an "L" or even a "U" shape but you have given me inspiration for how to build a sturdy base. My work material may be heavier than yours but appreciate you jumping on the table.
I can feel the satisfaction of storing all that sandpaper and all those other bits n pieces. The ol motto of a place for everything and everything in its place is vital in a functioning workshop of any description.
Looks great! If you haven't already, I'd suggest routing a subtle roundover or chamfer all the way around that top surface. It'll be much more comfortable to work at without that sharp edge.
its nice to see someone who has faith is the strength of bolts and screws. I don't know much about woodworking but it looks strong to me
Loving the builds. Small suggestion: a shallow finger notch in each shelf to get the sandpaper out easier -- it will make a world of difference =)
I was thinking the exact same thing when seeing him build the sandpaper shelfs. Nothing crazy is needed. Just something to not have to try to fit your fingers in the slots.
Or a piece of countertop laminate to make a tray for each sandpaper shelf. Then that rigid tray could be pulled out with all the sheets of sandpaper on it. Anything thin and rigid would work well, maybe Masonite.
I agree with the finger notches. Also, put all your pieces of sandpaper in manila folders so small pieces don't get pushed back in the rack where you can't reach them. Then, just slide out the folder and access sheets inside.
Brilliant bench mate. I am wheelchair bound and your bench will be ideal for this wheelie. Thanks, and all the best from Australia mate.
@3:58 You drilled through on one of your lag screws on the second large L. You can see it just under the 4*4
the thinking and execution of this creation are absolutely outstanding.
Last comment, the design of this workbench is relentless and inspiring. Your thoughts are out of the box, but kinda raise the bar for functionality and fundamentals
I’m only 2:30 mins in and I already want to thank you for making the most detailed how-to video I’ve ever seen! Nicely done!
Puppy montage at the end MAKES MY DAY!!!
cannot pass this video without commenting on your doggys. They are wonderful, and the corgy is really very very cute. Love your videos, always something to learn, clear and well explained. Thanks.
Finally a video where the guy doesn't talk into the camera for 20 minutes and shows what to do or how to do for 3 minutes. THANKS!! n Great work!
This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.
Nice work space. Yeah, one of my dad's favorite sayings is 'a dirt floor worked just fine for Henry Ford', and thus, my dad has a barn full of junk, and flammables, with a dirt floor, and no real work space. I figure that when I get a shop built the next year or two, I'll finally be able to show him how much more efficient it is to have a clean functional shop. This video gave me a lot of ideas, thanks again for the video.
Incredible! Looks like you thought of everything! Ahhh - the beauty of knowing how to work with tools....one can make anything to one's own specs. Absolutely awesome, Ben! Doofie wants to play so badly...now that the workbench is done it's time to play (until the next project). 😁
Dude you saved me about a hundred hours of insomnia thinking about all these details you thought through! Better you than me, as my best friend would say! But genuinely, much appreciation, from Aotearoa (New Zealand) :)
what's really amazing is that you found enough straight 4x4s to build anything
That's what I was thinking. Even with clamps, it's still difficult to work with the lumber you buy these days. Twisted lumber is the worst.
For the sandpaper storage...I recommend cutting a V notch or a half circle in each shelf to make it easy to grab sheets.
Looks absolutely wonderful, great job! I'm thoroughly impressed with how you thought out the details and yet kept the project affordable and optimally functional.👍
I congratulate you for making that center cut-out area. It's exactly what I did (only mine is rounded). It's such a great feature in a work bench. It's my main work-point on mine.
Only one observation.. your structural integrity for weight bearing should never rely on just the hardware alone. The pressure from above should be pressing down on the wood structure below it. The weight should not be pressing down on just those two skinny screws. The horizontals need to lay atop the vertical legs or be 'lapped' into them so that even without any screws in it, it can't collapse. Maybe it's strong enough for what you do if you mainly do art projects but It wouldn't be strong enough in other situations like holding a heavy lathe or something heavy. It would only be a small change in your design to make it a lot stronger. The Home Depo type pine 4x4s are a lot more fragile than you might think because they are full of knots. I've had them snap right off where bolts go through them.
The workbench is great. The interaction with the doggie.....PRICELESS.
Awesome job Ben....just picked up the plans, and going to do this build. I'm not a fan of the exposed screw heads, so I'm going to go a little deeper with a 3/4" forstner, sink the screw, then cover it with a glued in 3/4" dowel plug
I've been needing to clean up my garage and build storage for my tools for the longest of time. This gives me ideas
Very nice Job young man, Great to watch someone your age doing quality nice wood work.
+1 The sandpaper would be easier to pull out if there was a small semi circle cut-out on each panel. That way you're not rubbing your fingers against the rough edges of the plywood trying to grab it. :-)
I'm just kinda blown away at how you can freehand those pieces of lumber together. Quality wood. Even the local contractor lumber spot here has twisted, knarled and knotty crap. Don't even get me started on Depot
ABSOLUTELY LOVING your content man! This stuff is relaxing and informative! You think out your workspaces very in-depth and execute precisely! Keep it up, Ben!
Hey thanks!
It's refreshing watching a professional carpenter work his magic and create a work of art. Great work my friend.
Bro, now that’s a workbench. You just earned a new subscriber.
First..your dogs are so sweet😃!Second you are great and what a wonderful place have you to work!!! Congratulations!!!
The best part was up playing with the dog. He's so cute. He kept dropping the ball by you wanting u to play with him.
Hi ben thanks for this video. I have seen lot of videos for making work benches; very fancy ones as well, but you have done a wonderful job. Its simple, very functional and strong. I am 55 years and later comer for woodwork world, but I love this work. I now plan to make the same. Thanks man...
I’m glad I found your page. I’m finally starting to do what I want in my garage, and this is going to be an awesome project to try and mimic at 2/3 the size.
This is a great doityourself project. However, I honestly did not have the time or patience, so alternately, Sams Club and other vendors offer very good deals costing about $400-500 for hi quality work benches that come un assembled. It took me about 6 hours to put the entire thing together-it is smaller than this one but very functional with a variety of shelves and no empty spaces, so every square inch is utilized and the top is a 1-2 inch thick piece of beautiful wood, sanded, lacquered, and wit a protective coating. the bench also comes with large wheels to make it very portable. Thanks again for this great project-you do beautiful work!
Finally! Someone who is as OCD and detail orientated as me. Nice job Ben!
Those are the best 4x4s I have ever seen in my life!.. I have yet to see a 4x4 IRL that does not have bow, twist or combination of both.
Sigh, I WISH I had the space/time/money/need for such a beautiful workbench. Solid, functional, and easy on the eyes.
Your little dog knows he’s the boss! Cool dog, funny to watch his interactions with you.
This got recommended by yt, great build, good pups.
10/10
first video of this channel ive watched. Came for the workbench. stayed for the skill and the corgi.
Been looking at different bench designs for the last month, I think I found the one I’m going to build. Nice design and you have a new sub!
For my sandpaper, at my previous house, I used those file folder things you would see on a door at a doctor's office and covered them in the spray in bed liner to make it a little tougher. I also put in file cabinet label holders to list the grit of the sandpaper.
The dog trying to get you to play in the outtakes... hilarious.
Great job without complicated tools,thank you ! It is easier to follow your instructions for beginners
I have been waiting for this, Ben!!!!
Same!
Same!!!
I've been searching for a new workbench design for my new garage and now I have found it. This is well designed and well built. Thank you for sharing and much love from Fate Texas!
FINALLY!!! I love how creative you are! Thanks for sharing!
Really admire your skill in presentation - clarity is king yes?! Given those skills - to say nothing of your technical prowess consider a series based upon your demonstrations of cabinet making basics, like steps involved in the construction of standard boxes, drawer glides, drawers and such. My working life was built around commercial production and Production Management for our national broadcaster, CBC. I do voice/overs these days, having retired from a life in film & television production here in Ontario, Canada. I flatter myself in believing I have an eye and an ear for talent and skills - and I believe you demonstrate both. Would enjoy participating in a production someone like yourself who has both the skills in the shop and an appreciation of the elements necessary for informing in an entertaining manner.
Love, love, love this. Thanks. AND, love the CORGI!
Woodworking is such an awesome hobby and there are so many reasons that I love woodworking
That work table is one beefy sob, I really like the dog play at the end.
I just want to say I'm only a minute into your video. I've spent many years as a carpenter and I looked up for my phone because I was quite impressed with the way that you explain things period simple to the point very neat very organized. I look forward to your channels future content.
Hahaha seemed like a lot of other carpentry channels I watch then you said “but the only way to test it, was to climb on it” hahaha then I subscribed
THANK YOU! for building a workbench that I don't need an extra $1000 worth of tools and will easily be able to modify yours to adapt to my needs! Appreciate it. Looks great! Great tips too----like the two sheets of plywood and the top is the sacrificial one.
3:58 ooooh, missed!
LMAO I SEE IT TOO
Nice build. I’m inspired. I need a bench for both woodwork and restoring motorcycles. It’s not an easy mix. I’m looking at making a removable oil proof top for the engine and other bike stuff, leaving the main bench clean for wood.
Plus as I get older, I feel the desire to sit down to do some work. Some friends of mine used to own a very fine silver jewellery workshop, I recall they had a similar setup, though much more compact.
So this has definitely given me some ideas. Thank you for sharing
that looks like a good work bench! any idea what the material cost and "shopping list" was for getting to this point?
Fully understand the tennis ball and Corgi! I have a 2 year old tri-color that is crazy about his tennis balls and donuts! Good stuff.
These have got to be some of the cleanest and clearest 4x4s ever. Who's your supplier?? WHO'S YOUR GUY?
lol
haha
Right!!!
wonder if they were run through a jointer first
Great for machine work. If the top was bigger than the base, you could add a tail vise. For hand tool work, vises, bench dogs (not the kind at the end of the video!) and plane stops would be useful. Half-lapping the stringers and making mortise and tenon joints would make it sturdier, but I bet it doesn't move much. You do good work.
Thats was good work man - appreciated leaving plenty of time for us to see the dogo play at the end. decent.
Being able to play with the dogs is what life is all about. Work smart and have time to enjoy the good stuff.
I subscribed just from this one video. I don't usually do that. But as a 32 year construction worker and contractor, this is so well built that there must be more videos of yours that are just as interesting. Nice job. I need one of those for just my fishing lures and rod making hobby.
Hey, SAWSTOP! Give him a call! Let's make some noise, guys! He deserves it!
Nice. Put some heavy duty locking swivel casters from Grainger on it so you can move it around as needed.
3:58 that lag screw peeked out at the bottom 4x4 lol
nice catch
Than You so Much!!!! This will be the frame for my new office desk & same for Garage. You added more storage than I really need but great to have as options. How you explained the frame is beyond anything explained on these projects, great production, subscribed!!!!
It has been 1 video since Ben has put something on wheels
And then I was about to suggest putting it on wheels. It's always nice to be able to move things.
@@timderks5960 it would mess with height
I do have to say, Ben is making wonderful projects, for his workshop! Whatever he has left to do, for his workshop, he’ll absolutely get back, to making more Marble Machines, and especially that, 2 Player Pinball Machine!
You should add speakers in your workshop
At long last you built a bench, now my long aching back will be better now your off the floor. Well planned set up, looks good pal. Looking forward to the finishing touches. Regards Jim UK.
and like the great king of random before him, he makes a desk to create greatness
Plans for the workbench are available here:
www.thebencompany.com/store
Happy Building!
I have to ask why this wasn't put on heavy-duty urethane wheels just out of curiosity.
Typically woodworkers want a workbench that's solid so when you clamp stuff to it you can hit/plane/drill into it at all angles without anything moving. Even when locked the wheels still allow movement so it normally rules them out. If needing to move it lifting it up with a brick and lever and then sliding a couple of dollies under it normally works well enough. Alternatively you can screw wheels onto the outside the four outside legs that flip down to move it, if so desired, and this can be done later.
I can honestly say the following: "This is the first workbench (style) that I actually liked !" So many of them out there, functional and nicely put together, but for some reason, this one appealed to me. Good job.
One of your lag screws missed the beam at 3:57
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I didn’t notice it until editing this video. Luckily at that point all the force is downward so it’s not consequential
Thanks for showing this. Built mine today....the base and top. Keep doing your thing!!
Right on!
"limited space in a two car garage" Americans don't realise how lucky they are compared to the UK lol. Solid video and build, well done =)
Haha, same here in the Netherlands... We don't have space for massive workbenches like that.
In germany, we have another problem. I have a two car garage with my workshop in it, but ist's not allowed. Ist's just for cars 🙈 Now i have to find another room for my workshop 😕
Y’all come on over someday. You can have any size garage your money can afford. Anyone gives you a hard time, just call up your neighbors, we’ll make sure they never mess
With you again. We take care of our own in our neighborhoods. Have a great day!
Only room for a one car garage, and that will have the car in it when its built! (The garage, not the car.)
You all gotta be lucky, cause most houses in the Netherlands don't even have a garage
Just really super impressed you've got a whole workshop of Ryobi that's holding up, counter to what Internet Commenters say about the longevity of the brand's tools.
Came here to see dude build a bench. Stayed here to watch him play with a dog.
Same!!
Guilty!
Ben, I'm so glad you finally made yourself a bench! You were *way* overdue. I'm looking forward to seeing what you get up to on this beast. If you need drawer pulls, you can get away with ~2" long trapezoidal scraps. You get decent grip and it uses small quantities of wood. Or just notch out a finger pull area. That's very clean and requires nothing extra.
Based on some of the preview, it looks like French cleats on the bench will hold things like your table saw. I'm surprised more people don't do this! It also means you can pull anything of your tool wall and stick it right into the bench. I just started adding French cleats to my garage and I'm loving them.
the ultimate workbench must have rounded edges at least around the seat
this is the best work bench idea I have seen. I see some changes I will make to suit my needs . . . thank you Ben.
For some reason I expected the workbench to get wheels in the end which makes it easy to move around if you should ever have the need for more space for certain projects
I really like the raised office idea. I need to build an office in my garage and that would be perfect for me.
Wheels man, WHEELS! Otherwise, looks great!
The only thing better than things with wheels are things that don’t have wheels yet that you can put wheels on!
Exactly what I was thinking.
ua-cam.com/video/GmS74a_G7kE/v-deo.html
@@riverbuilder2251 Wow! Now THAT is a nice bench! And it has wheels! Better yet, hidden wheels! Not sure whether I like the bench better or it’s location. Great view! Awesome job!