How To Build a Simple Cheap Work Bench

2,121,799

22,677 785

Published 2014-09-15

Build a simple workbench for around $60 in less than an hour! This is a great addition to your garage or workshop and can me made with simple tools. Makes working on car parts and DIY projects much easier!

The lengths you'll need are:

1 X Bench top (1200mm X 600mm)
2 X 1200mm (Bench frame)
2 X 540mm (Bench Frame Ends)
4 X 980mm (Legs) Choose your own lengths based on desired height
2 X 600mm (Leg Supports)

There are loads of really great workbench designs out there but this is a nice simple design for doing DIY projects. You can adjust any of the sizes and lengths to create a custom bench for your own workspace. You can also simply replace the bench top when it gets worn out and if you're budget allows you can use a nice piece of hardwood. Keep in mind that wood may not be perfectly straight so choose carefully at the shop. Glue also helps to make the whole thing stronger. I'm using this bench as part of a larger bench and mounting it to a wall and supports but if you're using screws only on the legs install them diagonally.

We were sent an email from a young MCM fan asking how to make a cheap, simple workbench. We're not carpenters by any stretch of the imagination but we hope this helps you get started on your own workbench!

Song is 'Jimmy Rabbit feat. Mammals' by Moog
Direct Download: www.mightycarmods.com/collections/music
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/album/jimmy-rabbit-feat.-mamma…

Also something to note around Mighty Car Mods: we are normal guys and are not trained mechanics (or carpenters!) We like to make interesting car mods and projects and show you how we've gone about it, but we can't promise that anything we show you will work for your particular project, or that you won't harm yourself, someone else, your car or your warranty doing it. Please be safe, be responsible and unless you know what you're doing, do not fool around with very serious machinery just because you've seen us make it look so easy. Talk to a qualified mechanic or carpenter if you are in any doubt. This video has no affiliation with Ryobi. They are just the tools I own.

All Comments (21)

@BrutalDongshart 3 years ago

2014: $60 worth of wood 2021: $2.4 million worth of wood
@scottap30bot 9 years ago

Another quick tip, make your top bigger than the frame/Base, if you leave a 2" over hang on the front and if you want both ends, it leaves you space to use g claps to clamp stuff to the bench to work on it easier.
@mcmtv2 9 years ago

Thanks to MCM fan Emilio who sent in an email asking us how to make a cheap workbench for his garage! We hope this helps you out!
@Triple259772 9 years ago

I need a workbench to build a workbench
@sawdustandsurvival 5 years ago

I love this. I watched another video claiming to advise us how to do the same thing. He then went on to build a table in a premium workshop with a huge table saw, a Dewalt conveyor/planer and all sorts of other equipment in a huge workshop. Yours seems great and totally doable! Thank you.
@lextube 9 years ago

I can see a new series blooming... Mighty Mitre 10 Mods!
@santiago24601 9 years ago

I can't believe I just found a woodworking video that uses metric! :')
@arenassempersolaris3074 6 years ago

I converted mm into inches on a website. 1x bench top (47 1/4 inch x 23 5/8inch) Bench frame 2x (47 1/4 inch) Bench frame ends 2x (21 17/64inch) Legs 4x (38 inches,choose what u want) Leg supports 2x (23 5/8 )
@romaineathey2690 5 years ago

Make it yourself thanks to woodprix plans. I think it's the best way to learn how to build it in the cheapest way.
@richardparkerr 9 years ago

I appreciate the fact that you listen to the fan base and care enough to make a video like this one. It's über helpful for me at least and thanks to you now i have a guideline on how to make my own workbench. Cheers to you mates and keep up the amazing work!!
@spaghetts 7 years ago

I'm grateful that both you and Marty use your fame to help others, this is such a useful informational video. Thanks guys
@timmy112kirk 9 years ago

Mighty Homes and Gardens
@RandomGenera7ed 9 years ago

If you need a smooth surface, free of dents and scratches to work on; just nail on a sheet of plywood on top of your existing tabletop. As the plywood experiences regular wear and tear, you can pop the nails off and put a new sheet so you don't have to make a new bench every time, especially as pine can be quite soft.
@SongsByTroy 6 years ago

Thanks for the tutorial. I made the bench and it cost me about $50. I had the hardware store make the cuts for me for just a couple of dollars, so that saved time. The corner clamp would have helped immensely. It was a little tricky getting those 2x4s screwed together without a clamp or a helper, but I figured it out. I put a little soap on the screws, which helped to drive them in easily and without splitting the wood. The biggest obstacle was imperfect cuts and imperfect 2x4s. It doesn't take much to be off to have things not line up perfectly, or if the wood is even slightly twisted, to get some wonky corners and legs. I had to do a little filing and sanding to get it right, but it's a garage piece, not a museum piece. I am an extreme novice when it comes to this kind of stuff, so it took me four hours instead of one, but that's me. Besides the clamp, a good work bench would have helped me make this work bench. http://troythibodeaux.com/temp/workbench.jpg Thanks again.
@Maacccaaaa 9 years ago

MCM is so massive now, it's actually really nice to see you guys taking the time out to reply to comments and even make video's like these. Thumbs up guys!
@RabFFS 9 years ago

Mighty CARpentry Mods :)
@Azlak 7 years ago

THANK YOU, Thank you for using the metric system! <3
@Designandrew 9 years ago

will it fit in my honda though?
@gavinweaver3390 5 years ago

Thanks for the video! I followed this example and built my own workbench, took me a bit longer than an hour but got there! Cheers again!
@georgeksirakis8898 3 years ago

one the best how-to videos around... clear , straightforward and simple . thank you