I'm moving to a new house next month, and the garage has a cutout for a small workspace. This means no more working on projects on the kitchen table!

I'm wanting to add a simple and small workbench (4 foot or so) and a small amount of tool storage in a chest or cabinet. I'm not a furniture maker or high-end woodworker, but I have a moderate amount of tools for DIY/home improvement/minor automotive/gunsmithing to store, and I want a dedicated workplace for repairs, projects, gunsmithing, etc.


So far, it looks like it comes down to two different options:

A) Get a tool cabinet with a built in workbench top. Something like this Harbor Freight Yukon 9 drawer setup, which actually seems to get really good reviews: https://www.harborfreight.com/...Top-Black-56613.html


B) Build a simple workbench from 2x4s and plywood, and then buy a separate toolchest. I don't have access to a tablesaw or router, but I have a circular saw, drill, and driver, which should be sufficient for a basic workbench design, and I have the basic woodworking skills to do that.


What do you suggest? What did you end up going with for your small garage workspace?

(Remember: small and simple. Yes, I'm sure Snap-On offers a fantastic eleventy foot Norm Abrams edition combination workbench/tablesaw/drill press/blacksmith forge/smoker/grill/sauna/home theater, all for the low price of 20 grand, but I'm thinking simpler and smaller. )

I'd probably go with something like the Harbor freight model, nice wood top, easily moved out if you need more room, a built in table top is going to limit the work you can do size wise.

OTOH, we replaced a granite counter top from the pool patio, and since the trade in value is zero, I had them move it to the garage, and put two kitchen cabinets from Home Desperate under them, works great and I have a granite work space.

Wow, I was going to recommend American workbench wholeheartedly. I spoke to John the owner a number of times during my order last year.
https://www.americanworkbench.com/




I looks like John retired due to health issues. I am very thankful I did get my workbench when I did.

Darn. That workbench looks fantastic!

4x4s topped with a butcher block type top and bottom shelf. From there, mounted peg board above with a nice(r) tool box above or below.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Darn. That workbench looks fantastic!

Yep, I know Mine was delivered in September. He closed in October. I ordered in April, he held it for me till September then shipped it. It was superbly packed. It took me about 2 hours to unpack and put together myself. Everything was labeled. Part A went to Part A, B2B, C2C. ect. Just superb.

I am very happy with it. My 15-year-old Sophmore son saw it and asked if he could get one for his room. We settled on his Graduation. The little jerk petitioned to be allowed to skip a year in January, it was approved 5 days before the lockdown. The shit skipped 14 months of school. I have to come up with a workbench this year when he graduates.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
easily moved out if you need more room, a built in table top is going to limit the work you can do size wise

That's a good point. With a moveable workbench, I can wheel it into the center of the garage when I'm working on something long, rather than relying on sawhorses or the like.

Look at a Kregg bench and a maple top or similar. Many sizes and can be had with wheels.

I usually use two 2x12 side by side for the top, with 2x4 cleats underneath and 2x4 framed legs. If you want additional stability, fasten a 2x4 to the wall behind the bench just at the height of the underside of the top by screwing it to the studs, or driving tapcons into the concrete, and then screw the top to the wall cleat.

4x4 corners set on upside down lag bolts to keep salt water from wicking into the wood, plus easy leveling. The rest is 2x4, plywood and some 2x12 reinforced areas for clamping.

Last two houses before this my first addition to the garage was a workbench. Rather than plywood I just got a cheap/leftover/clearance kitchen countertop from the back of Lowe's/HD. both were 8' and about $50 as I recall, you could get smaller.

Built a 2x4 frame to glue and bolt that to, probably over engineered and bolted to wall as well. Also build in a simple shelf bisecting the area under horizontally so I could stack stuff there and on floor. Mount pegboard or similar above backsplash and done!

Advantages to me were the backsplash avoids small stuff getting in that joint/crack at back, smooth surface easier to work on, can be cleaned up as needed, no splinters, etc. Actually also mounted a vice through the top on both, you may not have that much room.

HD sells Husky mobile workbenches with built-in drawers with full-extension soft close drawers; the one to get is “industral” with heavy-gauge steel. I have a 72 inch one and couldn’t be happier with it, but you can get them down to I think 52 inch:

Husky 52 inch tool chest

I haven’t compared the Harbor Freight models.

Functionally, the Husky chest is far above the older Craftsman tool chests.

If you actually had 72" I'd recommend a different strategy, but with 48" just get a rolling chest with a good top.

I have the Craftsman storage workbench (similar to the HF model you linked in the OP). It works great for how I use it (stand up work), but my father prefers his workbench that he can sit at (custom build more like what DSgrouse posted, but with an open bottom).

Things to consider...
1) What is the intended purpose (woodworking/automotive/industrial)
2) What sort of weight will it support
3) Mobile or stationary
4) will you need attachments
5) if using for storage, what will you be storing (size/weight concerns)

Answering these questions will help narrow down your selection.

Plywood top with whatever you go with. Easy to replace when it gets ratty. Been looking at toolboxes/benches for myself. The Husky ones look pretty good. Can take it with you. Can roll it out in the center of the garage. Put a vise on the corner, you’ll use it.

What ever you do I would highly suggest that you get a pair of folding saw horses. they fold up and can be hung up on the wall when not in use and take up very little floor space. they can hold a lot of weight after putting a strong back on on outside of legs. had a pair that I made out of 1x3" popular lumber. as many as 5 = 4ftx8ftx3/4 sheets of MDF / Particle board. 2 hinges across top hinge area and 3 hinges on the bottom spreader. still going strong almost 30yrs later. ..........................drill sgt.

If you work mostly with metal, I would put a stainless top on the roll around work bench. If you do gun maintenance at home, a separate bench that keeps things from sliding off would be best, plus leave room for your feet or legs.

I like a 40" or higher engineer's type of bench for some projects, and use a bar stool.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
If you actually had 72" I'd recommend a different strategy, but with 48" just get a rolling chest with a good top.

What would you recommend for 72"?

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
Things to consider...
1) What is the intended purpose (woodworking/automotive/industrial)

As listed in the OP, mainly homeowner DIY stuff (minor woodworking, basic electronic/automotive repairs, etc.) and gunsmithing.

quote:

2) What sort of weight will it support

Not a massive amount. I don't have a target weight rating in mind, but it's not like I'm going to be stacking engine blocks on it or anything.

quote:

3) Mobile or stationary

As stated, I'm open to either. Pros and cons to each. Right now leaning towards mobile, as mentioned in one of my earlier posts.

quote:

4) will you need attachments

The only thing I know I want attached is a ~6" jawed vise mounted on one corner. (Doable with either a built in bench or one of the mobile workbenches.) Other than that, I'm open to suggestions, but nothing jumps out at me.

quote:

5) if using for storage, what will you be storing (size/weight concerns)

As stated, a moderate amount of hand tools and power tools. I'm an above average DIYer, but not a skilled tradesman or specialist with a massive amount of tools. Nothing huge or crazy heavy.

Rogue...I built my 72" reloading bench frame with 2x4's connected with Simpson Strong Ties. The work surface is two pieces of 3/4" ply that were glued together to create a 1 1/2 inch thick surface...it ain't goin' nowhere. I also put a 3/4" piece of ply in the bottom of the frame to create a storage/shelf area. The top work surface was attached to the frame using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig. The work surface has at least 4 coats of shellac and the 2x4 frame has 2 coats of sanding sealer. The back side of the framing was built tall to accommodate peg board to hang my tools. If you want pictures, I can send them to your e-mail addy...