DIY $60 Modern Workbench Indoor Outdoor

This amazing workbench I built was derived from robertjkeller, who built a DIY 1-Hour Workbench. This is the link to his project: https://www.instructables.com/DIY-1-Hour-Workbench-Outfeed-Table/ . He gave me the idea to use plywood as the top part of the table. In order to improve on the design, I made it even easier to make, utilized the wood better, as well as adding some stylish touches to the finished product. I hope you guys enjoy this table and build it for yourselves. It makes a great indoor workbench, garage workbench, or dining room table it you double the design. Moreover, its super easy to build and requires very few tools, so let’s get started!

- (1x) 4’ x 8’ by 3/4” Maple Plywood Sheet

- (5x) 2” x 4” x 8’ Pine Lumber

- (1x) Box of 2” long wood screws

- (Optional) Stain or Paint

- (Optional) Tung Oil

Tools:

- Hand Sander With 220 Grit Sandpaper

- Drill

- (Optional) MiterSaw

- (Optional) 3D Printer

Go to your local home improvement store and buy the required lumber. The Plywood sheet is large enough to produce two table tops which is what I chose to do. Please note that each table top requires 5 2x4 boards in order to complete the base in the same manner that I did. If you do not choose to make a second table top, then you can cut the other half of the plywood top in order to make simple shelves.

You are going to want to cut the wood in this step. If you don’t have any tools, then that’s okay! Most home improvement stores will happily cut the wood for you for free. Not only that but its accurate and fast. Thats what I did with my plywood sheet. It saved me a lot of time. If you look at the picture above you will be able to see the dimensions of all the parts I cut out.

Once I got back home, I sanded all of my wood parts. In doing so it made it easier to finish as well as improving the look of the final product. I used 220 grit sandpaper in this step.

To assemble the base, grab the two long 93” pieces and spread out the five shorter boards evenly in between them. Screw them in from both sides in order to make it stronger. Note that the three boards spread out in the middle are parallel to the ground. This gives the table a larger surface area to rest on and makes it easier to attach the table top. Then we assemble the legs and slide them into the space. It should fit tightly that way it makes it stronger. Look at the pictures above.

Place the table top onto the base and make sure the overhang on all sides are equal. Proceed by screwing in the top through the base. Make sure not to screw too deep otherwise you may puncture the table top and expose a sharp screw tip. This can be potentially dangerous.

Once finished, I choose to stain the base. I used a provincial wood stain and placed two coats letting them dry for a day in between coats. After this you will want to protect the stain. You can use either tung oil or some kind of wax to finish it off.

For the table top, I applied two thin coats of tung oil. I prefer to use tung oil on maple since it makes the grain pop as well as make the wood stronger than other finishes would. I used a 400 grit buffing pad to give it a matte finish.

For even more strength and durability, I added 3D printed corner protectors and brackets to secure the top to the base on the ends. This makes it easier to carry and stronger. Since the table is so large, The corner protectors protect the wood from being damaged.