Workbench Build Video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eamelbdo1tGdhmQ.html

I really like the “what this cost me” subject. It helps me decide if I want to tackle it or how I can make it cost less. I wish more makers would post videos like this. Thanks.

A solid core door and some saw horses, or whatever you can use to achieve level/ preferred height, makes a good workbench for those with limited space or funds.

A quick rule of thumb for benchtop height is that you should be able to set your hands flat on it with your arms at full extension or elbows just slightly flexed without bending down. That means you can do any action you need to do on top of it without bending over -- which is the main cause of back strain. Hence, your actual height matters less than the height of your shoulders and the length of your arms. This can be approximated with height, but not if your arms are very long or a lot of your height is in your neck and head...

For me (and I'm a little surprised this wasn't mentioned, maybe its a given...) the big mistake to avoid is lack of planning. I'm sure (myself included) no one hits it perfect on their first attempt, but I am doing as much research as possible to find what I like and what I don't like. For example, I had not thought of, nor seen in any previous videos the idea to make a storage location for a cross cut sled. Currently I am trying to contemplate how much t-track I need and where to place it I think for now the solution is to add none, but to keep in mind where I think I need it and avoid fasteners in those locations. I'm sure I will figure out quickly where it is needed and where it is not. I also appreciate the surface finishing tip. Great video.

I built a work bench 18 years ago it’s 4x6 and it doubles for my table saw out feed ,it has and open second shelf for sanders, drills, and and my air nailers. The top is 3/4 plywood it has paint glue drippings all over in other words it looks well used. I wanted to replace the top until the Mrs said don’t get rid of the stories everything you’ve build is represented on the bench top you know she’s right.👊🏻

Very nice workbench, and also glad i fond your channal, love your shirt.

The production value of your videos have bee on-point lately.

I like your shirt. God bless you.

So my thoughts - 1) It is a nice bench layout in general. 2) I don't know how you spent that much on the t-track unless you purposefully sought out the most unreasonably expensive t-track out there. I priced out a similarly sized bench build and ended up spending only about a third as much as you for the same amount of t-track. 3) I hate the ambrosia maple. Not just because it's unreasonably expensive but it's just ugly. You pay a king's ransom for what looks like barely finished, beat down, pallet wood. 4) I made my bench that size and realized I was going to run into the same clamping problem during the planning stages so I decided early on to not use clamps. Instead of creating some contraption for the sole sake of clamping the bench together I went with large drawbore mortise and tenon joints. No need to clamp anything. I took time and made sure the mortises and tenons were precisely placed and square and the whole assembly came out square.

I’ve seen the bench in all your newer videos but not this video. $2600.00, that OSB ain’t looking half bad! Lol. Before you mentioned why you committed I was thinking what you said. You having a channel, it’s a great centerpiece and display of your craftsmanship. Not a half bad investment, being you got so many ‘gifts’ lol. Jk. I’m sure it was a fun build (my favorite type is workbenches) bet you had a couple sleepless nights brainstorming on the project. At least that’s how I am. But your wife’s support is awesome and that always helps. I built a smaller one a little over ten years ago, but not for the purpose of assembly necessarily. It was similar to one of the traditional ones you see with the leg vise and wood vise and some drawers, so it was a bit taller. Kinda of common sense but when I was trying to figure out height like you said it’s personal but think about your back. Stand up straight put your arms down by your sides, bend your arms at your elbows out in front of you so they are at 90° with you upper arm. Then I think it was it’s recommended the height of your bench is 4-6” below your fingertips. (I hope that’s right) Anyways need to build another sometime. Always good to see your new vids, keep it up!

Beautiful work branch

Expensive build, but i think it's worth every penny. Looks great

I was into the video until I saw the shirt... Happy YouTubing

Great video with a lot of great advice on how to build a good workbench! Keep up the great work 👊🏻

Wow, that was expensive but it will last a long time. i had not given much thought to leveling a table. Thanks

Thanks again for another great video.

This video was chock full of great advice. When I win the lottery, I will build one just like it. Until then, I will dream. Thanks for the video.

3' floor to top is my preferred height for most work benches

Great video!! Drawing up plans for a much needed workbench in my little shop. Thank you for the content!

No idea how I missed this video for the past month... I always catch Matt's videos when they come out or shortly after. Glad to see this one, had wondered about the overall cost since it is such a nice bench. My wife would have it for a kitchen island!

Just wanted to thank you for all the great information you give. The way you present honest and straight forward information is really hard to find and I just wanted you to know how much it is appreciated. Thanks.

Love the bench.

That is a NICE work bench Thanks for the show

Great insight love the video! Special mention to the great shirt. Love your work.

Great job

Love your T-shirt bro!

Awesome video dude!

Beautiful/useful piece of workshop furniture! Not expensive at all! Your workshop is the/a money-making place of your house. Outfitting it with tools that bring you joy and make you proud is the way to go to keep you inspired and motivated to make more cool projects while taking us, your subscribers, on the journey with you. Thanks!

That bench came out amazing that bench will pay it self off plenty times over. When I purchased my Delta table saw I was kind of in regret spending that money and the next day I had a order come in and paid for it. Great job Matt..

Mate! Gday from down under! This bench is incredible. It's like the last house your ever buy. This is the last bench you'll ever need. Youve done your time on particle board and pine 2 x 4 throw together gear. You know what you need. Me, I have a number of different benches for different work areas. Out here in the bush if your shed isnt bigger than the house you live in then the boys think there is something wrong LOL. At the moment I do all my woodworking on what's known as a Low Roman Bench. Its 8ft x 2ft in your money and only knee high. Being a predominantly hand tool wood worker this bench is great. Its also great as Im a bouncing baby 430lbs and spend most of my time sitting down to work (dont worry I get my 5000 - 6000 steps in each day doing other work). So yeh horses for courses as they say. Cheers

Been wanting to build a work bench for so long, but by December it should be built. Thank you this helps alot👊

Great video Matt. Beautiful work table. Blessing.

i got about 300 bucks to build one from 2x4 and 3 sheets of 3/8 inch plywood. need to build it for outdoor use since i dont have a garage

Enjoyed the video. Nice to see a follow up and discuss some lessons learned. Watched with Fix this build that or Shop Nation. They took a piece of foam, traced the shape of items on the drawer, space according, cut the shape out of the foam, built a tray that fits above the foam to maximize storage capability and capacity in that drawer.

I made 3 2’x4’ benches. I typically use one as an out feed table, one as an assembly table and one to keep things like my sanders and small drill press on. They are all on casters so I can push them all together and lock them in with few clamps, now I a 4’x6’ table for large glue ups or working with full sheets of plywood.

Thank you. I definitely needed this!

One of the problems I have with woodworking is height which cause what I think is called rhomboid pain. I'm 6'2". If my work surface is low I will experience a lot of discomfort in my upper back after a long day. As you said, workbench height is personal.

Hey man love your videos but most of all love the t-shirts you always got on🙏

Omg, im just starting out , but that bench is more than everything I have im the shop. Maybe in time I can have something that nice. Keep up the good work.

Ambrosia maple and walnut in a workbench! Wow. It will be easy for me to do it far cheaper. :) Thanks for another great video.

Great video, thanks for sharing. It is good to see how to avoid common mistakes. I recently finished the main part of my new workbench, I will continue to add on to it like drawers and shelves over time. The bench itself is the same size as yours, but total size is a couple feet longer to incorporate my Kobalt table saw. Mine is way less expensive as yours , but that is because I used 2x4’s for the frame. Only used 3 sheets of plywood. I have to say yours is much nicer than mine.

Great video Matt love the wood choices for your bench really nice table . My work bench is 4x8 on casters with my table saw mitre saw and router built into it. I don’t use it for to put thing together not much room on it for that I use saw horses and a old door for that it works ok lol for now.

Thank you 😃

Nice Jerk reference! Love the channel

Great work bench 👏 incorporating your router in the center 👍

I just saw this video, tying to figure out what kind of bench I want to build.... That bench is beautiful, and has given me some great ideas. That said, I've had similar problems with Watco's Butcher block oil & finish (based on a few recommendations). It's not sticky to the touch, and it does provide a nice layer of fundamental protection....but, dust does seem to stick to it, rather harshly. But, I digress.....great video!

Thanks for the tips. I just built a workbench/outfeed/assembly/router table, and I finished it with Danish Oil... but not the Watco one... I got mine at Lee Valley Tools and I followed the instructions (go figure). They are a little different than the Waco instructions but the finish is absolutely gorgeous! no sticky spots. Keep on inspiring us!

Awesome content as always! Here goes a howdy from Argentina!

Super nice

I love your work bench. I wish I had the room to build something this beautiful. Your router cabinet is boss as well. New to wood working. You and Mrs. 731 are very inspiring and I am blessed to have found your channel. Excited about what you will bring in 2022. Thanks again. Great video.

Great video. I'm in a small shop, so my bench is about 4' x 4', and I'll be adding a 2' x 4' jointer's bench with the same height, giving me an overall bench area of 4' x 6'. My bench holds my table saw, router table, planer (on a flip top), air compressor, and I'll be adding a downdraft table. I have a power outlet on either side for small tools. It is partially plumbed for dust collection, but eventually everything will be plumbed with blast gates so the whole bench has one outlet to connect to my shop Vac. You give many good tips, and I agree with them, having built my own bench. Thanks for the great videos!

I really like my 2x4 workbench like Jay Bates built. However, I HIGHLY recommend you go bigger! Mine is 3'x6' and thought it would be big enough but planning on a 4x8 assembly table similar to your bench here! I need to add a T track on mine and add some drawers on the back side. Since I sit at my bench sometimes I need a place for my knees to fit! :)

I used shellac on my bench, dries perfect and is easily repaired. Super friendly to work with!

Well done. I particularly liked the insight into sloping garage floors and how it affects a workbench. Wishing you all of His blessings.

Thanks for taking time to share your tips/lessons learned. I think it is a great compliment to the workbench build video. I also appreciate the honesty regarding the pricing of the build. That type of information is often not shared. Keep up the great work. 👊

Your work table is sweet. I have mine on casters but my floor is fairly level. It's a 4x8 as well and level with the table saw...which I like but I think the table being a lil lower than the saw would be better. But the clutter is soooo true.🤣🤣😎👍🇺🇲

My workbench is my crosscut sled on my table saw, the end of my melamine router table, or the floor lol.

Cost of the work bench is like most things you buy. If you want something nice that will last it cost more. Nice job on the build Matt and thanks for the transparency on price. Like you said Matt, worth every penny!!!

I was on a budget. Norm Abram's assembly table was a good, economical and simple build. It's basically a hollow core door on legs with a replaceable MDF top over it. The frame is one 4x8 sheet of 3/4" plywood. Mine is 4'x6' and on lift casters. Your explanation of racking due to an uneven garage floor opened my eyes. I will have to check it for level when I move it. Hopefully, I can add drawers underneath later as my budget and time permits. I was using the MDF on two saw horses previous to this build, but as I get older, MDF gets heavier. It was too hard to move it so I could get my truck in the garage at the end of the day.

Love bar clamps, but for workbenches- nothing beats pipe clamps- cause you just get/borrow longer pipes and swap out the clamp hardware, do what you need to do, swap back, return pipes or can always store the pipes almost anywhere, out of the way till next time or until your buddy needs to borrow to build their workbench... or when they're going to build the gas brick BBQ/pizza oven in the backyard... 😃

Def agree with the size bigger is better. I had to kick my work bench base just to get it through my door. Well worth it. I'm not gonna lie I feel a lot better about the cost of my table after watching this. Still probably getting close to a grand for 40"x 6ft

What a great video!! Nice workbench, it fits you and your shop well. I always enjoy your presentations as well. You are honest and straightforward. For me the hardest part is the sizing. Trying to visualize what the use of the bench or table is going to be used for. I built a lathe stand, before I actually used a lathe. Today I would build a very different stand knowing what I know now. Thanks and take care.

There are clamps that fit onto 3/4" pipe. They are the best for long lengths and can be made to custom lengths.

Awesome video. I hope people caught the "Stepbrothers" reference. That was hilarious!

I really consider this more an assembly table than a true workbench. I prefer a "real" workbench to be smaller (in the 3x6' range), with overhangs so you can access all sides easily, reach over it and use any included vises or edges for clamping. As an assembly table, I totally agree and love yours... make it as big as you can to fit the area you have.

Hey Matt! Great work on the workbench! I don't have the space so went and got the mini workbench plans you have available as well as the crosscut sled plans. I couldn't find the jointing jig plans though! Now I'm off to the lumberyard and get myself some woooood!

@731woodworks I’m starting to build this. Not as fancy as yours but 4x4’s for the legs, tubafors for the stringers. I don’t want to purchase 3/4” birch I have about 30 sheets of 1/2” plywood left over from our house build. I was going to double up for the ends , dividers and floor area. That should be ok right. Going to make the drawers out of that too. I have some rough cut cedar and also some nice pallet wood that I will use for the drawer fronts and facings. I post some pics as we go along. Oh. I have a dowel jig is that better for the main fastener or pocket holes.

I Like that work bench, even if u think minor mistakes it’s perfect, nobody’s perfect brother, great work and video. Hey maybe it’s the other twin that made those mistakes ! 🤔

I like your setup. because I have a small single stall garage, I made 2 rolling workbenches 3x2 ft each. one has a opening on the side so I can use it as a desk. I usually use one workbench to build on and when I'm doing bigger projects I will use both together and lock the casters.

Matt, There is an old rule-of-thumb about height of a workbench: Let your arms hang down and the table-top should be at the position of your wrists. That is also 4 hand-spans from the floor. A good "depth" of a workbench is 3 hand-spans. One hand-span being the distance between the tip of your thumb and the tip of your pinky, when you stretch out your fingers. For instance, my hand-span is 25 cm, so my workbench's table-top should be at 1m, the depth would be 75cm and the length about 7 hand-spans (1.75m). -The length and depth, however, depends on usage - maybe you need to make doors for your house and you wish to put the doors on top of the workbench. The above hints are for 'everyday-workbenches' (planing and sawing). When one needs to saw, for instance dovetails, the workpiece needs to be elevated about a hand-span; some prefer having an 'add-on' for the workbench; others, doing a lot of sawing may wish to make a special workbench for that purpose ony - such a workbench does not need to be big, though. Edit: I forgot to mention that those measurements are for hand-tool workbenches that are intended to be placed against the wall. I'd categorize your workbench differently; it's a mixture of an assembly table and a workbench you do not have placed against the table. -So I'd say ... those are things to add to one's considerations. ;) As a standard in Europe, a tabletop is at 95cm, but some people are tall, some are not; the 95cm is an 'average' only.

That's a great looking workbench and you made some great points about what potential problems to avoid. One question though, and please know that I haven't seen the build video yet, but why didn't you cut a shoulder into the posts to accept the rails? That seems like it would have eliminated the squareness issue you pointed out. The outfeed/assembly table that I want to build will be 4 ft wide but I'm vacillating on whether to make it 5 ft or 6 ft long. 5 ft would be more accommodating to my available space but 6 ft would be nice to have and would still be somewhat acceptable. I like your reasoning for making it as big as you can, you may have made up my mind. Lol

Very nice looking bench. What you built is a workbench/assembly table. The purist's workbench is something long and not very deep at all, like 24 or 26 inches, with a face vice and some sort of end vice, for specific reasons. I'm in the middle of building a Ruobo style workbench, but like you, it will also serve as an assembly table. So mine is 30 inches deep with an emphasis on features that facilitate joinery. I do a lot of pocket hole assembly so ways that make that easier are a big part of my bench plan. I think each person's bench should be a reflection of how they work, first and foremost.

Try walrus furniture wax on the top, looks great though . I like & use English Chestnut stain then protect with Walrus wax .

For t-track and similar types of things (e.g., if you need 2020 T-slot extruded aluminum for a project), you should just cut out the middleman. That stuff is coming from China where ever you buy it, so just go to Banggood and buy it. (Downside: Shipped from China, so, it can be weeks to arrive, so, plan ahead!) Amazon does have bundle prices, so do check if you have to get a quantity of it, but it's often cheaper to buy from BG or Amazon depending on sales.

Drawers are the way to go. Also keeps dust out. If the “out of square” is substantial, built cabinet carcasses to to fit into opening.

I made a modified Paulk work/assembly bench that is 6’x4’ and 7” thick. It has cubby holes for putting things inside the bench, and I use these daily. My biggest regret with my bench is the top’s thickness is only 3/4”. I like to use dog holes, but that requires a much thicker top to work well. I resort to using F style clamps with the fixed end retaining pin removed. Still not optimal. I am going to add another layer of 3/4 plywood and redrill a few dog holes in specific locations (far fewer than I originally drilled.) Also I added a 1-1/2” ledge along one land side to have something to clamp on. Would I build my Paulk bench again? Probably not. Stumpy Nubs made a dandy bench from yellow pine that makes more sense for my shop.

Amazing workbench. If you were building it over again, would you use Odie's Oil to finish the top or something else? I am asking with durability and usability in mind.

So much more room for activities!

What size is your shop? What size workbench would you recommend for a 15x22 garage shop

Cool 😎 work bench;! But are you going to make one that will hold all your power tools? Like your isolating sander , planer etc. or maybe 🤔 a flip top bench , table to hold a couple of your machine’s. I am looking to make one for my two sanders the isolating, and belt sander! ! Thanks

An adjustable height bench would be nice. Breaking down plywood it's nice to have it low, when doing other stuff it's nice to have it just above the belt. I don't have such a bench but it sure would be nice.

Just a hint for the next time regarding T Track - consider making your own from wood. It just means an extra 3/4 inch higher on your top board. -Thanks for this and it was well presented cheers

Danish oil expands as it cures, so you have to go back and wipe it down 2-3x afterwards or it becomes tacky on the surface from bleedout.

Definitely a beautiful workbench. What's crazy to me is when you went over the price of the lumber. If walnut was $8.25 where I'm at, my shop would be full of it, even if I didn't need it. 4/4 select walnut is $12.50bf at my hardwood dealer and only goes up as size goes up. What's funny is I can get ambrosia maple, 8/4 for $7bf.

You should take a look at Orange Aluminum for t-track 👍

Where did you get your casters with the feet on them?

Hey Matt, try Walrus Oil instead of Odie’s. I love Odie’s for the smell, but the Furniture Butter by Walrus Oil, in my experience, polymerizes much faster and looks just as good.

Just found your channel, easy sub from Fort Smith

Watching this video now and I understand why you used legs instead of the casters. My new shed will have a new concrete slab that is drawn up to be flat and level. We'll see what happens!

You showed that your assembly table is leveled and tat you use it as an outfeed table. How did you level your table saw?

Hey to avoid NOT having a clamp long enough, invest in 3/4" Bar Clamps. A set of these will run you about $18 bucks at your local HD in Little Rock. IDK how much a 10 piece of 3.4" black iron gas line pipe will run you because I just found already cut up bars for sale. They usually come in 10' sections and usually cost about 20-30 dollars for a length that's 10'. Matt, once you start using these guys, you will become addicted to them. You can make one as long as you like as long as the pipe is that long.

Finish - start with 50/50 Tongue oil mineral spirits, and then if you want to create a danish oil you can add your staying to that same mixture

And how much did you spend on your SawStop? The price must match the functionality of the tool & how much it will be used. Yes, a hefty price tag, but it will make your projects come together better & faster with the storage providing tools close at hand. Beautiful piece of functional art. 👍👍👍 Well done.👍👍👍

Can you put your favorite finishing product over top of the Danish oil so you don't have that dust build up?????

You can use a ratchet strap if you don't have a long enough clamp.

1:11 Those leveling feet are great for temporary use, but I would make some 2 piece angled shims, like what would be used to level kitchen cabinets, only much thicker and nice looking, out of some scrap hardwood to really stabilize the bench. Once you have the height for each leg figured out, mark them, cut, glue&screw them together and slip them under each leg with a bit of glue on the top of the shims to lock them in place. If you wanted to, you could get a bit fancy with them and trim them out to look like casters for furniture legs. 5:50 I know it wouldn't have been a huge amount of savings, but if you had enough walnut left over, you could have made your drawer pulls out of it, and they might have even looked a bit nicer. 6:05 You could have saved a big bunch of $$$$ on your T-track by using generic stuff. I buy my T-track on Amazon for a fraction of the price of Rockler's, and it's very close in color. I also have some generic T-track hold down clamps which are also a fraction of Rockler's prices (also very close in color), and all of Rockler's T-Track accessories fit right into this T-track. I'm sure if you hunted Amazon for T-track accessories, you'd find a bunch that look very much like the expensive stuff, and works every bit as well, for a lot less $$$$. I did buy some Rockler Bench Cookies though, because nobody else makes them in blue. Let me know if you'd like me to share the links for what I have here. Please don't think I'm criticizing or nit-picking your bench. I think it is HANDS DOWN THEEEE FINEST workbench I have ever seen. I just wanted to offer a few tips and money saving options.

I’m just about ready to set up my workshop. Designing and getting ready to build my first ever workbench atm. Thanks for the tips. I’ll be using MDF for the top. Would you still use Odies to treat it?

My first workbench was a square 4x4. It turned out really good but it's not ideal. I'm going to challenge myself and attempt to make your ultimate workbench.

Love the shirt