Your garage provides you with a convenient area to get some work done. Of course, you would need to have a workbench in place to provide you with the area where you can do the work that is necessary. If you do not yet have a workbench and have never built one in the past, here is a step-by-step guide which will help you to do so easily.
Measure Carefully – The first thing that you should do is to measure the area where the workbench is going to be built. This will help to give you an idea of the overall size of the workbench which will be right for the area. You can lay one out temporarily using tape on the floor or you may want to cut one out of cardboard to give yourself a three-dimensional idea of how it will fit.
Choose Your Benchtop – One of the most important parts of the workbench is the benchtop. This can be from any type of material but one of the most common and convenient is plywood. Avoid the temptation to save a little bit of money by purchasing thin plywood. It will end up being too flexible for your use. At a minimum, use 1/2 inch plywood and preferably, go with 3/4 inch.
Create the Legs – When the workbench top has been chosen and cut to size, it is time for you to create the legs. These are typically created out of two by fours and you should bolt them together with a brace between each leg to help it remain sturdy. Attach the benchtop to the legs with screws.
Including a Shelf – Every workbench is going to need a shelf. Of course, you can get by without the shelf but you are going to end up lacking at some time or another in storage space for your tools. If you position the brace posts properly on the legs, you will be able to fit the top directly on it and then screw it in the place. If you did not include braces on the legs which would work as a platform for the shelf, you can install them at this time. It will also help to brace up the workbench and make it sturdier.
Sand and Finish – Now that you workbench is in place and is built properly, you can sand it and finish it if desired. Some people are going to let the workbench go natural but if you want it to fit in well with the decor of the garage, a little paint wouldn’t hurt.
Don’t Forget the Pegboard – One item that should not be overlooked is the pegboard. This can be attached behind the workbench or to the legs on the side of the workbench. It is a great place for you to be able to keep your tools, both large and small and to make sure that they are available for you at a moment’s notice. You will find it to be a very handy part of your overall work area.
