If you’re a budding home woodworker, you probably already know how important it is to have a table saw workbench.
Unfortunately, buying a good-quality pre-made workbench can be expensive, thus making it an unfavorable option for many woodworking enthusiasts.
However, building a workbench is highly cost-effective, and can cost as little as $70-80, sometimes. To help you out, we’ve listed down 17 DIY table saw workbench ideas for your backyard.
1. Mobile Workbench Plan
Not only is this workbench sturdy and sleek, but also mobile. With four wheels attached to each one of its’ legs, it is easy to move around when needed.
Moreover, if you are looking for a modular set of benches, you can build more than one bench to fit your needs. This plan is moderately difficult and has used birch plywood as the main material. Lastly, it even helps you in economizing on time and money.
2. Ana White Workbench Plan
This 2×5 workbench made using plywood and a biscuit joiner is essential if you are upgrading your woodworking tool collection. An important tip to remember while building it is to start from the ground up rather than the top. A few additional suggestions for this plan are:
- Always use straight boards
- Predrill holes before attaching screws
- Use glue combined with finish nails – helps in a firmer hold
- Wipe off excess glue to avoid stains
- Fill holes in the wood with wood filler
For increased convenience, you can even add an outfeed roller using a PVC pipe. However, since this plan drifts toward convenience and not portability, it might not be a favorable plan for many varying DIY professionals.
3. Table Saw Workbench with Wood Storage
This purple workbench is not only attractive to look at, but also makes a great option when you’re trying to economize on space. Not to mention, this plan helps you build it under just $70-80, through the materials listed. Also, the two beams on both sides of the shelf allow you to place a dust bag under the table saw. Say goodbye to messy woodworking stations.
If you want additional wood storage, you can add a pegboard to the back of your workbench using a hammer and some nails. For portability purposes, caster wheels were attached to the bottom of this workbench, following which it was painted purple.
Keep in mind, this simple design is cost-effective, self-explanatory, and well detailed too.
4. Large Workbench and Outfeed Table
If space is not a problem, and you are looking for a large-sized table, this plan is your answer. With a 4 feet width and 8 feet length, it can fit a full sheet of plywood on it.
Fret not, since its large size does not make the plan difficult to follow. Made using basic tools, studs, and three sheets of plywood, this table can even be built by a woodworking beginner. What’s more is that this outfeed table has a few different features that many others don’t. A few of these features are:
- A shallow shelf to store your tools and materials
- Magnetic strips to hold drill bits, screws, and other miscellaneous woodworking objects
- Locking swivel casters, making it portable
A vital tip to remember while making this table is to use a circular saw and to mount the casters before adding the extra shelves. The best part is that not only does it serve as a workbench, but even as an outfeed table, and works great for a larger garage organization.
5. Easy Portable Workbench
Making a workbench might seem time-taking and daunting, but not if you have the right plan. To illustrate, this plan builds one under half an hour, using only $75.
Coupled with its ability to economize on material, this plan allows you to make another workbench using the half sheet of MDF left. All you would need additionally are a few more studs and four casters.
Furthermore, using MDF as a top surface makes it easy to move around your in-progress project on the table. In case you do not have MDF available, you could substitute it with plywood too.
Lastly, if you are looking for something bigger, you can make two of these tables and attach them together using a stand.
6. DIY Kids’ Workbench
A workbench doesn’t have to be for serious, woodworking adults. And this plan proves that. Made to serve as a workstation for kids, it is the perfect tool to prepare your future DIYers and woodworkers. Not only does it serve as a playroom ornament, but it can be used as a fully functional workbench as well.
The height of this workbench is 24” and it has a shelf with an integrated lid to store all the tools neatly. Similarly, even the grid of the pegboard on the table makes a great way to store your tools. In addition to the shelves, it has two small hidden pocket hole joinery, increasing the aesthetic appeal of this workbench.
All in all, this is a fun plan, that can be taken up over the weekend. DIYing families can even involve their kids with the building process of their little workstations.
7. Fold-Down Workbench
Different from most other plans, this allows you to build a workbench that is attached to the wall and can be folded. Thus, making it a recommended plan for people with smaller spaces.
It will you take around 2 hours to build this table saw workbench and around $50 for the materials. Moreover, even when folded towards the wall, you can use it as a shelf to store your tools.
With moderate woodworking skills required, this plan is great if you aren’t looking for a big workstation.
8. Workbench with Storage Boxes
Serving the dual purpose of being a workbench and an outfeed table, this workstation is great for medium-sized spaces. Together with its’ drawers as storage units, this bench makes woodworking convenient, by keeping all your tools organized. What’s even better is that the drawers open on both sides, making it hassle-free to move around while working.
The main material used for making it is plywood, while the drawer handles are made using solid oak. Contrastingly, the top surface is made using an old door.
9. Heavy Duty Workbench
This project is simple, and the design works for a workbench as well as sturdy storage shelves in a basement or garage. While this is a two-shelf bench, the design can be easily modified for three or four-shelf models.
The main goal behind each workbench is to get an inexpensive, free-standing, movable table. Additionally, it is made to support a lot of weight, as much as 400 lbs, with no perceptible deflection along the upper shelf. The lower shelf is intended to store tools (where deflection issues are less important), and the upper shelf for a combination of storage and workspace (where deflection issues are more important).
The plan creator spent a little over $120 and 3 hours to achieve this masterpiece. Thus, although pricey, the end product is a sure woodworking marvel.
10. Table Saw Workbench for Apartments
Having a workbench in an apartment can be a little challenging because:
- There is very little space
- Workbenches tend to be unsightly and may have odors
- Working on them creates noise
Thankfully, this plan has come up with a table that solves all those problems. Made using cedar, it acts as a storage facility and an expandable workbench. Using cedarwood helped with the odors, and getting an appealing look. However, cedar can be expensive as compared to plywood.
Furthermore, this bench has a modular section that can be pulled out for quick access to tools. Not to mention, this modular section can easily be removed and put away when you are entertaining guests. This space-saving design is apt for anyone living in an apartment.
11. Family Handyman Workbench
It is important to have an extremely sturdy workbench if you work with heavy-duty machinery like a V-8 engine. Fortunately, this plan is made to build a sturdy, tough workbench that will last for decades. Hence, solving that problem.
Of course, its cost-effectiveness and simplicity are two other things that make this plan attractive. Costing around $51-100 to build, this workbench only has one demerit. And that is the amount of time it takes to build it- an entire day.
However, by devoting one day to it, you get a workbench that is:
- Easy to navigate across for a beginner
- Strong enough to hold a V-8
- Tough enough to last a lifetime
Moreover, it has a video tutorial to guide you through the process.
12. Closet Workbench
As the name suggests, this table saw workbench was built using a scrap closet. The author of the plan used his closet with metal shelves and hangers to build a new floating shelf that works perfectly as a workbench.
The only materials you need are a 2”x4” frame, a few studs, and basic woodworking tools. Also, if you do not have a scrap closet you could try it with a similar space like the laundry room or your balcony.
13. Modular Workbench
If you’re short on space, but want all the features a workbench should ideally have, this may be just the plan for you!
Accommodating five foldout features, this bench works really well for garages or other smaller spaces. It consists of a work table that can be easily folded out, a table saw stand that can be rolled out, and a table for the miter box. This comes with the added perk of ample storage drawers, pegboards, and drawers.
Luckily, it is convenient to build and requires some basic tools like a cordless drill, circular saw, hammer, miter saw, etc. Also, this bench layout lets you quickly fold out, slide out and pivot into position all the tools and work areas you need. It has tons of storage space on a lower shelf, in the bench roll-out drawers, inside the upper utility cabinets, and on pegboards.
Best of all, the workbench is cheap and long-lasting. Do not get intimidated by its 16 feet length, on the positive side, this could be used to transfer all materials from the lumberyard to your workstation in one trip.
14. Table Saw Workbench
This is a simple plan for making a table saw workbench, along with a router, all in one. There are many benefits of creating a workbench like this, but the primary benefit of this is that it looks simply amazing and professional!
Besides the aesthetic appeal of this bench, it’s also a quite handy piece of equipment to own. It has a 1 ½” thick tabletop, caster wheels, legroom for sitting and working, dust collection area, and a T-Track system.
The result is impressive, and the process is not particularly complicated – making it a great project for amateur DIYers. The only downside is that it takes around three days to build and is a little more expensive as compared to other plans.
15. 3-in-1 Multipurpose Workbench
This 3-in-1 multipurpose workbench is one of the most unique and challenging plans. However, it is due to those reasons that this workbench has more functionality than any other. That’s because it incorporates a table saw, a router table, and an inverted jigsaw, all in one structure.
The video tutorial attached with the plan will help you through the process, in case you struggle. Keep in mind, this plan is not suitable for beginners and may take a month to finish. But, the end product is worth the time and the hard work.
This plan has three types of saws in one table and has also incorporated an integrated sawdust collection system. The entire setup is connected through wires, and so everything can be controlled from the comfort of your work table. If you are an experienced DIYer, we definitely recommend you to take up this plan!
16. Portable Workbench with Storage
This plan makes the best out of space optimization by adding shelves on each side of the workbench. The side shelves work well for storing smaller items like paint cans, brushes, and screwdrivers. While the space under the workbench is apt for storing bigger items.
What’s more is that this table saw workbench even has carter wheels, making it effortless to move around. This is what makes it a convenient tool to have. Taking up this plan assures you have a table that is portable, and the multiple tools stored in it become portable too.
This plan is supported by pictures, dimensions, and a list of all materials you will need. Not to mention, the complexity level is beginner, thus making it a great option for everyone.
17. Table Saw Stand on Casters
One of the main problems associated with working on table saw workbenches is moving and lifting them. This plan helps solve that problem by using casters instead of plywood, as its main building material.
The concept was to build a three-section system, where there are two columns on the outside, and a shelf in the middle section that the table saw sits on. The two columns sit on the same level as the table portion of the table saw.
With a little customization, the table saw can even be designed to be lowered to the bottom allowing it to be used as a miter saw table. Above all, this table even has a power strip and an extension cord with a storage hook.
Conclusion
A workbench is the most crucial instrument to add to your woodworking collection. Not only does it make DIY tasks simpler to execute, but also helps you to stay organized.
Building a workbench yourself might be difficult without following some DIY workbench plans verified by many woodworkers. Thankfully, we have solved that problem for our favorite people, DIYers. You just need to gather your tools, select a suitable plan and get to work!
Bonus Read: Beautifying your back or front yard is something that will come up once every 3 to 4 years. These 20 mind-blowing backyard beautification ideas should do your nurtured lawn justice.
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