15 Best Workbench Designs for Small Workshops

by Alexey | Tools Decor Workshop Furniture | Monday, October 11, 2021

Use these workbench projects to build your own in your garage or workshop that you can use to complete all your projects and maybe even give yourself some extra storage space, depending on which workbench you choose.

The workbench projects below vary in skill level, cost of supplies, and the time it will take you to create them. Please see the link for detailed instructions and requirements required for each job.

Modular workbench

This workbench project is ideal if you are short on space. It includes a folding desk, drawers, shelves, cabinets and pegboard. Use step-by-step instructions, a list of tools and materials, and user comments to create this workbench for a small space.

Photography – familyhandyman

Types of workbenches depending on the type of work and available space

Taking into account exactly how the DIY workbench will be used in the garage, you need to select the desired configuration:

• landline or mobile;
• with a fixed, permanent tabletop, or folding;
• with additional shelves/drawers/holders and other storage places or simplified, in the form of a table;
• straight, angular or U-shaped;
• free-standing or mounted near a wall.

Since space is usually not enough, it is better to plan a stationary workbench with your own hands near the wall, and place it in a corner or in the least used place in the garage or workshop.

Important: if the room has windows or a ventilation outlet, a draft is possible - you should not place the workplace in its path, otherwise problems with the back, neck and muscles heated during work are guaranteed.

A mobile folding workbench, made with your own hands from scrap materials, can be kept anywhere, and can be pulled out to a suitable place during use.

Before selecting a specific model and choosing its dimensions, it is advisable to estimate the amount of equipment and tools you already have or are planning to purchase - it is better to make a workplace “for growth” than to suffer in trying to attach additional devices to already crowded shelves.

Workbench with rotating tabletop

Check out this workbench with drawers and shelves. And the workbench's rotating center section gives you a dual platform for benchtop tools.

Photography – familyhandyman

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Assembling a workbench for the garage with your own hands

You can make a garage table with your own hands if you follow the basic recommendations. The whole process can be divided into just a few steps:

1. The existing material is being cut. A pipe and a steel angle can be used to form a supporting structure. A garage workbench with a metal frame can withstand significant impact.
2. In order for the mechanic’s workbench to have the required dimensions, it is necessary to change the dimensions according to the drawings.
3. You can start work by making a power frame. To begin with, a load-bearing element is created, on which another load-bearing element is installed on top, onto which a steel sheet is fixed. You can weld a workbench yourself using a welding preparation.
4. The load-bearing element is additionally reinforced with steel pipes. They act as stiffeners.
5. The table for metalwork is installed on legs. This structural element is also welded to the base. The recommended length of the elements used is about 900 mm. Power jumpers are welded between the legs. They can significantly increase the rigidity and stability of the mechanism.
6. After creating the supporting element, you can begin to create boxes in which tools and parts will be stored. A DIY garage table is made for specific tasks. The number of boxes and their sizes may vary significantly. To create this element, a steel pipe is used. The frame of the boxes is reinforced with a metal channel, which becomes stiffening ribs.
7. The next step is to make a supporting frame that is suitable for creating a tabletop. The frame must be very strong, since it will bear a high load. Due to the use of a thick metal pipe, the workbench is durable and reliable.
8. After creating the supporting structure, it is further strengthened. To do this, the brackets are welded to the sides. Holes are drilled in the middle of each bracket, which are used to attach the back and other walls.
9. Boxes may have plywood walls. Due to this, the workbench becomes lighter. The sides are secured using self-tapping screws. It is recommended to create boxes of various sizes, thereby significantly expanding the functionality of the device. There are various options for the location of drawers on the Internet; the most suitable option is selected depending on your preferences.
10. Holes are created on the inside of the structure to fix the guides along which the boxes will move.
11. In this case, a board is used to make the table. It is placed on a previously prepared frame, where it is then fixed. Often a metal plate is placed on top of the wood planks to protect the wood from the elements.
12. All seams should be thoroughly cleaned. A grinding machine and a file can be used for this. If there are untreated seams, there is a high risk of injury. When processing seams, problems may arise associated with the appearance of cracks and other defects.
13. The surface of the wood used must be well sanded. This creates a flat surface that is ideal for placing the steel sheet. Wooden sheets must be fastened securely, otherwise, when a load is applied, the sheet will move or sag.
14. Fastening the metal sheet should be done using hidden screws. This is due to the fact that welding work can cause the previously used wood to ignite. The sheet used must be painted on both sides, due to which the service life of the workbench is significantly increased.
15. Recently, schemes that allow you to change the height of a certain part of the structure have become very popular. The height of the workbench in the garage is selected taking into account what kind of work will be carried out.

Editor's Choice

BLACK+DECKER WM301-XJ (from 3000 rubles)

BLACK+DECKER WM301-XJ.
Photo: yandex.market.ru The American brand of tools opens a rating of the best workbenches presented in 2022. Although the tool was made in China, buyers still speak warmly about the quality of the product. The series is called Workmate, which translates from English as “partner.” One of the main advantages of this carpentry table is its folding design. This is convenient to store, transport and take out as needed. The body has levers that increase the compression force of the vice. The base is made of steel. The legs have rubber pads to prevent slipping. Available settings for vices and stops so that workpieces of various shapes can be mounted on the work surface. The table top is made of bamboo plywood. This is a significant advantage compared to competitors, who often resort to crumbling chipboard.

Characteristics:

Bamboo work surface
Labor-intensive to assemble the first time you use it

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KETER 17182239 (from 10.7 thousand rubles)

KETER 17182239. Photo: yandex.market.ru
Professional tool for the master. This participant in the ranking of the best workbenches of 2022 is assembled in Israel. The company specializes in plastic products for various purposes. This workbench is made of polypropylene. Although the tool is foldable, when unfolded it turns into a full-fledged workplace without any amendments and reservations that have to be made when we are talking about mobile tools. The surface can withstand workpieces or tools weighing up to 453 kilograms. So you can work not only with large wooden beams, but also with metal. Some may not like that it is not made of wood. But objectively speaking, plastic is much stronger than even bamboo plywood or MDF. Plus, you can safely put it outside and forget it, without fear of weather vagaries.

Characteristics:

Components: legs, tabletop, clamp.

Huge work area

The quality of the plastic could be better

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RYOBI RWB03 (from 7200 rubles)

RYOBI RWB03.
Photo: yandex.market.ru If you are looking for the best steel workbench, then this sample is a clear leader in 2022. Its design is similar to other mobile tools, but the materials are much stronger. All components are made of steel. However, this also affected the weight: if workbenches with wooden tabletops weigh on average 6-8 kilos, then this one reaches 12.5. Although the maximum load here is a standard hundred square meters. Although in the reviews there are mentions that this or that element was bent after use, next to them there is always a remark in the spirit of “stood on it with your foot” or threw a thick steel sheet over it. You need to understand that this is not an industrial tool, but still a compact assistant. The frame elements are securely connected with fasteners. The tabletop is fixed not in three classic positions, but in four - 0, 25, 50 and 80 degrees. The clamping system is sliding. This allows you to work with different types of workpieces. The height is adjustable, which not all workbenches have. This has seven positions, which are quite enough for masters.

Characteristics:

Height adjustment possible.

Wide range of adjustment options

Weight

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What to look for when choosing a workbench

Workbench view

They can be designed for plumbing or carpentry work, have a folding or one-piece design.

Dimensions

Considering the limited size of the garage and the dimensions of the car located in it, when choosing, you should pay attention to the compactness of the product. It should not interfere with the vehicle’s entry into the interior space, and should also allow various repair operations to be carried out comfortably.

Workbench design

If the owner of the garage often deals with various types of repairs, not just the car, he is a jack of all trades, then he needs to select a multifunctional device. The industry produces two-, three-, four-pedestal versions of such tables.

The workbench should have many drawers; on the back there may be a screen on which a large number of shelves or hooks for tools and other necessary things can be placed.

For a car enthusiast who does repairs once in a while, an inexpensive single-pedestal model with a minimum of auxiliary cells will be suitable.

When choosing such products, its future owner should pay attention to the stability and strength of the product, taking into account the significant weight of the tool placed in it, as well as the expected loads on the surface.

Review of the advanced version of the workbench - PRO-2

The new version of the folding workbench is made taking into account the wishes, comments and needs of door installers, furniture makers and everyone who has to do work outside.

Installing a milling machine using an insert.

What's new in the PRO-2 version:

1. Availability of a second insert for the router;
2. Two more rulers have been added (universal, transformable to fit a cutter);
3. Added paired tracks: some for rulers, others for stands;
4. Instead of a slotted tenon, a slider is used, which is ideal for these tracks. For reliability, it is fixed with a thumb, thanks to which it does not dangle during operation;
5. The inserts are universal, each master rotates them as it suits him;
6. A longitudinal track has been introduced, it is used for the carriage; installation at a certain degree makes it possible to run a large number of parts;
7. The router and circular saw are mounted quickly: just screw in four screws and that’s it - the tool is ready for use;
8. The machine is equipped with stands that are inserted into T-tracks and become a third hand for the master, supporting the workpiece;
9. The legs are equipped with adjustable footrests to level the table on uneven floors.

The changes made significantly improve the quality and increase the speed of work.

Installation of the expander

Useful tips for door installers and finishing craftsmen

If the end supports do not fit the saw, they are cut to fit the height of the bed. They are specially made higher by the manufacturer.

If there is no groove in the box timbers, one of the functions of the router will make the groove larger, wider. If you install a circular saw, you can make a cut even if it is not in the box.

On a folding workbench, you can not only cut the door frame, but also assemble it. If you use a table extender, you won't have to crawl on the floor. All work is performed standing, in a comfortable position.

At the final stage of door installation, you have to work with a large number of parts. In this case, it is convenient to move the circular table to the center of the table, lay out a pack of platbands next to it - 20-30 pieces, and immediately work with them. There is no need to move away, saw off and perform other operations in different places - everything is done in one place. This arrangement of material also has a positive effect on the mood of customers. They no longer fear for the safety of their floors, wallpaper, and furniture.

How to quickly and easily trim trim and other parts without leaving the table.

The compactness and mobility of the PRO (PRO-2) workbench designs, combined with stability, contribute to the quick and productive organization of the workspace. Simplicity and ease of installation, the presence of basic and additional devices facilitate the work of the master, who directs all his attention to performing specific tasks, without being distracted by annoying little things.

If you are interested in these products, I recommend taking a closer look at the assortment of the Isaev.Market store - there is plenty to choose from. A video review of the workbenches can be viewed on Mikhail Isaev’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6IAm-PCF1ZQnxFAYPJMSw

BISON Master M3 (38725)

Another compact folding workbench in our TOP is ZUBR Master M3 model 38725.

Its tabletop consists of a static and a moving part, fixed by two rotating handles. It has a thickness of 18 mm and a length of 605 mm. And its width can be adjusted in the range from 240 to 350 mm. The tabletop is made of MDF panel and for ease of use it is equipped with holes and clamps for workpieces of any shape. They are made of plastic, so they will not damage the workpieces when clamping them.

Thanks to the folding frame, this workbench is easy to store and transport. It will not take up much space in the car if you need to transfer it to a new place of work. And in a country house or apartment, such a workbench can easily fit next to a wall or on a rack. It is also worth noting that the frame of this workbench is very durable, which allows it to withstand loads of up to 150 kg. At the same time, the workbench itself weighs a little more than 6 kg. so you won't have any problems moving it.

Overall, an excellent compact workbench that will come in handy in the workshop. garage, country house or home.

• Dimensions: 605 x 640 x 785 mm.
• Table width: 240 – 350 mm.
• Max. load: 150 kg.
• Materials: aluminum/MDF.
• Foldable design.
• 4 clamps.
• Weight: 6.3 kg

Materials and tools

As previously noted, if you wish, you can make a workbench with your own hands. The workbench can be made from a corner or from a profile pipe, it all depends on the specific drawing.

Necessary tools for assembly and processing of materials used:

1. Level. In order for the work carried out to be accurate, the device must be positioned horizontally.
2. Metal processing is performed with a standard grinder. This tool will also be needed for grinding the surface, for which it is enough to replace the disk.
3. The connection of all elements is carried out using a welding machine. The welding seam is characterized by high rigidity and reliability. Today, welding is used extremely often, since many people can purchase a compact welding machine.
4. A tape measure or a rigid ruler can be used for measurement. It is important to observe all dimensions, since its stability and other performance qualities depend on the accuracy of the design.
5. Some elements can be connected using a screwdriver. Metal screws are used for connections.
6. In some cases, several sheets of plywood are required to create a workbench. You can change the shape by using an electric jigsaw.
7. A drill is also required to work with materials. It allows you to obtain the required holes in metal and wood.

The required materials are as follows:

1. The main material used is steel angle. The wall thickness should be 4 mm, due to which the structure is highly resistant to mechanical stress.
2. Square pipe 60 mm by 40 mm. The thickness of the metal used is 2 mm.
3. A corner that measures 40 mm by 40 mm.
4. Steel strip with a thickness of 4 mm and the required size to create a tabletop.
5. A steel sheet of small thickness, which is required to create the sides of the structure.
6. Wooden boards to create a shelving unit.
7. Plywood, which is used to create boxes.
8. Screws for fixing detachable elements.
9. High strength guides for drawers.
10. Paint that is used to protect wood and metal.

Functional workbench

After finding everything you need, you can begin the actual work. It is worth considering that the materials in question are suitable for creating a structure that is quite impressive in size. Due to its large dimensions, a vice can be placed on one side of the bench and tools on the other.

Purpose

A folding carpentry workbench makes it possible to work with different materials at one table, while saving space in the room. The main purpose of the design is to perform work at home or in a small workshop. A distinctive feature of workbenches is their compact parameters and cost.

The structures act as a support for light machines and power tools, and the combination of a work table and a vice allows for carpentry work that is unacceptable when fixing workpieces with one hand.

Despite the high requirements, the structure does not have to be stationary. The consumer is offered a folding or mobile version, as well as models with rollers at the base.

Modern types of workbenches are as follows:

1. For working with metal parts. The structures are extremely durable due to the fact that they themselves are made of metal. Able to withstand significant weight loads, which is especially important when working with metal components.
2. Universal workbench for woodworking. Used for planing, sawing, drilling, etc. wooden elements. You can work with countertops, parquet, make stools, benches, etc.
3. For sawing tiles and glass. Used for shaped cutting, shaping tile sizes, etc. Some models contain stencils for cutting elements from glass and ceramics.
4. Universal workbenches. Folding mechanisms consist of a bench made of durable steel and a cover made of MDF. The rotary table allows you to make angled cuts. It is characterized by low weight and small dimensions.

Multifunctional carpentry folding workbenches must have high wear resistance, withstand mechanical loads, contact with liquid solutions and atmospheric influences.

When folded, the home workbench is compact and easily portable, which allows you to hide it from prying eyes if necessary. At the same time, it unfolds just as quickly and effortlessly.