The "No Skill" DIY Workbench Build – Start Woodworking Series Launch (Class One)
The "No Skill" DIY Workbench Build – Start Woodworking Series Launch (Class One)
Key Points:
– It’s solid with no racking or walking
– Able to work boards on end, edge and face
– Can be build by a “No Skill” beginner
– Costs between $100 & $200
– Doesn’t take long to finish
– Easily repurposed for a lifetime of use
Workbenches and having the tools/skills to build them is a chicken and egg situation for brand new woodworkers. So this bench is the fuse to light up a new hobby or study path. 3-4 simple hand tools that almost all woodworkers use and absolutely no previous skills is all it takes. And at the end of the build not only will you have a lifetime resource of a bench but also gained some skill and confidence plus the foundation tool of the series.
While in this video I used about $200 in both materials and tool acquisition if you have access to a hand saw, screwdriver or drill, tape measure and square plus chose mdf or osb instead of plywood then you could get by with about $100 to finish the bench.
And this is the foundation of an entirely new series at wortheffort. One designed for new woodworkers to start making messes. A skills development series that’ll utilize a very limited set of hand tools (not much money) and a small 10″ band saw. I’m labeling it a “sophomore level” course because it’ll build upon the “Prerequisite Course” which highlighted some basic overall theories of the craft without to many projects.
I hope you’ll build along with us and bring along a friend/student of your own.
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Plans (sketch) – http://wortheffort.com/s/StartWoodworkingBenchSketch.pdf
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Bonus:
The Prerequisite Course Series – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRWjFTaHniqM_evufe3c6qpGjIrmqWgd_
Educator Prompts:
– How does the “platform” used at the end of the video eliminate a bench “walking” in use?
– How does having the wider screw anchors offered by the corner brackets reduce “racking” (the flexing from corner to corner of a piece)?
– Why would you want to pound work over a leg vs the middle of a bench?
Materials Used (links are NOT affilliate):
– Corner Brackets, I believe made by many companies. Here I used
https://www.amazon.com/shop/wortheffort?listId=A5A5HIAMWL4L&ref=idea_share_inf which is a associate page that will send a percentage of your purchase back to wortheffort.
or
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-RTC-18-Gauge-Galvanized-Rigid-Tie-Corner-for-2x-Nominal-Joist-4×4-Nominal-Post-RTC42/100375007?cm_mmc=ecc-_-THD_SHIP_CONFIRMATION-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=W855282525
– Screws I used: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-Strong-Tie-8-x-1-1-4-in-Phillips-Wafer-Head-Strong-Drive-Screw-100-Box-SD8X1-25-R/206101783?cm_mmc=ecc-_-THD_SHIP_CONFIRMATION-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=W855282525
– Alternative Kit using 2×4 instead of 4×4: Simpson WBSK Workbench & Shelving Hardware Kit
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This channel is based on the value for value proposition. We depend upon patrons like you to subsidize our efforts. The time away from the ‘real work’ that pays bills and opportunity loss of time with family are our biggest expenses.
So if you feel these videos and series are of value to you and others please consider shopping and patronizing these sites:
– http://wortheffort.com
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Non-“Affiliate” Amazon list of recommended stuff – https://www.amazon.com/ideas/amzn1.account.AGPTTH2B7QEN6OK4KIJ3ALQ43FSQ/A5A5HIAMWL4L
Thank you teacher
Great video, now that I’m retired have the time. Understood every step, untill that shelf step. Then I put my pen down and got an ice tea. Overall awesome video. Thanks
Great work brother !!!!
Made it to the semantics lesson 1:13 b-bye
I was planning to go to Harbor Freight in the morning to buy a cheap workbenchβ¦ change of plans- headed to Loweβs! Fantastic video and I appreciate the easy to follow presentation.
Thank you, Brother. I followed your video and though, I’m not the bragging type, I think it came out great!
Thanks again!
Subbed, Liked and rang the bell
Watching this less than a year later and my head hurts a the price change on the sheets…
When was this video made ? OSB is around $45 a sheet for !/2 inch ?
there are a ton of really good channels out there,, A Ton.. i never felt anyyy were worth paying for , till now.. you deserve it..
Where did you find those prices on the wood? It’s three times as much here in Texas
Can you please teach us how to make a " dog" table top? What size holes and dowels are needed? How do you know what size dowels with what size drill ( to make the holes)? Thank you!
What is accuries? And furthermore, how can one have no skill in it?
Where did you get the 4 by 4 brackets?
This is a REALLY good video. I learned a LOT. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the world!
I want to make this to throw against the wall in my garage just like you said. And maybe get into woodworking a little as a hobby. Question, I would proudly want to stain it. What would you recommend? Could I even Laqour the top kinda like a bar table?
Thanks for the tutorial. I have power tools to do this job though so no handsawing for me lol. This will be my first work bench want something thats built like a tank that I can do all my projects on and bolt on a vise or small drill press.
Very interesting ! I presumme that the reference of the product is RTC42-1 ?
Tell ya those brackets were pretty fun tracking down but got em. Getting built tomorrow.
I commend you. So many videos out there saying you don’t need power or special tools and you "can" do it with hand tools but you never see it being done…yet you did. Well done, nice video and great explanations.
Please less preamble!
the more i travel through your videos, the more i appreciate you and your way to educate us. I have to make a gift to you. Wishing you the best … Shawn and great thanks. Note: i do have some W.work experience since 10 years but i feel i still learn so much with you. So many excellent infos on each video. Besides, being french, as you articulate well it’s excellent to maintain my english language π
If anyone was wondering how much this costs in 2022, it’s looking to be about ~$275 at Lowe’s.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m watching this tutorial in April 2022 and the price of this wood alone in The Netherlands is 500 euros. That’s without the metal brackets. I really was looking forward to making this, but I’m afraid this is a bit out of budget for a workbench… π Thanks a lot though, for your great tutorial!
Thank you for taking the time to explain what, how and why you are doing. It makes everything so much more clear. Your a real teacher and woodworker. Not just a showman.
Just retired and thought I would like to give woodworking a try. Looked at this video and it seemed daunting. Followed your direction and I thought the workbench came out great. Thanks for posting very instructive videos for us new to the craft.
Thank you! Built this for reloading.
The pieces of iron that bind the wood together, do they have a specific name because they facilitated the bonding of wood well and strong?
34 years old and just starting the wood working journey. Thank you for this lesson!
Hello, thanks for the excellent video! If I’m feeling a bit more ambitious, do you think it would be realistic to skip the strong-ties and use mortise and tenon joints instead?
I couldn’t believe all of the little tips & hints you provided. I started out just watching out of curiosity (because I’ve been a wood worker for 28 years) but your clear way of explaining what I was taking for granted really impressed me
You are amazing! I am glad the algorithm suggested your video. I am now a new subscriber.
What?! 1 hour just passed..! WOW
I didn’t see the length of the video prior watching it and it felt like 10 minutes
Thank you sincerely sir for this rich informative video & thank you for your kindness, humbleness & enthusiasm
this is exactly what I was looking for to start building my workbench
Crazy price differece… Its β¬75 for the plywood, β¬35 for the osb boards, β¬37 for thinner than 4×4 posts (90mmx90mm), β¬11 for similar to 1×4 boards (22mmx100mm) here, allmost quadriple price for the whole project!
Gonna build this for a plant potting station for my girlfriend. Love the instruction!
Great video thanks. I can’t find the supports that go on the 4×4 to hold the 2×4 anywhere. Can you tell me what they are called and where to get them? Thanks!
Excellent DIY video. I’m getting ready to build one in my garage soon. Your video is perfect for me without having to over think it. Thanks!
You are a great American, sir! I’m a beginning woodworker and this is JUST what I needed. Thank you!
What length and type of head should I use on the cross beams and the plywood? Also it took nearly 2 boxes of screws, unless I miss something and didn’t need to screw every whole.
Excellent, thank you
I bet when your having a bad day you just pop open your comment section and breathe in the self esteem!
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Why are you front & center most of the time? The protagonist should be the woodworking processes!
This is a great video. I’m retired now and am really looking forward to building this and learning more from your courses. One question though. I’d like to make the bottom shelf with less depth so that I can sit at the bench when needed. So is it possible to get brackets that would hold 2x4s at 90 degree angles?
So refreshing to see an educator who understands the difference between interactive and passive learning! I know itβs not the focus of this material, but as a βstudentβ I appreciate the expertise your approach is obviously based on. Itβs clear that you came by your abilities through long years of practice and dedication. Thank you for being here, we appreciate it!
After quite awhile wanting to set up a workshop at our new home I am finally getting serious about it. One of the first things I did was tear out the oil soaked poorly constructed workbench that came with the house. Then I KNEW I would be committed because I’d have to build a new one. Yes, it may have been a little easier to keep the old one and use it for constructing the new one, but I just wanted it GONE! I must have watched a hundred "build your own" workbench videos before coming across yours. I have it mostly done. Just have to glue the top. I must say it’s an impressive bench especially for what it costs. I also finished building my first router table this weekend too, a linear rail circular saw guide system is almost done too. Getting excited to really get into some projects I’ve been dreaming about for years! Much of it will surely be done on this workbench. Thank you. π
Well, like many others, I completed my workbench and it is wonderful. On the first cut I was completely out of square and then heard your voice. Most all the other cuts were acceptable and many were square. Thanks for the joy you bring. One question, on your bench, the one you made, how much weight do you think it will support? Thanks again.
Thanks for the great tutorial. I have inherited quite a few wood working tools from my grandfather and with your video I was able to use them to make my first workbench and it looks great and is exactly what I wanted Thanks again. I am looking forwatd to watching and learong ftpm more of your video.
Watching in 2022. I wish the costs were still applicable. Now, weβre at about $300 -$500 for the same project. Itβs insane.
I’m 70 years old and just moved to a new home and am building a workbench in my garage. Your tutorial has given me a lot of info / ideas to incorporate into my build and for future jobs. Thanks a lot and I look forward to watching more of your tutorials to remind me of things I knew but have forgotten over the years..
What are those brackets called and what company makes them
Standing on the platform is an example of Newton’s third law (action and reaction). You are on the vehicle and forces that come from within the vehicle cannot move themselves! Well done!