Modular Workbench for Beginners 

64 year old beginner that is having fun , I can’t thank you enough for showing this and so grateful for the free plans

That ratchet strap trick was a great idea

Thanks for showing me how to use a ratchet strap to square it up. It’s small details like this that really help us beginners.

I just made these as my first real wood project. I have to say you make it look so easy! Some things I’ve learned from this first project in case there are other complete newbies trying to make this: A. Don’t use Phillips head screws with an impact driver. Seriously just don’t. I bought a full box and kept trying to make it work and it just ended up being a massive headache. Star-head screws all the way. I’m just going to throw out the box of phillips head screws purely out of spite at this point. B. If you modify the design to extend the legs to install kick down casters like I did, you can also install leveling feet which honestly saved my butt because my frame was NOT square, my legs were not the same height, and my garage floor is not level. This allows me to set the height to be the same level as other things also like my table saw.

Bravo for sticking to simple tools an average person's space and budget allow.

The latch clamps -- genius.

Love your channel. Thanks for the plans as well. It’s good to see people like you and Matthew Peach helping people.

I measure diagonals to square as you do. What I really like about this video is you explain how to straighten it out. I never thought of using a strap clamp. I previously used my entire body force to will the things square. Your way is a bit better. Lots of bits better really. Great tips all along the video. Thanks for the nice job.

Finished building this today with your plans, it’s awesome!! I also wanted to build the miter table you made but my girlfriend had a fantastic idea. We built a box for the saw and put it between the two tables connecting them together with a French cleat. I’d post a photo but I can’t in the comments. The saw could be removed and the two tables function just like you showed in your video. It’s so awesome!!

I have a tight workshop and I was thinking of the same idea for workshop tables. I stumbled on your video and you have inspired me to make these tables. I want to take these tables to the next level and make then one with my talbe saw integrated in one and the other as a work table unit with bench dog holes. Thank you for the video.

So glad you showed what to do when it's not square - as I am sure almost everyone watching this video has ran into and something most videos don't show because it's naturally perfect for them. Thank you!

Love the ratchet strap trick! I will definitely be using that in the future

Good idea using the ratchet strap to square it up. And I like the clamps to connect them together. Well played, sir!

Finally!! Everyone says stuff like "measure the diagonals to make sure everything is square". This is the first time I've seem someone say what to do if they are not.

Love the video and plans. I built one table for my son-in-law’s tiny workroom. I was able to build in my shop, disassemble the cross braces and reassemble in his shop. Worked perfectly. This is a solid bench design. I’m thinking double sheets on top to add dog holes. Thank You

Thank you so much for providing the plans and video on this workbench! I have made it as per your plans as well as modifying it for a smaller workbench as well as stands for my saws. I've used the workbench together side by side both directions and also as an outfeed table for my table saw. Super versatile design!!!!

Hi from South Africa. I absolutely loved these workbenches. Going to try it next week.Given that you reach an international audience, have you considered putting the metric equivalent somewhere on the screen? I, for one would really appreciate it. The latch idea is phenomenal. Don't know why no-one thought of it before. Thank you so much. Looking forward to your other videos.

Saw your channel for the very first time. I'm74 and just bought my first compound miter saw so have a lot to learn but am sure enjoying it. Thanks. Love and prayers sent your way.😘

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge and free plans with everyone. Seems everything costs money these days so it's nice to see people still in it to help others out rather than a quick buck. I'm a big fan of a lot of your designs. Take care.

I appreciate your explanations. More so showing the tools and methods of your building. And then working in the beginner fashion. I am a beginner. God Bless. - Jim

I’ve watched at least 50 workbench tutorial videos. Thank you for the free plans and not requiring $5k worth of tools. Subscribed

This is excellent. A lot of the time I look at stuff and go "Yeah, no way could I do that". But this I can do. and will do. I really love this idea. Thanks.

I have downloaded a few different plans from different ppl and I have to say these plans are genuinely the best ones so far! Very clear and easy to understand for literally anyone!

Keep making these builds for tall people. My back thanks you!

I built this pair of solid workbenches with the plans you generously provided. I have a small workshop so they needed to meet multiple purposes. I added T-Track to both units. I also made the tops from 2 layers of 3/4” plywood. On one unit the upper layer is removable, revealing a hole cut through to accommodate the placement of a simple portable router table. I installed an on/off kill switch within reach so I can operate the router without reaching under the workbench. When not in use I can hang the router unit on the wall and reinstall the T-Track top. Works great.😊. I have pix! Thanks again. These benches have transformed my modest workshop

Your work is second to none may God continue to bless you and your family. Bottom line

Rock solid! Seriously, this was excellent. Thank you for sharing such a creative idea in a concise, understandable way.

Funny we’re all on the same page. I’m going to do the same as some others and create separate tables for a miter and my planer. I finished my tables and so happy with this as I finally have workbenches that are mobile. I wish they looked as clean as yours do. But I guess as I do more wood working projects they’ll get better. I don’t have my miter yet, so I cut everything with my circular saw and that created small 16th to 1/8 inch differences no matter how much I tried to clean up the cuts. And I used a speed square and had everything super lined up. I also noticed that for the pocket holes to use the specific kreg flat bottom screw heads. I started blowing out wood with construction deck screws. Lastly, the greatest part of mobility, is I can take my projects out the garage and work on my side yard for messier jobs. Things are killer. Thank you for sharing this👍🏼

As a retired guy just starting out with a new workshop build this is precisely what I need for my small shop. My shop is only 13x13 but the biggest problem is my small door coming into the shop, at 30" I want to be able to move the workbench through the doorway in case I ever need to do so. I just subscribed, as I was very impressed with this easy build. Well done young man ! Cheers...

I’ll go a step further… this video is rock solid! At least this 72 year newbie woodworker thinks so🤗

Great idea for the two separate tables that can clamp together. I'm setting up a tiny workshop in 10x16 shed and these will work great for that! Thank you for posting!

Let me start off with saying this is one of the best / most common sense design ideas yet. This video addresses probably the oldest debate: table size. BTW, I think that was great way to illustrate height of table not being uniform for everyone. I have been wrestling with ideas that would give me flexibility of size. Currently I use 2 old flat surface doors on saw horses, that I can stack or spread out which worked when I built my 84 x 64 book case. I have watched a few videos that talk about size width/depth and everyone has their ideas. But if your not sure or have a variety of projects that would require different sizes, this seems to be best idea yet. Also just as you showed the the 4 tables clamped together with clamps, I was thinking ahead to have some type of latch systems that I have seen to lock together, and not to be disappointed you had already thought of that with the toggle clamps. I also see making one to integrate a flush mounted table saw, router table and maybe others. Not to mention maybe updating from my fixed very over sized miter saw table and maybe building some sort of lowered platform that attaches between 2 of the tables. That being said maybe one (or 2 or more) comments. I think the 4" casters are way over kill. 2" casters are way more than enough in my opinion. I am thinking there is much most people would do that required more than 400 lbs load capacity per table. The other issue is if you work with a lot of hand tools such as hand planers and chisels and sanders Swivel casters can be problematic. While you can lock the wheel it does not prevent the table from moving around with in the 360 degree pivot of the caster. I went to a side mounted wheel that once in place you unlock the wheel so it lowers to the legs. However those may not work with this design since the whole idea is that you connect. Maybe the best alternative I think is that these tables are small and light enough that maybe not use casters at all. Just lift and move or use a tri-dolly swivel caster to move and remove while working on them. Updated: I see that the casters you show seem to lock both wheel and the swivel. I may have to give them a try. That is very important info I see someone going to the local hardware store and buying regular locking casters that only lock wheel.

Great build and thank you for the plans. Might want to mention that 2 1/2” pockets screws go right through the 3/4” plywood though. Gonna try 1 1/2” pocket screws instead.

What a great idea to give a small area multiple uses...ingenuity is a great thing...thanks for sharing your ideas...

Projects like this, presented by someone who clearly loves their craft, give budding diy woodworkers like myself a lot of confidence to tackle the more "scary" projects we'd like to try. in the middle of a complete redesign of my workspace in a long, rectangular stoarage shed right now and these modular benches are exactly what I need in my workspace. MUCH appreciated!

Holy crap I wanna do this! Not even sure how useful they'd be for me but this designs shines with promise. A pair of these might be my first work bench! Thank you!

Love this. I feel like you could build a shorter one in the middle to put your miter saw onto have an infeed and outfeed table. Defnitely could use this in my small shop. Glad I ran across this. Good timeing to since I am about to reorganize my entire shop. Definintely going to subscribe to this channel.

Thank for the great video tutorial, I have just bought the plans, they are truly awesome with the color coding etc. Can't wait to start putting these together in my tiny 10x12 shed

This channel should be called "ROCK SOLID BUILDS"

Disclaimer have I literally zero experience with woodworking and building stuff. A few months ago I made my work table with basically just guessing on how I wanted it to be. It's functional but really not good. I have been watching a ton of work bench/table builds lately and this one is my absolute favorite. I am planning on building this while my wife is on holiday this month and super excited about it. I downloaded your plans and have been making a Lowes shopping list for what I need. Thank you so much for this.

Just downloaded the plans and let me tell you I am so excited to get started. I have been looking for a workbench for a while and you have made the type of workbench I've been looking for. Your plans are great and well laid out for anyone to follow. Thank you.

Oh I have been wanting to replace my fixed 8 foot workbench with something like this for a very long time. Thank you so much for the plan so I don’t have to figure it out myself!

Wait, let me guess, this table is rock solid?

Thanks for the video with some great ideas. Breaking the work areas into modular units is the way to go for me.

This is totally what I need! I think the only change I might make is leveling casters for my uneven floor. I really like the simplicity and it’s totally doable with my skill set! Thanks! Joe

Yes a big thank you to Bear Mountain Builds. I just finished with a set of 3 this afternoon and it was a fun and solid project. I used a pocket hole jig I bought from Harbor Freight and it was excellent and made that part of the prep fast. If i would have had those positional clamps things would have been a lot simpler but i made do with what I had. I also love the strap trick to square that sure makes life easier. lol by my 3rd one everything was perfectly square. My 1st two though needed slight adjustments.. dang learning curve...

What a great video. I've watched several of these trying to figure out how to design my modular benches, but I think you added a few novel ideas on how to keep things looking clean and even. Thanks!

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge for us just starting out.

Thanks for a great easy to understand build, I am using a conex (cargo container) for my permanent shop. Have been having a hard time in deciding the layout for my work bench and miter station. I think you design is quite the ticket. Thanks for a good vid. O btw....lived that young lady popping in and out, added a little humor and pizzazz to your vid....you got a subscriber! Keep them (vids) coming.

Excellent Beginner Woodworking Bench Project. I started like this in 2008 👍

This is a great way to build a sturdy shop table, thanks for providing the plans and keep up the good work!!

65-year old beginner here! Just retired and putting together my very first shop. I will be using your strap clamp idea to add versatility to my 17'x21' brand new shop. Thanks!

Great video and even better plans! I am 6’0” and was hesitant about using the same leg length of your original plans. However, I wanted to modify one of the workbenches into a flip top for my mitre/miter saw. The clearance provided by your original height was perfect for my Bosch! I used 2x6 for the upper horizontal supports to give me the space needed for my flip top bearings & bar and modified the vertical legs mid support to accommodate the wider 2x6. Thanks for the great content and inspiration!

I honestly don't think I've learnt so much from one video before. I think this will be my next project.

Great vid. One question though; I noticed the wheels don’t stay within the frame when they do a 360 swivel. This would cause the wheels to interfere with each other when connecting 2 workbenches and move them around. I do understand that wheels traveling in same direction rotate the same way mostly. But just not all the time.

I didn't even know that I needed modular workbenches, but you have shown me the light! Great video with easy to follow steps for rank amateurs such as I!!

I'm so grateful I came across your channel. The videos are full of the right information, and you have a natural way of communicating to keep us glued to our seats. Keep up the great work.

I had a blast building these benches. Now I have movable workbenches and lots of storage and work space.

Dude! Perfect timing. Just got my first table saw. Love your channel, recently subscribed. You’re killing it! Thanks for the content.

Making one right now. I'm slow though, taking a while. Side frames are done!

This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble ru-vid.comUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!

Ratchet strap to bring into square, brilliant. Learn something new every day. Thanks

I really like how you also demonstrate using the budget friendly method!

Love the modular concept. I am building a work bench, miter saw station and table saw bench that can be bolted together when needed and taken a part for storage. Excellent design!

Just got our new garage built. And this work bench is perfect for me, easy to follow instructions. Thank you. 🤘

I'm a beginner and have been looking for a First Project Work bench build! This will be the ONE!

This is a genius, very diverse design with a lot of modification opportunities. It just needs a shelf between them sitting long way to be a miter saw station (may need to be a bit wider for some saws), and it’s a few modifications away from being a 4’x4’ outfeed table/assembly bench that’d fit perfect in a garage shop. Putting them together in the long configuration and you’ve got a shop desk that could wrap around a corner. You could design almost all your major shop furniture based on this design with some modifications. Well done sir.

This is EXACTLY what I am hoping to build this week or next! Only, I have a supply of 4x4's I may use for the legs. Thank you, now I'm off to watch the video!

These plans are free? Says 3$

You're the goat. I was actually looking to make a modular workbench but I forgot the adjective "modular" and was looking at regular DIY workbenches lol

Yup. This is the one. I sat through many videos and your design fits all the criteria! Excellent video.

I really appreciate how you make these projects look simple…. I am a beginner and just built a 4 tier shelf in my garage watching your video and following your plans… Once I get the garage cleaned up 😂😂 I am building this work bench. Please keep the tutorials coming. They Work!!

I built a smaller version for my DeWalt table saw. Rock solid and handsome.

Lovely video. I learnt something new from you today. I can use a ratchet strap to make a slightly out of square build square while the tops once mounted will hold it square. Thanks and greetings from Jamaica.

Thank you for putting the plans up for FREE! I will definately be using many of your impressive ideas!

Wow, ratchet strap trick to get the frame square blew my mind!

after looking at several different options, this is the one for me! love it that I can make it longer/bigger and move around easily.

Just renovated my basement and I now have a utility workshop area in the unfinished part. I'm going to be using these plans for this type of table. Thank you!

Great idea linking them together like that. I think I will use these as my jointer and planer stations until I need them for a long assembly once in a while

I'm setting-up a small one-car garage shop and these will be perfect. I want 4-feet of outfeed on each side of my miter-saw and still be able to use them as rolling workbenches. I will need to fashion a removable fence for the both benches but I'll figure that part out. Good video, thanks.

Just made these for my garage that doesn’t have much space. Thanks for the plans and the detailed video!

This is the setup I have for my sewing/assembling/cutting table. But made of 3 cabinets. More like Ikea's Kallax but I made 2 other versions/partitions to the Kallax. Can assemble and this assemble fast and easy. *Very Space Saving* 😁😆

I like how you simulate real shopping for the FREE plans 🙃. Thanks for the video and plans!

Clever! Building a new house, need new garage workbench plus feed bench. Voila! Now know how to have both in a small'ish space. Thank you!

As a 67 yr old beginner, I am gathering info to build my own workshop on my property. Nothing elaborate but someplace where I can build the things in my head. Thanks so much for sharing this valuable multifunctional workbench!😊

This is exactly what I needed, but my brain couldn’t come up with it in my own. Best part is that each module could be narrow enough to roll trough a doorway. For those of us without indoor work space who have to take our tools and mess outside Thanks you for this 🤘🏽

Really appreciated you going through the process of correcting out of square! Good build

Excellent work! My mods when I build it: 1.) No pocket squares. Using 90 degree screw attachments instead. 2.) No second shelf. All corners will be reinforced by 3/4" plywood triangles. 3.) No rollers, attaching to wall. Thank you for posting the design and how-to! I'll post my version here when I finish it...starting in about 30 days.

Appreciate the simple but sturdy design since I’m a beginner.

Thank you. I'm impressed

Built these from your plans last year, best thing ever! I actually added a removable miter station so it is a modular miter table as well. Very creative, cheap and very simple. Anyone planning to do this, don't go cheap on the wheels, you will just create more work for yourself in short order...take it from me. ;)

I really like this design. Definitely gonna build it for my "shop". Glad I found your channel

I made these benches and they turned out awesomly!

Love this setup and thx for showing an easy way to square up something that quite perfect. This helps

Great video. It's refreshing to see that some folks know how to transfer weight from the top of the bench to the floor instead of to screws holding the horizontal supports to the legs. Can't wait for the storage drawer build sequel. ;-)

It's a very simple and practical work table. That's a great idea!

Thanks for the awesome videos and the great plans. I had a few of those Toiggle Latch Clamps left so I added a small cut off 2x4 on the inside top rail about the midway point so I now have 3re! THREE configurations: L Shape, 8 foot long, and 4x4 square! All are rock solid!

Just got the free plans for this build, and it was much more than I could have ever hoped for. Thanks! I've got two butcher block tops I bought from Grizzly in Springfield, that I've had around for 10 years. They match your dimensions perfectly! Thanks again!

Built one of these for my son's wood lathe. I didn't use a square to check the angles for a good 90 but everything was super square and solid when put together. Great project and I plan to check out more of your plans soon.

This is brilliant!! Thanks so much for this very informative building and plans.