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Hotdog I just wanted to point out the hazard of having no vacuum. It's not necessary at the start to have one but still practice body safety by having some ventilation and wear some kind of mask.
It is SO NICE finally having a beginners video. I'm just getting into woodworking, and it's frustrating when every single youtuber is like "we're making a simple workbench today that anybody can do with ease. So, grab your slab of black maple and run it through your jointer and planer. Round off the edges with your table router. Now, pull out your $1200 Festool domino joiner and--"
Pro tip - bring a cart in from the parking lot. My home centers (Lowes and Home Depot both) are horrible about rounding them up and putting them back on the shopping floor. If you don't bring one in, you'll waste a bunch of time looking for one and probably end up heading out to the parking lot to find one. Doesn't happen always, but enough that I bring one in just in case. Same thing applies to garden shopping carts.
Just remember for those who don't know, Sande plywood is from a Sande Tree which is a Central American hardwood (part of the reason it's so expensive at places like Home Depot and Lowes) it's not Sanded plywood :)
Hello Sir Jumbly! I'm nearly 52 years old, and have been working with wood for a hobby and to repair things since I was a child. I've had my modest 16' x 24' shop for over 20 years, but reading your comment regarding Sande wood, I have only one thing to say: Today, I learned. I always assumed that was a typo. I have a saying that I tell people from time to time: "The day you stop learning is the day you start dying." Keep your head up and your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something every single day. Thank you for pointing that out. I didn't start a comment here, but I'll say it anyway, HOT DOG!
Complete list of stuff Actually used to build this... 1. Plywood sheet 2. Circular Saw 3. Foam Board scraps 4. 1 1/2 inch screws 5. Ratchet Straps (or a pickup truck!) 6. Edge guide for Circular Saw 7. Kreg Rip guide 8. Speed Square 9. Small clamps while cutting legs 10. Tape Measure 11. Cordless Drill 12. Pocket Hole Jig (two of them actually) 13. Shop Vac for Dust collection 14. At least 4 bar clamps, about 24 inch long 15. Extension bit for Drill (appears to be 8 inch extension) WOW -- that's a lot of stuff for a bench made "with only a Circular saw and a Drill" !!!
I'm only a few minutes in and I can't tell you how much I appreciate this video (and would love to see more like it). There's a thousand videos on how to build things, but as a newbie woodworker the thing I've struggled with most is literally how do I pick out wood. Starting your video off with the whole process of what to get, and how to get it is honestly so useful.
Hot dog! Thank you for explaining the additional tools and how they work, too! As a beginner, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what is worth splurging on when you don't have a ton of extra cash. This plan is so needed for us who have small spaces and few tools starting out.
If you screw your pocket holes from the outside of the 90, your screw will have more wood to spread the force of any flex to. Screwing on the inside toward the edge reduces the amount of wood reinforcing your screw. Hope that is as clear as mud. Steve Ramsey and Matt Outlaw both have pretty good tutorials on pocket holes. Great video! Thanks for making a video for the new guys!
Thanks for mentioning that everybody makes mistakes, to me it's actually the fun part: you get to learn to avoid certain mistakes (learning process) and how to fix them after (the fun challenge). That's why I'm a big fan of WWMM. Really enjoyed your video. Basic tools, patience and having fun. Thanks man !
Hot dog! I actually like how you showed 4 different ways to join the workbench and how to avoid common mistakes with the splitting wood. Forgive me for skipping the ad, but um, I wasn't the target audience. Go Bucks!
Hotdogs. I really appreciate this video. I have been in construction for years and only have basic tools. Now I'm having some downtime and want to get into cabinetry and furniture. Seeing this gives me some more confidence in the tools I have and not stressing about the ones I don't
HOTDOG, Thank you so much for showing how things can be done, simply and inexpensively. I'm only starting out, and at 65, you've made things easy and understandable.
Hot Dog! Eric... I love this video. 2 things you nailed... 1. You do not need a lot to make things 2. We all make mistakes. I started with a very similar situation as you. I was in the USCG and living in Portland Oregon. We had an outdoort closet and it needed shelves and we could not screw anything into the walls of the closet. So using only a hand saw, drill and screws... I built a 4 shelf unit with 2 x 2s and Plywood. The shelves held the posts into the corners and braces ont the posts held the shelves up. I loved by creative solution... That was more then 25 years ago. I now have a woodshop full of tools... Watching your video brings me back to that time. Your instruction is excellent and ability to build a community is inpriational. Keep up the great work and I will be continuing to follow you! John Hall
Hot dog! This was a brutally honest video. I thought I would give it a go today after watching your video last night. I have all the fancy gear but I thought I would go back to my woodworking roots (no pun intended) and go basic as you did. It was actually so much fun to do something using minimal tools. Well done Mr Spencley. Your video has achieved what you set out for it to do. Hats off to you all the way from Kangaroo Flat, Victoria, Australia.👍🏻
Hot dog! The way you describe each step of the build and show that even with basic tools to make something is wonderful. It is nice to know that even someone who has been woodworking for awhile makes mistakes. I have been woodworking since the beginning of COVID and I find that I only learn and improve from my mistakes. I really appreciate your videos. Thank you!
Hot Dog. I started out as a carpenter in the 70's with basic hand tools in a tool belt and an air compressor in the back seat, a trunk packed to the gills with routers, circular saws, jig saws, drills etc. and a couple hundred feet of extension cord in my 68 Chevelle Malibu going from site to site hustling work. I now have a bunch of antique tools like 1947 a Shop Smith(lathe) a radial arm saw, job site table saw and a boatload of Makita battery tools. Creativity is the key to woodworking and Making. Don't buy something because you see it, buy it because you NEED it. Nothing is perfect and we need to understand the process will never be perfect. The sign of a creator is how to fix mistakes and move on.
Hot Dog you are doing such a good job, not only in what you build but showing people what can be done in a small space if you use a little creative thinking. When I was still able to work I used to build furniture for my home & toys for my children as they came along. Well done mate, cheers, Don from South Aust.
Hot dog. When I had my shop, I actually built my bench and table router in a similar fashion using 2x4s and MDF board. I started with an M18 drill/driver kit and a DeWalt jobsite table saw (both bought on sale) and went to town. I knew there would be a possibility of losing that shop which I did, so when I had to pack up my shop into storage, I left the bench and router table behind, as I was less than $75 in materials for them. Also I recommend Harbor Freights tool stands when they're on sale. I got a bunch of them so I never had to use any tools on the floor.
Hot dog! Great and useful build! Regarding mistakes, my teacher in woodworking school actually had us write down all of our mistakes. Because you really forget them fast when you've solved the problem. After the project we had to go through them and about half way down the list you're like: "how the hell did I even finish this project" xD
Hot dog! I love that you are doing this to help bring new people into the woodworking community. A workbench doesn't need to be made of walnut and maple since it's just going to get beat up anyways. Keep up the great work!
Hot dog! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for this post! I've been working on designing a relatively basic dog crate cover/table using pocket holes - and it basically looks like this workbench without the middle shelf. I'm new to woodworking; so, I didn't want to spend a huge amount of money on tools, but I've been struggling figuring out how to clamp the legs to join the pocket holed legs. I've really enjoyed your videos - and how candid you are about everybody making mistakes. Again, thank you so much!
Hot dog! It’s really encouraging to see someone that lives in Ana apartment still make use of cheap effective spaces, materials, and tools. Makes me want to start my wood shop that much sooner even living in an apartment with only a garage to my name. Thank you, sir!
I have basically the same "truck" and can totally get a sheet of plywood home uncut. Modern vehicle marketing likes to pretend you need tons of dedicated space for every purpose, and you should pay tens of thousands of dollars to be ready for every possibly. But it turns out there's tons of space on the roof. You can tie on directly through the doors using foam or a blanket to protect your paint. Or, what I did, is invest $500ish in a roof rack. Gives exterior tie-on points and a flatish surface, and I'd be more confident if I needed to take the car on the highway (I haven't taken wood out of town, but do routinely take bikes or the canoe). I also got my table saw home this way.
Hot Dog!!! Very nice, simple project, Eric! Your advice to newbie’s that mistakes will always be made is spot-on!! When I started playing golf, I used to get pissed when I hit a poor shot. When I finally realized that, “I’m not good enough to get mad” I had more fun and my game and scoring got much, much better! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Hot dog! Definitely one I will tackle. Just curious why you didn't use any glue. Anyway, I hope you consider doing more videos that add on to the bench, like wheels, drawers, etc. Thanks.
17:57 , since early apprenticeship, I was taught it’s not that a journeyman doesn’t make mistakes, it’s that a journeyman knows how to fix or hide them.
Hot Dog!! Another great video. I'm a big fan of Kreg tools so glad to see you are still working with them after the whole Instagram thing. Tables of that size are good to have at any level of wood working.
The bench turned out fine, but the first part of your video you say that you’re going to build it with two tools and two minutes later you are using your Kreg rip guide. Almost $50 it’s almost half the cost of a cheap drill and saw set. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a good product and I like Kreg stuff. I just think you need to reword your intro.
Hot dog.... Just started watching some of your videos randomly (words community, cheese, and ostrich) this evening. You said it well in this video about some channels having decked out shops and describing their methods with the expensive tool systems. I also enjoyed the fact that you used pocket holes for this bench. I just recently made an entire shelf wall for my living room using pocket holes. Definitely on the starter set of kreg jig at this point. I remember getting the comments from my FIL about them not being strong enough. I also get comments from him now on how well they turned out every time he visits. Definitely had my share of mistakes and goofs during that project. Thank you for showing the real side of the maker process.
Hot Dog, Great starter bench for the first timer. Although I’m past this stage, It’s nice to see someone really showing beginners that it is possible. Keep up the good work.
Pocket holes add at least another couple of steps. I've built a lot of stuff without pocket holes. They're just screw based toe nailing. Spent time working for a local cabinet maker and worked a few years as a carpenter. The house i built for myself in '79 still has the original vinyl siding!
Hotdog! Nice build. New to the sport, I appreciate your detail! If people don’t think it would be strong enough, maybe they don’t realize the strength of 3/4” plywood. I do like the idea of an over sized top though because I end up clamping down workpieces all the time, for jigsaw cuts, sanding, etc. I also like your design because later, you could cut down the legs to serve as an outfeed table.
HOT DOG!!! Wait, was that one word, or two? Just to cover my bases... HOTDOG!!! This is a really great video! Just discovered your channel your video about getting dropped from a certain other platform, but moving on, your videos are GLORIOUS!!! You don't throw around acronyms or jargon that I'd have to have some experience to interpret, etc., and you really do empathize with the noobs like me!!! I think you do a great job of balancing the total noob approach, while still juggling the ADHD of my deep inner child and my need for details! Downloaded this plan, and paid for another plan for a chair! I'm connecting with how you present information here! A new subscriber is born!!!
Hot Dog, Eric! Thanks for continuing to keep it real. You are such an upbeat positive guy. Mistakes are just a part of the figuring it out! Happy Thanksgiving!
I have been doing good but NOT perfect woodwork for about 50 years. I really enjoy your honesty as you present your projects. Also I have learned some things from you as well. Thanks Neil
@@SpencleyDesignCo always like the videos. I wish I could contribute. Just don't have extra funds. I was actually starting to do woodworking but I had some eye issues so had to quit. I lost some vision in one eye. Still have to put tools up for sale. Anyway. Haha. Yes awesome job always.
Hot Dog - Just came across your channel and was really blown away by the honesty of your presentation. Mistakes, oh yeah we all make them and hopefully learn from them. Far too often I like others have the fear of making mistakes and therefore don't attempt a project I really want to get done, or I make a mistake and quit and years later the project is there in the corner of my small shop, laughing at me because it won. I think I'm going to dust them off and get finished. Thank you
Hot Dog, That is a great design for a bench or work table. Very stable and easy to make. I've been using that basic design for 25 + years. Some times when I want to beef it up using 2 x 6's for the legs, 2 x 4's for the top and a full 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. Add casters for a mobile assembly table. Great video for the new wood worker. Thanks for doing it.
Hotdog, that turned out nice. Awesome videos and enjoy shop class. Keeps me inspired and focused on learning the craft and not loading up on tools that I don't need yet, just want lol.
The tool i enjoy the most is a planer and jointer. I bought a budget combined planer/joniter and i will never regret it. Scrap wood is no longer scrap. I am a carpenter and only use scrap from my workplace to build my home furniture.
I really enjoyed this video. Subscribed. I can only add one very minor thing. When ever I haul ANYTHING that's hangs over the the edge of my vehicle, I add a high visible cloth or flagging tape. It's not really required by law in my state until the over hang is longer than 36" supported feet , but better safe than sorry.
"Truck" 🤣 Hot dog, that was a good one! I definitely need to look into getting one of those saw guides, although I noted that my current circular saw is a little loose in its bearings, so it might be with upgrading that, too. Great video! Although I'm not a fan of your video titles. Although this title is covered in the video, it is so brief that it could be considered insignificant. I would have used it as a secondary (parenthetical) title, with something like "Let's get your woodworking/carpentry started with a basic workbench!" or something like that. YMMV.
Hotdog thanks for including oversights / mistakes and alternative methods. Tablesaws are everywhere on RU-vid woodworking channels but nowhere near as common in Europe where homes & garages are smaller, or no garage at all
Flat plywood: If you can find some, take a look at MDO plywood or HDO. Its flat and has a hard wood or fir core plies. It's a favorite of outdoor sign painters because it's stable. The surface feels hard and super smooth like a high pressure laminate but it's a yellowish tan "kraft" color. The heavy version, HDO, is usually 3/4" and is often used as concrete forms.
Hot (diggity) dog - An alternative to cutting wood in the box store parking lot: Look for a local lumberyard/building supply and give them a call. Often their prices and quality are both better, and they deliver! Our local place will drop stuff right in front of my garage with a very reasonable minimum order. Also DO NOT BUY THE CHEAP POCKET HOLE JIG. It is a trap, the next model up is so much better it's shameful. I suffered with that $40 mistake for too long.
Hotdog! You really worried me when you jumped onto the bench! That was a considerable wobble. If I were building it I would have also glued every joint that you screwed. I'd just consider the pocket screws to be like clamps. In fact, I built Steve Ramsey's BMW bench using doubled 2x4's for the legs with half-lap joints, and only used glue; not one screw or nail. It's really sturdy.
Double laminated melamine high density board is a great top for a beginner work bench because it's true. But my favorite thing is taking a sheet of acrylic to make a nice finish work bench. You can hot glue things down and will not rip the acrylic off it's nice and smooth. Nice for building face frames.
I built a pair of patio chairs in the balcony of my apartment with only a miter box, a circular saw and a drill. 13 years later and I still get compliments on those chairs because of their unique look. I now have lots and lots of tools (even though woodworking is just a hobby for me). You don't have to spend a lot for decent tools, and you can find some great deals on used tools. (I bought a planer normally worth $600 for only $200 because the guy selling it couldn't use it anymore (advanced cancer) he had only used it once!. I got some other tools on sale while at the big box store, I didn't necessarily needed that tool that day, but I knew a good deal and I didn't let it pass by, I ended up using those tools a lot. My tool collection grew over the years but I never spend too much at a time yet have enough to start a business if I wanted to. Finally when I was looking for my forever home, one of my requirements was to have a space (or space to build at least a two car garage size shop). that and of course a regular 2 or three car garage for all the vehicles and motorcycles I own, and finally a dedicated room for drums and guitars. The rest was my wife's list (big kitchen, 4 or 5 bedrooms, a pool). We got lucky and found just the place. so it checks all of our requirements, but I am still working full time in the military 2 years before retirement, and I will still have to work after because military retirement is not enough to survive. but just going on the premise of this video, I started with nothing and made great things out very little, if I can do it so can everyone else.
Hot dog! That was so clear and I totally appreciate the steps from picking out materials to finish and the different ways one can accomplish the same results - cuts, butt joints, etc.
Two blocks from the HD? I would have just walked over, bought a sheet, and carried it home with one of those sheet gripper things. Why pay to work out?
Wow!... and "HOT DOG"... You had me glued (no pun intended, or if you prefer, pocket-holed) to your video and laughing at the same time. There are so many things going on at different levels in your video: Woodworking and Testosterone Testing, all at the same time! Who could imagine such a ground breaking thing! Then your easy delivery and presentation with its subtle humor. And last but not least, your workspace. Seriously, though, and speaking of being glued, I noticed you didn't glue any pieces together even though you used pocket holes, so was there any reason you didn't use glue, was it to save costs? (And I can see keeping glue off the top piece would make it easier to replace the top if desired.) Also, and this is something that immediately caught my mind's eye (it has one eye I've learned): You built what looks like a very solid and sturdy worktable out of a single sheet of plywood which is terrific and amazingly efficient. Now I haven't looked at the dimensions yet, but I was a bit nervous about saw KERF. I was thinking that not accounting for the saw blade KERF can throw off the dimensions by the same amount (the KERF amount)... So I was just wondering, did you take into account saw KERF with the dimensions (see my UPDATE below) ? But as that famous Popiel's Pocket Fisherman's commercial would say, "But wait... There's more!", I noticed your work-space was rather constrained... but still functional... Looks like the size of a small garage... So can you elaborate on how you put your workspace together and what's in it (perhaps you have a video on that) ? Overall, I am impressed and entertained by your video and think the project is great! I look forward to your other videos as well. Thanks for the great video and entertainment all at the same time. UPDATE: I reviewed your plans and yes indeed, there is sufficient scrap space for blade KERF (using as much as a 1/8" KERF) as long as cuts are accurate to your dimensions. A very efficient use of an 8 x 4 sheet of plywood, I must say! Great Project ! Great Video and impressive skill with woodworking and the video!
Hotdog. I loved the way you portrayed the Home depot worker. With very rare exceptions you hit the nail right on the head. I especially enjoy dealing with the hostile workers in the electrical section. As an electrical engineer it's always fun to be argued with by these nasty little know it all grumpy creatures. I like to mess with them by asking what kind of power factor I should expect from the electrical load devices on the shelves. I enjoy the 2000 yard stare. Since I pay the electric bill, yes, I'm like my father regarding leaving doors open during the hot and cold seasons, and leaving all the lights on in the house.
Hot Dog! Thanks for this beginner's video, I fit the bill exactly. 61 years old and no experience with working wood. A bench is exactly what I need. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
This does read like a Kreg ad but he’s right. I bought the 520 pocket hole jig and I use 3/4” plywood and it is crazy strong. I do add glue to each of the joints. I repurposed an incredibly heavy duty work table by replacing the “just short enough to break your lower back in five minutes or less” steel legs with “4 inch taller legs that make working an absolute joy to my lower back” table. I used legs just like these. I am starting to think like him about cutting the plywood in the parking lot. I went to 3 different Lowes yesterday to find a store with a running panel saw. I see a cordless circular saw in my immediate future.
Hot Dog - This is extremely similar to the first workbench I ever built (although I used 2x4's for the legs). Another good tip for making long straight cuts with the circular saw is to mark one of the long factory edges on the piece of plywood when you buy it. Then freehand rip that edge off trying to keep the circular saw cutas straight as possible. This will give you an 8ft long straightedge that you can clamp to the plywood to make the rest of the cuts, just make sure you are running the circular saw against the factory edge and it will make extremely straight cuts. I still use this to break down full sheets that are too big to fit into the table saw.
There’s usually room in the Home Depot parking lot to cut down plywood (never tried it though, usually I can track down an employee qualified to use the panel saw in less than an hour). But the Menards parking lot…not a chance.
Hot Dog A Old Cabinetmaker/Carpenter once told me " The difference between a Good Caroenter and a bad one is .... A good one knows how to hide his mistakes "
HOT DOG.. If afrer assembling your bench you go back to Home Depot, you can buy a quaeter sheet of 3/4 inch MDf and a can of Johnson's past wax. Go back home, use the top pf your tablre as a guide and cut the MDF to match. Screw down the MDF on top of the table, at each corner with one screw. Counter sink the sctews if you csn. Now rub on and buff out 2vor 3 coats of wax. You'll have a truly flat top that you can easily change when it gets too dinged and if you spill glue on it, you let it dry and it won't adhere to the top. Good video.
Hotdog ~ Thank you for this video, I used it to make my nice new work bench. It lives on my decking with a plastic sheet over it as I haven't got a garage. I was using an old dinning chair or the floor. Thank you for the tip about splashing out on a more expensive sheet of ply, I got marine ply which resists the damp🤞. It's a shame that I saw this video after I had already built my garden cupboard, which wobbles 🫤 My nice flat work bench is going to be a game changer 🙂
Hot Dog! I'm on a fixed income and when I see all these channels with guys with 5000 dollar dust collection machines and 10 000 dollar table saws I get kind of discouraged from doin anything. I like how your helping people on a realistic level.
That’s so cool you cut the wood in the parking lot. Lol You are fantastic at cutting corners and I admire and am envious of your perseverance of working through small spaces, small car and no truck, working from an apartment and working in heat and cold, I truly tip my hat to you… Actually, I’m not wearing a hat but you get what I mean ….now, please tell me Festool is a sponsor those tools are way over priced and you have a hand tool that cost more than your table saw….and a ton of hotdogs I saw it in the shelf
hot dog. this is a great starter idea. i showed my son who has helped me over the years, but has expressed an interest in "setting up" his own shop. thanks!
Hot Dog These are actually very instructive videos. The "RU-vidrs are liars" title could not be more accurate today, especially when they say something like " is not a sponsor of this video." 🤣
Hot Dog 1st, loved the Ron Swanson clip, hilarious XD 2nd, I live in an apartment so I don't have any real exterior space to work with for cutting. But! I am on the terrace level so I've got the ground nearby. If I'm using a portable bench or something to elevate my wood should I be worried about making sure its level when I make cuts or is stable good enough? 3rd, I was lucky enough to inherit some good tools from my late grandfather who did carpentry as a hobby. One of those is a corded Stehl circular saw. Other than "range" is there any real disadvantage to a corded vs cordless?
Hotdog with catsup! Oh, do I love this video. It is one of the best “been, there and done thats” that I have seen lately. Classy and practical to the nines. The Spencley philosophy works!
hotdog! as a former cabinetmaker and general woodworker, I loved your project and presentation, this was a great project for anyone and very economical as well. Perhaps a sway brace on either side and on the back would help a tad? but it was great, I enjoyed watching, thanks!
I'm surprised the YT Hotdog safety police didn't do cartwheels & backflips over you not adding a red rag on the bag of the wood hanging out of your truck bed. LOL!! Dirty Jersey out again!!!
Hot dog! I love the bench. I built something similar, but with just a little more functionality. I made it so that I could separate the bench in half to be two smaller benches of the exact same height but when stacked on top of each other, they become a small outfeed table for my table saw. I also have a semi-permanent place to put smaller tools as the lower bench now functions as a shelf. When they are separated, they make a nice stand for larger projects such as an arcade cabinet I built for a friend. I didn't have to work down on the floor, but I also didn't have to reach up so high with the project on a standard bench. They also give a larger work area for things like re-painting a garden bench I refurbished a couple years ago. I'd really like to see what you would do to design and build something like this because I'm always interested in seeing how other people overcome the same challenges.
Great video sir! I know you were plugging that Kreg saw guide, but another way to get straight cuts for the rest of this project, is to take that factory edge that you ripped off on that first cut and use the factory edge as a saw guide. (This does require you own two clamps) Again, thanks for your great content.
Cutting the panel in the parking lot is brilliant. I buy the quarter sheet project panels which are twice as expensive per square foot. In the halcyon days of the 90s the panel saws used to work, and getting a sheet cut down for your was pretty standard. Pocket holes screws are great and those jigs are well work it.
Hot Dog! You have given me ideas for my "garage shop". I have a contractor saw as my first large expense and learned about "fence" accuracy. Makes me want another item to make any fabrication easier, computer designing. Make mistakes here instead if on the material purchased ($$$ saved).
I transport 8x4 sheets on roof bars by strapping them to a demountable frame I made from a pair 2x4s to support along the length adapted specifically to clamp to the roof bars and have eyebolts attached for the ratchet straps. I can carry 2 x 3/4 plywood sheets because the cars roof weight is 165lbs and a ¾ ply sheet is 60 lbs
"I'm going to show you how to build this rock solid workbench using only two of the cheapest tools at the home center" Proceeds to buy/use: - plywood - screws - mats - circular saw cutting guide - straps - carpenter square - wood clamps (several varieties) - pocket hole jigs (3 kinds) - drill bits - vacuum Interesting video title.
You can't make me say hotdogs. Great video. I appreciated the point about not needing expensive tools. John at Black Bear Forge said a similar thing, Spend money on power when you finally need it for mass production. Not to make a one off product. Army SE Oregon Ps new sub
built a 26 inch by 7 foot with a 3 inch thick shag bark hickory top for less then you spent. Diy router sled $0.00 made from scraps $9 Ebay spoilboard router bit Diy wood mallet borrowed a stihl ms290 import chainsaw mill $50 $15 Ripping chain $13 set wood chisels and $9 12 inch flush cut saw from Horrible Fright borrowed 20+ year old black decker 1.5 hp router $18 Ebay handplane and $25 26inch crosscut handsaw and $30 in bolts from TSC borrowed old skil 7 1/4 blade cheap set of spade bits to drill the holes. don't take lots of $ if willling to cut tree down and make your own lumber
My mom taught me basic woodworking in the 1970s with a jigsaw, handsaw, a drill, a bit and brace, a sander, a pair of sawhorses, a hammer and nails, and a screwdriver. The nice thing is that all these tools are very portable and get about 60-70% of my woodworking projects done, sometimes 100%. Using hand tools and your senses improves your hand/eye coordination. Even though I own and can use bigger and fancier tools, too, these basic tools are often all I need. You're right about the faster or more repeatable, but I might add that the cheapest tools may not last as long as more expensive versions. That said, treat even the cheap tools well and they should last a lot longer than expected.
Hot dog. When I was working in live theater, we would build 4 ft by 8 ft platforms out of 3/4 inch plywood and 2x4 lumber. The 2x4s created the edge frame just under the 4x8, and a cross piece half way along the 8 ft length, creating two adjoining 4 ft x 4 ft square frames. We used 3 or 4 inch wood screws to hold it all together, though lag bolts would work. The platforms were used at different heights to support a drum kit, a band, or choir singers (8 ppl x 150 lbs each = 1200 lbs). Your table is going to be strong enough for A LOT of projects, don't worry.
While I certainly appreciate the "you can build a workbench with just two tools" tutorials, reality is that there's a ton of woodworking stuff that just isn't possible without a table saw, jointer, planer, etc. I was one of those idiots who fell into that RU-vid trap of "it's so easy to get started!". Actually, it isn't, and I just end up getting incredibly frustrated trying to accomplish even the simplest things without proper tools.
Hotdog! Please hang a bright colored tag on the end of anything hanging out of your "truck bed." Even if you're only a couple blocks from the Home Depot if you hit a red light and somebody slams into you from behind because they couldn't see it, if the wood doesn't kill you then the courts will have you for negligence. Just an FYI
