A garage workbench is an essential piece of gear in any home workshop. A workbench will allow you to complete projects very easily and with greater accuracy. A variety of pre made workbenches are available to fit your needs. If you prefer, you can make your own workbench, either with a kit or from a plan.
Choosing a garage workbench
Workbenches are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Benches are great for woodworking, crafts and other household projects. You can purchase a bench at most home improvement stores. Another option is to build your own bench. You can find plans in books and on the internet with instructions to create the perfect bench to suit your needs.
A table style workbench is made of heavy duty materials to stand up to regular use. Most models have a hardwood top with metal legs. Table tops may also be made of steel. These resemble a typical table shape with nothing underneath.
Cabinet style benches have drawers or cabinets in the space under the table top. This is great for utilizing normally wasted space. This method allows for additional storage space. Some have a pegboard backing that is ideal for hanging hand tools. You won’t need to dig through drawers or a tool box to find what you need.
A power strip bench is a good choice if you use power tools often. These come with up to nine outlets in a strip with a heavy duty power cord. They also have current protection to prevent overload. These can be either six or eight foot benches. Some have a tool caddy to hold smaller tools.
Build Your Own Workbench
Consider building your own bench to get exactly what you want. Kits are available with everything you need to create your bench. Instructions and materials are included with the kit. With this method, you will be limited to the kit’s design. The benefit is that all pieces are pre cut. You won’t need to worry about uneven cuts.
You can build your own bench and purchase all the materials. This method is a little more complicated, but you have more control about the final outcome. Free workbench plans are available on the internet with detailed instructions that you should follow. Cut the plywood according to the directions and be sure to make your cuts straight.
For best results, choose good quality solid wood, oak or a hardwood plywood is an excellent choice. Use several coats of polyurethane to protect the top of the bench. Be sure to sand between each coat. A good urethane coating makes messes easier to clean up when working on projects later.
Organizing and Making Room in your Garage
You will need to organize your garage and create storage space to make room for workbenches. Determine what you need to store. Start with a good clean out and get rid of things you don’t need. Throw away old paint and other junk. Give away or donate old items, tools or other things that are too good to throw away, but that you don’t need any more.
The walls of your garage offer great opportunities for storage space. Cabinets are great for organizing clutter. High cabinets are good for storing chemicals and paints. Sharp items can be put up high to keep them away from children. Consider locks in case you have young children. Locker cabinets are perfect for larger items. Drawers are good for organizing tools, fishing gear and other small items.
Garage Workbench Inspiration
