Workbench Plans and Videos for Sale on the Web

Updated March 18, 2010

Woodworking workbench plans don't have to cost very much. The plans below typically cost $5.95-$9.95 and many of them are directly downloadable online so you can get them quickly. I don't sell plans on this site (or anything else for that matter) and so, I've tried to be carefull in selecting plans that I am familiar with and I think would work well. And, since workbenchdesign.net is not commercial and I'm doing it just for fun, I can be pretty picky. Several of the plans below are from Woodsmith/ShopNotes and as with all their plans are excellently detailed and thought out. Others come from Wood Magazine, some from books and other reliable sources of well done workbench plans.

European Style and Heavy Duty Workbenches
Serious benches for serious woodworking. These are the kind of benches you can build and use for a lifetime. Go for it!
Simple, Easier or Just Special Workbenches
Sometimes money, space and time and face it, intimidation are a factor, so the plans below include a quick-to-build, small and fold up workbenches.
Specialty Workbenches
Your workspace might need more then one bench, or a specialty bench for sharpening or mechanical assembly for example. Included are portable and fold down benches, too.
Other Workbench Plans
Sometimes you just can't find a catagory for everything....

	European Style Workbenches
	Frank Klausz Workbench In the superb Workbench Book by Scott Landis. Frank has built the ultimate Scandinavian workbench. Shoulder vise and wooden screws, this bench is a true masterpiece. You can see photos of the bench here. Buy this essential book and get the complete plans and documentation.
	Fortune/Nelson Workbench A modern hybrid of traditional Scandinavian style and modern techniques. This was an essential design start for my own bench. The plans, photos and documentation are in The Workbench Book. The Nelson technique for framing and mounting a metal tail vise are included as well. A lot of my Workbench 2.0 construction is based on it. Buy this essential book and get the complete plans and everything you need.
	Acorn Cabinet Makers Workbench A modern cabinet makers bench featuring an end vise with two dog strips. This bench used to be sold as a kit and is well covered in the Workbench Book. Now, the plans are available for a very low price.
	Woodsmith Workbench Woodworking Plan A modern European-style workbench that has both a front vise and an innovative and easy to build tail vise. With the interesting details and the easy construction this plan it's a favorite of mine. My neighbor built one last year and it's really nice bench. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	European-style Maple Workbench Woodworking Plan A European-style workbench that includes all the defining features: a strong, heavy base, a hardwood "slab" benchtop, a row of holes for bench dogs that aligns with a special end vise to accommodate almost any workpiece you can imagine. Note in the photo to the left some tools are stored in slots at the backrail of the tool tray. I like this idea. It's a safe place to hold a few temporarily needed chisels and a try a square and so I put one my own Workbench 2.0. Here's a detail Photo. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	European-Style Workbench Cabinet Traditional, European-style workbenches have a lot of open space under the benchtop. Many woodworkers simply add a shelf over the stretchers to create some storage space. But this Workbench Cabinet is designed to maximize the storage capacity of that space. And as an added benefit, when it's full of tools, the cabinet's weight adds strength and stability to the bench. This plan is designed to fit the European workbench plan above, however with a few changes in dimensions, it would work with almost any other European style workbench. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Classic Woodworking Workbench With it's classic cabinet base, this workbench is beautiful to look at and has lots of storage below. This workbench is designed for serious woodworking with a heavy-duty "slab" top, the numerous bench dog holes combined with a metal vise. There's plenty of room to store tools, accessories, or anything else you'd like. Solid frame-and-panel construction, combined with extra stiffening boards mean this cabinet is the perfect foundation for the massive top. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Heavy-Duty Workbench Woodworking Plan A classic Cabinet Maker's Bench. Unlimited clamping options with dog holds on both sides and a Veritas full width end vise. Quick-release Jorgensen vise or other end vise at front. Knock-down hardware makes it easy to tighten up the bench or disassemble the table for moving. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Heavy-Duty Woodworking Shop Cabinets Designed to match the heavy duty workbench above. But the plan is very flexible. Two cabinets in one, actually. Top unit has doors—bottom unit has drawers. Stack them up, set them side by side, or slip them under a workbench. Could be resized for just about any European style bench. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Wood Magazine Workbench Plan Wood Magazine's plan for a very nice bench with a sled base.
	Wood Magazine Traditional Workbench Plan A new plan for a traditional cabinet makers bench with a front vise on the side as well as the end should prove to be very useful for a large number of woodworkers.
	Wood Magazine Basic Bench and Beyond A good basic bench plan with several options so that you can add several interesting features to make it your own.
	Simpler, Easier or Special Workbenches
	Build it in a Weekend Workbench Construction lumber and a weekend's work can produce the most used tool in the shop — a workbench. This one features a base made of 2 x 4's, and a solid-core door for a top. The bottom shelf and the optional drawers add a lot of useful storage. The major difference between this plan and Workbench 1.0 is this one doesn't have an endvise. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Small Workbench This small bench is one I've been wanting to build since I first saw it in ShopNotes a couple of years ago. Now the plans are available for a very low price. Though the bench is small, but very heavy duty. Kind of like a not-so-portable Workmate for serious woodworkers. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Fold-Down Workbench A space-saving fold-down laminated top, tool rack, and plenty of storage in wall-mounted tool cabinets above. What really makes this woodworking plan unique is the heavy-duty benchtop—normally found on stand-alone benches only. If you don't have a lot of room, or if woodworking is part time, this might be an excellent solution. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Drop Leaf Workbench Not everybody has room for a permanent workbech setup. This plan features an expandable bench done in the style of a drop leaf table with a front vise in the center.
	Workhorse Workbench By the editors of Wood Magazine. This plan is for a simple but very sturdy bench that features a front vise. The plan is downloadable, too.
	New Yankee Workshop Bench Norm Abrams from the New Yankee Workshop. Bench Plans for a simple, inexpensive, but clever bench. Interesting tail vise. Video available, too.
	Specialty Workbenches
	Handyman Workbench The laminated MDF work surface is heavy and dead solid, the mortise and tenon joinery in the base will stand up to just about anything, and with the half shelf below and the optional drawers and top shelf, you've got ample storage space within easy reach. Even if you have a woodworking bench in your shop, you'll need other benches around for other tasks. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Plank-Top Workbench Rugged construction stands up to heavy-duty hammering, sawing, and grinding. Though not designed specifically for woodworking, this plan is inexpensive to build—uses dimensional lumber found at your local home center. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Fold-Down Work Center More work center then workbench, this unit takes up little space, but offers lots of storage and a fold-down bench with a large work surface. Not as heavy duty as the fold down workbench. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Portable Woodworking Bench This Portable Workbench allows you to move your bench to where you need it. It quickly disassembles for easy transport to and from job sites, it's designed for solid stability for a portable bench, and you can even attach a vise. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Mechanix Workbench The perfect workbench for really messy jobs. From a woodworker's point of view this would be an excellent sharpening bench for your grinder and stones. Easy to build—simple 2x4's for the legs and frame, and MDF for the sides, back, shelf, and top. You can build the basic bench in a weekend. Add another day or two for the drawers and the storage unit. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Utility Workbench A durable work surface for sharpenning or assembling small projects. The Utility Workbench is the perfect solution for an extra shop bench. Features plenty of storage and a convenient tool tray that keeps clutter off the work surface. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Plywood Workbench A very, very light duty bench. Think of it as a surface, really. But, this plan comes with four other plans for workshop accessories that would be useful in your shop. A Woodsmith/ShopNotes Plan
	Full Service Workbench by the editors of Wood Magazine. The downloadable plan is inexpensive and the bench is a large woodworking area bench with plans for various tools stations.
	Space Saving Workbench I like this bench's idea of using rolling cabinets underneath for storage. This is really a standard wall mounted counter style bench, but with the addition of the undercounter cabinets, it's pretty neat. The plan is only $5.95 and downloadable.
	Other Workbench Sources

Modern Split Top Roubo Workbench Plan
Jameel at Benchcrafted has done it again. Not only does he make some of the finest bench vises made anywhere, he has now added a workbench plan to his collection. Based upon a modern split Roubo style bench it features his terrific leg and tail vises plus several other unique features. It's a massive bench at 4" thick and 87" long. I've had the pleasure of seeing one of these benches being built by Jim Tolpin. The plans are most impressive at 28 pages and are incredibly detailed and a complete hardware package is available. Most impressive. Check them out here.

The Holtzapffel Workbench
One of the great benches that should be considered by any woodworker thinking about building a traditional bench. The original version of the bench was created in 1875 but this slightly modernized version makes it a great choice for a woodworker looking for traditional and contemporary features. It's a hybrid that works extremely well for both hand and power tools. The article and issue are available here. There's a free plan available at Popular Woodworking, a 3D Model and a preview video and a great story of David Pearce's experience building one and a class report of building one at Kelly Mehler's School.

Bob Lang's 21st Century Bench
Bob is an editor for Popular Woodworking. His bench is a something of a combination of the Holtzapffel Workbench with several modern twists from Veritas' best ideas added. Personally, I think that this bench is one the very best modern bench designs I've seen and takes into consideration every possible way of holding your work to the bench and will work extremely well for both hand and power tools. This link takes you to an intro video. You can order the detail plans and DVD online or use the free 3D model available.

Mike Dunbar's Workbench
Mike's bench is based upon a 200 year old bench he ran across. It's a twin screw Holtzapffel-style bench that uses a traditional style tail vise. It's a knockdown bench and uses materials very efficiently. The article and plans were in Fine Woodworking #153 and are available as a PDF download for paid online subscribers or via a free 14 day trial.

A New Adjustable Height Workbench Plan
Getting a workbench height right for a woodworker is part of a building a good workbench. The problem is different woodworking tasks are best done at different heights. If you don't have room for multiple benches the solution is to build an adjustable height workbench. I know of only three available designs, one involves using a dedicated and expensive metal base. Charlie Kocourek has come up with a remarkable new design that incorporates some very clever ideas and torsion box construction. Check his design and plans at his website: www.jack-bench.com

Building a European Style Cabinetmaker's Workbench eBook
David Domain has just completed an eBook entitled Building a European Style Cabinetmaker's Workbench. It's a 60 page book with plans for a very nice serious workbench. A preview can be obtained at his website.

Garrett Hack's Ultimate Workbench
Garrett is one of the best woodworkers in the country. He's created a new workbench that will especially appeal to hand tool focused woodworkers.Follow the link to the article, plans and video tour.

Labor of Love Workbench: Woodworking Plan
By the editors of Wood Magazine. This plan is for a contemporary bench that wouldbe useful in any shop.

Fine Woodworking Plans
By the editors of Fine Woodworking. Several plans are now available that can be ordered online from this very fine magazine.

Woodcraft Plans
They used to offer detailed plans of the ULMIA benches they also sold. But no more. Available now, is a simple workbench plan for low cost.

Lee Valley Plans
You can build your own Veritas bench. Also, you can buy their bench tops or slabs, and with the plans only need to build a base.

FurniturePlans.com
A quick to build bench. Might even be able to knock one off in a weekend or two. Nice size, hard board top and has four drawers, too.

Garage Workbench
More of a rolling cabinet with a MDF work surface. With a few modifications this might be pretty handy as an assembly table with lots of storage below.

Store N' Fold Workbench
An American classic right out of the 50's This folding ironing board style workbench is not very heavy duty but with a little beefing up would be nice project bench in a small garage.