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....
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European
Style Workbenches |
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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. |
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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. |

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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Wood
Magazine Workbench Plan
Wood Magazine's plan for a very nice bench with a
sled base. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Simpler,
Easier or Special Workbenches |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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Specialty
Workbenches |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Other
Workbench Sources |
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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. |