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Early Access Video: The $30 workbench! (Patreon)

Published:
2019-03-26 00:42:20
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Okay, I'm excited about this one. 

For a few weeks, I've been promising a real workbench that could be built for a mere $30. Well, it's here and it works. 

Brilliantly. 

You really can make this bench for about $30 worth of construction lumber and some glue. I use the tools we've been using for the Woodwork for Humans series, plus a disposable saw and a protractor. 

This isn't an afternoon project, but even a beginner could build this bench in a weekend. It's simple, sturdy, and very effective. I know lots of you do your work under less-than-ideal conditions, and this is the bench for you. It's light, it's portable, and it's effective. 

Just watch and see. 

Thanks to all of you who make these videos possible!

--Rex


Files

Previews only

Build a REAL workbench for $30

More video and exclusive content: http://www.patreon.com/rexkrueger Get the FREE tip sheet: Tools in this video: Woodwork for Humans Playlist: Tools in the Woodwork for Humans Series:

Comments

David Bumpus

Very cool! Thank you for doing these projects, watching you use the bench with the stop to plane wood really makes me want to build one even though I don't have space for another bench!

Nic Beurskens

This is timely for me. I have a few projects I have been knocking around in my head that a portable bench could really make more manageable. I especially appreciate that you have found a great middle ground for your presentation. I don't have every tool I want but I have a lot more than I used to. Your explanations on the function and process for each step give me ideas about how I could approach tasks with the tools I have on hand!

Rex Krueger
>>21156896

Man, that is EXACTLY the idea. So glad it's working. If you do build a bench, please post it on the Community tab. I really want to see it!

Steve Symes

Thanks for that! - it just occurs to me that Roman carpenters were probably slaves (so backache wasn't an issue...)

Josh Miller

The timing on this video could not be more perfect for me. I am moving soon, so ill be going from a 8'x10' out building to a 16'x24' garage. Ill actually be able to build and use something like this. Man, from a 2x6 across the ways of my old shopsmith to an actual work surface, ill be like a kid on christmas

John Laudun

You are killing it with this series. I confess I wondered how you would follow-up the lathe build, but you've done it. I think more experienced wood workers are probably enjoying the ingenuity, and novices to intermediates -- I think I'm somewhere in here -- are enjoying the fact that they could actually do this with the stuff they have on hand.

Rex Krueger
>>21164604

I'm SO glad you think so! As long as I've been doing this channel, I've been trying to make things as basic and accessible as possible. I started resorting vintage Stanley tools, but I soon realized that many people just don't have access to old tools. This series is my new way of bringing people into the craft.

Rex Krueger
>>21160732

You'll be surprised hoe useful it is. This is a REAL bench. Even I'm surprised and I built the damn thing. Congrats on the new shop space. I started in the corner of a 1 car-garage, so I know the feeling.

James Boatright

I love the idea, although I'll have to shorten it to fit in my space. Are the 2x2 legs actually solid enough for work plus my 250lb? I would want the top at about 24in above ground to be comfortable to straddle. I have long legs...

Rex Krueger
>>21177847

So I'm also big and tall. I found 21 inches high to be plenty. Right under your kneecap is traditional for this style. The 2x2 legs are not a problem and I've been pleasantly surprised by the strength of just doing them in fir. Of course, if you have pretty much any hardwood laying around, use that. The thickness of the legs doesn't really matter unless the tenon is also bigger. That's the weak point. Please post a picture if you make it. I really want to see a short one!

Eric Adkins

I just finished putting the legs on mine but I managed to make the legs massively unlevel. Two legs on the diagonal are very tall and the two on the diagonal are very short. Any suggestions on how to fix something like that?

Rex Krueger
>>32338580

Best fix: cut them off, drill new holes, install new legs. Call it a learning experience. No shame in getting it wrong if you learn from it.

James Anthony

I'll be giving this one a try soon. I've a few projects ahead and could use the workspace. Though my total work area is only about 4'x6' or so, so we'll see what kind of modifications I'll need to do to make it work. Haven't seen the video yet (I'm off to bed as of an hour ago), but are there any suggestions about weatherproofing it? The porch it'll be sitting on has a tendency to get soaked when it rains here (though that's only like 10 days a year)

Rex Krueger
>>35222012

Spar varnish is a good choice. Set it on end when you're not using it; if you don't let water sit on it, it will last much longer.

Franklin Rymon

My workshop is my home office/bedroom/photography studio (that last one uses a ton of my storage/wallspace.) Do you think a 4' low bench would be long enough to work small projects on? I'm worried that it being so small, once I set on it, I might not have much space for material, let alone enough to work. I'm tall and lanky to boot.

Rex Krueger
>>36242485

In fact, I plan to cut mine in half and have 2 4-foot benches. Plenty long. You'll do fine.

Joshua Muller

Do you have plans for this available? I’m just getting started with woodworking. I have little kids so the only time o can work is after they go to bed. Hand tools are the way to go for me and honestly I really enjoy it. I started out carving spoons and making bowls but I need a bench to expand what I can do. I want to start with this bench. I love all your content. Great stuff!

Rex Krueger
>>40252547

I didn't do plans, because everything here comes from Chris' book. You should get the book; it's great!

Jonathan Tobias

I just started building this workbench using 4x4 Douglas fir from a big box store. I am struggling to get the pieces to have no gaps between them before laminating. I’ve planed and planed for hours. I only have hand tools. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Bas Cost Budde
>>46044721

You would not necessarily need to go all flat. As long as there is no twist in the glue plane, and there are gaps you can squeeze shut by hand pressure, you'll be fine. 4 months in the run you may have found out a way though, what did you do?

Jonathan Tobias
>>46044721

Thanks for the advice. I eventually said enough is enough, put a bunch of glue on them, and used clamps to pull them together as best I could. So far, despite being in the garage and going through all kinds of humidity and temperature changes, the top is solid as a rock.