DIY workbench/island for under $150

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6omx3Y79NJuz6GWxnXIvz45tT8Fi7eQ5SBOz4-o2Z_K1EjP_8pjn9NrdReC1NTVUWC7khUCPwg9NQQDLgbEQN73iF1xOV6UF2ZGsl6_SqEe_qxnZTtBlhDjtZo-muMt19fHQDNBIgw6F/s1600/photo+2+(6)v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6omx3Y79NJuz6GWxnXIvz45tT8Fi7eQ5SBOz4-o2Z_K1EjP_8pjn9NrdReC1NTVUWC7khUCPwg9NQQDLgbEQN73iF1xOV6UF2ZGsl6_SqEe_qxnZTtBlhDjtZo-muMt19fHQDNBIgw6F/s640/photo+2+(6)v.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> So I have now solved my dirty little secret basement mess. I have spend three days purging and organizing the basement which lead me to build this "island" style work bench it is 40"x 67" by 36" high.<br />It is not totally complete but it could easily stay as is a be a great work space. I would like to add big "pot" style drawers to both side to hide away the clutter. That will come soon, I am sure...<br />I was thinking I may even include a long drawer to hold big rolls of wrapping paper , what a great spot for gift wrapping.<br />I thought just in case someone is still reading this blog and my posts I would include some details on how I built this project.<br /><br />Here is how it all begins, I bought 6-2" x 4" x 8' studs, I cut each piece into 3' and 5' lengths. I connected them as shown with my <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/irwin-corner-clamp-3-in/904190">Irwin corner clamps</a>. 3' x 5'3" approx is this frame. Then I pre-drilled the butt joints and attached them with 2" wood screws.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l90KPZZ-Bc1hRz-fLEoVVTKgAhGJcpP5wfZrJ3QD_pjhfev3dbOADI6luizYUhtPAiZS0LX6LuGfQcR8W8RlqgsomOiOYdjhdr5cGqgkZw8l7eEp4Qss6bSiOxvQLJsUkJDG9SRLlkFZ/s1600/photo+2+(6)a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l90KPZZ-Bc1hRz-fLEoVVTKgAhGJcpP5wfZrJ3QD_pjhfev3dbOADI6luizYUhtPAiZS0LX6LuGfQcR8W8RlqgsomOiOYdjhdr5cGqgkZw8l7eEp4Qss6bSiOxvQLJsUkJDG9SRLlkFZ/s640/photo+2+(6)a.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtgW9_NX0nAG1akklzGIPQvtJrn4Ly9CI4DqvfN4nzcKbyCGDU9HfKEIVcBRgOI01BVxz2ifCa5WBIWhKXVVn3lAMVZ-PSQaK3_Ikc8LumcakZ2_NxwV2FrQ6bjawNYRZ6hMWrXHeHUB/s1600/photo+1+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqtgW9_NX0nAG1akklzGIPQvtJrn4Ly9CI4DqvfN4nzcKbyCGDU9HfKEIVcBRgOI01BVxz2ifCa5WBIWhKXVVn3lAMVZ-PSQaK3_Ikc8LumcakZ2_NxwV2FrQ6bjawNYRZ6hMWrXHeHUB/s640/photo+1+(8).jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/irwin-corner-clamp-3-in/904190">Irwin corner clamps</a> are amazing for built-ins and drawers it keeps corners square and it acts like that third hand you can always use in carpentry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIEhEvvkPi71esp6dfojhqIqU2WmeWSBLMdoL7ciaD6N2pMBJhHzLP6b3RVelM7kQ8INCNZP0rA1aa0tzFDITtKN9NxjE-gQxA_UzFW5_XZT0-rG_j7PhjT7aCel8x0Vd3MPNWs0DBktN/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIEhEvvkPi71esp6dfojhqIqU2WmeWSBLMdoL7ciaD6N2pMBJhHzLP6b3RVelM7kQ8INCNZP0rA1aa0tzFDITtKN9NxjE-gQxA_UzFW5_XZT0-rG_j7PhjT7aCel8x0Vd3MPNWs0DBktN/s640/c.jpg" width="476" /></a></div> When the frames are constructed set them aside for a little later. Oh dear you can see our gym, pretty fancy right?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHPnrHARFbqIBcL9uCRgu-F1-q11YVu_gBApOTpVFMpGy4kWw6QhjiEevLtOdvOiamrs3TgkxXjOTGk8gAbv-L184OvboqCx1B1Zmi75EaKPgHBDLje5U_l7UUWuBZW2Pi8SlRArdWMPz/s1600/photo+1+(8)a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHPnrHARFbqIBcL9uCRgu-F1-q11YVu_gBApOTpVFMpGy4kWw6QhjiEevLtOdvOiamrs3TgkxXjOTGk8gAbv-L184OvboqCx1B1Zmi75EaKPgHBDLje5U_l7UUWuBZW2Pi8SlRArdWMPz/s640/photo+1+(8)a.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> This is my new favorite tool my <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/18v-lithium-impact-driver-kit/813494">Ryobi impact driver</a>. I wanted one for Christmas but I mistakenly asked for a <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-4v-lithium-mini-driver/918469">Ryobi mini driver</a> , it is nice but does not have the strength of the driver, it is what I have been looking for all along and it's even cute and a bright happy color. I got it and then picked up the <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/18v-lithium-drill-and-circular-saw-kit/813490">Ryobi Combo ki</a>t with drill and circular saw as well as the battery pack and charger. Ryobi is my go to brand for tools since we have moved here almost 2 years ago , great tools at fair and affordable prices.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyfXPkk0eolFmbZKhaqbKnjACRFYCiMnOkfLOHZ5dKd73zvSmDXH9tcx7LzzDm2kht4Hvpajx4EgNq8bar-CwxBvpfN-e0BjqrkfGl-ShyphenhyphenVAQcqOMlTzmi4Ue3_5fPimtECsQie-Epiau/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyfXPkk0eolFmbZKhaqbKnjACRFYCiMnOkfLOHZ5dKd73zvSmDXH9tcx7LzzDm2kht4Hvpajx4EgNq8bar-CwxBvpfN-e0BjqrkfGl-ShyphenhyphenVAQcqOMlTzmi4Ue3_5fPimtECsQie-Epiau/s640/e.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> I have been using this <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/dewalt-28-piece-impact-screwdriving-set/980416">quick change bit holder by Dewalt </a>which I like very much. Nice fast bit changes I can go from drilling to driving in a flash.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUqLezKqy9m_go1me3ru2c2W-shcCQKpn1ROZkQCuzA8_fl02qLGT9bL7dH90znuY_e2QTRrfN5czwYi7NuqxEcHbk4sl4PL1knF9kAkRL-c3clRfu8Eab9FpL1CysCMbJUCrC5we1S4t/s1600/photo+5+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUqLezKqy9m_go1me3ru2c2W-shcCQKpn1ROZkQCuzA8_fl02qLGT9bL7dH90znuY_e2QTRrfN5czwYi7NuqxEcHbk4sl4PL1knF9kAkRL-c3clRfu8Eab9FpL1CysCMbJUCrC5we1S4t/s640/photo+5+(2).jpg" width="478" /></a></div> After the 2x4 frames are completed I then moved onto the legs. I had 2" X 6" x 8' boards that I was trying to use for a workbench so I used them and cut them down into the legs. I cut each 8 foot length into two 36" pieces, leaving me with 2' lengths left. I set the 2' lengths aside and clamped the corner legs together with the Irwin clamps. I used 4 screws evenly spaced along the one side to join the boards , I did not use any glue , it was not needed and it was a good thing I didn't in the end.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4xKVFHAi-5ZKmUqtF_FpfEBfUor2FNhRhUH4c2Cztjj2uFAWagjyOvtWPauO_G-34S9OA93_pJpTUDmoBEL1plPpG4-_QiJ6cFY3VX7YcMbJL-fq1Fsl_4ii3_Qb3wryJFVS2Mft_lk8/s1600/vnb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4xKVFHAi-5ZKmUqtF_FpfEBfUor2FNhRhUH4c2Cztjj2uFAWagjyOvtWPauO_G-34S9OA93_pJpTUDmoBEL1plPpG4-_QiJ6cFY3VX7YcMbJL-fq1Fsl_4ii3_Qb3wryJFVS2Mft_lk8/s640/vnb.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> I then placed one of the 2x4 framed on the floor and placed the corner legs in place and attached them to the frame with three 2" screws.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2WXNvXZNsx8CcyrAThpjoxCrbVujzsdBXZ9BNLKAuMy34KABeo-76ybBRzE74yBTnLa_2R17E7f8ePrqG7FT8gSg3QAA8WWzgRNZt3vUL4WII0F4UgprCiVXcSB6P3SxPyIY5djP4XRd/s1600/photo+2+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2WXNvXZNsx8CcyrAThpjoxCrbVujzsdBXZ9BNLKAuMy34KABeo-76ybBRzE74yBTnLa_2R17E7f8ePrqG7FT8gSg3QAA8WWzgRNZt3vUL4WII0F4UgprCiVXcSB6P3SxPyIY5djP4XRd/s640/photo+2+(6).jpg" width="478" /></a></div> I then used the 2" scraps to use as spacers for the lower shelf. I screwed them into the legs so that I could easily slide in the next 2x4 frame. Then I removed the 2" scraps.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiwmh_650WQ5T98eMKLTYM3-aOvZoBndqqfUsoQcir6UdoSWk7GaqFilYJJLrtcPPo_c3XssI0O0VJuyWJwCZZfSy4BUJ2Yd5BG6ka3t-mSzRYMawPR5nvRbMjCi5BlLsGDTt9TUzFozM/s1600/photo+3+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiwmh_650WQ5T98eMKLTYM3-aOvZoBndqqfUsoQcir6UdoSWk7GaqFilYJJLrtcPPo_c3XssI0O0VJuyWJwCZZfSy4BUJ2Yd5BG6ka3t-mSzRYMawPR5nvRbMjCi5BlLsGDTt9TUzFozM/s640/photo+3+(3).jpg" width="478" /></a></div> Then my daughter and I flipped it over and I added the next 2x4 frame. I used clamps to help me hold up the frame to allow me to screw the next frame in.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunwaWxx8i_eb11E3458MsQ_tIuJD4hrAvo0jQuc9M8Kl3-tEqRK6OI8nRfJjxOmPd8SBcO2i7heMQmq-Jmfstb5DF0rXst-itqlPahUFMAy7yJq7vSemzktqJ0x2WhTo0IZCuf5Nnq9D6/s1600/photo+4+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunwaWxx8i_eb11E3458MsQ_tIuJD4hrAvo0jQuc9M8Kl3-tEqRK6OI8nRfJjxOmPd8SBcO2i7heMQmq-Jmfstb5DF0rXst-itqlPahUFMAy7yJq7vSemzktqJ0x2WhTo0IZCuf5Nnq9D6/s640/photo+4+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzvvs63XLEek9jrw7ROkS_BCFDdHiX_lVFoO9MIVXjwF5VLUgh4dJPMJL2dBWcxVfhANrioPNePoWJVbyScjBVqlm6P_Ehma-zdtbE-uTXubtSV_Tk3P5gaZb9mgJD1YWShhpt80Pd9xs/s1600/photo+5+(2)a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzvvs63XLEek9jrw7ROkS_BCFDdHiX_lVFoO9MIVXjwF5VLUgh4dJPMJL2dBWcxVfhANrioPNePoWJVbyScjBVqlm6P_Ehma-zdtbE-uTXubtSV_Tk3P5gaZb9mgJD1YWShhpt80Pd9xs/s640/photo+5+(2)a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> I then went off with my finished dimension for the shelves to Home Depot to have 1/2" pine plywood cut for me.<br />That's where I realized I could not just slip the plywood in because the frames were in the way, silly me. But luckily I didn't use glue so I could easily remove the one side of the corner legs allowing me to just slide in the plywood and re-attach the legs. <b>Easy peasy</b>. Although it wasn't a step I thought of ahead I would construct it differently. I then went back off to get the top cut just slightly larger than the frame. 40" x 67" , I attached each shelf to the frame with 2" screws 8 of them evenly spaced , at the half way point and the corners. You could use thicker plywood but I didn't see the point. It is as strong as a can be .<br />We will soon be carving pumpkins down there...it's a great space to spread out and get things fixed , created and repaired.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOWDkWYwX6ie3Ut6A_oCzbXFhkZJqNtBruEjJUKTyiVmlRKtjlVacbZg0aTeFgmHbIfo-sEBQp03A9weT9DD1YHNRYZXs8gSDoyUyRmROIqlE3Fbe0iW-faiBkidrEbHbYBCp4k46SLH9/s1600/pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOWDkWYwX6ie3Ut6A_oCzbXFhkZJqNtBruEjJUKTyiVmlRKtjlVacbZg0aTeFgmHbIfo-sEBQp03A9weT9DD1YHNRYZXs8gSDoyUyRmROIqlE3Fbe0iW-faiBkidrEbHbYBCp4k46SLH9/s640/pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So there it is again for just about $130 before taxes I built this island workbench.<br />You could do it for less especially if you use chip board or OSB, knock off $60 . But like everything materials may be more or less where you are.<br />If you would like to make it with wheels just make the legs 3" shorter , you will loose a little shelf depth keep that in mind. I like I said before I will be adding drawers where the shelves are to keep things out of sight.<br />It is a pretty easy project and will allow for ease of creating lots of other projects in the future.<br /><br /><br />Materials<br />4- 2"x6"<br />6-2"x4"<br />3 sheets of plywood<br />2" wood screws medium size box 80 screws or so<br /><br />I would love to hear your thoughts about my latest project....and thank you for stopping by.Just to be clear this post was NOT sponsored at all , this is just my project using the tools I have bought and the items I like to use.<br />Chris

DIY workbench/island for under $150

 So I have now solved my dirty little secret basement mess. I have spend three days purging and organizing the basement which lead me to bui...

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