See Built-In Garage Workbench Bracket Plan
While the garage often doubles as a home workshop, it’s hard to get much done without a sturdy workbench. This simple built-in bench runs the entire length of the garage wall and attaches directly to the exposed studs. It’s easy to build and can be completed in just a few hours. Here’s how it’s done:
Mark the height for the bench, minus ¾” for the top, and pop a chalk line along the wall. Most workbenches are about 34” high, but you can adjust yours to whatever height is most comfortable.
Cut pieces of 2” x 4” lumber 20” long to serve as horizontal supports for the bench. You’ll need one for each support plus an extra one at each end of the wall. Depending on the thickness of your plywood top, the spacing of the studs, and how sturdy a bench you want, plan on a support every 16″ to 32.”
Braces for the supports are cut from ¾” plywood and shaped like a right triangle with 16” legs on each side. Cut one for each support on the wall.
Glue and screw the supports and braces together, with the plywood brace extending 3½” past the support to allow it to be attached to the stud.
Attach the 2” x 4” supports at each end of the wall, checking to be sure they are level.
Nail or screw the support braces to the side of the wall studs, checking for level.
Nail a 2” x 4” the length of the wall along the front of the support braces.
Cut a 2’ wide top from ¾” plywood, and nail it on top of the supports.
Nail a 1” x 4” board along the back of the workbench to keep items from rolling off the bench and falling behind it.
Our garage workbench is now ready to tackle some serious home improvement projects.
You may also want to read about our DIY: Portable Workbench
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December 6th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Great tip Danny,I have another question,I do part-time T.V.repair and I have some televisions lying on the floor,I was interested in doing some wall racks so that I could get them off the floor and organize
them as to have more room to work ,thanks and Happy Holidays!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
This is great for an open-wall garage where the studs are available. But, what about if the garage is dry-walled and painted? Would it suffice to nail a 2×4 to each stud to then attach the right-triangular plywood brace? Or is there a better way?
August 27th, 2008 at 3:46 am
the garage door is the key of the garage security. The garage door not only need guarding against theft, but also fireproofing. So some garage door is also a fireproof door. Garage doors can be made out of many materials, but steel, wood. and vinyl (polyethylene) are the most popular depending on the geographic area.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Very helpful, are there more videos to watch?
Ben Erickson Says:November 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Laraine,
If you click on “Videos” in the navigation at the top of the page, you’ll find almost 400 home improvement video clips. You can also watch full episodes online.
If you’re look for more on garage storage, check out Simple Garage Storage Solutions, Garage Shelving, Garage Door Rack, and our show on (676) Garage Organization.
September 5th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Danny,
Do you have any guides on how to fit studs to the garage walls?
Cheers
Sean
October 18th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Hi Danny:
Reading your building tutorial, how many triangular supports are recommeded for a 8′ bench. Thank you.
Ben Erickson Says:October 19th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hi Jerry,
I updated the article above to answer your question. Thanks for the feedback.
January 9th, 2010 at 2:07 am
It looks like your work bench is the way that I am going to go. I’m wondering how much weight it should be able to support.
July 28th, 2010 at 3:11 am
[...] Additional Reading: http://www.todayshomeowner.com/home-improvement-video/built-in-garage-workbench/ [...]
November 30th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
“Garage doors are very informative. I did a bit of research on the web about garage door insulation. Insulating material works by pressing itself between the garage door and the floor thereby protecting the inside of the garage from any snow or rain. I just insulated my fiberglass door and it’s single layer with no insulation. I was going to use 1/2″” foam with foil shield however i found another product with a higher R value. foam WITH foil 1/2″” is R-3.3 the stuff i found was at homedepot, it comes on a roll and it looks like bubble wrap covered with foil. it’s R value is R-4. Nice post!
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