Hey everyone! I'm about to dive into woodworking and I'm curious about what setups you use for your projects. Should I invest over $100 into a portable workbench, or are simpler solutions like saw horses good enough to get me started? Looking forward to your advice!
3 Answers
If you're just starting out, I suggest building your own workbench. It's a great way to learn the basics of woodworking. Saw horses are fine too, depending on what you're working on. That's how I began my woodworking journey!
It really depends on what projects you'll be tackling. If you're doing some heavy work with chisels and a hammer, you’ll need a sturdy setup. However, for lighter tasks like making dowel joints, two saw horses and a flat surface can do the trick. Most of us probably started on whatever we had handy, whether it was the floor or makeshift sawhorses!
Start off with whatever is available and affordable. You'll quickly figure out what works best for you as you progress. I started with a wobbly table, and that worked until I got into more precise work. Then, I upgraded to a Roubo-style bench that I'm really happy with!

Totally agree with you on the DIY workbench! It really helps to understand the fundamentals.