Hey everyone, I'm looking to build a workbench for my 1.5 car garage, which I also use for storage. My goal is to create a designated workspace for my projects and to consolidate all my various tools. I've checked out a lot of YouTube videos, but I'd really love to hear what you all like and dislike about your own setups. Just for context, I mostly work on cutting and breadboards and planters. Here's what I currently have and want to integrate into my workbench: a miter saw, Dewalt 8.25" table saw, Dewalt 734 planer, router, ShopVac with a dust pro bucket, air compressor, and maybe a jointer in the future. I'm curious if I should combine everything into one setup or keep some tools separate, like the ShopVac and planer. Has anyone built a similar all-in-one workbench? What would you recommend or avoid doing?
4 Answers
My workbench has been adapted over the years but initially, it was pretty basic. I’ve integrated my table saw into it, which worked well for a time, but now I think I’d prefer a separate cart for that, giving me more open space for assembly. My workbench also serves as an outfeed and assembly table—a bit busy but functional! Just keep in mind the need for a clear workspace for assembly and the possibility of tool placement hindrances.
My workbench consists of a simple setup with plastic fold-up saw horses and a sandi-ply top. The benefit is total portability; I can lift it off and hang it on the wall to save space when not in use. It’s budget-friendly too, so if I mess it up, replacing the top is easy. That said, it's a bit small for bigger projects, and I can’t really attach a vice. For now, it serves my needs for small DIY tasks, but I need to keep things simple.
If you’re tight on space, I’d recommend considering a bunk bed style workbench. It can help stack the heavier tools like the planer and jointer on a second level, keeping your main workspace clear. You can easily put your air compressor and ShopVac underneath too without taking up too much room.
That sounds like a solid approach! I love the idea of a bunk bed bench for managing space efficiently.
I think the design you linked might have space limitations. Ripping longer boards could be tricky since they could hit the planer. If you manage to flip tools when not in use, it may work out, but you should definitely plan for that. Flexibility is essential in a compact workspace.
I agree! The more open space, the better for working on large projects. That's key.