Items needed:



Top 198 x 48 x 1800mm

Corner brackets 90 x 35 x 240mm

Side top rails 148 x 48 x 800mm

Front/back top rails 90 x 35 x 1400mm

Coach bolts, nuts and washers 5/16 x 4 ½

Side bottom rails 90 x 35 x 800mm

Legs 98 x 98 x 900mm

Front/back bottom rails 90 x 35 x 1400mm

Shelf 800 x 1470 x 19mm

Bench stop 90 x 35 x 300mm

Claw hammer

Smoothing plane

Marking gauge

Combination square

Steel tape

Three beveled-edge firmer chisels

Cross-cut saw

Tenon saw

Nail punch

Twist drills

Screwdrivers

Oil stone

Sanding cork

Variable-speed power drill

Jigsaw

Circular saw

Instructions:

1. Cut to length the four legs and mark in housings for top and bottom rails. The top housing is 148mm x 48mm deep; the lower one 90mm x 35mm deep. Set your circular saw to the right depth and cut on the waste side of the lines you marked. Cut a series of parallel lines about 12mm apart between the housing marks and knock out waste. Smooth each housing with a chisel or rasp.

2. Cut to length front and back top and bottom rails, align them in their housing and pin in place with nails. Drill through both legs and rails as shown and bolt rails to legs. Check frame is square by measuring the diagonals.

3. Cut and clamp side rails to the front and back frame, then drill and insert the longer bolts. Tighten all nuts securely and check the table doesn't rock.

4. Cut out four corner brackets with 45-degree angles. A miter saw will be useful for this or set a circular saw to cut at 45 degrees. Screw brackets in place flush with top of rails. At this stage the bench frame should be completely rigid.

5. Cut the bottom shelf to suit the dimensions of the bench. Notch out 35mm x 133mm in each corner to clear the legs. The shelf can be screwed in place or left loose.

6. Cut the five pieces for the top. Move them around to get a good fit for the edges and hold them in place with a nail. Screw them to the bench frame with 100mm screws, two in each end, sunk slightly below the surface. Use a plane to smooth any major irregularities.

7. Prepare a bench stop as shown in the detail. Find the center and measure 60mm and 200mm from one end of a length of 90mm x 35mm pine. Drill an 8mm diameter hole at these points. Draw two lines joining the holes and cut along lines with a jigsaw to form a slot. Smooth the cut with a file or sharp chisel. Bevel the end at 45 degrees. Cut bench to a length of 300mm.

8. Locate the bench stop where you want it. Right-handed people generally prefer the stop at the left-hand end of the bench and left-handed people vice-versa. Make sure you avoid the braces. Hold the bench stop against the front rails and mark around it on the underside of the bench top. Transfer this shape to the top of the bench.

Drill two holes in opposite corners and cut out the rectangular hole. Insert the bench stop and make sure it slides smoothly. Adjust with a file or chisel as necessary. Hold the bench stop so it is flush with the bench top and drill a hole through the front rail at the top of the slot. Insert a carriage bolt with a washer and wing nut to allow the bench stop to be raised and lowered easily.

On the average, workbenches are not finished; i.e. do not apply paint or a clear finish so that this finish does not mark other items that are built on the bench.

For more information on benches visit