Free Workbench Plans — Full Cut List and Dimensions
A four-leg shop bench with a plywood top, 2x4 base, and lower storage shelf. Below is the complete cut list for a 60" × 30" × 34" bench, plus the lumber list and assembly order. Every number is derived from a measured 0.703" plywood thickness — change the dimensions or your own measured stock and the calculator rewrites the list.
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Finished dimensions
- Height: 34" — matches most table saw tables so the bench doubles as outfeed support
- Width: 60" — the longest bench that still fits a one-car garage wall
- Depth: 30" — deep enough for a vise and a project at the same time
- Top: 3/4" plywood, measured at 0.703"
Workbench cut list
| Part | Qty | Size | Material | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top slab | 1 | 60" × 30" | 3/4" plywood (measured 0.703") | Laminate a second layer for a 1-1/2" top |
| Leg | 4 | 33-5/16" × 3-1/2" | 2x4 (1-1/2" × 3-1/2") | Height 34" minus the 0.703" top |
| Long apron | 2 | 53" × 3-1/2" | 2x4 | Width 60" minus two 3-1/2" legs |
| Short apron | 2 | 23" × 3-1/2" | 2x4 | Depth 30" minus two 3-1/2" legs |
| Lower stretcher | 4 | 53" and 23" × 3-1/2" | 2x4 | Two long, two short — mirror the aprons |
| Lower shelf | 1 | 53" × 23" | 3/4" plywood | Drops onto the lower stretchers |
Where those numbers come from
- Leg length = height − top thickness. 34" − 0.703" = 33-5/16". Use nominal 3/4" instead and the bench finishes 1/32" tall with an apron that sits proud of the legs.
- Long apron = width − 2 × leg width. 60" − 7" = 53", because a 2x4 leg is actually 3-1/2" wide, not 4".
- Short apron = depth − 2 × leg width. 30" − 7" = 23".
- Lower shelf = long apron × short apron. 53" × 23", so it drops straight onto the stretchers with no notching.
Shopping list
- 1 sheet of 3/4" plywood (4×8) — yields the top and the lower shelf
- 6 × 8ft 2x4s — legs, aprons, and lower stretchers with offcuts to spare
- 2-1/2" and 3" structural screws, plus wood glue
- Optional: 4 locking casters, or leg levelers for an uneven shop floor
Don't forget the kerf
Cutting the four legs from one 8ft 2x4 consumes four blade widths. At a 0.125" kerf that is 1/2" of lumber gone — enough to leave the fourth leg short if you laid out all four cuts edge to edge. The calculator adds kerf to every cut in the layout so the last part still makes length. See the saw kerf calculator for the full explanation.
Assembly order
- Caliper your plywood and confirm the leg length before cutting anything.
- Cut all 2x4 parts, keeping like parts stacked and labeled.
- Build the two end frames first — legs plus short apron on top, short stretcher near the bottom. Check each frame for square on its own.
- Join the end frames with the long aprons and long stretchers.
- Measure both diagonals across the base; adjust until they match, then let the glue set.
- Drop in the shelf, then screw the top down from underneath.
Changing the size
Every part above is derived, not fixed. A 48" bench for a small shop or a 96" bench along a garage wall changes the aprons, the stretchers, and the shelf all at once. Open this bench in the calculator, type your own height, width, depth, and measured thickness, and the cut list rewrites itself in imperial or metric, fractions or decimals.
Workbench plans FAQ
- What materials do I need to build this workbench?
- You need one 4×8 sheet of 3/4" plywood, six 8-foot 2x4s, wood glue, and 2-1/2" or 3" structural screws. Optional extras include locking casters if you want it mobile, or leg levelers for an uneven floor.
- What are the finished dimensions of this workbench?
- The finished bench is 60" wide, 30" deep, and 34" tall. The 34" height matches most contractor table saws, so the bench can double as outfeed support.
- What tools do I need to build this workbench?
- A circular saw or table saw for the cuts, a drill/driver for assembly, a tape measure, a square to keep the frames true, and a digital caliper to measure your actual plywood thickness.
- Can I change the size of this workbench?
- Yes. Every part is derived from your height, width, depth, and measured stock thickness. Open the bench in the WoodCraft Utility Engine calculator and enter your own numbers to get a custom cut list.
- What thickness plywood should I use for the top?
- 3/4" plywood is ideal. For a sturdier top, laminate two sheets of 3/4" plywood together to make a 1-1/2" thick top. The calculator uses the measured actual thickness, not the nominal label, so the legs stay flush.
- How long does it take to build?
- A typical weekend woodworker can finish this bench in about 4 hours, plus glue dry time. Most of the time is spent making square cuts and checking the base for square before the glue sets.
Related
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