While this was not my first DIY workbench build, it is my best so far. This small workbench with drawers lives on my apartment balcony, 11 floors up with a great view of central Petaling Jaya.
Here are the measurements:
- Width: 17″
- Length: 35″
- Height: 30″
My balcony measures only 4′ 8″ wide, so my DIY workbench had to fit within this space, with room on both sides for clamping and other stuff.
I used mostly reclaimed Southern Yellow Pine for the workbench, with Acacia for drawer pulls, vise jaws, and accents. I also use a lot of dowel joinery throughout.
DIY Workbench Design Idea
2020 was a tough year that forced me to give up my air-conditioned space near my home to an industrial sub-let space 30 miles away. That meant that I could only be in my workshop once a week.
When COVID hit, the unpredictable lockdowns meant I could not get shop time at all, since traveling 30 miles was against the law. In between the lockdowns, I decided to quickly build myself a second woodworking bench.
I decided to build this compact workbench, inspired by the Sjoberg Elite series, to fit on my apartment balcony. It took me almost two months, working only once or twice a week.
Here are some pictures of the woodworking bench in progress.
Obviously, I am very limited by space. I plan to use this workbench for fine woodworking, putting the final touches on my boxes and other creations, and for finishing.
DIY Workbench Build Videos
I’ve recorded complete videos of my build, in case you’re wondering how I did it. There’s no narration in these videos, as I am only planning to have voiceovers after I reach 10,000 subscribers on my Youtube channel.
Part 1 of the video is about making the workbench top with Southern Yellow Pine and Acacia. I use a compact Irwin woodworking vise that turned out to be just perfect for a woodworking bench this size.
I attached the rails and legs with mortise and tenon joinery. This type of joinery is not something that I am particularly good at, but I wanted the strength and rigidity it provides.
Part 2 of the DIY workbench video is about making the storage cabinet with drawers. I don’t have much experience making cabinets, and I do not have brad nailers or pocket hole jigs.
But I do know how to make wooden jewelry boxes. I figured a cabinet is just another type of box, so I made it the same way using miter joints. It worked, and I got a great-looking cabinet that matched the overall look and grain pattern of my DIY workbench.
Here’s how my old (and currently my main) workbench looked like when it was first completed. I learned a lot from that first workbench, which helped to plan and build this new one.
A New Place for My Hobby
Thanks to the new COVID lockdown, I cannot travel to my main workshop. The reduced shop time only made me more focused on what I want to do. I spend so much more time planning, sketching, and reviewing the work I did the past week.
I’ve become more deliberate and attentive to detail. I love this workbench with drawers and all. My kids are beginning to understand my passion while getting to see me more often.
I estimate the cost of the DIY workbench with drawers to be around $180 – $200, including the cost of my Irwin vise and the drawer slides. I could have made it for less, but I wanted a workbench that would last a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a workbench, but don’t have the time to make your own, here’s a list of the best workbench you can buy and assemble.
