Workbench Two

I’ve built a few workbenches over the years. Each one exists because the previous bench eventually told me what it wasn’t good at.

This pair started with a simple goal: more assembly space, more mass, and fewer compromises.

No vises to design around. No clever joinery for its own sake. Just flat surfaces that don’t move and storage that keeps frequently used tools close.

The bases are laminated poplar from Austin Hardwoods here in Denver, milled square and joined with straightforward mortise and tenon joinery using a Festool Domino. Thick legs, thick stretchers, and proportions that probably border on excessive. That’s intentional.

I’m increasingly drawn to simple structures that disappear into the background. Benches shouldn’t be precious. They should quietly accept abuse.

Storage lives below, sized around Milwaukee Packout boxes, Festool Systainers (Domino, shaper), and the things I reach for most. No doors for now. Easy access beats tidy.

The tops are IKEA counters that happened to be on sale. I honestly didn’t care about the color — just something cheap, replaceable, and most importantly flat.

They’re bolted to the bases using Z-clips from Amazon along with Domino-cut slots. It worked great.

Mostly, these benches exist to make everything else easier. They don’t solve woodworking. They remove friction.

That’s enough.