Build an Inexpensive Workbench
Windy Urtnowski
Introduction
Every modeler needs a place to build. In my 42-year modeling career, I've improvised using the kitchen table, a food pantry, a half-under-water cellar, and the garage. Now I finally have my dream workshop.
A while ago I decided I needed a professional workbench. As I build models professionally, I could justify spending the time and money to do it right. After imagining several designs and making a few changes, I arrived at the bench you see in the photos. The project cost far less than I originally estimated—its total cost was less than $15. I even had money left over to take my wife out for pizza!
Planning the Bench
Consider the fuselage and wing plans when you decide the table's height. Never decide you want only a sit-down or only a stand-up space—have both. I have both sit-down and stand-up stations in my shop now.
Tips:
- Decide if you want sit-down, stand-up, or both. I have a sit-down bench and a stand-up bench created by adding two six-inch risers.
- Consider storage needs for wings, fuselages, plans, and tools when setting height and clearances.
Base and Supports
I started by recycling an old dresser as the bench base. It provides great drawer storage for glue, knives, magazines and plans; it's very practical.
To raise the tabletop higher than the dresser top:
- Make three-sided open-front supports to fit between the dresser and the door or riser.
- I trimmed the dresser top and made three-sided open-front legs at the height that best suits me; the supports fit between the dresser.
- I raised the tabletop with 2x6s from the lumberyard (inexpensive at typical hardware-store prices).
- An old bar stool makes a great seat once you trim the legs to the appropriate height.
Leaving the corners open doesn't matter—the area under the top can be used for storage. One bench that has two six-inch risers creates excellent storage space.
Tabletop Materials
I bought damaged hollow-core doors from my lumberyard for about $5 each. The corners were crushed, but who cares? They're inexpensive and make a good tabletop substrate.
Surfaces to consider:
- Glass: Covering a door with glass creates a smooth, cleanable surface. If your town has a shop that repairs or replaces shower doors, you may be able to get door-size sheets of glass for free—the shops often must pay to dispose of old glass.
- Formica: Makes a great benchtop surface but is relatively costly.
- Paint: I painted some tops white with Rust-Oleum to brighten the area.
Work Surface Protection and Tools
A rust-removing glass scraper takes off spilled glue and paint and helps keep glass clean—much better than single-edge razor blades. A block of scrap wood glued to the corner of the glass holds knives and keeps them out of harm's way.
Organization ideas:
- Glue old engine or small boxes to the tabletop to organize glue, pins, sandpaper, and small tools.
- Label each drawer using a label maker (I use a Brother P‑Touch).
Electrical, Lighting, and Mirrors
As a final touch I ran multiple-plug outlets to several work stations. They're handy for plugging in drills, saws, and other electrical equipment.
Lighting and visual aids:
- Use fluorescent lights—they're cheaper to operate and are easier on the eyes.
- Mounting mirrors behind benches gives the work area a more spacious, user-friendly look and lets you see up into parts you're constructing.
- Paint the walls white to open up the area considerably.
Space Efficiency and Finishing Touches
I try to use all my shop space efficiently. When things are stored in drawers, the shop looks neat. Leaving open areas under the top for larger parts makes good use of space.
Since organizing my shop, I've started having friends over on Monday nights to share the fun. I consider these workbenches the best investment I've made in a long time. I hope the photos and text will inspire you to come up with a great work station of your own.
Closing
Good luck with your new projects. Somewhere down in my shop there's a new model calling me to work on it, but somewhere upstairs my family is calling me to take them out for pizza!
Windy Urtnowski 93 Elliott Place Rutherford, NJ 07070-1912
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
