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This bench is built as a real storage system first and a work surface second — the open shelving underneath is deep enough to hold full sheet goods and long lumber, which is exactly the kind of material that's awkward to store anywhere else in a shop. Leaving the shelving open on the front is a legitimate final choice, not just an unfinished option — it keeps material visible and easy to grab. If you do enclose the front with plywood, add cross bracing as well, since the front panel was doing double duty holding the frame square against racking, and removing it means something else needs to do that job.
Casters make the whole bench mobile, which matters more here than on a stationary bench since a loaded lumber rack gets heavy fast — being able to roll it out of the way, rather than needing to unload it first, is the actual payoff of the wheels.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x4 board, 8 ft | 8 each |
| 1/2" plywood or OSB, 4x8 sheet1x3 boards can substitute for slatted shelving instead. | 2 each |
| 1/4" plywood, 4x8 sheetOptional enclosed front — omit for open shelving. | 1 each |
| 3/4" plywood, 4x8 sheetThe tabletop. | 1 each |
| Pegboard or plywood scrap, for the backsplash | 1 each |
| Caster wheels | 4 each |
| Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2" | 60 each |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 60 each |
| Wood screws, 2" | 30 each |
| Wood glue | 8 oz |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Side frame top/bottom rails2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 51" |
| Side frame short uprights2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 30" |
| Side frame mid uprights2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 32" |
| Side frame tall uprights2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34" |
| Side frame cross supports2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 28" |
| Frame connectors2x4Joins the two side frames into the overall bench frame. | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 64" |
| Shelving1/2" plywood or OSBCan be narrowed to 24" to conserve material, or slatted with 1x3 boards cut to 72" instead. | 3 | 1/2" × 28" × 72" |
| Front panel1/4" plywoodOptional — omit for open shelving, adding cross bracing instead. | 1 | 1/4" × 38" × 72" |
| Tabletop3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 31" × 72" |
| BacksplashPegboard or plywood scrap | 1 | 1/4" × 14 1/2" × 72" |
Buy 15 boards at 8 ft.
9 boards
1 board
3 boards
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Start by building the two side frame assemblies from the rails, uprights, and cross supports. A pocket-hole jig makes quick work of this — use the 1-1/2" pocket-hole setting and 2-1/2" pocket-hole screws.
Join the two side frames with the frame connectors laid crosswise, using the 1-1/2" pocket-hole setting and 2-1/2" pocket-hole screws.
If your shelves will need additional support, add it now. If you'll mainly be storing long pieces of lumber, they generally don't need support underneath.
Lay the shelving pieces on top of the frame and nail down with glue, using 1-1/4" brad nails.
If you're enclosing the front, screw or nail the 1/4" plywood panel on with glue. If you're omitting it for open shelving, add cross bracing instead to prevent the frame from racking.
Attach the tabletop with glue and 2" screws.
Attach the caster wheels to the base of the bench with screws.
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