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The signature joint here is the notched leg: each of the eight leg pieces gets a 3/4"-deep notch cut with repeated circular-saw passes and cleaned out with a chisel, so the middle stretcher passes THROUGH the legs rather than butting against them. That's what gives this piece its exposed-joinery workbench look, and it's also what makes the whole base rock-solid once the stretcher is screwed and glued into every notch.
Decorative 3" lag screws with exposed heads reinforce the show-face joints for the look, not the strength — the actual holding power comes from the screws and glue underneath. Add the casters last, after the base is fully assembled and square, since a rolling base is much harder to true up than a stationary one.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft | 8 each |
| Pine, 2x6, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Pine, 1x6, 8 ft | 4 each |
| Pine, 2x10, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Pine, 2x2, 8 ft2x4 also works. | 2 each |
| Caster wheels | 4 each |
| 2-1/2" self-tapping torque-head wood screws | 1 box |
| 3" lag screwsDecorative exposed heads at the notched joints. | 24 each |
| 1-1/4" finish nailsAttaching the bottom shelf boards. | 1 box |
| 2-1/2" pocket hole screws8 needed, for the bottom apron. | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Longer leg piecesPine 2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" |
| Shorter leg piecesPine 2x4 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 31" |
| Middle leg stretcherPine 2x6Passes through the leg notches. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 22 1/4" |
| Shorter bottom stretcherPine 2x6 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 13 3/4" |
| Top studsPine 2x4 | 5 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 20 3/4" |
| Top aprons, front and backPine 2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 88 1/2" |
| Bottom shelf aprons, front and backPine 2x6 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 88 1/2" |
| Center legsPine 2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 31" |
| Inside center legsPine 2x4 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22" |
| Shelf board supportsPine 2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 81" |
| Bottom shelf boardsPine 1x6 | 15 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 20 3/4" |
| Top boardsPine 2x10Used at full board length. | 3 | 1 1/2" × 9 1/4" × 96" |
Some parts are longer than a 8 ft board, so there is no honest board count to show here. Open the board plan to pick a longer stock length — it names every part that does not fit.
0 boards
3 boards
8 boards
Notch out all eight leg pieces. Set the circular saw's blade depth to 3/4" and make repeated cuts across the notched area roughly every 1/4", then use a chisel to clean out the waste between the cuts.
Fit the middle 2x6 stretcher inside each leg set through the notches, and attach with 2-1/2" screws driven from inside (starting in the longer leg piece) and glue. Take care to keep everything square — the shorter bottom stretcher can act as a spacer to help true it up.
Attach the shorter bottom stretcher with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws. If you don't have a pocket hole jig, screw in at an angle instead, or notch it the same way as the middle stretcher. Drill the pocket holes at 3/4" rather than 1-1/2" so the screw doesn't land in the gap between the two leg boards.
Attach the top 2x4 in place with 2-1/2" screws and glue. This completes the two leg sets.
Attach the 2x4 top studs between the top aprons — these will support the tabletop in a later step.
Attach the center legs to the top and bottom aprons with 2-1/2" wood screws and glue.
Fill the void behind the center leg with the smaller inside center leg piece.
Attach the 2x2 shelf board supports to the insides of the 2x6 aprons, set about 3/4" down to leave room for the shelf boards.
Starting in the center and working outward, lay the 1x6 shelf boards down. The end boards need to be notched with a jigsaw to fit around the legs. Glue and nail down.
Attach the 2x10 top boards to the studs and aprons with 2-1/2" screws and glue, keeping the overhangs even on the ends and front/back.
Attach the caster wheels to the bottom of the legs. Sand and finish as desired.
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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 →