How to Build a Model Railroad Workbench

Hobbyists who are dedicated to model railroading encounter a host of problems, but one of the most prominent is finding a proper workbench. A workbench that is too low will cause you back pain from bending over too often, and a workbench that is too high will not allow you to reach across the bench. Finally, a workbench also needs a high amount of stability in order to ensure it will not collapse under moderate weight. The best way to solve all of these problems is to build your own custom workbench with a moderate amount of preparation.

Instructions

1

Measure the height of your waist from ground level with the tape measure. The height just below which you wear your belt is ideal. Cut four sections of 2-by-4 posts to this length from two of the 8-foot sections using the wood saw. These four equal-length posts will be the legs of your workbench.

2

Cut two 8-foot sections of 2-by-4 directly in half with the wood saw, creating four 4-foot sections of posts. Use the tape measure to find and mark the center. Use the hammer and nails to create two box frames from the 2-by-4s, making each frame with two sides of 8-foot posts, and two sides of 4-foot posts. There is no wrong way to align the posts, but make sure that each frame is assembled the same way, and that you use at least two nails for every connection.

3

Use the hammer and nails to secure the end of a leg-post (the posts you created in step 1) to each corner of one of the frames. Hold a leg into a corner of the frame, and pound 2 nails from the inside of each side of the post through to the frame. Repeat with each leg. Flip the frame (with the legs now attached) upside down, placing the legs inside the other frame. Secure the bottom of the legs to this other frame in the same way you did before.

4

Place the 4- by 8-foot plywood board on top of the assembled frames, and align the corners. Secure it in place with the hammer and nails, using one nail in each corner.