Sometimes things don’t always go as planned, but they eventually turn out right or even better than planned, right? I am debuting my Christmas present today, one month late. tsk. You see, my husband had but one request from me for a gift for several years. I wanted a DIY workbench that would allow me to not only store all my tools, but also be mobile and have an awesome work surface to boot. Not too tall an order, right?
Things were going as planned until we all got sick the week before Christmas, and then life goes on and it takes a while to get back on course. So, FINALLY I can say I have my gift that I can enjoy. I am one happy junkin’ mama. (yes, it is 20 degrees outside, sunny, and a great day to work! This is how I always look.)
THE BACKSTORY
Last winter I began a mission to dejunk my garage (aka my workshop). I am not a clutter bug and while I was pregnant, I couldn’t work and my work piled up, literally.
This drove me crazy!!
I gave some away as I mentioned HERE, and diligently worked through the rest to get down to only have one piece to work on at a time. Now I had my barn wood, new wood, and salvaged goods to get organized. Keep in mind, this also contains our auto repair tools (we do our own car repair), our kids’ toys, and your regular garage junk stuff.
You know I’m all about repurposing, so I had a stack of crib rails leftover from making my other repurposed crib projects, and I had a wonderful revelation to solve a problem.
I took our scrap wood and built shelves and upright wood storage for our collection. That’s what great about having a stash of wood!
DIY TIME
Remember, we’re in Ohio and it is COLD and dark early, so we work as we can. Doesn’t the shelving make it store better? I love that I can store vertical as well as horizontal, and that it all came from trashed stuff. Now I am ready to get creating making goodies for my online shop.
We now even have an awesome scooter caddy to save me from tripping on all those scooters laying around. Yay for me!! In case you’re craving one, you can find the DIY plans HERE.
*post sponsored by Kreg Tools (see full disclosure)
On the other side is a true gift from God. I was mentioning to our kids how I wanted to build a worktable and would love if we could get some old bookshelves to store our extras. Seriously, an hour later I looked on Craigslist and a lady is giving away these built-in bookcases just down the street from us! They fit exactly to the space we have available and serve us so well! God is good. (notice our kitchen floor tile ready to be installed – coming soon!)
My parents even gifted us with a compound miter saw that I have had on my wish list for years as well. Merry Christmas to me!!
BUILD TIME
Now to the DIY workbench. I have had plans to build one for two years. yup. Even found casters half off TWO YEARS ago and have been patiently waiting. I drew up a design for my husband and let him have at it. (it’s a gift for me, so I don’t have to work, right?)
He found a plan he wanted to replicate over on Bob Vila’s site. When I saw the handiness of Kreg Clamp Trak Kit, I just knew we would quickly make use of that awesome feature.
You can get the kit that offers you two traks where you can keep your work still using the different clamps. I chose the 3″ bench clamp and the 6″ bench clamp for versatility.
JC builds the base from simple lumber from a home improvement store while also using our scrap. Also, the top is made using MDF. My original goal is to find a solid core wood door to use for the top, but none available.
His job is so much easier by using our Kreg Jig Pocket Screw System. I have raved about that tool being one of my favorites before and I seriously don’t know what we would do without it. I gifted it to myself a year ago and it was one of the best purchases I have ever made for my workshop.
NEXT STEPS
Once the workbench is assembled, the casters are added and are good to go.
Now I am one happy junker mama that has a sensible workshop, a DIY workbench, and a heavenly stash. Woot!
My pneumatics, hand tools, and shop vacuum are all easily accessible. And our Kreg Clamp Trak system will make my life easier. The best part is that is that the whole thing is mobile, and I can work outside in the sun.
Huge thank you to my Lord for blessing me so.
I know I’m not the only one who would be giddy to have one of these. Pin and share so others can build a DIY workbench too! ♥
What a blessing that we can take a minute to make life a little bit easier for us all.
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More of my projects like my DIY Workbench:
I so enjoy the play by play of your creations…even organizing a garage! I just saw that Trak system used with a saw on a wood working TV show as they built a dog house-very cool! The fabric cutting tables at JoAnn’s have a cutting groove and so many women wish they had a table like that…maybe this is an answer for them:-)
I can only imagine how GREAT you feel to finally have everything in place AND that awesome work bench. You are blessed to have a handy hubby too!
Ooh…good idea, Debra! Yes, elated and ready to work. Truly thankful for all my blessings. 🙂
Merry Christmas! What a great gift that is! Not only does it store, but it rolls too! Very cool and it looks unbelievably strudy!
hahaha…yes! It can take on anything, I tell ya! Thanks for supporting me, Mary, in all my crazy ways. 😀
You are a team…you, JC and God. You have fantastic luck at finding free stuff with the book cases. Your shop looks organized and I can’t wait to see what you have planned next. Your energy level is “over the top.” Keep up the good work. Sherry
The best there is! I can’t wait for summer so I can really knock out projects. Thank you for your encouragement!
I love how it has a place for your shop vac! You thought of everything.
I had to have the floor clutter free and it made sense to suck up my mess! hahahaha…Thank you!
Oh how I would love to be as organized as you are. What a good feeling you must have working out there now. You are blessed as well.
Yes, feels so wicked good and I hate that it’s cold because I want to be out there all.the.time. Ha! Thank you, Debra!
You have inspired me! My family is OVER my cluttered garage, and for some reason, my 18 year old live-at-home college student would like to park his car in there. Maybe it was the 6 inches of snow that had to be swept off before church Sunday morning?? My hubby loves the worktable design, and we’re going to be copycats and steal your plans. Hope you don’t mind!
I so understand yours (and their) frustration! My youngest son asked me, “Mama, why do people park cars in their garage?” Nuff said. I’ve certainly shared this so others will give it a go, so build away and show me what you do!
Oh am I jealous over here of that fabulous workbench. I love that you included a spot for your shop vac (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stubbed my toe or nearly tripped over ours). I’m intrigued by that Kreg Clamp Track Kit. Enjoy your new workbench and compound mitre saw (so surprised to learn you didn’t have one). Looking forward to seeing the many amazing projects that will come off of that workbench!
You need your own shop, Marie! Yes, that wicked vac, compressor, and scooters all had it in for me. No more! We have needed a miter saw for so long. Thank the good Lord we were blessed! 😀
Hi Larissa.
I live in Cape Town South Africa, and here are lovelyshops where I love browsing around in and I think to myself – oh I can do this I can do that – because I sure cant afford to buy them. but when it comes to the DOING! Im a procrastinator of note!
I love your creativity and how you make things seem so easy to do. I have an old table – not sure what wood it is but it must be almost 80 yrs old, and I would love to do to it what you did when you made your lovely dining room table… but Im scared I will make a mess of it.
I cant seem to find that issue . I need a step by step tutorial to pluck up the courage to transform my table which is now covered by a tablecloth.
Anyway – I love your page – you’re so easy to read with your bubbly and enthusiastic personality and immense creativity. I love that your husband is such a great partner in your business – is there anything he cant do? LOL!!
Stay blessed and awesome!
Nuri
Awww…thank you so much! Yes, my husband is a jack-of-all-trades for sure and just needs a little encouraging. 😉 Sounds like you are a gal after my own heart. I hope you try your table. You can do it!!
wow am so jealous it looks amazing and all organised. I am currently sitting in my wee conservatory which is my workspace and it’s a big mess,planning how to organise it without spending much,lol!! Happy working in your workshop. Thank you for sharing and inspiration x
You bet! You know it was crazy up in here until I got a kick in my pants. I couldn’t be happier with my new space. Thank you!
I’m going to park my shop vac under my work table. Great idea.
Yay! No more tripping and stubbed toes!! 😀
So jealous of your work space! And I love your new work bench. Merry Belated Christmas to you both.
PS: LOVE the scooter parade!
hee hee hee…Thank you for all the love! 😀
Wow!
I’m nearly the Tool Maven you are buy this project has me yearning to become one! Our garage came with a workbench and storage closet…all are full of “swim tools,” for this Coach/Instructor ?
Have been wondering how you all are liking the NECTAR mattress? Does it have a lot of “give” or is it firm? My husband is a “scuncher,” always searching for the comfy spot…I like firm support. It’s on our “consider” list.
Make it a great day!
haha…woot! Swimming is fun! We are still enjoying it and glad we kept it. It’s definitely more firm, but shapes to you. Know what I mean? If you use the link here to purchase, I get a small portion of commission from the sale. Helps keep this mama going. 😀 –>> NECTAR
Hey do you have actual plans for this awesome workbench idea?
We don’t have any just yet, but are in the works.