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Learn how to build a custom work table for your gardening and outdoor chores. We outfitted this bench with a dry sink, tool storage and plenty of shelving.

TOOLS
table saw or circular saw
miter box
drill bits
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MATERIALS
(3) 8’ long cedar 4x4 posts
(18) 8’ long cedar 1x4 boards
(2) 8’ long cedar 1x6
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By: Chip Wade
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INTRODUCTION




Cut List
PIECE (A) - (4) 1x4 cedar front and back rails - 4’ 5”
PIECE (B) - (3) 1x4 cedar cross rails for bottom frame - 1’ 3”

PIECE (C) - (3) 1x4 cedar cross rails for top frame - 1’ 9”

PIECE (D) - (4) 4x4 cedar posts - 35-1/4”

PIECE (E) - (4) 1x4 cedar support - 1’ 3/4” to short side of miters

PIECE (F) - (2) 1x4 cedar support - 11”

PIECE (G) - (5) 1x4 cedar bottom shelf slats - 5’

PIECE (H) - (5) 1x4 cedar counter slats - 5’ 2”
PIECE (I) - (1) 1x6 cedar counter slat (rear slat) - 5’ 2”
PIECE (J) - (2) 4x4 cedar post back supports with chamfer - 3’
PIECE (K) - (2) 4” x 2-1/4” x 3” cedar block spacer
PIECE (L) - (1) 4x4 cedar center shelf post - 18”
PIECE (M) - (2) 4x4 cedar back lower shelf support - 8-1/4”
PIECE (N) - (1) 1x6 cedar mid shelf - 5’ 2”
PIECE (O) - (3) 4x4 cedar corbel
PIECE (P) - (2) 1x4 cedar top shelf slats - 5’ 2”
PIECE (Q) - (4) 2x2 cedar diagonal decorative bars (cut from 4x4 scraps)
PIECE (R) - (2) angled boot and glove support made (cut from 4x4 scraps)
PIECE (S) - (4) 1” dowel - 15”
PIECE (T) - (4) 1” dowel - 6” (can cut at different lengths if desired)
PIECE (U) - (1) 1x4 side mount rail – 1’ 4-1/2”

STEP 1


Make Bottom Frame
Cut out Pieces A, B and C. Create the bottom frame with two Piece A’s, three Piece B’s. Glue and nail together as shown.

STEP 2

Build Top Frame
Create the top frame (countertop) with two Piece A’s and three Piece C’s. Glue and nail together as shown.

STEP 3


Sink Supports
Add support structures for the sink with four Piece E’s and two Piece F’s. Glue and nail as shown. Ensure that the spacing between Piece F’s are greater than 15” apart for sink clearance.

STEP 4

4x4 Support Legs
Cut four Piece D’s to make the support legs.

STEP 5


Attach Bottom Frame to Legs
Attach the bottom frame assembly to the four legs with 4” of clearance from the floor. Ensure the legs protrude out wider than the frame 3/4” as shown.

STEP 6


Attach Countertop to Legs
Attach the top frame assembly to the four legs. Make the assembly flush to the top of the legs. Ensure the legs protrude out wider than the frame 3/4” on one side. It should align with the bottom frame on the front side.

STEP 7


Drill Pocket Holes
If you’re using a pocket-hole jig, drill pocket holes on rails in order to fasten the shelf boards. Counter bore the G and H Pieces. An optional way to fasten is with a nail gun from the top surface.

STEP 8


Lay Slats on Bottom Frame
Attach five Piece G’s withpocket screws or nails, leave a 1/4" spacing in between each board. Cut the front and back slats to fit snuggly between corner posts.

STEP 9


Check Sink Placement
Place galvanized tub sink in place for reference; place five Piece H’s and one Piece I over the top ensuring that the boards overlap the edge of the galvanized tub on all sides. Slats are shown split here to locate sink edges.

STEP 10


Trace Sink
Pull the galvanized sink from underneath and place on top of boards. Center the sink between the cross braces below. Trace the sink onto the counte top boards.

STEP 11


Cut Sink Hole
Use a jigsaw to cut a 1/4” inside the traced line of the sink. Cutting inside the circle will allow the rolled edge of the sink to be held up when it is dropped in the hole.

STEP 12


Cut Shelf Posts
Cut the J and K Pieces. Glue and screw them together as shown. Counter-bore the screws so that they’ll be below the surface.

STEP 13

Cut Notch in Table Top
Notch out back corners of 1x6 countertop boards to allow for clearance of the J and K assembly. Make sure they will sit flush on the upper frame and leg supports.

STEP 14



Attach Shelf Posts
Counter-bore the back supports and attach them to the table assembly with glue and cabinet screws. The 4x4 posts should stick above countertop 18”.

STEP 15

Cut Middle Shelf Posts
Cut the L and M Pieces.

STEP 16


Channel for Plumbing
Notch out a center channel on one M Piece for water supply clearance.

STEP 17

Attach Middle Posts
Glue and screw Piece L and both M Pieces equally spaced on the countertop in line with the outer posts.

STEP 18


Cut Notch on Lower Shelf
Glue and cut pocket holes on Piece N to connect to vertical posts or optionally, use a nail gun to attach.

STEP 19



Cut Corbels for Top Shelf
Cut three Piece O’s and attach to the top of posts with glue and nails. Use a band saw or a reciprocating saw to cut the profile.

STEP 20


Attach Top Shelf Pieces
Cut two Piece P’s and glue and nail on top of rear shelf supports with a 1/4” gap in between each board.

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