How to Build a Tool Bench

By: Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Locking casters; There should be 6 in all.

2. Wood glue

3. ½-inch plywood for backs and shelves.

4. Pegboard

5. ¾-inch plywood for work surface.

6. 1x2 filler strip for furring out the pegboard.

7. ⅝-inch plywood for bottoms and walls.

8. Power strip suitable for workshop use.

9. 1½-inch deck screws

10. ½-inch straight router bit

11. Pegboard hooks

12. 5/16-inch carriage bolt, washer and nuts

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Drill/Driver fitted with a countersink bit
- Circular saw
- Router with ½inch straight bit
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Tom Silva and Amy Paladino use a router to make <span style=

½-inch slots for plywood shelves" width="400" height="400"/> < >

Photo: Allison Dinner

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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1. Cut Box Parts

Using our online cut list and a circular saw guided by a straightedge, cut plywood backs, walls, bottoms, and shelves to size for one large and two small boxes. Use a router to make ½-inch slots on the inner walls where shelves will slide in.

Pro advice:
"If you don't have a router to make slots for shelves, you can screw 1x2 cleats to the inner walls of the boxes instead, and affix the shelves to them."
—Tom Silva, TOH General Contractor