How to Build a Tool Bench
TOH reader Amy Paladino gets help making a tool bench for her garage from TOH general contractor Tom Silva

Amy Paladino is a pro at juggling the demands of her job and family. But as with many of us, when it came to organizing tools for DIY projects, she needed a little assistance.
Enter This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, with a plan for a size-it-to-your-space tool-storage bench that doubles as a work surface. Though it may look complicated, the construction couldn't be simpler: Tom used plywood to build one large box and two smaller ones, fitted them with shelves, then placed them back-to-back and topped the assembly with doubled-up plywood. See how he and Amy built it using just a few basic tools and materials.
Overview for Building a Tool Bench

Cut List
¾-inch plywood top: two @ 38 by 72 inches
⅝-inch plywood sides of boxes: nine @ 16 inches by 27¾
½-inch plywood back of large boxes: one @ 27¾ by 67 inches
⅝-inch plywood bottom of large box: one @ 16 by 67 inches
½-inch plywood back of small boxes: two @ 17 ¼ by 27¾ inches
⅝-inch plywood bottom of small boxes: two @ 16 by 17¼ inches
½-inch plywood shelves: six @ 16 by 16½ inches (if using cleats, cut shelves to 16 inches by 16 inches)
1x2 horizontal filler strips: four @ 33 inches
1x2 vertical filler strips: four @ 22 inches
1x2 plywood rails: four @ 67 inches