by I probably should have done this project forever and a half ago (like before I started re-doing our entire house), but I FINALLY got around to building a few workbenches and setting up my shop. And by “shop” I mean the garage. My goal is to maximize shop space and storage, but still be able to park the car in there when necessary. First things first – a DIY miter saw stand.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links, I may make a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. This helps keep the tutorials and plans free here at Bitterroot DIY. Thank you for your support! See my full disclosure here.
I designed this miter saw stand to fit my saw and shop space, but there are a million and one ways to build one. Make sure to measure your saw, measure your space, and adjust the plans as necessary.
Enjoy!
Tools & Supplies:
- Miter Saw
- Circular Saw
- Drill
- Tape Measure
- Clamps
- Level
- Speed Square
- Pencil
- Safety Glasses
- Ear Protection
- 2 ½” Screws
- 1 ¼” Screws
Lumber:
- 14 | 2 x 4 @ 8′
- 1 | 3/4″ sheet of particle board (or plywood)
Cuts:
- 12 | 2 x 4 @ 36″ (full length legs)
- 4 | 2 x 4 @ 32 1/2″ (mid-workbench legs)
- 5 | 2 x 4 @ 18″ (top & bottom frame)
- 4 | 2 x 4 @ 21″ (top frame)
- 2 | 2 x 4 @ 44″ (top frame)
- 2 | 2 x 4 @ 28″ (top frame)
- 2 | 2 x 4 @ 13″ (top frame)
- 2 | 2 x 4 @ 91″ (bottom frame) **Tip: cut these pieces after you build the three bench sections. Measure all three sections together and cut to fit. The full width may be a little more than 91″ due to connections. See Step 4.
- 1 | 3/4″ Particle Board @ 47 1/2″ x 27″ (left tabletop)
- 1 | 3/4″ Particle Board @ 31″ x 27″ (center tabletop)
- 1 | 3/4″ Particle Board @ 16 1/2″ x 27″ (right tabletop)
- 1 | 3/4″ Particle Board @ 91″ x 21″ (bottom shelf)
Step 1.
Build the three top frames according to the following diagrams.
I built three separate frames so that the miter saw section has its own frame, and the top of the saw table sits level with the bench on either side.
Left Frame:
Middle Frame:
Right Frame:
Use 2 1/2″ screws through the sides of the 2 x 4s to attach the frame pieces. You could use pocket holes if you want to hide all the screws, but I decided to screw things directly together since it’s just a workbench in the garage.
Step 2.
Lay the left frame on a level surface (I used the garage floor) and attach the legs with 2 1/2″ screws. It’s easiest to build the frame upside down to get the legs flush with the top of the frame and then flip it over.
Repeat the same process for the middle frame.
Repeat for the right frame.
Step 3.
Build the bottom frame as shown below. Attach the boards with 2 1/2″ screws through the sides of the 2 x 4s.
** see my tip in the cut list above
Step 4.
Line the three benches up next to each other and work the bottom frame into place.
I laid the benches on their backs to get the bottom frame into place and then attached the frame with 2 1/2″ screws through each of the legs.
Step 5.
Lastly, attach the tabletops and bottom shelf. I had the guys at Home Depot rip the particle board sheet into two strips – one 27″ wide for the tabletop and one 21″ wide for the bottom shelf. Then I cut the three tabletop pieces down to size with my circular saw.
If you add up the total length of all three tabletops, you’ll notice it is 1/2″ short of the full 8′ sheet. I did that to account for the blade width when you cut the sheet into three sections. It’s not a super exact measurement – the important part is that the middle section fits flush in between the right and left bench, and that the right and left tabletops are flush where they meet the middle bench so your saw can sit there without interference.
Use 1 1/4″ screws to attach the tabletops and shelf to the frame. I just countersunk the screws so they won’t catch on anything.
Go ahead and stain or seal the workbench if you want. I left mine unfinished, but it’s totally personal preference!
You may want to consider placing your miter saw in the center of the workbench. I offset mine to the right because of how the shop is set up (the bench doesn’t sit in the middle of the wall). Just make sure to take your space into account before you start building.
Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
If you’d like more information, I’ve also saved a video tutorial for this workbench to my highlights on my Instagram.
Thanks for stopping by!
For more project ideas, you can find me on Pinterest. And to stay up to date with the latest shenanigans, follow me on Instagram.
Thanks for these plans. I only used the portion under the saw and will add swing arms,due to space limitations, but it helped working from your design.
Perfect! So glad it helped.
I’m currently building this and am dealing with warped boards I believe. Did you encounter the same when you were building? Thanks for the plans
I did my best to find straight boards and didn’t have too many issues with warping. Let me know if I can help with anything else.
Question: if the depth of the benches are 21″ deep and the cut list for the particle board for the tops are 27″, that leaves 6″ of over hang ….or did i miss something?
Also i just finished building the mobile table saw workbench from your plans. Turned out great! Thank you
Mitch
I just realized the legs add 3″ to the overall depth, but that still leaves 3″ overhang of the particle board tops. Is that what overhang you have?
Glad the mobile workbench worked out for you! Both benches have made such a difference in my shop. Yes, I left 1.5″ overhang on the front and back for the tabletop on this workbench. It’s handy if you ever need to clamp something down on the edge where one of the legs is. You could always cut it to 24″ wide if you prefer it to sit flush with the legs!
Cutting the top shelf to 27″ wide and the bottom shelf to 21″ wide also uses the whole sheet of plywood, instead of leaving a small 3″ section (if you were to cut the bottom shelf 21″ wide and top at 24″ wide). So you want to cut it just narrow of 27″ to account for blade width and make the bottom shelf 21″ wide to fit in the bottom frame. But, again, adjust as you prefer!
I just finished making a version of this! After searching and searching for ideas online, this saw table / workbench seemed like the best option for my workshop. Thank you so much for your plans! I wish I could attach a picture to the comments to show you how it turned out.
I made each table free standing, and added wheels to the larger table and the miter saw table so I can roll them around my basement workshop easily.
I also made the table deeper (30″ so I can use it as a workbench) and much shorter (31.5″ instead of 36″), because I’m only 5′-2″.
Thank you for posting this, and for the inspiration!
That’s awesome! I’ve been working on figuring out a way to let people post photos of the finished projects cus I’d love to see. Hopefully I can get that rolled out soon. Thanks for building from my plans!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I can’t wait to get started. I did have a quick question though. I see you call for clamps but didn’t see where you used them in the project. Did I miss this or can I get by without clamps for this project? Thanks!
You could get by without them. I used them to hold the frames together as I was assembling them. I also used them to hold the brackets in place when I attached them to the wings. But I think you could make it happen without clamps.
Hi there. I’m trying to find the actual plans for this and can’t find them anywhere on here. I have a need to print them out when I’m working in the garage LOL
Sorry, but I don’t have printable PDFs of my plans at this time. I’m working on upgrading software to do that ASAP.
Did you sand any of the boards?
No, I just left them since it’s just a workbench.
I made this today, as my very first woodworking project! Can’t say enough that the diagrams and instructions were clear, concise and made it fun to do for a beginner! These instructions should be considered the gold standard! Cheers!
Thank you so much, I’m glad it all worked out for you!
Great design! Thanks for the plans and photographs. I am setting of new workshop in my garage and will use to build this as my first woodwork project.
Thanks! Good luck!