Save HUNDREDS of dollars building your workbench like this!

This video is about my Best Tip for designing a workbench! The Drawer System I use is affordable, flexible, and very easy to make. A perfect integration for your workbench!
On my website, you can find a lot of information on more upgrades for your workshop. Visit: hookedonwood.o...
Products Shown in this video:
AUKTOOLS Router
woodworkerswor...
BenchDogs INCRA Quad plate
benchdogsuk.eu...
Some China Tools I used in this video:
Enjoywood clamping squares
www.banggood.c...
Hongdui Edge trimmer
www.banggood.c...
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My Personal Banggood favorite of all time!
1. Hongdui Edge Trimmer
www.banggood.c...
2. Doweling Jig / Multi-row puncher
www.banggood.c...
3. 20-watt diode laser
www.banggood.c...
4. Drill guide cabinet jig
www.banggood.c...
5. T-ruler
www.banggood.c...
6. Precision square
www.banggood.c...
7. Miter square
www.banggood.c...
8. Miter square brass
www.banggood.c...
9. Height gauge
www.banggood.c...
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My name is Dennis and I am from Hooked on Wood.
Subscribe to my channel!
www.youtube.co....
My KZbin channel is a hobby. This means I try to upload 1 a 2 video's a month. But this is not at a specific schedule. So If you do not want to miss my videos. Subscribe and click the notification.
Products I use in my workshop.
Table saw with dust system:
Felder 740S Slider
Felder 140
Workbench:
Incra master-R-router lift
AEG 1400w router
Incra 25" SL positioner with Wonder Fence
Drill press: Jet JDP 15B
Miter saw: Festool Kapex 60
Different links to products I use
Clamps:
Axminster trade hold down clamps
Piher Rail guide clamps
Micro Jig dovetail clamps
Bessey parallel clamps
Axminster trade parallel clamps
Push blocks
Micro Jig Gripper
Incra Push block
Thank you for viewing.
Best regards,
Dennis

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video. Your basic idea is really smart and even if someone doesn't do exactly what you've done, seeing how you've thought about the problem and solved it is just really good to know. Your details are really good. I've made a lot of drawers. I don't think I'd 'want' to use your method.... but it's so efficient and easy that it's probably the best method for a new shop. After a few years the ones that start to wear, just upgrade them. And the ones that haven't? You've just had the use of them for many years and saved a lot of time and delay. I've made drawers using finger jointed Baltic birch, hardwood runners rabbeted into the drawers and the carcass... Better, sure; and the drawers I made 30 and 18 years ago are still like new...but I haven't been able to bring myself to the hours and hours and set ups required to make more. The drawers you have and use are much better than the ones you don't have and can't use. I think I would make sure that if the carcass sides started to wear they can be popped out, replaced or rabbeted so hardwood runners can be inserted. The best coating for the MDF slots and the bottoms of the drawer sliders that I know of would be epoxy with carbon filler. It's black . Don't need fiberglass. You can quickly sand and buff this coating with steel wool this surface until it's smooth like a mirror (if you want). It's tough and slick, but I would always use beeswax or paraffin wax (not sure what they call this stuff in Europe). With this coating I don't think you need worry about anything wearing out. But definitely your edge easing and sanding is important, otherwise the drawer bottoms will start cutting into the carcass. I would double the number the slots in the carcass. so 70mm high drawers... 75mm slots, cut another set at 37.5mm. So you could use two drawers in three slots and space above the drawer. I've found that it's very easy to over fill a drawer. Suppose you decide to have a drawer for power tools? Some of these will be higher than the drawer sides. You could drop down half a height, problem solved. Also, because my method for making drawers was so time consuming I just made as many as possible, I arrived at a standard size (too big to mention here, I also used them as art print drawers). So for my shop I just made tall carcasses with runners so I could use all the drawers. So if I set up to make a bunch of drawers I'd make as many as possible. To coat the Baltic birch I drilled a small hole in the 152 x 152cm sheets, sand the whole sheet with a pole sander and ROS. Then I hung them on a wire hook and coated them with Bona floor coating. Then I cut out all the drawers. Hope this contributes to your brilliant solution.

[@HookedonWood]

Great comment👍 thanks

[@juanmcain]

Can you tell me more about the epoxy with carbon fiber? Is it a kit or do you just add carbon fiber with epoxy? Brand name?

[@WillN2Go1]

@@juanmcain No fiber. Just WestSystems 423 Graphite Powder additive (I miswrote 'carbon filler') This makes a more slippery but epoxy hard surface. Mix it up, paint it on, then when it sets sand it, buff it with steel wool and a coat of wax.

[@bnic5776]

Respectful comment

[@ashokmoghe8035]

Interesting ideas. One question though- how does having double the slots i.e. every 37.5 mm in this example help? Won't it need new door fronts for every drawer? TIA.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Very smart, Dennis. I’ve used drawers like this for years, but standardizing the size and space is a game changer. Well done. Scott

[@t.e.1189]

I recently made similar type drawers with a flexible system for my work van out of Birch plywood. I clear coated the drawers and cabinets and then gave them both a generous coat of waxed. They work great!

[@billparrish4385]

Really great video! I appreciate the depth you got into as to design choices and talking through them. I have some slightly different design elements on mine, based on need, available materials I wanted to use, etc., but your process definitely helped me. One idea I used that may help you is that I incorporated iron-on white melamine edge tape onto the gliding surfaces of my drawers, as a hardening treatment to make the action more slick. Mine has simple drawer boxes (no lip on a wider bottom), gliding on protruding cleats attached to the uprights, and the top surfaces of the cleats treated with the tape. If you wanted to use this harder/slicker surface treatment, you could route a mortise along the bottom edges of the drawers that is the thickness of the tape, iron it on there, and not have to change anything else. Cheers, and thanks again!

[@danhalen2889]

I did something similar in my shop but I added UHMW tape on the underside of the drawers to help them slide more easily.

[@larsonbennett5903]

Where would I get UHMW tape?

[@danhalen2889]

@@larsonbennett5903 I got it from Amazon

[@nailbanger2]

Paste wax would also be an option.​@@larsonbennett5903

[@jimweisgram9185]

​@@larsonbennett5903there are online suppliers. Google it. I made some shop jigs 20 years back, and used UHMW tape for a frictionless slide. It worked great until the adhesive on the tape started to lose adhesion after about 10 years. Taking the tape off changed the fit of my pieces. I could have replaced the tape but wasn't in the mood anymore. I just shimmed the gap with wood and used wax to cut the friction.

[@matonmacs]

This drawer system is brilliant. The ability to have lots of shallow drawers relatively cheaply is a huge organizational win. Thanks so much for the idea! Merry Christmas!

[@lanceyohe6026]

Drawer system looks like it’s based off of the Ron Paulk Smart Woodshop that he designed and built many years ago.

[@EnlightenedSavage]

No it is based off Jer Schmidt. But not as good.

[@0CalAgricola]

Those drawers look really sharp and give a really professional look to your shop. Nice job!

[@DanielGeorge-c7t]

Excellent drawer system, I plan to add a pull out bread board above the top drawer for tool layout. The bread board will used like an extension of my bench but 5” lower since my workbench top is a 5” laminated beam. This allows the top of the bench to be uncluttered with tools and staged work pieces while easy access. I plan to add the breadboard the same finish details as the drawer bank. Also the bread board can be pulled out on either side of the bench above each of 3 drawer banks. I will cut blocks that can be placed level with the top of the work bench to effectively expand the width of the bench top. This drawer system is so efficient and adaptable, nice job Eric.

[@sneakyhippo8663]

This the route I wanted to go but wasn’t sure how except with hardwood. I’m glad this alternative turned out great and it’s the way I will go. Plus drawer slides are so expensive with as many drawers as I plan to have. Thank you!!!

[@sudsf16]

I've been looking for a method like this to make drawers for my shop. This is terrific! Thank you!

[@ericrickert3045]

rewatched this to gain understanding of the spacing. I am going to attempt drawers using this concept. Thanks for this video!!

[@BobMuir100]

I am so pleased I found you as what you are doing is brilliant and I can gain “experience” by watching your productions which as I am 64 is very handy!! Lol Bob England

[@michael.schuler]

As a professional shopfitter, I had access to scrap slatwall. I used this pre-made material to form slotted case sides and avoid the need to cut multiple dados. Even if the slatwall is purchased new, this is an economical way to execute the same design.

[@silverbackag9790]

As an American, I read that “as a professional shoplifter,…”

[@meilyn22]

​@silverbackag9790 I thought I was the only one, haha. I read "shoplifter."

[@cameronpoole174]

Another guy here who thought you were a professional shoplifter.

[@bremg9185]

Plannen gekocht en een variatie hiervan aan het maken. De plannen missen heel veel maten, non stop scrollen en zoeken. Verder fantastisch design!

[@peterkitchell8586]

I agree, this is a well worked out drawer system. I have used the more tempered 1/4 masonite instead for bottoms and fronts. If oiled and finished it turns dark brown and can be worked up to a fairly shiny surface if you want to put multiple coats on. No handles just a hole to pull with your finger. Yours is beautifully thought out and executed as usual.

[@leocastano4552]

I am fascinated to see your video, you have the very nice workshop and the order of you see good impression to your customers.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

Brilliant aesthetics and ergonomy. I always loved simple wooden sliders. They last an eternity plus another one, they work as expected, they stay or glide when needed, they are cheap, can be installed with minimal if no measurements and can be used in a modular system like the one shown here. Excellent content!

[@matthewstrack]

Wow, I think that is the cleverest garage storage idea I have seen in a long time.

[@patrickcronin3660]

I enjoy your channel. I'm about to embark on a Shop build in my garage. I'm going to steal some of your ideas! I love the organized, minimalist approach to your shop. Thanks for the tutorials.

[@ogearbox6132]

This system is perfect for my new old shop. The cost of lumber and plywood is through the roof so the MDF is something I switched to, loved the gray scheme against the yellow pine drawer pulls.

[@CNile-se9xw]

Your drawer system is absolutely brilliant. 👍 My wife & I are elderly so I'm keen to convert our kitchen door/shelf cupboards to drawers, & your system means that it will be affordable. My workshop is tiny, I've got a circular saw track guide, but no router or table saw, so your last suggestion making the slots with pre-cut pieces will be perfect. 👍

[@AntiViGames]

Look into an MFT, it expands the function of a track saw to the point where you can do most things with it as you would on a table saw and it's perfect for small workshops.

[@RThailand]

The forward thinking is what is admirable here. He committed for the long haul with the first bench of drawers.

[@observingfrank8435]

I like this modern and effective approach. I also like the design with this dark coloured MDF and the contrasts. Good job!

[@roncrandall]

Excellent idea! No need for drawer slides, which makes it cheaper, and quicker to assemble.

[@kkarllwt]

I run a 3/8 deep by 1/2 rabbited slot down the side of the drawers and put the strips they ride on on the inside of the case. I built a rolling tool box base in 1978 When I needed one at the factory I worked at, And, many more for my shop over the years.

[@Luckde10]

Adjusted the plans for the drawers mostly because I had slides left over from another project. Will use the plans for the base in other projects as well. Thx!

[@cobaltwoodcraft4365]

Greetings from Texas, USA! I just discovered your channel this week and I have enjoyed what I have seen so far. I love your workbench/drawer system! The modularity is fantastic and as you mentioned it is much more economical. I do like the metal drawer slides, but this is a great system when you need to make many drawers (as I do in my current shop). I also really like your Match Fit assembly table. I just got the starter kit, so I'm excited to make one for myself as well. Cheers! - Joe

[@apersen7658]

excellent, I appreciate that you addressed the shorter sides on the taller drawers. I too dislike stacking things, I’d much rather have many more smaller drawers.

[@superspecialty5169]

An ingenious idea for a closed indoors environment/workspace only.

[@-ZIO]

This brilliant because it is so simple. I am designing my new workbench now and will use this design for drawers.

[@EngineerMikeF]

Brilliant to have every drawer box the same, saves on confusion of many drawer box dimensions, & I can remake a drawer height later if I decide

[@norm5785]

Thank you for sharing. Very clean, versatile and easy. Stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@Luca_s_Lab]

That's called precision work! Well done

[@bruce-le-smith]

that drawer system is awesome thank you. such an engineering perspective on woodwork, incredible

[@heyimamaker]

This is a great idea, you can find cooling stand like this in kitchens or bakeries where you can put a cooking tray or even deeper treys on the same rack.

[@stevebussell5568]

Hi Dennis from New Hampshire. Just discovered your channel and like your bench and drawer system very much. Looking forward to your next video!

[@alanrichardson7244]

Boy I really enjoyed the video. Great craftsmanship 👍

[@slowfinger2]

Now that's some proper engineering! I retired from the custom woodworking industry, and know a good drawer when I see it.😎 Great video, and nice shop. One tip to offer up about runners, to everyone, came from a forty year old dresser(now 70). Way back in the day, I guess we did this. Plastic Laminate on the tops of the carcass runners. Plus add 1/2" tall lam. strips on the carcass sides(above the runner, or right in the dado, like an L) and get a closer fit, no-wiggle tolerance. Can be glued up on the long strips before cutting to length. Based on that old dresser's still slick drawer action, I built a set of four tall dressers for a family friend from mahogany ply, and we know ply on ply doesn't cut it. It was a simple solution to use some scrap lam that color matched. These dressers had conventional sides and runners well spaced vertically. That was over 30 yrs. ago. There's hardly any wear on the laminate, save for a bit of the color worn off, on the leading edge. None but the faintest scuffs (1/2") on the lacquered drawers.

[@SquareRootOfMinus1]

Hey Slowf… great idea. So let’s see - plastic laminate - do you mean Formica ? Like counter-top material. And the No-wiggle fit - do you mean that you really are going for a tight fit ? As in, you want as little play as possible. So this won’t cause binding ? I was thinking of a different mat’l for drawer bottom : Eg. Engineered hardwood flooring (maybe even laminates), instead of MDF. I could put the slippery side down. But yes - you want it to be quite slippery I imagine. How about slippy tape- the UHMW tape. Or, perhaps I could use metal. Light gauge (28 Ga or so) sheet metal. What think you ? Glad I came back to this vid, and saw your new-ish comment.

[@slowfinger2]

@@SquareRootOfMinus1 Hi Bobby. Yes Formica. It's a brand name among many, but was the first. Like Ski-Do, and Kleenex. Wiggle -fit kind of means that. Not to tight but I want the drawer fronts to line up and not move from side to side so they aren't lined up on the vertical plane. The thing with wooden runners is the same wood species will wear out. You want a softer piece on the cabinet to run on, and a harder piece for the drawer. Or a least two different species. Your lam. flooring idea sounds good. There's also that slick white teflon plastic (1/2" sheets) that people make jigs and table saw jig-runners out of.

[@IlijaPavlic]

It would be easier and cost the same to just use a melamine panel for bottoms. An added benefit is that the top surface is protected with a durable plastic coating as well.

[@micheljouve8181]

Thanks for this brillant idea, I'm looking for it for a long time. Best wishes from south of France 👍

[@tcbridges]

Wish you made plans available. These are the best drawer system I’ve seen

[@mellymel1100]

I love this modular idea of building drawers! Very tidy, and I'm liking and subscribing. I'll be building a workbench soon, and I'm sure I'll use some of your drawers :D

[@RWMoto1]

Drawer slides are amazing, I will be using this method on my next set- thank you!

[@vitale6633]

Fantastic - Very Creative. I shall employ your design in the refresh of my shop. Thank You for sharing.

[@makernova8160]

Great tips! I didn't even think about having the nook between the drawers and the tabletop for placing a tool that you're using - good idea! Also, I love how neat, tidy, and clean your workshop always is.

[@patrickflanagan8008]

Absolutely first class and a lovely modern colour scheme.

[@usrzero]

Great design. Upgrading my outfeed / router table this winter, so I think this will fit in quite well. Well done!

[@gekkehenkie0001]

Using the MDF properties to help glide the drawers is brilliant.

[@DeltaKilo9]

Absolute class mate, great content. 100% going to use this, simple, efficient and looks awesome. Keep up the good work!

[@ΑντωνηςΔουκακης]

Thanks for the video i really enjoyed it and make me thinking how to incorporate this idea into my small hobbyist workshop!

[@jeffhallford5284]

Simple, efficient and easy. Very nicely done. Thank you for sharing your brilliant ideas. I really enjoy your videos.

[@vollmond1822]

heeeeey! that's a great system! nice built and affordable too! i'm gonna use it in my workshop. thank you 4 sharing!

[@gokhansaltan1385]

Awesome ! it is so european ! very precise, very accurate, high expertise-low material. it inspired me a lot.

[@dreamfunction4491]

Beautifully simple. Genius design.

[@davidbuchan2224]

This is perfect. Thank you for sharing this clever and cost effective modular system - new subscriber!

[@vninjadfw]

love the idea of this. I'm sure I'll use something from this in my garage soon!

[@billybike57]

Nice clean system you’ve developed!

[@erpinterfaces9631]

Hi from Upstate NY! Really great in all regards! I pressed subscribe after less than a minute. You could just tell immediately it was going to be high quality. Thank you!

[@HookedonWood]

Thankd

[@debbieeckels25]

Excellent drawers. I really appreciate your plans & explanation. Thanks for sharing. Debbie

[@elisagonzales4262]

Very nice! I want to add drawers to a workbench I just made. I think I’ll try this method!

[@homesteadfromscratch]

Nicely done and a beautiful looking shop.

[@jimrosson6702]

Great idea on the draws been looking for ideas to build a workbench I like yours the best thanks for sharing

[@cobaltfuchs2456]

You hoped, I would like it … I love it! It looks great and has very clever design. Thats the system, which I‘m going to use for my „workshop“. Thanks for sharing this information/video 🙏

[@GarlandLym]

Genius design. And I love the very clean and uncluttered design

[@Beu8791]

Really enjoyed your content. Great tutorial, keep it up 👍👍

[@jeanstrehaiano6030]

Hi Dennis thanks for the trick! Nice as always. I guess you spent sometime determining also the width and the depth of the drawers May you share these?

[@sawdustcrypto3987]

LOVE THESE DROWERS!! I am designing something similar and you have inspired me to make some changes

[@LukeHoersten]

I love your design aesthetic!

[@andrewkennedy9704]

Merry Christmas to you too Dennis.

[@scorpianspirit5124]

Wow, you have just given me the perfect idea on what I need to do in creating my drawer spaces. I love this and will be implementing this drawer design in my shop. Thank you ! I have also never been to your channel before, but just subscribed as I'm really impressed with the way you think. Great stuff ! Cheers from Utah... ;-) 2 thumbs up !!

[@br31woodlands69]

Didn’t know Arnold was into wood working. Love the videos.

[@AB-C1]

Excellent video and build! I have been thinking of making something similar to this for the last couple of years and out of all the videos I've watched this is the closest to the idea I had in my mind so it's great to see it works is functional flexible and looks good! (I've even contemplated making this as a kitchen replacement! Wasn't sure if would be too "basic" looking but with some nice fronts and a couple of tweaks I reckon it could work for a kitchen also! (Maybe just add a couple of runners for the most frequently used drawers) and the rest use this method to save money on drawer runners. Cheers from London 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@ronboe6325]

I do have some concerns about long term wear of the MDF bottom. But I suppose if it became a problem you could trim off the proud MDF edge and glue on a strip of hardwood. Now, that said, this is a classic "wish I had thought of that!". I like this system.

[@ryanbartlett672]

Excellent ideas and exceptional instruction. Thanks.

[@jasonknox1926]

Yeah great idea. Think I’ll be incorporating this idea into my work bench

[@philipchandler330]

Well conceived and impressive build quality

[@Toyotajunkie]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@I000I]

Have to admit your workshop drawers system looks better, than kitchen drawers in many homes! 😁

[@nathanielkswas]

I'm about to renovate my shop after having "broke it in" as a beginner. I'll be using this system, it's fnastic!!

[@Joejeep1990]

Nice job, great ideas. Definitely going to use on my new table. Thanks

[@justinguerrera8322]

Excellent video and design. Think I'll be copying this down the road.

[@coryjohn4057]

loved your video. Thank - you. I hope you tube treats you good so you keep up the great work.

[@je-fq7ve]

great wood working videos. Like your style. Only thing i would add are labels to the draws. To many for me to remember.

[@mjf1036]

This video title appeared to be the usual click bait but you system is really Brilliant! I am defiantly borrowing your design. 🎉 Thank you.

[@Rimrock300]

'Appeared'. Can you prove the video title wrong or not

[@nikosgeorgakis6759]

Very nice video! I liked very much how clean and nice stored is everything in there!

[@darrendrew8224]

Nice video, good way to make inexpensive drawers.

[@jdlarson1]

Well done. Great function and style. Thanks for sharing!

[@NeilGool]

Great video! Can you make a video on how you made the draw handles please?

[@HookedonWood]

I will think about it. thanks for the suggestion

[@gavjav1]

Fantastic build Dennis 👏 The colours look a awesome contrast 😍

[@zanevandenheever9071]

Wish I had seen this last week... Great video

[@PharaohsCave]

I came from the miter saw fence and subscribed for this amazing drawer system ;) definetly trying that

[@michaelcampbell1471]

Awesome video and concept execution. Liked and Subscribed! :)

[@MrOneill50]

Happy Christmas and a happy new year

[@johngalvin1653]

Merry Christmas.

[@captainwoodworking1273]

Fantastic system and very nice workbench I will reuse some of your ideas I like a lot the workbench with the T-track grooves that allow you to hold in place anything. Well done

[@thewoodshop69]

I think this is the best system to put in place for a table saw outfeed assembly table.

[@fritz4345]

Great system. Looks like this will be a lot cheaper to make than all these draw slides.

[@chiawildy563]

Economical solution and very practical too. In fact, it comes with durability. For seasoned carpenters, its a good design. Only flaw i foresee is that the drawer cannot be as fully extended as those with the "three stage" drawer rail mechanism. Then again, it depends on what one needs. Its a very interesting concept to mitigate cost.

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Excellent system. Will be using it as the basis of my own cabinets.

[@andystevens3865]

Just love your content Dennis, so informative, practical and articulate. Happy 2023.

[@colinbrown8095]

Kudos @ Ron Paulk for original concept.

[@HookedonWood]

Hi Colin, good, you mention. Of course, I know Ron. I bought his plans a few years back, although I never built his workbench! That said, I need to familiarize myself with how he made a drawer system like this as well. Otherwise, I would have noted that in the video. But of course, different minds may get the same idea.