Synopsis: This long work counter spans an entire wall and has storage underneath. Beneath the spacious top is a clever leg design that maximizes the yield from a sheet of plywood—eight legs from one sheet—and minimizes how much muscle it takes to install the countertop. One woodworker can install it without help. It’s also easy to level. The shelves drop in after the legs and subtop have been installed.

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In a woodworking shop, counter and storage space are a lot like clamps: You can never have too much. That’s why when I built my new basement shop, I reserved an entire wall for a long work counter with storage beneath it. I intended to build and install this counter by myself, so I designed a countertop and base that I could make and install without help. My other goal was to minimize the amount of material needed…