In the survival game Rust, workbenches are essential crafting stations that allow players to unlock new crafting recipes and create advanced items. However, workbenches have limited durability and will eventually break if left unmaintained. Thankfully, there are several methods to repair a damaged workbench before it becomes unusable.
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How Workbenches Function in Rust
There are three tiers of workbenches in Rust:
- Level 1 – Unlocks basic items like metal tools, weapons, and armored doors
- Level 2 – Unlocks mid-tier guns, explosives, armor
- Level 3 – Unlocks high-tier weapons, raid tools, and vehicle parts
Higher tier workbenches need to be crafted at the preceding tier bench. For example, you need a level 1 bench to craft a level 2 workbench.
Workbenches have 500-1000 health points depending on the tier. As a workbench takes damage over time, its condition will decrease until it reaches 0 and breaks.
Repairing a Level 1 Workbench
A level 1 workbench can be easily repaired with a hammer. Simply access the workbench inventory and use the hammer on it as if you were upgrading a wooden wall or door. Each hammer strike will restore approximately 20 health points.
Alternatively, you can pick up the workbench with a hammer and replace it to restore it to 500 health.
Repairing Level 2 and 3 Workbenches
Repairing higher tier workbenches is more complicated:
- Craft a Repair Bench at a level 1 workbench using 125 metal fragments
- Place the repair bench nearby the damaged workbench
- Access the repair bench and place the workbench in the repair slot
- Add the required materials:
- Level 2 workbench: 500 metal fragments, 50 HQM
- Level 3 workbench: 1000 metal fragments, 100 HQM
- Press the repair button
Each repair will restore the workbench to full health, but its maximum durability will decrease by 20% each time.
Finding a Workbench to Use
If you don’t have a workbench available, there are some monuments that spawn workbenches you can temporarily use:
- Bandit Camp
- Launch Site
- Airfield
- Water Treatment Plant
- Train Yard
However, workbenches in public areas tend to decay and break faster since many players are using them. You may want to repair a public workbench before crafting anything valuable.
Tips for Maintaining Your Workbench
- Place your workbench in a secure location away from doors and windows where players are less likely to damage it
- Check on your workbench periodically to monitor its condition
- Repair your workbench whenever its health drops below 50%
- Destroy any broken workbenches so they will respawn at full health
- Upgrade to stone walls and armored doors near your workbench to protect it
Why Letting Your Workbench Break is Problematic
If your only workbench breaks completely, it can set you back significantly as a solo player or small team:
- You will lose access to any items and blueprints that required that workbench tier
- You need to farm a large amount of scrap and materials again to craft a replacement workbench
- It leaves you vulnerable to better equipped enemies
By keeping your workbench maintained and protected, you can avoid losing your technological advantage during critical moments in the game.
The Evolution of Rust Workbenches
Workbenches were introduced in November 2017 to replace the old research table system. The goal was to provide a better sense of progression by separating item unlocks into meaningful tiers.
The tech tree update in December 2020 overhauled workbenches to function as they currently do. Now players use workbenches to spend scrap researching item blueprints from various branches – weapons, tools, equipment, etc.
Workbenches are an iconic part of the Rust landscape. Keeping your workbench operating is essential for crafting the vital tools, weapons and defenses required to survive on the harsh island. Follow these repair methods to restore a damaged workbench before it breaks down completely.
