Windrose’s crafting system revolves around placing workbenches within your camp’s Bonfire radius. Every Workbench starts at level one and unlocks basic items (like bandages, simple tools). As you progress, higher-level benches let you craft advanced gear and utilities. Crucially, Windrose doesn’t explain this clearly: you must build special upgrade stations to raise each bench’s level. For example, placing a Sawhorse next to your Workbench (within the same Bonfire radius) upgrades it to level two. This article breaks down everything about Workbench upgrades from how to build the Sawhorse and Toolbox to where to farm the required copper and hardwood and what new recipes unlock at each level.
Windrose Crafting System Explained (Workbench Levels And Progression)
In Windrose, crafting happens at buildable stations (like the Workbench) and advanced materials are made at refining structures (furnaces, kilns). All stations must sit inside an active bonfire’s area; if the bonfire goes out or the station is outside its circle, crafting stops. There is also a discovery system: your crafting blueprints unlock when you pick up new materials or components in the world (e.g. picking up a Copper Ore or Iron Ingot unlocks related recipes). The Workbench itself has three levels Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 each unlocking more powerful recipes. To reach these higher levels, you must build specific upgrade addons in Build Mode. The Workbench’s add-ons (which extend its capabilities) are:
- Sawhorse (Workbench L2 upgrade) requires wood and copper.
- Toolbox (Workbench L3 upgrade, uses nails/iron) or Tool Shelf (alternate L3 upgrade using Hardwood). Each add-on is crafted as a piece of furniture and placed near the Workbench. As soon as you place the right station, the Workbench upgrades automatically. Note: each addon must be placed within the same bonfire radius as the Workbench to take effect.
How To Upgrade Workbench Levels In Windrose Step By Step
Upgrading a Workbench is straightforward once you know the process. First, craft and place a basic Workbench (5 Wood) at your bonfire. Then gather the materials for the first upgrade. In practice, you will progress through the game’s story (defeat the Coastal Jungle boss) until a quest leads you to find copper. Mine and smelt Copper Ingots (using a Stone Pickaxe, Charcoal Kiln, and Furnace see below). Once you have Copper Ingots, the Sawhorse blueprint will appear. Craft Sawhorse (20 Wood + 10 Copper Ingot) and place it next to the Workbench. The Workbench will instantly upgrade to Level 2.
Next, prepare for Level 3: advance to the Foothills biome (after defeating the second boss) to gather Hardwood and Iron/ Nails. By Level 3 you can either craft a Toolbox (10 Wood + 20 Steel Nails + 5 Foothills Iron Ingot) or a Tool Shelf (requires Hardwood in the latest patches). Place whichever Level-3 addon you build near your Workbench; it will upgrade to Level 3 and unlock the highest-tier bench recipes.
Windrose Workbench Upgrade Guide (Level 1 To Level 3 Explained)
- Level 1 (Base Workbench): Craftable immediately with 5 Wood. Allows very basic tools (Stone Pickaxe, Wooden Planks) and items like bandages.
- Level 2: Achieved by placing the Sawhorse (a Workbench addon). Once Sawhorse is built, the Workbench becomes Level 2. Level 2 unlocks intermediate gear: Iron tools, new weapons, and utility items (e.g. the Sailor Backpack for more inventory).
- Level 3: Achieved by placing the Toolbox (or in newer patches, the Tool Shelf) near the Workbench. This final upgrade instantly makes the Workbench Level 3. Level 3 unlocks top-tier crafting: the Bosun Backpack (huge inventory boost), Timber (bulk wood), and other late-game gear.
In summary: start at Level 1, then build Sawhorse for Level 2, and Toolbox/Tool Shelf for Level 3. Each higher level lets you craft more advanced items.
How To Unlock Level 2 Workbench In Windrose (Sawhorse Guide)
To unlock Level 2, you must craft and place a Sawhorse in your base. First, collect Copper Ingots. Find a Copper Ore cavern in the Coastal Jungle, mine it with a Stone Pickaxe, and smelt the ore in furnaces (using charcoal from a kiln). Once you have enough Copper Ingots, the Sawhorse recipe will unlock. The Sawhorse costs 20 Wood + 10 Copper Ingot to build. After building Sawhorse near your Workbench (within the same bonfire radius), your Workbench instantly upgrades to level 2.
Image: In Windrose’s building menu, the Sawhorse (Workbench Level 2 upgrade) requires 20 Wood and 10 Copper Ingots. Building it will upgrade the Workbench to Level 2.
At Level 2, check your Workbench recipes: you’ll see new unlocks like the Iron Axe/Pickaxe, Anvil, and specialized gear. Notably, you can now craft the Sailor Backpack for extra inventory slots.
Windrose Workbench Level 3 Upgrade Guide (Toolbox Requirements)
Reaching Level 3 requires building a Toolbox (or Tool Shelf). To unlock the Toolbox recipe, you need Hardwood and Foothills Iron Ingots. Secure Foothills Iron by mining in the Foothills biome. Also gather Nails by crafting copper nails at any Workbench. In the base game (v0.10), the Toolbox costs 10 Wood + 20 Nails + 5 Foothills Iron Ingot. Place the Toolbox next to the Level-2 Workbench to upgrade it to level 3.
(In newer patches, a Tool Shelf alternative lets you use Hardwood: for example, five Hardwood can substitute for nails and iron.) The exact cost varies by version, so check your build menu. Once built, your Workbench will become Level 3 automatically.
What Materials Do You Need To Upgrade Workbench In Windrose
The key materials for Workbench upgrades are:
- Wood: Required for the Workbench itself and all upgrades (Sawhorse and Toolbox each need wood). Chop trees to get Wood.
- Copper Ingots: Needed for the Sawhorse. Mine Copper Ore in the jungle, then smelt ore into Ingots.
- Nails (Iron): Used for the Toolbox. Craft Nails from Copper Ingots at any Workbench or find them in chests.
- Foothills Iron Ingot: Required for the Toolbox. Mine Iron Ore in Foothills, smelt into Ingot.
- Hardwood: Gained from Divi-Divi trees. (If your version uses Tool Shelf, you need Hardwood instead of nails/iron.)
- Any Unlockers: Some upgrades only appear after story progress or discovery (e.g. defeating bosses to unlock Foothills tasks).
Gather these before attempting upgrades. For example, the Sawhorse needs 10 Copper Ingots and 20 Wood, and the Toolbox in v0.10 needed 5 Foothills Iron, 20 Nails, 10 Wood.
Where To Find Copper Ingots For Workbench Upgrade In Windrose
Copper Ingots are made by mining Copper Ore in the Coastal Jungle and smelting it. First craft a Stone Pickaxe (3 Wood, 3 Stone) to mine ore. Locate a Copper Deposit Cave (Coastal Jungle, look for pickaxe icons on your map) and mine Copper Ore nodes.
Image: A Copper Ore node in a Coastal Jungle cave. Mine these with a Stone Pickaxe, then smelt the ore (with charcoal in a furnace) to make Copper Ingots.
Build Charcoal Kilns and Furnaces to smelt. For each Copper Ingot, you need 4 Copper Ore and 1 Charcoal. (Burn wood in the kiln for Charcoal.) Because smelting is slow, build multiple furnaces/kilns to speed up production. Once you have around 10 Copper Ingots, you can craft the Sawhorse.
How To Get Hardwood For Level 3 Workbench In Windrose
Hardwood comes from special trees called Divi-Divi in the Foothills. These twisted trees drop Hardwood (and Tree Bark) when cut down. You must first reach the Foothills (complete the Coastal Jungle boss, then follow the story to unlock Foothills). Equip at least a Copper Axe, as lesser tools won’t yield Hardwood.
Image: Divi-Divi tree in the Foothills biome. Cutting down these trees (with at least a Copper Axe) yields Hardwood and Tree Bark.
Chop every Divi-Divi tree on an island to stockpile Hardwood (drops are low, ~1-2 per tree). Each tree also gives some regular Wood. If your game version uses a Tool Shelf, you’ll need only Hardwood (e.g. 5 per Tool Shelf in some patches). Otherwise, use the Hardwood to craft Timbers or other items, and use Nails/Iron for the Toolbox. Either way, gathering a good supply of Hardwood will let you craft the highest-tier bench upgrades.
Why Your Workbench Is Not Upgrading In Windrose (Fix Guide)
If your Workbench isn’t leveling up after building an add-on, the most common cause is placement outside the bonfire area. The Sawhorse or Toolbox must be in the exact same bonfire radius as the Workbench. Check that the upgrade station’s influence circle overlaps with the Workbench. If not, rebuild it closer to the fire. Also ensure you’re using the correct station: Sawhorse for L2, Toolbox/Tool Shelf for L3.
Another issue can be a missing prerequisite: you must have the base Workbench placed first. And you must have defeated required bosses to unlock the upgrade. In short, always build upgrade furniture in build mode under “Crafting & Utilities”, place it within your bonfire’s light, and the bench will upgrade automatically.
Windrose Workbench Upgrade Stations List And How They Work
Each Workbench upgrade station is a one-time placement that permanently raises bench level. The primary Workbench stations are:
- Sawhorse: Builds in Base – upgrades Workbench L1 → L2 (needs Wood + Copper).
- Toolbox: Builds in Base – upgrades Workbench L2 → L3 (needs Wood + Iron Ingots + Nails).
- Tool Shelf: (alternate L3) Builds in Base – upgrades Workbench L2 → L3 using Hardwood.
There are also upgrade stations for other crafting buildings (though outside Workbench’s scope). For context, common upgrade stations include Cutting Table (upgrades Cooking Fire), Shipwright’s Workshop (upgrades Weaponsmith), Stove and Pot (upgrades Alchemy Table), etc. These are crafted and placed similarly. But for our Workbench focus, remember: build Sawhorse first, then Toolbox/Tool Shelf to progress through levels.
How Bonfire Radius Affects Workbench Upgrades In Windrose
Bonfire radius is the invisible circle around your campfire. Only stations within this glowing boundary can combine their effects. Upgrade stations only work if placed inside the same bonfire radius as the Workbench. In fact, BisectHosting’s guide notes that any add-on “automatically unlock higher crafting tiers… as long as both items share that exact same Bonfire radius”. This means if your Workbench is outside the fire’s circle, or the Sawhorse/Toolbox is too far, the upgrade won’t register. Always double-check placement: the green circle from building mode should overlap.
All Workbench Upgrade Stations In Windrose (Sawhorse, Toolbox & More)
To summarize, all upgrade stations relevant to the Workbench are:
- Sawhorse (Workbench L2 upgrade): Wood ×20, Copper Ingot ×10. Place to reach Workbench level 2.
- Toolbox (Workbench L3 upgrade): Wood ×10, Steel Nails ×20, Foothills Iron Ingot ×5. Place to reach Workbench level 3 (in v0.10).
- Tool Shelf (Workbench L3 upgrade, alternate): Hardwood ×5 (varies by patch). Some updates use this instead of nails/iron.
- (Other: Tool Rack, Material Rack, etc. not for Workbench, but available for other stations.)
Building multiple Sawhorse/Toolbox in one bonfire will upgrade all Workbenches in that bonfire area simultaneously (no need to repeat build). In other words, a single Sawhorse uplifts any Workbench nearby.
How To Unlock New Crafting Recipes With Workbench Upgrades In Windrose
Upgrading your Workbench directly unlocks higher-tier recipes. At each new level, the Workbench’s crafting menu will show additional items (they were greyed out at lower level). For example, after reaching Level 2, you can craft Iron tools and weapons, an Anvil (for Weaponsmithing), and the Sailor Backpack. Level 3 unlocks the Bosun Backpack (huge inventory) and Timber (bulk wood).
To see what’s unlocked, simply open the Workbench and hover on grayed-out recipes. Each lists the required level. Most mid-to-late game gear is tied to Bench level: you must hit Level 2 or 3 to craft some of the best tools, gear, and specialized items. (For instance, Simple Fishing Rod requires Level 2 and 5 Hardwood, which you can only make after upgrading and exploring.) In short, building upgrades is the only way to access those new recipes.
Best Items To Craft After Upgrading Workbench In Windrose
After upgrades, prioritize high-impact items:
- Level 2 Key Crafts: Iron Axe/Pickaxe (for faster resource gathering), Anvil (to make metal gear), Sailor Backpack (increases inventory space).
- Level 3 Star Items: Bosun Backpack (largest bag for +16 slots), Timber (gives 3 Wood each for base building). Also Master Repair Kit and advanced weapons become available at other stations once bench is L3.
- Utilities: Fast Travel Bell (level 1), cooked meals, potions these aren’t bench-limited but are very useful at all stages. Crafting these unlocks quickly boosts survival and efficiency. For example, the Bosun Backpack is often cited as a “must-craft” once Level 3 is available.
Tips To Upgrade Workbench Faster In Windrose Early Game
- Prioritize Copper Mining: As soon as you can, find the Copper cave. Smelt in bulk by building multiple furnaces and kilns.
- Save Resources: Don’t spend all copper ingots on gear early keep enough (≈10) to build Sawhorse. Similarly, stock up on wood and nails before starting upgrades.
- Progress the Story: Defeat the Coastal Jungle boss (Richards) first; this unlocks Foothills and thus access to Iron and Divi-Divi trees.
- Build Bonfires: Ensure you have a proper campfire. Without a bonfire, none of the building (or upgrades) work.
- Focus Upgrades: Only build needed upgrades for bench; you don’t have to finish every bench recipe before moving on. Craft essentials (axes, backpack) and upgrade the bench ASAP.
- Co-op Discovery: If playing with others, share resources and discoveries to unlock recipes faster.
By following these tips, you’ll reach Level 2 and 3 Workbench quickly, enabling better tools and survival gear for the midgame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I upgrade my Workbench in Windrose?
Build the corresponding upgrade station next to it in your base. For Level 2, craft a Sawhorse (20 Wood, 10 Copper Ingots). For Level 3, craft a Toolbox (10 Wood, 20 Nails, 5 Iron Ingot) or Tool Shelf (Hardwood). Place it within the bonfire’s range, and the Workbench auto-upgrades. - How do I get Copper Ingots for the Sawhorse?
Mine Copper Ore from Coastal Jungle caves (use a Stone Pickaxe), then smelt it. Use Charcoal Kilns and Smelting Furnaces: 4 Copper Ore + 1 Charcoal = 1 Copper Ingot. Make multiple furnaces to speed up. - Where do I find Hardwood for the Level 3 upgrade?
Hardwood drops from Divi-Divi trees in the Foothills biome. Travel to the Foothills (after beating the Jungle boss) and chop down Divi-Divi trees with at least a Copper Axe. Each tree yields ~1-2 Hardwood. - Why won’t my Workbench level up after building the station?
Check the placement. The upgrade station must be inside the same bonfire radius as your Workbench. Also confirm you built the correct station (Sawhorse for L2, Toolbox/Tool Shelf for L3) and that your base fire is lit. - What are all the Workbench upgrade stations?
Sawhorse (upgrades to L2), Toolbox (upgrades to L3, using nails/iron), and Tool Shelf (alternative L3 using Hardwood). Building any of these near the bench causes the upgrade. - How does the bonfire radius matter?
All crafting stations must sit under a bonfire. The upgrade station’s effect only works if placed in the same bonfire circle as the Workbench. If placed outside, it won’t register. - What new items unlock at Workbench Level 2 and 3?
Level 2 unlocks iron tools (Iron Axe/Pickaxe), the Anvil, Master Repair Kit, and items like the Sailor Backpack. Level 3 unlocks the Bosun Backpack, Timber, and other advanced recipes. - Is there a shortcut to reach Level 3 faster?
No instant shortcut – you must progress through the story and gather resources. Focus on completing the Jungle quests to unlock Foothills, then gather Iron and Hardwood. Efficient farming (multiple ovens, traveling to fertile soil, etc.) is key. - Can multiple Workbenches benefit from one upgrade station?
Yes. If two benches share the same bonfire, a single Sawhorse or Toolbox will upgrade both simultaneously. You don’t need to build duplicates in the same camp. - Any tips for the early game related to the Workbench?
Build storage (boxes) to hold lots of copper and iron ore. Plant flax and aloe if available to reduce back-and-forth. And explore the island fully for chests early nails and hardwood can be found in loot. Above all, upgrade your bench as soon as possible to craft the best backpacks and tools.
Conclusion
Upgrading your Workbench in Windrose is essential to progress past basic gear. By building the Sawhorse and Toolbox/Tool Shelf, you raise your bench to Level 2 and 3 respectively, unlocking stronger tools, armor, and key items like the Sailor and Bosun Backpacks. Remember to gather Copper Ingots and Wood early for Sawhorse, and Foothills Iron, Nails, or Hardwood for the final upgrade. Place each upgrade station in your bonfire’s range so it takes effect. With these upgrades in place, your crafting options expand significantly, making the late-game much more manageable. Follow the step-by-step guides above and you’ll have a top-tier Workbench ready for any challenge in Windrose.
Sources and Citations
- GameSpot
- https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-to-upgrade-workbench-levels-in-windrose/1100-6539435/
- Mobalytics
- https://mobalytics.gg/news/guides/how-to-upgrade-workbench-windrose
- Method.gg
- https://www.method.gg/windrose/how-to-get-copper-in-windrose-usage-and-resource-management
- Method.gg
- https://www.method.gg/windrose/foothills-resources-in-windrose-where-to-find-divi-divi-trees-hardwood-flax-fibers-and-more
- GAMES.GG
- https://games.gg/windrose/guides/windrose-how-to-get-hardwood/
- BisectHosting
- https://help.bisecthosting.com/hc/en-us/articles/49175728189467-Windrose-Crafting-Station-Upgrades
- EgamersWorld
- https://egamersworld.com/blog/windrose-crafting-guide-all-stations-resources-and-I3ACZB1bkM
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