Fold UP (not DOWN) workbench ideas, please.

[mad german]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some ideas for a folding workbench (attached to a wall) that you need to fold UP to use. I've seen many that are fold DOWN, but I have built in shelves above the area I'm wanting my workbench, so I need something that "hangs down" when not in use.
I'd like to see not just the top of your bench, but how you have it attached to the wall, what the support structure looks like, and how the legs of the bench are attached (if they're folding) or how you attach them when the bench is raised up.

Thanks in advance for all who can help!

 

[Zeke]

If you want support at the back you can attach a ledger and move the hinges down on the bottom of the work surface just shy of the width of the ledger. When you fold up the back edge will slip over the ledger. You will have to round it some. So now you just need single front legs, not stands. Best would be to have something separate rather than hinging from the bottom. They would need to be latched before you could lower the table. Or have them on the extreme ends so that they fold up as you let the table down. Those would have to swing 180º to work.
Angle iron on the front for anti bowing.
I like your idea, Sounds like it will be next to a car.

 

[Poolshark314]

A lot of people use this style bracket on the wall, but depends on your case like weight requirements:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWPMS37/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gleman]

The several times I've toyed around with that same idea I came up with too many compromises for what I wanted.

What are the requirements for your bench?

Light usage, or do you need a sturdy surface for heavier things?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've saved this picture because I thought the use of the folding legs is ingenious. Obviously not for any heavy work, just a work surface.

 

[mad german]

The several times I've toyed around with that same idea I came up with too many compromises for what I wanted.

What are the requirements for your bench?

Light usage, or do you need a sturdy surface for heavier things?

Hi there. My usage won't be heavy, i.e. rebuilding an engine. It'll basically a "heavy duty DIY home workbench." Some motorcycle work, small appliance repairs, etc. I have a feeling that my heavy use is the same as many of you guys' light usage, lol. I definitely respect the craftsmen here.

 

[Zeke]

A lot of people use this style bracket on the wall, but depends on your case like weight requirements:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWPMS37/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At that price, I think the problem is solved. Those would be nice at the side of a table saw too.

 

[N_Jay]

My S-I-L's house has some in the garage.
Simple design with a 4' x 4' top surface built with 2x4 edges.
Attached with door hinges to a ledger board lagged into the well studs.
Feet are 2X4 on bolts to pivot when you lower the table top and a second hole for a lock pin.
You pull the pin and the legs swing inside the sides edges of the table as you raise it.

 

[Poolshark314]

At that price, I think the problem is solved. Those would be nice at the side of a table saw too.

Yeah there are a ton of different sizes of that design on Amazon to meet your tabletop specs

 

[N_Jay]

Yeah there are a ton of different sizes of that design on Amazon to meet your tabletop specs

Seems those fold down not up.

 

[Zeke]

Seems those fold down not up.

You have to re-read the OP's post. "Fold" is confusing. He wants it to drop down like a drop leaf table. He stated cabinets above.

 

[drwheels]

I used a solid core commercial door and steel door frame to make a fold up table for my planer. You could flip it over and it would fold down.

 

[N_Jay]

Drop leaf table.

 

[ItsNemo]

I built this, I think this is exactly what you're looking for?

 

[NUTTSGT]

You have to re-read the OP's post. "Fold" is confusing. He wants it to drop down like a drop leaf table. He stated cabinets above.

Well, actually in his original post, I take it differently. To me....

Fold up, ... bench top is stored at eye level.

Fold down..... Bench top is is stored at knee level.

If he can post a picture of what we're working with, it would help.



EDIT:. Now I have reread it 3 more times,. I caught the "to use" part. It is confusing.

Either way, point of view.... it's going to fold up and down.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My S-I-L's house has some in the garage.
Simple design with a 4' x 4' top surface built with 2x4 edges.
Attached with door hinges to a ledger board lagged into the well studs.
Feet are 2X4 on bolts to pivot when you lower the table top and a second hole for a lock pin.
You pull the pin and the legs swing inside the sides edges of the table as you raise it.

I built my first workbench in my old garage similar to this, and it worked pretty well. The work surface was 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep, made from 2x4s. It was fastened to the wall with heavy duty hinges. At the front, two more lengths of 2x4 were fastened with two more hinges to make uprights, and they angled back so they wedged against intersection where the wall met the floor. I ground the heads off the hinge pins so they were removable. When the bench wasn't in use it hung down flat against the wall, and the two uprights were just laid on the floor. I'd lift up the bench, put the uprights back in position, and put the hinge pins back in place. It was very stable, the more weight you put on the bench top the more the front uprights wedged against the base of the wall.

 

[mogandave]

Right-triangle plywood on gravity-hinges for the supports.

Plywood rectangle on piano hinge that folds down and hides the supports when down.

You pick up the table the triangular-supports fold out with the gravity-hinges. You push the supports in and let the bench down to store.

 

[Jayman17]

I built this, I think this is exactly what you're looking for?

Thanks for posting this video. I posted on your thread asking for details of construction. When I read this thread I thought of your workbench but had forgotten the thread where I had seen it.
That is a really nice design and execution.

Jay

 

[ItsNemo]

Thanks for posting this video. I posted on your thread asking for details of construction. When I read this thread I thought of your workbench but had forgotten the thread where I had seen it.
That is a really nice design and execution.

Jay

Thanks Jay! It worked out really well for me, use it all the time for metal working projects instead of my main wood bench


Link to thread for those looking for it:

Folding Metal Workbench

Has been a few weekends in the making, but more less done my folding metal workbench. Turned out fairly decent, happy with the design but the fit up of everything could have been a bit better, my metal fab skills aren't top notch yet and I need a better drill press (or a mill). My main bench is...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[arrowhead]

I've saved this picture because I thought the use of the folding legs is ingenious. Obviously not for any heavy work, just a work surface.

Hey that's mine! I'm shocked and honored that someone posted some of my recycle handiwork haha. It's still in use today and gets quite a workout. And it gets folded up frequently to make extra room when needed.

 

[whateg01]

Well, actually in his original post, I take it differently. To me....

Fold up, ... bench top is stored at eye level.

Fold down..... Bench top is is stored at knee level.

If he can post a picture of what we're working with, it would help.



EDIT:. Now I have reread it 3 more times,. I caught the "to use" part. It is confusing.

Either way, point of view.... it's going to fold up and down.

I would have thought the cabinets above would pretty well define which way it has to move.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would have thought the cabinets above would pretty well define which way it has to move.

Yes, thought that myself but I missed the "to use" part.

That's why a picture always helps.

 

[Trapps]

Brackets.

 

[Greenlawnracing]

Brackets.

I assume that is a 24 inch bracket. How deep is the bench?

 

[Greenlawnracing]

I built this from plans I saw online using a piano hing and some scrap wood. It’s a PITA. After seeing the Amazon brackets, I’m gonna take it down and build a better one. I was overwhelmed with the bracket options. The original link is sold out of the 18s.

Same challenge as you - no space and fold down due to the cabinets. I use a Worx 051 almost daily, but could use more room and also prefer something higher for some jobs.

 

[Poolshark314]

I built this from plans I saw online using a piano hing and some scrap wood. It’s a PITA. After seeing the Amazon brackets, I’m gonna take it down and build a better one. I was overwhelmed with the bracket options. The original link is sold out of the 18s.

Same challenge as you - no space and fold down due to the cabinets. I use a Worx 051 almost daily, but could use more room and also prefer something higher for some jobs.

Just search for "18 inch folding shelf bracket" if you want 18", and then pick a set based on your weight requirements and color preference

 

[Trapps]

I assume that is a 24 inch bracket. How deep is the bench?

Desktop is 42" x 42"

Brackets are 24" and good for 500Lb. Not that I would test it...

I'm using it as a WFH desk, nothing heavy. If I do want to put weight on it, I'll add a support leg of some sort.

These are full size 24" x 36" prints:

 

[ItsNemo]

Desktop is 42" x 42"

Brackets are 24" and good for 500Lb. Not that I would test it...

I'm using it as a WFH desk, nothing heavy. If I do want to put weight on it, I'll add a support leg of some sort.

These are full size 24" x 36" prints:

I guess that's the difference with what I did, the fold out legs means it holds oodles of weight...I've stood on top of mine plenty of times and you don't feel ANY movement in it. I'm fairly sure it could hold 1000lbs easily.

 

[Greenlawnracing]

Desktop is 42" x 42"

Brackets are 24" and good for 500Lb. Not that I would test it...

I'm using it as a WFH desk, nothing heavy. If I do want to put weight on it, I'll add a support leg of some sort.

These are full size 24" x 36" prints:

Do you feel any give when you lean on the end of it?

I was thinking of making a workbench 36 - 40 inches deep with a similar size bracket.

Apologize to threadjack, but I've been inspired!

 

[Greenlawnracing]

I'll add that I saw this and tried to order it over the summer......it is on eternal backorder. Seemed like a nice out of the box solution.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/quick-bench/tools---equipment/garage---shop/workbench--tables---shelving/77349faa999b/quick-bench-work-bench/qkb0/aqb2036?pos=8

 

[Trapps]

Do you feel any give when you lean on the end of it?

I was thinking of making a workbench 36 - 40 inches deep with a similar size bracket.

Apologize to threadjack, but I've been inspired!

It's very solid, no wiggle, no sag. (more instal details in this post) It has not seen any heavy weight though, maybe 50Lbs. in addition to the weight of the top (which is considerable). I think you'd be safe with a 36" deep top on the 24' brackets. Just be sure and use appropriate fasteners to the wall and to whatever your top material is.

 

[mad german]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your replies. I stumbled upon these brackets and I like them. However, it says max table width is 40”.
If I buy two sets (to make a wider table) releasing all 4 might be a problem since the release tabs are recessed. Any ideas on how I can release all 4 at once?

Rockler Rock-Steady Folding Worktop Wall Brackets, Pair

Create a space-saving fold-down work surface that supports up to 500 pounds—ideal for garages and small shops.

www.rockler.com

 

[rsparks64]

I don't have any good ideas about releasing all at once except possibly running some kind of cord from each that when pulled will do the release and bringing all cords together and binding them so one pull could do the trick for all brackets. Also, depending on what size table top you are using, those brackets can be placed up to 32 inches apart, so doing only 3 brackets would give you a span of 64 inches just for the brackets and I imagine you could extend the top a bit a have something at least 6 feet or so. Using 3 brackets might make it easier to release all at once.

 

[ItsNemo]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your replies. I stumbled upon these brackets and I like them. However, it says max table width is 40”.
If I buy two sets (to make a wider table) releasing all 4 might be a problem since the release tabs are recessed. Any ideas on how I can release all 4 at once?

Rockler Rock-Steady Folding Worktop Wall Brackets, Pair

Create a space-saving fold-down work surface that supports up to 500 pounds—ideal for garages and small shops.

www.rockler.com

Just do two separate benches side by side and make sure they're mounted equal.

 

[Zeke]

Just do two separate benches side by side and make sure they're mounted equal.

Probably be easier to handle as well. A recessed T in one will make them sequential but nevertheless seamless.

 

[whateg01]

I don't care what it says the maximum width is, if the capacity is sufficient I would make it as big as I want. I would think the maximum width it more likely to be how far out from the wall the shelf hangs, just from a leverage perspective.

 

[mad german]

Just do two separate benches side by side and make sure they're mounted equal.

Now why didn’t I think of that?! Great idea.

 

[ItsNemo]

I don't care what it says the maximum width is, if the capacity is sufficient I would make it as big as I want. I would think the maximum width it more likely to be how far out from the wall the shelf hangs, just from a leverage perspective.

It will eventually start to sag in the middle and the force will become horizontal on the brackets as the sag pulls them inwards.

Now why didn’t I think of that?! Great idea.

 

[whateg01]

It will eventually start to sag in the middle and the force will become horizontal on the brackets as the sag pulls them inwards.

A table can be made with sufficient strength so that it doesn't sag.

 

[ItsNemo]

A table can be made with sufficient strength so that it doesn't sag.

Well ya, but this is pre-made brackets we're talking about here, not a heavy duty table.