Sturdy Folding Removable Workbench

[Always_Thinkin]

***Update: Wee post #19 below for what I ended up building. Also since the updated photos were taken I have made a triangulated center removable center bracing for the legs/ workbench. It is extremely stable and sturdy now!***

Hey all. It has been a long while since I have posted on Garage Journal. I recently moved my family into a “new to us” home. The only downside to the new home is that it has a much smaller two garage compared to my 26’ x 26’ garage I used to have. Basically the new two garage is 22’ wide by just under 21’ deep. So I have to get creative with my new workbench setup. I live in Illinois so the spring, summer and fall time of year I will park my car outside and leave my workbench setup in one of the car bays. However, come winter time I have to be able to fold up the work bench and store it against the wall.

I have done some research already on fold up to store workbenches. I have a few pictures attached of what I am thinking. I have figured out how I want to make the workbench top. However I am struggling to figure out a way to make folding legs. I need legs that will foldout and the workbench not be wobbly or want to rack to one side or the other. I want to be able to beat on it some and it not flex or bounce excessively. Also I want to build the workbench so it rolls around and is not just hinged to the wall.

The first photo is close to what i think i want for legs and storing against the wall. The second photo is a different style of folding legs. The third photo i realize is of flimsy folding saw horses but it makes me think that i may need to look for something simpler and skip an elaborate setup for making my own folding legs. The last photo is the same work table that is in the first photo. I would appreciate any input or experiences others have had that have built or used a sturdy folding workbench.

Thanks,
Always_Thinkin

 

[James-W]

I have seen workbenches that attach to the wall with hinges. When you need to use them, just lift them outward and upward and then let the outside legs down into place. That way, when not being used the workbench can be folded back up against the wall. That may not be what you want, but it could be an option in some situations.

 

[Marctrees]

I guess your options will vary based on how sturdy you want the bench to be.

As a general work tabletop, not as much as if youre going to be putting various stresses on it, doing hand planing for example on, and again different for heavy loads.

Duhh I guess. Just sayin. Marc

 

[Marctrees]

For a light duty very easily to manever top, consider going to BigBox or lumberyard and buying a "second" or damaged "flush door slab", even new, quite cheap, especially if hollow core like Lauan, IF that's all suitable for your applications. Marc

 

[bullnerd]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...g/R-72&usg=AFQjCNEwwQNDme8zq50N3eklTdsSOi_98A

 

[matt_i]

I forgot the guy's name who designed the "hollow box" workbench...couldn't raise it from Google yet. That's what I'd build...on sawhorses.

Id park the cars outside. They are weather resistant and the road salt induced rust reaction is sped up by increased temperatures...

 

[yhprum]

This guy?
http://www.paulkhomes.com/order-plans.html

 

[JonnyMac]

https://sydneytools.com.au/toughbui...0mm-adjustable-folding-sawhorse-jobsite-table

Ive got a set of these... very good idea.. the legs fold away so they are very easy to store..
Place a length of 4x2 timber in the slot at each end. Then lay a table top on it and theres an instant table to whatever size you like...

 

[DC73]

If you're not sure you want to build your own, there are portable folding workbenches available to purchase such as this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWXHC9C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DC

 

[ChaseDE]

i still use an old school folding tables, i think it is 8'x3' and it is quite heavy duty.

like this with the wood top and rubber banding around the edge.

http://www.tableschairsbarstools.com/36x48cohedup.html

stronger then you think. you can see it here on the left next to fridge, that craftsman box is not light and it doesn't bow the table. the plastic table to the right ha barely anything on it and it bows in the middle.

 

[srleen2]

Homedepot has these:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493

 

[texasprd]

As I recall, the guy who has the "12 gauge garage" (see the garages forum) had a wall-mounted folding table. He managed to put a lot into a 2-car garage, and have space for his track car.

 

[swanicyouth]

Homedepot has these:



http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493

This is what I have.

Stained it black.

Very solid. No assembly. Under $100. Hard to beat.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Thanks for all the feedback. Definitely a lot of good options. It definitively has me thinking more too.

bullnerd - i like that Knaack work table. Seems like it would be a great table but a little expensive. Do you have one of these yourself? What do you think of it?

ChaseDE - I like those heavy duty folding tables too. I have two more questions. First what is the table height on your table. I assume it is in the 30" high range. Second, do you know what the load rating is for the table? Also, does the table wobble much?

 

[Outlander]

I built mine from 2x4s and 4x4 posts with deck boards (all recycled from a torn down deck) for a surface. Once built, I never folded it down once and find I use it more than other benches because it is closer to everything including the door.

I have a rubber mat that I need to trim for those occasions when one needs a rubber mat.

Lag bolts make it as strong as I need, and I topped it off with a Kijiji $20 vise.

View media item 31574

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

This is a great idea!

When you need it -open the legs and brace them. Rotate/lower it down to the floor and roll it into place.

When your done roll it back to the wall - Rotate/lift it up against the wall and lock it into place. Un-brace the legs and close them.

As long as the braced frame is strong enough / sturdy enough for your needs your good.

Of course really sturdy legs could make it hard to lift up against the wall again while they are open. Oh well - life's a compromise.

Jim

 

[Always_Thinkin]

Jim_No_Garage, I think I am going to go ahead and build this table. I am going to make a few small mods to it but basically use this idea. Below is a youtube video where I seen the idea, in case anyone else wants to add comments on improving the setup. Thanks again.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

All,

I made some great progress on the folding workbench over the last couple of days. I am very happy with how it is coming along. I have the majority of the workbench finished. I need to add the removable cross brace, make cut-outs for my removable work top extensions and my removable full-length tool tray. After that is all finished all I have left is to assemble the wall brackets/ supports so I can fold up the workbench and store it flat against the wall. I will try to get some photos tonight.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

All,

I attached photos of the progress I have made on my fold up workbench. It is two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood glued and screwed together to make the worktop. It is 30 inches by 78 inches by 1.5 inches thick. The worktop is at a 33 inch work height. The legs are 2x4's doubled up with a pocket for the 2x4 cross brace. I used 1/2 inch diameter carriage bolts with flat washers and a lock washer. The legs pivot on the 1/2 carriage bolt that is in double shear so the legs wont move or be able to twist. It is a good solid workbench with plenty of mass to allow me to beat on it and it not jump all around. I am really pleased with it. Also when it is folded up it is just under 6 inches thick. As i mentioned in my post above, i have a few more features of the workbench to build. I would be happy to answer any questions.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

That's a really nice looking bench, something to be proud of. It looks very sturdy, but not too heavy.

 

[Always_Thinkin]

That's a really nice looking bench, something to be proud of. It looks very sturdy, but not too heavy.

I appreciate your complement. I look forward to see how it stands up to what I put it through. I might put a piece of sacrificial tempered hard board on top to protect it from abuse and spills.

 

[Bazsm]

Thanks for posting as this style of workbench looks ideal for what I'm after. I have a one car garage which just about allows me to have shelving down one side with all my stuff but I could fit a folding bench like this on the other side. I was looking at the hinged benches that are fixed to the wall but I have an electric meter half way up the wall so wouldn't have the space for that style. If I fold this up against the wall from a few inches off the ground it will work great. The Youtube video is very useful as well so thanks for posting.

 

[Ruthless53]

I had a white folding table from Sams Club for the longest time just to use as a paint/assembly table. It cracked and broke enough to where it was time for a change.

I had gotten a couple free solid doors from an office remodel. Cut the door to the length I wanted, Unbolted the undercarriage of the white table and used every piece of it so when I fold the legs up the same plastic clip keeps them folded.

It's sturdy enough for me at 280lbs to stand on without the wobbles. It actually tightens the legs up considerably.