folding workbench

[daft1druid]

I want to make a folding/collapsible workbench, as I am limited for space, and don't have a shed. I was going to use 18mm marine ply, but as I am slightly incapacitated, an 8 x 4 sheet of this would be too heavy. I want the table to be approximately 6 ft x 3 ft. Could anyone suggest something that would be lighter, but still solid enough to do work on? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AJB Temple]

Buy an older Workmate from eBay. Or the modern day Bosch equivalent. It's a compromise obviously. Stability is key really.

 

[Myfordman]

Look at some of the so called "torsion box" designs for good stiffness/weight ratio.

 

[Stanleymonkey]

+1 for torsion box style design. I made a couple with 9mm ply recently 18mm battens glued in between - very basic but completely rigid and lightweight for 1.3m x 0.60m

 

[Rorschach]

2 cheap workmates with a board over the top makes a for a surprisingly sturdy work table and very versatile as you can use the workmates in other setups as well. Much better than the classic suggestion of a pair of saw horses.

 

[matt]

2 cheap workmates with a board over the top makes a for a surprisingly sturdy work table and very versatile as you can use the workmates in other setups as well. Much better than the classic suggestion of a pair of saw horses.

This is exactly what I am using at the moment. It's was supposed to be a temporary measure; testing the usefulness of a table set up rather than a bench (along the lines of an MFT). It is indeed surprisingly stable.

 

[Rorschach]

2 cheap workmates with a board over the top makes a for a surprisingly sturdy work table and very versatile as you can use the workmates in other setups as well. Much better than the classic suggestion of a pair of saw horses.

This is exactly what I am using at the moment. It's was supposed to be a temporary measure; testing the usefulness of a table set up rather than a bench (along the lines of an MFT). It is indeed surprisingly stable.

I plan to use this to make an MFT style setup, but I am waiting to see what Peter Millard comes up with first to see if it gives me any extra ideas.

 

[thomashenry]

Depends what type of work you want to do, but I made myself a Paul Sellers workbench - one of the reasons being that it's easy to collapse and and re-assemble it (takes about 5 mins either way). I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Raymond UK]

I made myself a couple of folding worktables and have been using them for the last 6 years without a problem. They easily fold up on theirselves and can be stored behind the door if I need the space.

Mine are a 1000 x 600 but you can make them in any size you want really. They even slot directly into the boot of the car.

Up and folded

 

[E-wan]

I made myself a couple of folding worktables and have been using them for the last 6 years without a problem. They easily fold up on theirselves and can be stored behind the door if I need the space.

Mine are a 1000 x 600 but you can make them in any size you want really. They even slot directly into the boot of the car.

Up and folded

Hi

Looks like these pack away very nearly, do you have any plans for how to make these?

Thanks

Ewan

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Raymond UK]

Hi Ewan,

I don't have any plans but I'm sure I can draw some up.

Unless you want me to just measure mine up and post?

 

[E-wan]

More just an idea of how the folding mechanism works. If you had time for a brief sketch and a few photos that would be appreciated

Thanks

Ewan

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[Raymond UK]

I'll try and draw something up on Sunday and take some pictures tomorrow whilst I'm in there.

 

[E-wan]

Appreciated

Thanks

Ewan

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[thetyreman]

my bench is around 5 x 3 foot because of space limitations, I'd highly recommend making the newest version of the sellers bench as it's able to be taken down via wedges and coach bolts, the version I've made can't be taken apart.

 

[Raymond UK]

Appreciated

Thanks

Ewan

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I've PM'ed you some pictures etc Ewan.

Ray

 

[pollys13]

I want to make a folding/collapsible workbench, as I am limited for space, and don't have a shed. I was going to use 18mm marine ply, but as I am slightly incapacitated, an 8 x 4 sheet of this would be too heavy. I want the table to be approximately 6 ft x 3 ft. Could anyone suggest something that would be lighter, but still solid enough to do work on? Thanks in advance for any help.

You can scale this down to a size that suits.
Building the Paulk Workbench
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt77_jugVZs
http://www.paulkhomes.com/order-plans.html

 

[E-wan]

The current issue of watercraft magazine has something similar on page 46 with 3 CNC files for cutting the parts for the bench. don't see the files on their website yet though

https://watercraft-magazine.com/

Ewan

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