Project by Fotodog | posted 01-03-2019 01:53 AM | 41143 views | 37 times favorited | 36 comments | ![]() |
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Hello All,
I’m a frequent viewer, but this is my first project post that some of you might find interesting. I needed a good sized assembly table/bench, but I work in my garage with limited space where everything must be put away at night. Also, this is an older house, and the garage floor is very uneven with a big slope towards the floor drain.
I got my ideas from my own experiences and different sources, notably Ron Paulk’s portable workbench and a fold up workbench from Craig English, both on YouTube. Lots of credit to both of these gentlemen for their great designs.
My table folds up flat against the wall, resting on a small shelf that’s installed at the height that allows me to roll the table onto the shelf and tilt it up against the wall. Since I used a torsion box design for the top, I needed a wider shelf for support. It’s secured with a couple of 5/8” bolts inserted in 3/4” holes in the side of the bench, which double as dog holes. The torsion box is 44” x 74”, and is 6” in height, as opposed to many of the torsion box designs which are taller.
The legs fold out when the bench is secured to the wall, a spacer bar is inserted between a notch in each cross member of the legs for support, and then the support bolts are released and the bench is lowered down and slid off the shelf. It’s rolled into position, and then the side mounted casters are released by foot so the bench now sits on it’s legs.
I wanted a way to quickly adjust the height of the legs due to my very uneven floor, but most of the techniques I’ve seen depend on a threaded bolt. I have that design on my tablesaw outfield table, but it’s a bit slow and tedious. So, I came up with my own design, basically a leg within a leg. The outer leg is made by milling a centered dado in 2×4 stock, and then glueing 2 pieces together to form a 4×4 leg with a 1 1/2” centered slot. The interior leg has a T-Track to accept the head of a 1/4×20 bolt, which slides through a hole drilled into the outer leg with a knob attached, so the leg can be secured quickly at any height. It’s easier to see in photos than a written explanation.
I made this bench with 1/2” Birch plywood and KD Douglas Fir from the Borg to save money. It would be a bit more refined with higher quality lumber, but at a higher cost. I drilled the typical 3/4” dog holes in the top, and finished with a couple of coats of Watco Oil and paste wax. I know the arguments against using paste wax on a workbench, but I just couldn’t help myself since I wanted to keep it looking nice for a while. I bought a couple of the Festool clamps for use with dog holes, as well as Veritas Bench Dogs and quick release Wonder Dog, and I can’t wait to put these to use. Thanks for looking!
-- Tim
36 comments so far
AJ1104
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1203 posts in 2626 days
#1 posted 01-03-2019 02:05 AM
Really nice bench. I love the torsion top and folding design. Great job!
-- AJ
swirt
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5850 posts in 3939 days
#2 posted 01-03-2019 03:04 AM
Very clever design and storage features. Well done.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
BurlyBob
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8239 posts in 3233 days
#3 posted 01-03-2019 03:19 AM
That’s a really great idea!
Ron Stewart
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261 posts in 3471 days
#4 posted 01-03-2019 04:15 AM
That’s a clever design that seems perfect for your situation. Nice work.
-- Ron Stewart
woodbutcherbynight
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7226 posts in 3376 days
#5 posted 01-03-2019 04:42 AM
WOW, that is some piece of work!
-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.
therealSteveN
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6965 posts in 1541 days
#6 posted 01-03-2019 06:28 AM
Awesome Paulk like design, with more goodies.
This is worthy, nice post.
-- Think safe, be safe
EarlS
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4203 posts in 3315 days
#7 posted 01-03-2019 12:41 PM
Clever, well thought out design. It’s going in my favorites so I can find it when the time comes to build a new assembly table.
-- Earl "I'm a pessamist - generally that increases the chance that things will turn out better than expected"
Ken90712
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17919 posts in 4156 days
#8 posted 01-03-2019 01:49 PM
A+ outstanding.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
BlueRidgeDog
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787 posts in 746 days
#9 posted 01-03-2019 01:49 PM
Love the leg in leg system. I need to convert my assembly table into a combo-outfeed table and have been reluctant as I have it very high for my use (6’4”), so this may make it work.
waho6o9
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8964 posts in 3544 days
#10 posted 01-03-2019 02:19 PM
Perfect design and build, I appreciate the functionality of it all.
Great storage idea as well!
Fotodog
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53 posts in 746 days
#11 posted 01-03-2019 02:52 PM
Wow, thanks for all the nice comments. This is a great community. If anyone is interested, I designed this project in Sketchup and can post my plans.
-- Tim
FreddieMac
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161 posts in 1315 days
#12 posted 01-03-2019 03:25 PM
I like it, good build!
jerkylips
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495 posts in 3537 days
#13 posted 01-03-2019 06:14 PM
Wow, this is great. I’ve been thinking of a way to build a combo outfeed/assembly table that breaks down. I’m stealing this.
Mike_D_S
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621 posts in 3182 days
#14 posted 01-03-2019 06:47 PM
Nice assembly table. I’ve been kicking around ideas for one like this, but I need to be able to put it away when I’m not using it and wasn’t loving any of the ideas I had so far. But your folding leg layout looks like it’s something I can work with.
Mike
-- No honey, that's not new, I've had that forever......
Fotodog
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53 posts in 746 days
#15 posted 01-03-2019 06:54 PM
Thanks! When you assemble the legs to the frame with the bolt, be sure to test the fit first with some scraps, hopefully offcuts from the legs themselves. I had to shim the leg slightly away from the frame in order for it to open and close smoothly.
Also, for anyone adding the adjustable height legs, make sure the inner leg has a loose fit. I originally made mine with a snug fit, but it was a PITA to lower it for leveling. With the loose fit, you just loosen the knob and the legs drops down to the floor height with gravity. I’m also planning on adding some non-skid rubber feet to the bottom of the legs.
-- Tim
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