Folding Work Table ideas ??

[Greg Parrish]

I’m in need of a flat table for assembly, glue up, painting, etc. My quandary is that I need it to be folding or easy to disassemble. I’ve looked at the MFT but its a little small. I’ve looked at the Kreg ACS and its not too bad. I’ve also looked at the Dash-Board but it’s super pricey. Are there any others to check out?

The other idea would be to build something like a mini Paulk workbench style top and use two saw horses or Kreg folding work tables to hold it when needed. Any recommended designs or plans for something light enough to move and lean against the wall when not in use?

Thanks for any ideas.

[David Bassett]

Ken Hatch wrote many times about the Moravian Workbench, a quick search here should turn up many variations. It'd be sturdy enough, relatively cheap, and he demonstrated it knocked down and was very portable. I'm not sure it'd be deep enough as an assembly table and it certainly isn't much like a Festool MFT though.

Also here's a link: https://eclecticmechanicals.com/?s=moravian+ to many related articles Will Myers wrote, including plans for his original size.

[Robert Hayward]

Here (https://www.acmetools.com/express-folding-workbench-dwst11556/076174810820.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwguGYBhDRARIsAHgRm4 _onUtXU3OuUI5lUAtNERDfWhxLkTJL8Ixi-GYg_sN973ikb5UETLcaApRrEALw_wcB) is what i use in my tiny shop when I need an extra flat work table. I use it for the things you list. It can be opened with one hand and rotated onto its legs in seconds.

[Jim Becker]

Bora Centipede and shop make torsion box work surface of the size you prefer...the base folds to "next to nothing" so you just need to be able to lean the top somewhere for storage when not in use. You can also do the same with knock down "x" supports and provide yourself with multiple work heights by having alternative sizes to use for the task at hand.

[Paul F Franklin]

I have a 4x8 assembly table in my basement shop, but when I want to work in the garage to break down sheet goods or spray finish or whatever, I have 4 of the stanley plastic sawhorses. They have a groove that grips 2x material, so I lay 3 8' 2x4s on them and throw on a sheet of 1" rigid foam. You can get by with 2 sawhorses, but then the top is tippy. With 4 and three 2x4s it is rock solid. The sawhorses weigh nothing and fold up to occupy little space; ditto the foam. The sawhorses come in handy for lots of other stuff, and 2x4s are always good to have around.

[eta:] I also have the table that Robert linked to and that thing gets used on every project I do around the house and shop, even if just a place to pile tools. I love that thing.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

I have a half dozen 60" round tables, they store well and I just roll them out when I need one, ...No awkward lifting

I dont remember them being this pricy though???....https://www.homedepot.com/p/59-75-in-Granite-White-Plastic-Tabletop-Metal-Frame-Folding-Table-CGA-FLF-17474-GR-HD/308685789

[Tom M King]

Not for assembly, but I use the white folding tables all the time to keep from bending over. I used one yesterday for recovering refrigerant out of a heat pump, and had nothing on the ground. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-6-Foot-Centerfold-Folding-Table-White/46368979?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&&adid=22222222227034454208&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=90168799488&wl4=aud-1651068665026:pla-126780109968&wl5=9009786&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=46368979&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwguGYBhDRARIsAHgRm4-B58PZ0Zg9gh_4onvf7iE33M6irWtta_08R2lqCRltzRXxfQb1N j4aAkJjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

As for the plastic folding sawhorses, I have the Stanley ones, but also some cheaper Lowes Blue Hawk ones, and I actually like the cheaper ones better. They're good for using up in the air on scaffolding because they're easy to get up there, but strong enough to use.

[Greg Parrish]

Thanks guys. I think i figured out a way to make one of my existing tables work with a floor shuffle I started tonight. However, I’ll still probably be looking into the centipede and various sawhorse ideas for extra supports when this 54x25 table top isn’t large enough.

[Thomas Wilson]

I have a 4x8 assembly table in my basement shop, but when I want to work in the garage to break down sheet goods or spray finish or whatever, I have 4 of the stanley plastic sawhorses. They have a groove that grips 2x material, so I lay 3 8' 2x4s on them and throw on a sheet of 1" rigid foam. You can get by with 2 sawhorses, but then the top is tippy. With 4 and three 2x4s it is rock solid. The sawhorses weigh nothing and fold up to occupy little space; ditto the foam. The sawhorses come in handy for lots of other stuff, and 2x4s are always good to have around.

[eta:] I also have the table that Robert linked to and that thing gets used on every project I do around the house and shop, even if just a place to pile tools. I love that thing.

I use plastic saw horse and plywood tables for every project too. The size of the plywood varies with the project. I like the four-horse, three 2x4 configuration for a lot of assemblies. I no longer cut plywood on my knees on the floor with squares of orange foam insulation underneath. Waist high is so much easier.

[Paul F Franklin]

I use plastic saw horse and plywood tables for every project too. The size of the plywood varies with the project. I like the four-horse, three 2x4 configuration for a lot of assemblies. I no longer cut plywood on my knees on the floor with squares of orange foam insulation underneath. Waist high is so much easier.

Plus you don't have to get the plywood down to the floor and up from the floor afterwards. And the horses are a good height for just sliding sheet goods out of the truck onto the supports.

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Not for assembly, but I use the white folding tables all the time to keep from bending over. I used one yesterday for recovering refrigerant out of a heat pump, and had nothing on the ground. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-6-Foot-Centerfold-Folding-Table-White/46368979?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&&adid=22222222227034454208&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=90168799488&wl4=aud-1651068665026:pla-126780109968&wl5=9009786&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=46368979&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwguGYBhDRARIsAHgRm4-B58PZ0Zg9gh_4onvf7iE33M6irWtta_08R2lqCRltzRXxfQb1N j4aAkJjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

As for the plastic folding sawhorses, I have the Stanley ones, but also some cheaper Lowes Blue Hawk ones, and I actually like the cheaper ones better. They're good for using up in the air on scaffolding because they're easy to get up there, but strong enough to use.


However....too many tables and things can get out of control :D

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[Maurice Mcmurry]

One of my benches is also a ping pong table. It is two 60 X 54 X 3/4 particle board slabs and wooden sawhorses. It is typically folded in half. Opening it up and moving it around is becoming a challenge.
I am intrigued by the "Moravian Workbench" The Moravians have been workers on the go for a long time.
Slab doors and horses or trestles are handy. Mom had a wallpaper bench she could easily setup and transport in a tiny hatchback car. It was two doors and some clever hardware. My brothers took over her wallpapering. They both made heavy duty pasting tables similar to the image. Theirs fold longwise and are strong enough to stand on.

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[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks guys. I think i figured out a way to make one of my existing tables work with a floor shuffle I started tonight. However, I’ll still probably be looking into the centipede and various sawhorse ideas for extra supports when this 54x25 table top isn’t large enough.

I use centipedes and they work well for me.

[Bob Falk]

While not folding, I built two 2x8 Ron Paulk torsion boxes for assemble. I set them up on saw horses. I am able to stand up the boxes in the shop corner when not in use. Also works well for breaking down plywood with the track saw.

[Bryan Lisowski]

I have 4 Stanley adjustable height saw horses. I like the fact that I can have as low as 30” and as high as 36”, depending what I’m working on. I use 2” rigid foam for tracksaw use, but mostly I throw a sheet of ply for a secondary bench. I do a lot of work on my driveway, so it needs to store and not be a pain to set up.

[Monte Milanuk]

I've been using the Bora Centipede work supports in the shop lately. I've got two - a 2' x 4' with the folding table top with dog/clamp holes that works *great* for a quick work surface, and a 4' x 8' with a sheet of 2" rigid foam insulation for cutting sheet goods. I have another sheet of 2" foam insulation cut into thirds that worked decent on top of 2x4s and saw horses. The smaller pieces are easier to handle and store, but the 4x8 centipede is more stable (to me). One of the sections fits pretty well on top of the smaller centipede for small jobs, like having to do a cut out on a cabinet face frame to fit a farmhouse sink the other day. And as mentioned, they store very compactly.

[Bijesh Jacob]

I’m in need of a flat table for assembly, glue up, painting, etc. My quandary is that I need it to be folding or easy to disassemble. I’ve looked at the MFT but its a little small. I’ve looked at the Kreg ACS and its not too bad. I’ve also looked at the Dash-Board but it’s super pricey. Are there any others to check out?

The other idea would be to build something like a mini Paulk workbench style top and use two saw horses or Kreg folding work tables to hold it when needed. Any recommended designs or plans for something light enough to move and lean against the wall when not in use?

Thanks for any ideas.

Had a similar issue with my garage, this is my version of a folding folding MFT, assembly, cutting and panel tilting table.
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[Bob Falk]

Had a similar issue with my garage, this is my version of a folding folding MFT, assembly, cutting and panel tilting table.
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That is a great idea. Where did you by the table base?

[Tim Andrews]

I designed and built a rolling table with legs that fold flat so it can be mounted on a wall. The legs are also height adjustable to accommodate my uneven garage floor. This works great for my purposes.

[Frederick Skelly]

I designed and built a rolling table with legs that fold flat so it can be mounted on a wall. The legs are also height adjustable to accommodate my uneven garage floor. This works great for my purposes.

I bet it does. That's really nice.

[Jim Becker]

I designed and built a rolling table with legs that fold flat so it can be mounted on a wall. The legs are also height adjustable to accommodate my uneven garage floor. This works great for my purposes.

Clever embedding that tee-track! Very nice solution.

[Tim Andrews]

Clever embedding that tee-track! Very nice solution.
Thanks Jim. I solved this problem in a slightly different way when I modified the legs on my SawStop TS. If I were to build the folding table again, I would use this method, it works a bit more smoothly. I built an outer leg to allow the SS metal leg to slide inside, and installed a metal threaded insert for the knob to lock it in place.

[Bijesh Jacob]

That is a great idea. Where did you by the table base?

Custom welded by me, so i was able to build the exact dimensions I wanted, including being the same height as the K3 saw.

[Edwin Santos]

I thought this guy's table was very clever. Folds flat and stores up on the wall.
Don't know if it's a good solution for your situation, but have a look:

https://www.tiktok.com/@neilthegarageguy/video/7079523813423172907?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7079523813423172907

Hope it is helpful to you.

[Alan Lightstone]

I designed and built a rolling table with legs that fold flat so it can be mounted on a wall. The legs are also height adjustable to accommodate my uneven garage floor. This works great for my purposes.
Excellent design and build. Nice job.

[Jack Frederick]

I love seeing the assorted solutions we all come up with. Greg, as to the MFT being to small the solution is the Parf Guide II. I bought it last year and have knocked out a couple tops of assorted sizes, mine being 38x65 and a couple others for friends as gifts. I have used my top on low wooden saw horses, some 2” sq leg and 2’ channel iron horses, which are very substantial. I use notched 2x4’s as a bridge base and it is very solid. I have also thrown it up onto my workbench top, but it is really to high at that point. I tip the top off the horses, insert a couple of the long 20mm dogs as handles and I can slide it across the floor quite easily to either its storage location or where I need it for the work. I do not “lift” the 3/4” mdf as there is no joy there, but I can tip and slide that baby really well. I am considering making a couple 16, 18 or 24”x7-8’ tables that I could with minimal effort go E-E or SxS. The Parf Guide offers these solutions…or fantasies;)