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Thread: Rolling Assembly Table/Workbench with folding, height adjustable legs

  1. #1

    Rolling Assembly Table/Workbench with folding, height adjustable legs

    Hello All,
    I enjoy this site very much, but rarely post because I haven't felt like I could add much worthwhile information with so many highly skilled woodworkers here. But here's my latest project 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", made with 1/2" plywood 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 2x4 stock, and then glueing 2 pieces together to form a 4x4 leg with a 1 1/2" centered slot. The interior leg has a T-Track to accept the head of a 1/4 x 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.

    If anyone is interested I have the plans for my design in Sketchup. Thanks for looking!

    IMG_1744.jpg

    Below is the folded position on the wall, secured by bolts on each end.

    IMG_1737.jpg

    Image below shows legs folded out, center brace slid into notches in cross pieces, ready to lower.

    IMG_1735.jpg

    Image below shows detail of folding leg.

    IMG_1740.jpg

    Image below shows shelf.

    IMG_1732.JPG

    Image below shows T-Track insert in inner leg with knobs to tighten the legs in position.

    IMG_1742.jpg

    Image below show leg in typical extended position.

    IMG_1726.jpg

    Image below shows leg retracted.

    IMG_1725.jpg
    Last edited by Tim Andrews; 01-02-2019 at 4:25 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    65,638
    That is a terrific design and kudos for making it with both a flat/stable top as well as foldable for storage.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    SoCal
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    22,480
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    Looks like a great work surface with minimal space storage built right in. Nicely done.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  4. #4
    Very nice work table, most of us don't have a lot of extra space so it is perfect!

  5. #5
    Thanks for the nice comments. This is a great woodworking community.

  6. #6
    Tim, really nice design! Would you mind sharing the plans?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Bedford, NH
    Posts
    1,286
    Very well conceived and very well made. You should be proud of this work table - it looks great! All my equipment is on casters, so I can appreciate how much you'll enjoy this work table. Heck, you could even use it outside if needed. Well done indeed!
    Thoughts entering one's mind need not exit one's mouth!
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    "We Live In The Land Of The Free, Only Because Of The Brave"
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    NE OH
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    2,612
    You've incorporated a lot of clever ideas, nice job!

  9. #9
    Tim,

    I believe you have dispelled the idea you don't have anything to contribute. Outstanding work bench! Although I have a Jack Bench style workbench in shop I would love to have something like this in my garage though probably a bit smaller. To that end I would appreciate very much having your Sketchup file and have sent you a PM with my mail address.

    THanks
    Jack

  10. #10
    Hello All,
    It looks like this thread was resurrected from a few months ago. Thanks again for the nice replies. I tried attaching the Sketchup file to this message, but apparently the file size is too large.

    I have enclosed a couple of screen shots below, showing the assembled view and the exploded view. If anyone wants the Sketchup file, send me a message with your email address and I'm happy to do so. Or, if someone knows how to share it on this forum then please let me know. Cheers,
    Tim

    Workbench.jpgWorkbench Exploded.jpg

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