A strong, stable and collasible worktable

Nice table Don, great idea using 1/2’’ plywood and a torsion box top. I was wondering what you’ve been up to and know I see. By the looks of your garage I’m surprised you have room for that table even when its broke down flat :-)...... Just kidding

-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams

I liked the video. Nothing like seeing a 78 yr old man climb up on his bench and jump a few times to inspire me to see that age is just a number. Keep at it, Don.

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

BRAVO! What an excellent design and solution to a common problem. You did a great video demonstration also. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

Great work Don. I suspect this design is rigid, as well as strong. It’s only limitations would be, hmmmmm, not stability…..maybe that is right, meaning a push would move it, meaning not a good planing bench for instance. But that is not its purpose.

For over 20 years I used three tables with picnic table folding legs, and I still have two in use. Your bench is light years ahead of those. Of course I have a large more traditional bench and I am sure you have something similar.

The integrity of plywood and torsion box tops is underutilized, I suspect.

Did you check out my project from hell, the multifunction bench, a totally different, and barely moveable, let alone collapsible bench…..

http://lumberjocks.com/jbertelson/blog/24418

I only mention this to note that smaller benches come with various attributes. Yours is a masterpiece of its sort. Thanks for posting.

On a different vein, I have to improve the lighting in my little La Conner, Washington shop. How are those lights you built with the small fluorescents working. I know, over a year ago. I am kinda interested.

Have a good day…....I am out to the deck, where Sherie is drinking a little wine and spinning….....so Kermit and I will head out there too, a balmy day in Anchorage.

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Wow, now that is a secure, stable and user friendly work bench

-- Norman

Jim,
The lamps I built using highly reflective housings and CFL lamps are doing very well.

ddwwb

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.

I have to admire a man who’s prepared to stand by and on his own work.

Good bench, Don.

-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com

Thanks, Don, I will review the lamp construction when I add stuff in La Conner. It just makes more sense to me than the big fluorescents, which are noisy, not necessarily easy to replace, and not easy to store. I have to replace 8 footers here in this shop, and install new lamps in La Conner.

The only thing that I would think your bench couldn’t do would be heavy planing. Over the years I have mostly used my flimsy project tables for everything, and I still use them for most things. The new bench is particularly useful for dry fits and glueups of more complex objects and for sanding. It will work very well for planing as well. I am getting a medium siize vise for it to assist in planing.

Great design, thanks for the post.

What is the connection system you are using, looks like a varient on the old metal adjustable shelves? What are the materials used in the torsion box?

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Materials in the torsion box are .5” plywood for the grid and rim, .25” ply for the skins.

The connectors are slot and hook bed frame connectors two at each corner. They hold very well.

ddwwb

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.

Thanks Don, you are always thinking out of the box, but I guess that’s me also.

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Decided I better favorite this, I like the idea of the torsion box top. I plan to replace at least one more project table eventually, and I too had thought of the plywood sides, but I probably wouldn’t make it break down. I may make it to store infrequently used small stationary tools, like the grinder, scroll saw, etc. The other may be just deleted, or follded up for occasional use. I also need clamp storage, but Roger came up with a small foot print clamp rack that looks about right for me.

Have a good one…..........

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

Great job Don.Simple ,strong and will last for many years.Thanks for the video.

Awesome!! Nice design.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

Very nice bench Don, just wondering what you use for a vise? I have to make room for the car here in AZ during the summer months also. No fun getting into a 180 degree automobile not to say what the sun does to the paint and upholsterry of the car if left out.

-- TheOldTimer,Chandler Arizona

I make great use of a goodly number of clamps of all sorts. Quite a few wood screw clamps, spring clamps, Bessys, Ponys, and c clamps, among many others.
But, when I actually have to have a vise, I have a woodworker’s vise mounted on a plywood base that can be clamped to the table or a wing of the tablesaw.
I also have a picture frame vise that I prefer to be loose on the table top so I can turn the work any way I want it.
I must say, however, that I use the ww vise very rarely.

ddwwb

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.