| Project by CatiaMan | posted 125 days ago | 1295 views | 4 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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Why a folding workbench? When the weather turns cold, I roll it inside where limited space makes it impractical to have a full time 4 ft wide foot print. In fact, the only time I need it 4 ft wide is when I occasionally cut a 4×8 panel. The lower deck storage is proving to be very handy. Here are more pic’s of how I built it: http://picasaweb.google.com/RuthAndJulian/FoldingWorkbench?feat=directlink
My ultimate goal is to build a signature workbench but I wanted to build an inexpensive (but functional) prototype first, so I used fir ply and 2×4’s for this project. I used barrel hinges so that when the bench is folded out they are below the surface and unlikely to damage a circular saw blade should I accidentally cut into the bench top but in retrospect, they are not worth the incredible trouble it took to install them which includes epoxy reinforcement of the plies (near each hinge) and a drill jig to get the holes exactly on center and they still pose a minor threat to a circular saw blade when the bench is folded up so they will not be used on the next version. Plain old recessed hinges and a sacrificial board to protect the workbench = KIS. Later this year I plan to add a wood vice and pin holes.
9 comments so far
mmh
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1395 posts in 620 days
posted 125 days ago
Very clever and handsome too. I’m sure you could sell a bunch of these as not many wood or craft workers have a lot of room to work.
-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe
Ben
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72 posts in 611 days
posted 125 days ago
I certainly like the support pulls. Adds a nice “touch.”
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jcees
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posted 125 days ago
Nicely done. Very well done indeed.
always,
J.C.
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
Scott Bryan
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posted 124 days ago
This is an interesting concept for a bench. I can see where it would be a nice addition for those of us with smaller shops. Not only do you get a pretty solid bench but it can also be a good assembly table for large projects, handling full size sheet goods, etc. when needed.
Adding a vice will improve the functionality of this bench.
Nice idea.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
CharlieM1958
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posted 124 days ago
What Scott said. :-)
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Innovator
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posted 124 days ago
Great concept, I starterd with a very (VERY) small shop and this would have come in handy.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
a1Jim
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17022 posts in 475 days
posted 124 days ago
Great design great Idea well done
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
Ben Kahmann
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232 posts in 170 days
posted 124 days ago
Great bench, what everyone else said
-- Ben Kahmann Dayton, OH
Beginningwoodworker
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posted 107 days ago
Nice workbench.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker