Folding Work Table

530
11
Greetings all,
Here’s my latest project for my garage workshop. There are often times where I could use a small rolling table while I’m working, but I have just about maxed out all available space and still park our 2 cars inside at night. Somehow my wife never warmed up to my brilliant idea of getting rid of the washer and dryer to make room for my woodworking tools and accessories. And so, given her misplaced priorities, I decided to build a folding table.

I looked at a few different designs on the web and liked this one. It’s usually built from box store 2x4’s which works perfectly well, but I like nice looking things. Just ask my gorgeous kitty, Ziggy. I used Poplar milled to 1 3/8” x 3” for the leg and frame pieces, as well as the trim around the Birch plywood top. Dowels were used for the joinery.  2” locking casters were installed on the front legs and rear frame pieces. I applied 2 coats of Osmo Polyx for the finish which will help clean up any spills or drips which will inevitably happen, it had absolutely nothing to do with how good it looks.

Instead of drolling on further, here’s my shop notes:
Specs
  • Frame 8/4 Poplar, Trim 3/4 Poplar
  • Birch Plywood Top with Poplar Trim
  • Eight 2 1/2” Hinges
  • Four 2” Locking Casters installed using 3/8” threaded inserts 
  • Four small L Brackets used to attach top to rear frame 

Process
  • Dowels used for all joinery, including diagonal brace
  • Recessed routed out to allow hinges on top to sit flush
  • Upper leg support must be notched to allow legs to clear hinges when folded
  • Removable front cross support is notched on ends and fits into notches on legs

To fold and unfold, rear legs must be locked 

11 Comments

Like it!   need one myself.

Ron

I like it.  
Your garage/shop is way too clean and roomy.  Looks like a photo shoot for a magazine article.  

--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

That is a great ang useful table!!!!!!!!!! Nice work on it!!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day

looks very useful and compact when not needed.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Nice design! Great to have more surface area when needed. 
Well, this is handy. I can envision lots of useful applications for it in my small shop.  I like the Poplar/Birch Ply combo. It looks good.  Nicely done...
Thanks everyone, it’s proving to be very useful to me.
The roll around version of the folding wall bench. Lotta utility, but gets out of your way when ya don't need it, nice build Dog
FIne build! You took the time to make it like a piece of furniture versus just a shop device.
Looks really useful, but would loosing the W/D and maybe trade the cars in for a pair of cute scooters really be that much of a sacrifice?  😬
I like the way you think Splinter. I’ll just have to work out the logistics of balancing a 4x8 sheet of plywood on my back when I’m on the scooter.
I saw that video made from a guy in India, looked like he had a third of a house on his back, scooting through traffic he was.