Mobile Workbench
No space for an entire workshop? Here’s the ultimate solution.
Share it
If you have a small garage and your workspace has to double as a parking space, this is the bench for you. It folds down, expands into a worktable and has plenty of tool storage.
There are adjustable-height shelves at the ends and sides, which are held securely in place with sturdy steel brackets that fit into double-slotted tracks.
One end shelf can support a portable table saw, while the main worktop area and other end shelf serve as an outfeed table. The longer side shelves can be adapted to fit a mitre saw, with additional brackets to support a workpiece while you cut.
You can also set the shelves flush with the central worktop and create a big 2400 x 1200 mm assembly table. Once you start using it, you’ll find many ways to make it work for all your various tools and projects..
STEP 1
Make the frames
Pre-drill 3 mm holes into frame. Assemble the three horizontal shelf frames using 75 mm x 10 g screws
STEP 2
Fix the shelves
Cut the two pieces of 19 mm plywood (E) for the lower and middle shelves and screw them to the frames with 50 mm x 8 g screws. Ensure the frames are perfectly
STEP 3
Attach the legs
Screw legs (F) to bottom frame with a pair of 75 mm x 10 g screws at each corner. Clamp and screw upper frame fl ush with the top of the legs. Check for square then add another pair of screws to each corner. Clamp and screw centre shelf.
STEP 4
Cut and fit the top
Cut the top from a sheet of 19 mm plywood and screw it to both the top of the legs and to the upper frame with 50 mm x 8 g screws. Make sure to leave a 20 mm overhang at each leg corner.
STEP 5
Add castors
Flip the bench over and screw 90 x 45 mm blocks into the corners. Fix the castors 6 mm from the outer edge. Drill pilot holes for the 40 mm x 8 g pan head screws, then drive the screws into the legs, frame and blocks to secure the castors.
STEP 6
Fix the tracks
Centre the slotted tracks on the outside faces of the 90 x 45 mm. Drive 50 mm x 8 g screws through the holes in the tracks and into the legs. Before fi xing, make sure the tracks are parallel to each other.
STEP 7
Fit the brackets
Push the brackets into the slots and centre the shelf on top. Mark the bracket location on rear of the shelf. Remove shelf and extend the marks with a carpenter’s square.
STEP 8
Pack the shelves
Cut packing strips to raise the shelves just enough to be even with the main worktop. Use 4 mm strips for the end shelves (H) and 10 mm strips for the side shelves (J).
STEP 9
Fix the shelf brackets
Fasten the shelf brackets to the bottom of the shelves with 18 mm x 8 g pan head sheet metal screws. Make sure the brackets align with the spacing of the tracks.
STEP 10
Trim wall brackets
Cut single wall brackets so the shelves can hang from the workbench 50 mm from the slotted edge for the side shelf (J) brackets, and 40 mm for the end shelf (H) brackets (Diagram 2). File cut edges to remove any burrs.
STEP 11
Pop-rivet the brackets
Clamp the cut-off singlewall bracket to the double-wall bracket, 25 mm from the slotted end. Drill two 3 mm holes through both one side of the bracket and the cut-off bracket behind. Inset the rivet and squeeze until the rivet snaps tight.
STEP 12
Attach wing shelves
Fasten offcuts to inside and outside faces of brackets, so hooks line up with the slots. Test-fi t, then cut, glue and screw a 90 x 45 mm support (K) between the brackets of the long wing shelves (J).
|
| ||||||
3 of 9 Comments |
| RD Editor on 21 September 2011 ,11:02 Hi Andrew, thanks for your query. One of our Handyman experts has provided some detailed information to respond to your questions on page 4. We hope this helps! - RD Editor |
| Andrew Wyatt on 04 September 2011 ,08:29 Thanks you for a great layout, my only concerns 1) the stability of the table with heavy tools like the table saw at one end and a compound mitre saw on the narrow side 2) the overhanging shelf arrangements and any alternative rather than using a pop riveter 3) getting the side benches to be flush with the table top |
| RD Editor on 25 August 2011 ,13:14 Hi there, if you download the full project PDF (at top of article), the materials and cutting lists are on the last page. Hope that helps! | See More Comments |
Post A Comment
| Name* | |
| Email* | |
| Comment* | |
Comments are published and responded to (if required) weekly. For queries or comments relating to our Sweepstakes or product purchases from our online store, please call Customer Service on 1300 300 030 or email customerservice.au@readersdigest.com. Comments containing personal or inappropriate material may be modified or removed at our discretion.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Have You Seen...
 Medical Health |  Build It |  Holidays & Occasions |  Embrace Life |  Food & Recipes |  Medical Health |
| Important Information |  | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Care | |||||
| | |||||
 | WIN! WIN! |
 | Shop at our store!• Books • DVDs • Music • Gifts |
