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DIY Folding Workbench Fold Up Work Table For The Garage Remodelaholic
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Easy DIY Folding Workbench / Fold-Up Work Table from a Door

Build your own wall-mounted DIY folding workbench for your garage in just one hour! This beginner tutorial uses a solid core door and inexpensive lumber to make a fold-up workbench for under $100, perfect for woodworking and other DIYer projects.

Equipment

  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Air compressor
  • Finish nail gun (with 2-1/2" finish nails)
  • Pocket hole jig
  • Level
  • Pencil

Ingredients

Lumber

  • 1 2x6x8 1 cut @ 80"
  • 1 2x4x8 1 cut @ 80", 1 cut @ 6", 2 cuts @ 2"
  • 1 2x2x8 2 cut @ 38"
  • 1 2x4x8 1 cut @ 80"

Other materials and hardware

  • 1 36"x80" solid core door new or reclaimed
  • # 2-1/2" or 3" wood screws
  • # 1-1/2" wood screws
  • # 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
  • 2 1-1/2" small hinges
  • 3 3" hinges
  • 1 3 1/2" heavy-duty hasp

Instructions

Cut List

  • Ledger: cut 1 - 2x6 @ 80"
  • Workbench Support: cut 1 - 2x4 @ 80"
  • Leg Support: cut 1 - 2x4 @ 6"
  • Hinge Supports: cut 2 - 2x4 @ 2"
  • Legs: cut 2 - 2x2 @ 38"
  • Table Skirt: cut 1 - 1x4 @ 80"

Parts Preparation

  • In the leg support (2x4 @ 6"), drill 3 pocket holes along one long edge.
  • Pre-drill 3 holes through each hinge support piece (2x4 @ 2") for attaching later.
  • In the table skirt piece (1x4 @ 80"), drill pocket holes 2" from the ends, and about every 8-10" along the length of the board.
  • Lightly sand all pieces. You can seal with an optional coat of poly now or after building.

Step 1: Mark The Wall, Ledger, and Wall Studs

  • First, find the center of the wall space where your table will go -- make sure your 80" table will fit! Mark the 40" center on the wall.
  • Next, mark the height of the 2x6 ledger, which will be 41-1/4" from the floor. If you are taller or shorter, you can adjust this height to your preference. You'll also need to adjust the length of your 2x2 folding workbench legs.
  • Mark the center (40") of your 2x6 that you cut @ 80".
  • Find and mark the stud locations. Find and mark where all of your wall studs are before you hang your 2x6 ledger board.

Step 2: Hang the Ledger

  • You may need an extra set of hands for this step.
  • Match the two center marks from the wall and the 2x6 ledger. Place the level on the board and make sure it is level at 41".
  • Using the finish nail gun, place 3 or 4 nails in studs to hold the 2x6 in place.
  • Finish up by drilling 2 - 3" screws through the 2x6 at each stud location. Be sure the screw length is long enough to go through the 2x6 and the drywall to securely attach to the wall stud behind.

Step 3: Hang the 2x4 Workbench Support

  • Measure down from the top of the ledger board 1-3/4". This will be the mounting height for your 80" 2x4 workbench support, and will allow the folding table to sit on the 2x4 while in use, adding stability to your table.
  • This next step is just like hanging the 2x6. The top of your 2x4 should be on your 1-3/4" mark. Make sure the ends are flush with the 2x6, level the 2x4, and attach with 3-4 nails as before.
  • Then, drill 2 - 3" screws through the 2x4 into the 2x6 at each stud location.

Step 4: Attach Hinge Supports to Table Top

  • Measure on the underside of your door 3-1/2" from the front corner on both sides. Place the 2x4x2" hinge support pieces behind the mark.
  • Screw 2x4 pieces into place using 2-1/2" or 3" screws. (I pre-drilled 3 holes in these pieces so they didn't split when I drilled screws into them.)

Step 5: Attach the Table Skirt

  • Attach the table skirt to the underside of the workbench top at 1-1/2" from the front edge, using pocket hole screws.
  • To install the front skirt piece I made a jig to speed up the process. I used a leftover piece of the 2x2 and nailed it to a piece of 1x4. Then I placed the 2x2 side on top of the door, and pressed the skirt against it as I screwed the skirt to the underside of the table using the pocket holes. Make sure your ends are flush before you start attaching with pocket hole screws!

Step 6: Attach the Workbench Legs and Hinges

  • Attach the small hinges to the 2x2x38 legs. Mark center on the opposite side of the leg from the hinge on each leg, and mark center on the outside of the 2x4x2 pieces mounted to the table.
  • Line up the center marks, and attach the other side of the hinge to the inside of the 2x4x2 block. I initially used the screws provided for this step, but found they allowed too much movement when lowering the door. So I replaced them with 2" screws instead.

Step 7: Attach the Leg Support

  • Fold your legs so they sit against the underside of the table, and attach the 2x4x6 pieces using pocket holes  and 2" screws so the board sits against the table legs. This is where the legs will rest when the table is folded up.

Step 8: Attach the Table to the Ledger with Hinges

  • Time to call in your heavy lifting helper again! While holding the legs in place, carry the work table to the ledger board you have already attached to the wall.
  • Allow the legs to fold down, and place the back of the table on the 2x4. Your table should sit firmly on the ground. You may need to straighten the legs so they sit flush on the ground and on the 2x4 blocks on the underside of the table.
  • Now measure a 1/2" gap between the 2x6 and the back of the table. This will allow the hinge to move freely.
  • Attach the hinges to the table and the 2x6. I installed 2 hinges 4" from the edge, and one in the center.
  • Test out those hinges with a helper! Fold your door up, and mark where the top edge meets the wall on a stud as close to the center of the table as possible. Lower your table down again.

Step 9: Install the Hasp

  • This hasp and latch are the key to the "fold-up" part of the folding workbench. The twisting part of the hasp goes on the side of the work table, and the hinged part of the hasp goes on the wall (in the stud for secure attachment).
  • Measure where that stud is in relation to the end of your table. Transfer that measurement to the front of your table, and attach the twisting piece of the hasp to your table.
  • Install the hinged part of your hasp 1/2" above the line you marked and the same distance from the end of the table.
  • Now you should be able to fold your table up and lock it in place!

Step 10: Apply Finish Coat (Optional)

  • The final step is optional. I brushed on a coat of polyurethane to protect my table top.

Notes

Notes / Adjustments
I used a 36x80 non-bored solid core hardwood slab door to make this large wall-mounted work table. Adjust the lengths of the 80" lumber cuts if you are using a 78" or 84" door instead to fit your available wall space.
The height of the folding workbench surface as listed is 41". For a taller or shorter workbench, adjust the length of the legs (and the height that the ledger board is mounted).
There are several ways you can secure the fold-up workshop table to the wall. You could use hook and eye latches, a couple pieces of scrap wood, a barrel bolt lock, etc. I chose the heavy-duty hasp because it's strong, easy to secure, and easy to install.