Bill Stock wrote:
I'm really getting cramped for space in the hole I call my workshop. Useable
space (excluding storage) is about 10x14, which holds the bench, planer,
tablesaw, dust collector, drill press and other miscellaneous crap.

One idea I have for reclaiming my space is a folding workbench. I'm thinking
of attaching a ledger board (current bench) to the wall, hanging off some
stubs every 16". The 'joists' for the benchtop would mesh up with the stubs
and be joined to each other with a long metal pipe passing through holes in
both. Likely two shorter pipes, since the room isn't long enough to insert
one long pipe. I'm not too sure about the legs, probably more studs held to
the 'joists' with more pipe. A crosser would hold the legs together on the
outside, so as not to get in the way of folding under the bench.

Probably the biggest issue would be losing the space under the current
bench, which holds the various power tools and other stuff. Maybe a rolling
cabinet that I could move before folding down the bench. Then there's the
stuff on top of the bench, drill press, various tools, etc. Perhaps I'll
have the bench fold in two sections so I can pick my extra space.

Any thoughts/pit falls on a folding bench?




My thoughts on a folding bench might be
discouraging. I like my benches as solid
as I can get them, which to my mind
would preclude making them folding. I
do a lot of hand planing and need that
stability.

What I've done in a similar sized space
(actually smaller than yours) is to move
unnecessary stuff outside. All wood,
except scraps is out. The shop vac is
out. Compressor when I get it will be
beside the shop vac.

The router table is on a rolling cart
that stows out of the way when I'm not
using it.

Everyone likes their workspace set up a
bit differently. However, I'd find, like
you have mentioned, that moving the
stuff on the bench to be a PITA every
time I folded the bench up.

--
Tanus

This is not really a sig.

http://www.home.mycybernet.net/~waugh/shop/

Tanus wrote:


My thoughts on a folding bench might be discouraging. I like my benches
as solid as I can get them, which to my mind would preclude making them
folding. I do a lot of hand planing and need that stability.

While the portable won't replace a good joiner's bench, tube sand can
greaty increase the stability of a small or portable bench used for hand
work.

B A R R Y wrote:
Tanus wrote:


My thoughts on a folding bench might be discouraging. I like my
benches as solid as I can get them, which to my mind would preclude
making them folding. I do a lot of hand planing and need that
stability.

While the portable won't replace a good joiner's bench, tube sand
can
greaty increase the stability of a small or portable bench used for
hand work.

If you're careful with the design and the folder is folding against a
wall then you can use the wall to obtain a great deal of rigidity.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)