Collapsible outdoor worksurface

[Pat Meeuwissen]

Good morning guys, I'm in need of a workbench/assembly table which is light, put up easily and can be adjusted because it sits on a slanted driveway. I have a large table to build which I just can't fit inside. So I need it to be flat and sturdy, for the glue up. Any thoughts. 

Edited December 5, 2017 by Ron Dudelston
tags added

[John Morris]

One time use or for future use? Great to see ya Pat!

[kmealy]

Kreg , Keter, and Worx have such offerings.   A friend of mine bought the Keter a few years ago before the Kreg was available and he likes it.  Then there's always the standby, WorkMate.

 

[Allen Worsham]

The cheap and easy way to go is to pick up a 4'- 6' plastic folding banquet table from Sam's Club or Costco or other big chain store. Then using standard 2x4's or 2x8's make a pedestal to raise up the low end of the table to level. I have done this before and it works out good. The plastic tables work great as the dried glue comes off easily.

[PeteM]

14 minutes ago, Allen Worsham said:

The cheap and easy way to go is to pick up a 4'- 6' plastic folding banquet table from Sam's Club or Costco or other big chain store.

I used one such folding table for years, then the top finally fell apart (not my fault!!!...well, maybe).  I took the legs and installed them on a pocket door; the legs finally came apart after a decade of use.  I kept the pocket door, and now just put it on folding sawhorses.  With something as rigid as a table/door, it may not matter that you're on a slanted slab:  just take all measurements from the table surface and don't use a level.  Or shim the legs.

[HandyDan]

The tailgate makes a great work surface.  No heavy lifting, when the project is done slide it in and deliver it.

 

 

[Grandpadave52]

Pat...If you have a Habitat for Humanity Restore nearby, check out their door sections. I picked up a couple of bi-fold closet door sections for less than $15. I already had a couple sets of sawhorses like these or you can make a set. Stanley also makes a similar set with adjustable legs. Doors sections fold in half  as do the saw horses making set-up and storage easy...works for me..

[Joe Candrilli]

I had the Keter thing and killed it putting too much wood on it (OK in fairness it was WAY to much wood for most temp tables).  I found a Vika table at Woodcraft.  It doubles as a long work table and also as a type of short scaffolding.  Also has the ability to plug in an extension cord with 3 outlets.  Thought that feature was cool at first, but I have yet to need 3 things plugged in on a worktable at once (two yes, three not yet).  it is sturdy and durable, but does not fold up much.  It is still a 2x6 beast that has to be stored.

 

[Grandpadave52]

27 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

The tailgate makes a great work surface.  No heavy lifting, when the project is done slide it in and deliver it.

Just looked at a 2017 "work-bench" similar to that only candy-apple red...with the incentive discounts it only listed for a mere $62,701... Good thing it was on a Sunday afternoon and they were closed or no telling what I might have done...wait, my wife was with me so I guess I would have just left like I did....

 

In seriousness though Pat, Dan makes a good point, I use the tailgate of my truck quite often as an extension. Good reminder on his part.

[Ron Altier]

Years ago I picked up a heavy duty Work Mate at a garage sale for $25. It is really sturdy and folds for storage. . I then built a table top that clamps in the table  vise. It can easily be removed to use the table vise or to put another size top on. Mine has become my permanent small projects table and I have it modified somewhat like a jewelers bench. It is still removable, if I want

[Chips N Dust]

Bi-fold closet doors were mentioned, but how about a couple of saw horses and a regular hollow core door?

[kmealy]

2 hours ago, Chips N Dust said:

Bi-fold closet doors were mentioned, but how about a couple of saw horses and a regular hollow core door?

Yep, I re-read original post.   I'd go for sawhorses (even if you have to build them, you can always use them)   and a $5 door from Re-Store or sheet of plywood (that you'll likely use again, too).  https://www.familyhandyman.com/carpentry/sawhorse-plans/view-all

 

I have two boxes that I've built from 3/4" x 4" strips I cut from re-used plywood.  I made them 24" x 30" x 36" and I can rotate them to whatever height I need based on the project.   I use them in my assembly table and for holding work I'm finishing.   I built them prior to this article, but same general idea.   I can use individually or in combination.  http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/the_shop_box_system

[DAB]

i have 2 of these

 

 

one for projects, a newer one for the range.  light, very sturdy, easily pack away small.

Edited July 18, 2017 by DAB

[Allen Worsham]

Here is a photo of my first mobile workbench that I made back in the later 1990's. At that time we were living in a condo with a 2 car garage. I needed a work bench that I could tear down and hang on the wall when not in use and that was the same height at the top of my table saw to be used as a run out table. It was very simple to make using 2x lumber and some plywood and then added in a power strip to plug in tools. I also cut out 4 hand holds into the table top and routed the edges to make it easier to lift and carry. I was able to toss it into the back of the pick-up when I did off-site work. This was a very heavy-duty table and I got a lot of use out of it and passed it along to my bro-in-law who still has it today. The quality of the photo is not up to today's standards, but you get the idea.
 

[Stick486]

Allen, you have my vote...

[DAB]

14 minutes ago, Allen Worsham said:

Here is a photo of my first mobile workbench that I made back in the later 1990's. At that time we were living in a condo with a 2 car garage. I needed a work bench that I could tear down and hang on the wall when not in use and that was the same height at the top of my table saw to be used as a run out table. It was very simple to make using 2x lumber and some plywood and then added in a power strip to plug in tools. I also cut out 4 hand holds into the table top and routed the edges to make it easier to lift and carry. I was able to toss it into the back of the pick-up when I did off-site work. This was a very heavy-duty table and I got a lot of use out of it and passed it along to my bro-in-law who still has it today. The quality of the photo is not up to today's standards, but you get the idea.
 

 

many years ago i was at my sister's house for 9 days, so do some projects for her.  she had no tools, i brought along a few and bought more with her money (they stayed with her), and of course, no work tables either.  made 2 very similar to that.  sheet of plywood ripped to 2 foot width, some 2x4s underneath, some sawhorses, and boom, i had 2 work tables, one for cutting, drilling, etc, and one for assembly.  set up in an L shape in the driveway, worked great.  all done for the day, break them down and store them in the garage.

 

sheet of plywood is about $20, 8 foot 2x4 is about $3, some screws, saw horses (pre-made, or make  your own), and you are in business.

[Pat Meeuwissen]

Guys, a couple of suggestions that have some merit but the fact that the driveway slopes is a big problem.

The table I'll be gluing up is 4' x 7'  so I need a good size top. Found this while searching today. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/51/be/cf/51becfe68345dfafd7eede656d4bc143.jpg

Could add a set of adjustable levelers to one side of the supports to get it flat and level. Throw some ply on top for the final assembly?? 

 

Dan, your suggestion while very handy would not get past the budgeting committee (aka my wife lol) 

[Pat Meeuwissen]

9 hours ago, John Morris said:

One time use or for future use? Great to see ya Pat!

I can see this being used more than once for sure. Once the family and friends see the first table I'm thinking there will be more projects coming my way. 

[MT Stringer]

Pat, the work table doesn't have to be level, just flat. Right. I bought a solid core door at the Habitat ReStore once upon a time for $8.25 (discount Friday). I cut it down and made a work bench that got used and abused for four years. Many projects were built on that thing. But, it was heavy!

 

I have a portable work station (and one of those Keter portable tables). My work table is a pair of saw horses that have adjustable height legs. I also have some 3/4 mdf that a fellow carved 3/4 inch dog holes in for me. I have since made my own to give me some additional work space. Here are a couple of pics. It works well, and I plan to use it tomorrow to break down 4 sheets of prefinished birch for some cabinets I am building.

Edited July 19, 2017 by MT Stringer

[kmealy]

Gee, you guys must be cheap frugal.   No one's mentioned this, just $685.   Might need two, though.