Assembly table of my dreams

[kmealy 6,982]

For several years, I've been wanting to build an assembly table.   It seems like my 3x5 is always too small (broke a toe once when a cabinet side fell off).   My thought is to make a 48x96. but have the last 30" or so be a drop-leaf and only pull it out when needed.  I saw some WOOD plans recently that have given me some more ideas.   I have a whole pile of baltic birch boxes that I got at a Sam's Club auction from their wine display.   I think I'll convert some of them into pull-out drawers in the first photo and make the bench more like the second one.  I really had to bid hard to get them.  I got about 30 boxes of 1/2 BB, 8 sheets of plywood, and a few plywood triangles, a pile of short 2x4s, and two metal racks (that I sold for $40) and it set me back $8 and change.  Oh, yeah, a  box of ~300 new 1.25" Robertson screws sitting  inside, and a few hundred of "only used once" 1.25" and 1.5" screws.

 

 

[lew 12,229]

Looks like a mighty fine table design. Wish I had room for one. Right now I use 2 saw horses to support a 3' x 4' rectangle lazy susan type. The swivel allows for easy access while working from one location.

Edited January 18, 2019 by lew

[Grandpadave52 20,624]

Looking forward to following the build. Wish I had a shop to have something like this.

I remember when you stole, 'er won that bid for all that BB ply. Still no remorse I see.

[Woodbutcherbynight 23,748]

When done will it be mobile?  One picture shows one mobile the other not.  Just curious, wondering if you had a preference.  Like Grandpadave I don't have the room but you never know might win the lottery.... If I ever bought a ticket.

[kmealy 6,982]

Probably not mobile.   HD casters are real expensive.  Right now, I'm using "shop boxes" with a 3x5 piece of basketball court on the top.  Previously, I had an old "battleship" metal desk, that I did have raised up on casters.  It was too big to move so I disassembled and hauled the pieces to the scrap yard.  Oh, wait, I have casters,.... maybe.

[Danl 755]

I built this one from Wood.  It is a toque box construction.  you can make it an size.     I like it.   Danl 

[HARO50 7,422]

21 hours ago, lew said:

Wish I had room for one.

 

20 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Wish I had a shop to have something like this.

 

20 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I don't have the room

Well, at least I'm in good company!

John

[PeteM 1,116]

I made a simple table frame (from 1x3) 60"x24", with wheels (found set/4 at HD for $20).  Then I dropped a pocket door slab 80x30 on it, put little pcs wood on underside of slab to register it on frame.  When I need room, put top against the wall (have little hold down for it on wall), and frame standing up against it.  Worked well to collapse the space needed.

 

Then I gave a car away and am much happier now with a permanent "this is mine" space allocation in garage.

[kmealy 6,982]

I made a sample table like my second photo for the furniture bank. (see other post for that) I like it and have decided to proceed (when I get the time).  I want to put a drop leaf on one end so it's shorter for smaller projects but I get the full 8' for larger ones that I seem to be making these days.  I'll use my bargain wine boxes for the drawers (draws) and have some nice close storage.   Now if I can only get the time to do something for myself.

[RedMGB 515]

Love the bright colors and clamp storage in the second photo.  I'm inspired!  

 

Attached are two photos of benches built last year.  The first is just an assembly bench, approximately 3' x 5'.  The best part is the casters - there are several versions on Amazon between $40 - $50 for a set of 4.  The price seems to vary according to the phases of the moon or something.  Anyway, the nice thing is when they are disengaged, the full weight of the bench is on the legs.  I haven't had too much success with locking casters.   Thinking about adding a second shelf, but I would lose a place to stash my jobsite table saw and compressor.  

 

The second photo is my grandson's bench.  It was his Christmas present last year when he was 4, but I told him he had to help me build it, and we started it in October.  He was so excited and we had a great time.  

[Gene Howe 25,031]

Welcome to the forum, Red. 

two mighty fine benches, you posted. Your grandson sure looks proud of his. 

[lew 12,229]

2 hours ago, RedMGB said:

Love the bright colors and clamp storage in the second photo.  I'm inspired!  

 

Attached are two photos of benches built last year.  The first is just an assembly bench, approximately 3' x 5'.  The best part is the casters - there are several versions on Amazon between $40 - $50 for a set of 4.  The price seems to vary according to the phases of the moon or something.  Anyway, the nice thing is when they are disengaged, the full weight of the bench is on the legs.  I haven't had too much success with locking casters.   Thinking about adding a second shelf, but I would lose a place to stash my jobsite table saw and compressor.  

 

The second photo is my grandson's bench.  It was his Christmas present last year when he was 4, but I told him he had to help me build it, and we started it in October.  He was so excited and we had a great time.  

Super looking tables! I really like the caster idea. Your grandson will remember those times together!

 

Looks like you have a basement shop. Welcome to the club!

[RedMGB 515]

Thank you Lew. 

To call what I currently have in the basement a shop is too kind.  But a basement shop is in the planning stage and I'll be posting a request for suggestions in the near future.  Got to finish Mother's shelving units first. 

Jim

[lew 12,229]

1 hour ago, RedMGB said:

Thank you Lew. 

To call what I currently have in the basement a shop is too kind.  But a basement shop is in the planning stage and I'll be posting a request for suggestions in the near future.  Got to finish Mother's shelving units first. 

Jim

Looking forward to seeing your ideas!

[Woodbutcherbynight 23,748]

Welcome to TPW, lots of very creative guys here.  You have come to the right place for ideas and tips.  Maybe even a few laughs.

[p_toad 3,699]

On 1/17/2019 at 7:06 PM, kmealy said:

(broke a toe once when a cabinet side fell off

And...that's why i've gotten in the habit of wearing steel toe shoes.   Between heavy stuff here, at my neighbors place(s), or at the Restore...   so far, so good.   Yeah, they're heavier and i prefer the steel toe to the composite, but that's just me.  

[Buckaroo 2,054]

WeLL SCREWED UP ONCE MORE for/to kmealy: splained my hangee down work table extension yestiddy, guess it went in file 13.. BEST NOT SAY ANYTHING, I'LL BE banned again, see ya.

[Buckaroo 2,054]

LOOKS LIKE FIND TIME FOR THIS OL'HAS BEEN TO CREEP ON OUTTA YALL'S WAY, TOTALLY

[Buckaroo 2,054]

AND NOT A ONE GAVE A DAM.

YEAW, TIME FER ME TO EASY ON OVER TO CENTRAL.

[John Morris 16,728]

@Buckaroo what the heck are you talking about? It would sure be helpful if you could explain your grievances with more than one line of head scratching. Not a single person here knows what you are trying to say, or what went wrong with ya. 

Care to explain, with some detail?