No workshop is complete without a workbench, but not everyone has the space for one. This clever solution from Build Something gives you the best of both worlds; a sturdy work surface that you can put away once your DIY work is done.

 

You will need:

Hollow-core door

2 of 20 x 94 x 2032mm PAR pine - shelf / front rail

1 of 32 x 67 x 2032mm PAR pine - mounting cleat

2 of 20 x 67 x 100mm PAR pine - leg blocks (adjust this to accommodate the folding leg brackets)

2 of 44 x 44 x 860mm PAR pine - legs*

Pack of 4 x 30mm pockethole or wood screws

3 hinges, 100mm and 16mm screws

2 of folding leg / flap brackets and 25mm screws

4 of Fischer wall plugs and 6 to 8 x 90mm long screws

*Adjust height of legs for height of worktable.

 

Tools:

Spirit level

Drill / Driver

Pockethole jig (optional)

Orbital sander

Tape measure and pencil

 

  1. The first thing you’ll need its your bench surface. You can buy a new door for your workbench or pick up a used one.
  2. Cut a shelf and mounting Cleat to the same length as the door from the 20 x 94mm and 32 x 67mm pine. Most standard hollow core doors are 2032mm in height, but double check the measurement on your door - before you cut to length!
  3. Drill three pocket holes in the back face of the mounting cleat to secure the shelf on top of the mounting cleat. The back of the shelf is flush with the mounting cleat.
  4. On the front rail drill pocket holes in the back face of the front rail for mounting underneath the door. Secure to the bottom with 30mm pockethole or wood screws. If you don’t own a pockethole jig, you could use steel angle braces and wood glue to secure the front rail, or dowel joints.
  5. Cut two leg blocks and fix to the bottom of the worktable using 30mm screws. Screw each leg onto the folding leg brackets, and then mount the brackets to the leg blocks with 30mm screws.
  6. Attach the hinges to the back edge of the worktable (door). The hinges are placed 100mm in from the end and one in the centre. Place the barrel of the hinge to hang over the bottom edge.
  7. Secure the other side of the hinge onto the mounting cleat with 30mm screws.
  8. To assemble the complete worktable, first mark the location on a wall for attaching the mounting cleat. Measure up from the floor the combined height of the leg (860mm or adjusted height) plus leg block (20mm). Use a spirit level to mark a level line on the wall. Position the mounting cleat above this line. Use wall plugs and screws to secure to the wall. 

And there you have it!

You can read the full article here.