I am looking to put together a portable workbench. I do not have the space to build a permanent table or room where I live now and am thinking of putting together a table to setup on two folding sawhorses So, that I can take off the work surface in-between projects and store the whole setup.

I know this is not the ideal setup but, right now all I plan on building is some rubber powered or free flight models to work on my building skills. I searched out and found the 5 year old post on show us your workbench and got some ideas. I would appreciate any more ideas for a shop and specifically a portable work surface.

Thanks
PP

Photopilot,

You may want to consider using a table with folding legs like the ones you may find in a large multi-purpose room of a hotel that need to be stored when not in use (if you get what I'm trying to explain). I've seen them either six foot or eight foot long by about 28" wide with either a plastic top or a MDF (medium density fiberboard) top. They have metal legs that can easily be folded up when the table is not in use. BTW If I'm not mistaken, you can get the metal leg assemblies in pairs and attach them to your own top, but right now, I can't recall where to get them. Maybe someone else who can decifer what I'm trying to say will respond to the post with a source for them.

Good luck with your search

Thanks David,
I waited tables for a long time know very well the tables you are describing, (we called them banquet tables) and a possible source for them, restaurant supply place. I am not sure of the price though. I will look into it and let your know what I find.
PP

If they are too expensinve you might consider a couple of sawhorses and a hollow core closet door (24"x80"). Places like home depot, lowes etc sometimes sells or gives away damaged doors. bought two from habitat for humanity store for $2.00 ea.

Sam's or Walmart- Home Depot etc.

Home Depot, they have matching chairs if you want. Fiber glass or plastic or whatever & they are pretty cheap. Even epoxy drips come off pretty easily, so you won't ruin it. I've got two and they especially come in handy at Thanksgiving (that's how you sell your wife on them).

Thanks for all the ideas.

I was pretty set on the sawhorse idea, I think I even have most of the pieces available to me. But the folding table sounds like a better idea, as I don't have to store many things when it is not in use.

A quick search gave me these sources.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100048820

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...c-Top-Folding/

and my favorite.

http://www.foldingtablewarehouse.com/HiPressure34.htm

Seems like the construction would keep it flatter than the plastic table, and adjustable for sitting down or standing up heights. I am afraid shipping might at least double the asking price, I will check tomorrow.
PP

Try the table top and legs department at IKEA. They have some very interesting configurations from glass tops to torsion box construction tops that are very light. You can pick the table top and legs separately, some of which fold flat. I think there is an IKEA in Draper.

I know all about the IKEA in Draper, matter of fact I was there last weekend and probably two weeks before that. Now that you mention it I was an incredibly cool table there that both my girl and I liked a lot from my visit 6 weeks ago that would make a perfect table for this perfect for this, but just couldn't find a purpose for it then.


http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39836264

I'll have to take a look at it again for this project.

If you have the wall space you may want to look at hinging the table, hollow core door, whatever, so that you could raise it up and lock it against the wall. Ever see ironing tables that raise and are stowed in a cabinet? Same idea.
The legs would hinge too just like the banquet table.

You can clamp a piece of 3/4" plywood in a Black&Decker 'Workmate'. All you will have to do is cut the ply to whatever size you want and screw a "foot" to the underside For the Workmates built-in clamp. Jim