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How to make a folding workbench
Overview
Tools and materials
Tools
Steps
Cut your timber
To make this project easier you can have your timber pre-cut at Bunnings. Here's our cutting list:
2250mm x 600mm x 30mm ply
- 945mm x 450mm x 1
35mm x 2.4m dowel
- 1650mm x 2
90mm x 45mm x 2.4m structural pine
- 945mm x 2
Measure and mark space for the bench
Measure and mark where you want your workbench to go in the garage. We put ours in the middle of the wall. Measure 900mm up from the floor and mark the middle of the wall.
Measure and mark the middle of the timber
Measure and mark the centre point on the two 945mm lengths of structural pine, which will act as supports for the workbench. Make two marks in the middle of the timber near both ends for the two support screws.
Pre-drill the holes
Clamp the structural pine to the workbench. Use the 5.5mm drill bit to pre-drill three holes for the support screws.
Mark the spot to drill
Hold the first pine support against the wall at the correct height, making sure it's level. Drill three holes that just touch the bricks. This will mark the spots you want to drill directly into the wall.
Pre-drill the holes in the wall
Use the hammer drill and 8mm masonry bit to drill three holes where you've just marked them.
Attach the supports to the wall
Insert the 8mm wall plugs into the drilled holes. Hold the timber against the wall with the holes aligned. Use the drill and 100mm bugle screws to attach the support to the wall. Repeat these steps to also attach the lower support piece to the wall.
Trace around the dowel
Place the dowel on top of the ply and trace around it. Make the outline a bit bigger so the dowel will fit snug. Use the square to make the lines straight. Repeat this step for the three other brackets.
Cut the ply
Secure the ply to the workbench. Use the 5.5mm drill bit to drill two holes in the corners of the dowel outline. These will be your entry point for the jigsaw blade. Use the jigsaw to cut out the brackets for the dowel, rounding out the corners. Repeat this for the three other brackets.
Sand the brackets
Use the 120 grit sandpaper to smooth the edges on each bracket.
Pre-drill holes in the brackets
Use a bracket to clamp the timber to the workbench. Pre-drill four holes in each corner. Repeat this for the three other brackets.
Attach hinges
Attach the hinges to the underside of the workbench using the screws that come with the hinges.
Attach the brackets
Attach the bench to the wall support
Place pieces of packer between the workbench and the wall support. Use the screws that come with the hinges to attach it to the wall support.
Attach the dowel legs
Slide the dowel legs into their brackets so that they support the workbench.
Fold down the top and away you go
More D.I.Y. Advice
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.