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How to make a folding workbench

Tools on a folding plywood table against a garage wall

Overview

Every garage needs a workbench, but finding a space for it can be tricky. This fold-down workbench is sturdy, easy to build and takes up very little space when not in use.

Steps

1

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
Timber sitting on benchtop.

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.

Person measuring against a wall.

3

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.

Person using tape measure and pencil to make a mark on timber.

4

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.

Person drilling into timber.

5

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. 

Person drilling timber into wall.

6

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.

Person drilling into a wall.

7

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.

Person drilling timber into wall.

8

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.

Person tracing with pencil around timber dowel.

9

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.

Person cutting ply.

10

Sand the brackets

Use the 120 grit sandpaper to smooth the edges on each bracket.

Person sanding timber bracket.

11

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.

Person drilling holes into timber bracket.

12

Attach hinges

Attach the hinges to the underside of the workbench using the screws that come with the hinges.

Person attaching hinge to timber with drill.

13

Attach the brackets

Attach two brackets to the underside of the fold-down workbench with the 100mm bugle screws. Fix them to the front of the bench, flush to both front corners. Attach the other two brackets to the base attached to the wall. Make sure they are flush to the corner and the cut-out for the dowel faces upwards. 
Person attaching bracket to timber.

14

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.

Person attaching hinge to wall using drill.

15

Attach the dowel legs

Slide the dowel legs into their brackets so that they support the workbench.

Person attaching towel legs to DIY workbench.

16

Fold down the top and away you go

There you have it, a handy fold-down workbench that takes up little space but will always be there when you need it.
Tools on a folding plywood table against a garage wall
Health & Safety

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.