How to Build a Compact Folding Workbench with Storage

Fit a huge work area into a small space with this folding workbench.

Next Project
Time

A full day

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

$101–250

Introduction

Build this solid, roll-around, folding workbench in a day with simple hardware and only two sheets of plywood.

Tools Required

  • Center punch
  • Circular saw
  • Cordless drill
  • Hacksaw
  • Straightedge
  • Wrench set

Overview of this fold away workbench

Here’s a workspace that’s huge and accessible from all sides yet folds up and stows away easily. If you don’t have room for a full-size permanent workbench but really need space to spread things out, this workbench is it. It opens to a solid 4 x 7-ft. surface with both wings up yet closes and rolls into a small 4-ft. x 18-in. spot in a corner of the room. It’s a perfect workspace for the garage or basement. It’s also a great surface for making repairs, working on hobbies, cutting sewing patterns, wrapping gifts, folding laundry, doing stained glass crafts or even just holding a mechanic’s parts.

This fold away workbench project has no complex wood joints. Just straight cuts, careful measuring and some nailing and screwing.

Folding Workbench Details

With the illustration, and the Cutting and Shopping Lists, you have the basics for building your own folding workbench.

Project step-by-step (9)

Step 1

Cut the Pieces

cut folding workbench piecesFamily Handyman

Take a look at the Cutting List and cut all your pieces from 3/4-in.-thick hardwood plywood. We used birch plywood from a home center, but any flat plywood sheet will do. Avoid construction-grade plywoods because they’ll often have bows or warps that’ll make precise fitting impossible. We strongly recommend that you use a guide to cut the plywood. You’ll have tighter-fitting joints and better glue bonds. Use a 40-tooth carbide blade or a 150- tooth plywood blade for a smooth cut. A straightedge cutting guide clamped to the plywood will give you factory-straight cuts.

Once all the plywood pieces are cut, rip the 1/4-in. wide edge banding from 3/4-in. thick boards (or buy it pre-cut from a home center or lumberyard if you don’t have a table saw).

Step 2

Assemble the Pieces

assemble folding workbenchFamily Handyman

Assemble the upper and lower shelves as shown in Fig. A with carpenter’s glue and 6d finish nails. Glue and nail the anti-rack shelf supports (A1, A3) to the sides (B) first, then align, glue and nail the top and bottom pieces to the sides.

Note: Don’t alter the design of the shelves for this fold away workbench. The large shelf supports (A1 and A3) on the bottom and top of the shelves keep the bench from racking out of square. Let the assembly sit for an hour to let the glue dry before attaching the casters.

Step 3

Attach the Casters

Attach castersFamily Handyman

Flip the assembly upside down and align the caster bases with the outer edges of the bottom. Use 1-1/4 in. long lag screws (drill a 3/16-in. pilot hole) on the outer edge and 1-1/4 in. carriage bolts (drill a 1/4-in. pilot hole) with nuts and washers for the inner fasteners.

Step 4

Use 1-in. Brads for Attaching the Hardwood Edging

nail edging Family Handyman

The thin hardwood edging is a necessary component of the bench; without it, the hinge screws would not hold as well and the plywood could delaminate along the edges. Flip the bench onto the casters and begin gluing and nailing the 3/4-in. by 1/4- in. hardwood edging to the exposed plywood edges. To apply the edging, start a few brads into each piece of wood edging, put glue on the plywood and tack each piece into position. Once the edging is tacked in place, nail it every 6 in. with the brads. When the glue is dry, sand the sharp corners of the edging.

Step 5

Attach the Pipe Flanges

attach pipe flangesFamily Handyman

Screw the 3/4-in. pipe flanges onto 5-in. square reinforcing blocks cut from scrap plywood. Glue and screw the blocks to the underside of the front panels (D) as shown in Fig. A. to support the 3/4-in. pipe flanges and pipe legs. We bought 3-ft. lengths of pipe threaded on one side and found that we needed to cut (with a hacksaw) about 1 in. off this length. This allowed room for the flanges and the rubber feet. Check out this other project you can make with steel plumbing pipes and fittings.

Step 6

Fasten the Piano Hinges

fasten the piano hingesFamily Handyman

Piano hinges are a pain in the neck—all those tiny screws. But all those screws give continuous support along the joint for a sturdy worktop. Tip the bench onto its side. Be sure to align one hinge blade with the top (C) and the other with the top of the panel (D). Use a hinge center punch like the one shown or a Vix bit, a special drill bit that’s self-centering. Screw the hinges securely in place with the screws provided.

Step 7

Add the Cam Locks

cam locks spade bitFamily Handyman

The locks serve a dual purpose. First, they keep little hands from getting into things and getting pinched, and second, they’ll keep everything inside from tipping out if the bench is jarred.

To install them, drill the holes for the cam locks into each panel (D); see Fig. A for exact placement. The larger 1-1/8 in. dia. recess is only 1/4 in. deep and allows the lock to be hidden below the surface. The second 3/4-in. dia. hole goes through to the other side and supports the lock shaft. Follow the directions on the package for mounting. Glue a wooden catch to the bottom of the shelf as shown in Fig. A. Measure the shaft of the lock once it’s installed to get the correct thickness for the block. We used a 1/2-in.-thick block for ours.

Step 8

Open the Bench and Thread on the Legs

thread on legs folding workbench Family Handyman

Twist the 3/4-in. threaded pipe onto the pipe flanges for a rock-solid workbench. Be sure to lock the casters in place when using the bench.

Step 9

Apply a Finish for More Color and Protection

folding workbench Family Handyman

Remove the hardware to make painting or varnishing a whole lot easier. Label the panels in a hidden spot so you get the right on the right side when you assemble. Small variations from one panel to the next can show up on your hinge placement and locks.

Sand the entire bench with 150-grit sandpaper and use a power sander to knock down any high spots on the hardwood edging. Vacuum the dust, wipe the bench down with a tack cloth and apply your finish. Coat the wood with 3 coats of urethane varnish for a tough, attractive work surface. Wait a few days after the last coat of finish to let it cure before you put your first scratches on the fold away workbench. Looking for more ideas? Learn to build a DIY workbench with storage.

Every home workshop (even if it’s just a sliver of your garage) needs a quality workbench. One of these workbench 12 designs are sure to suit your needs (plans included).