I need a very sturdy fold down bench in a single car gargae for use with hand planes. I have looked at the old forums but can’t find anything specifically on fold downs and don’t know if the workbench book would be helpful for fold downs. There are a few plans on the internet but dont seem very strong to me. I was going to use MDF (or should I use particle board) on top of a 4×2 frame with fold down feet with a font vise. Any suggestions for materials or plans?
Thanks – Tom
Replies
Tom,
A strong solution, that won't be a bear to lower down and raise up again, would be a torsion box design. A torsion box consists of a top and bottom layer of plywood, mdf, or similar, with a grid layout of mdf, plywood, etc... sandwiched in the middle. The four edges are usually made from a solid wood, hardwood preferably. Inside the box hardwood pieces are placed at the points where the legs and vice will be mounted. This will give the bolts/screws a solid foundation to go into. The hinges that attach the work top to the wall should be strong and capable of handling stressful loads. Large hinges made for heavy metal doors could work well. There are a number of options to choose from.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
MDF TOP Maybe two tops.. One just a sacurifical.. 1 inch electrical conduit.. Make a frame with fold down legs (The hinges can be almost anything) ! 1 inch does NOT bend unless ya drive the car into it!
ALOT cheeper than wood BUT takes some cutting and 'thinkin' of how to hold it all together.. I use standard fitting and rout out a place fot the fittings to fit into.. OH... and ya need some flat head machine screws, lock washers, and nuts...
Edited 8/8/2005 1:21 pm ET by Will George
Thanks for the info. Where you indicating the entire frame should be made out of 1 in piping with the MDF on top?
Tom
1 or 3/4 will work.. I space tubes about 8-12 inches apart for the top.. NOTHING seems to move...I'd say whatever you feel best for the top you want..more tubes... More work.. More ridgid!Hell, the legs can just hand off the top frame with 'tight but not To tight screws'..Old sayin''' "Try It.. You will Like It!"
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