I will show you a concept for a flip-top work bench or shop table that saves space. Some of the hardware from the old sawhorse was repurposed. Other elements were made out of various materials I had on hand. This flip top table may be used for a variety of applications and can be customized to match your needs.
- Removing All Unnecessary Hardware
In a space saving flip-top work bench, some of the hardware from the old sawhorse needs to be removed. As seen in this video, the screws and tabs were removed, some other attachments to the plank were also dismantled.
- Wood Cutting
The next thing to do is to cut the plank in desired sizes with your wood cutting machine. You can make use of a circular saw or table saw. Take note that before cutting the planks, you must have drafted out the measurements of your wood pieces.
The measurements are in both standard (inches) and metric (mm). Metric measurements are most suited to Australasia and other countries, while standard measurements are best suited to North America.
Use one or the other since the inch sizes do not convert exactly to their metric (mm) equivalents.
- Assembly
As seen in this video, the next thing is to assemble the planks that you’ve cut with the screws, tabs and other assembly materials required for the sawhorse.
Of course you would have mark and cut the tops of the legs and then the bottom of the legs.
You then join these planks together properly. The procedures are very clear in this video.
- Hole Drilling
Of course you’d agree with me that the plank angles assembled need to be tightened. This is why you need to make use of your chisel in drilling holes through the planks. In this video, 2 holes were drilled in both sides of the assembled planks. These holes are where bolts are inserted to make sure the plank angles are well tightened.
- Using Fence Post for the Flippin-function
Here, there’s a number of things you need to do:
- Cut the metal pipes you intend to use for the workbench (using your saw of course).
- Fit in the metal pipe in the sawhorse.
- On your shop table, arrange some already cut and measured planks (up to 4 of them). You can make the arrange planks look square-shaped.
- Drill 2 diagonal holes at the angle of each plank (as seen in the video)
- Make sure a plank is on another in the square-shaped arrangement (understand more by checking the arrangement in the video).
- Insert bolts in the drilled holes to join the arranged plank layers. You can make use of a chisel in doing this.
- Turn the joined planks upside down and insert a rectangular-shaped ply wood.
- Drill holes in the sides of the plywood that rests on the planks (4 holes would be enough).
- Insert bolts in the drilled holes to fit the ply wood with the planks.
By now you must have standing equipment.
- Fit In Plywood for Bottom Shelf
What next is to fit in a similar rectangular plywood. Drill holes in 2 horizontal lines of the middle of the rectangular plywood and then make use of bolts in joining it with the metal pipe. Check the video to understand better.
- Painting
Yeah your flip-top table might not look too shabby after all these processes… You might want to add some sweet colors in there! Give it some painting and make it look nice!
