Have you ever built something, stepped back proudly… and then realized it wobbles more than a toddler on roller skates? Folding workbenches can be like that. Great at saving space, not always great at being sturdy. I learned that the hard way (so you don’t have to).
Here are 3 things to think about before you build a folding workbench:
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Stability over everything: If your bench wobbles, it’s basically a folding shelf. Reinforce those joints and add stabilizers where needed.
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Weight matters: Overbuild it and you’ll need a forklift to move it. Underbuild it and it won’t survive your first glue-up. Balance is key.
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Setup speed: If it takes you longer than 2 minutes to unfold, you’ll stop using it. Trust me, it’ll just sit around collecting sawdust.
I’ve been on a mission to build the perfect folding workbench for my one-car-garage workshop. And I think I've done it. But I didn't stop at folding, I made it portable too (and decided to name it the Portable Accordion Workbench for good reason). After a lot of trial and error I finally came up with a design that’s portable, sturdy, and doesn’t fall apart the second you put a tool on it.
Click here for the YouTube video of the build.
The good news: I already went through the mistakes so you don’t have to. The even better news: I turned this into a super detailed set of plans (with step-by-step written instructions AND a 38-minute video) so you can build your own folding workbench that actually works.
I packed these plans with step-by-step instructions, photos, materials and hardware lists, and a video, so you can skip the trial and error and jump straight to building a bench that you will enjoy for years to come.
Here are some finished photos of the Portable Accordion Workbench:
Build smart,
- Thomas G.
Thomas Custom Woodworks