Introduction: Easy (no Power Tools) Mobile Workspace With Storage for Large Paper


This is a work space set up in a small rental apartment's fully carpeted  'living / dining' area.  (The plush carpet was brand new. ..and I work with oils, acrylics, inks and other bad things for carpets. EeK!)

Step 1: What You Need


HOLLOW DOORS - hopefully second hand and free

2x4's - the same width as the doors  to act as spacers (most lumber stores will cut them for you)

BASE SUPPORTS =  two things of the same height  one for each end. 
      Almost anything sturdy will work - saw horses, milk crates, end tables, filing cabinets, concrete blocks, etc

(I prefer a height that is just above my knees...so there is room to store boxes underneath.  The higher your bottom shelf, the more stable the supports need to be.  If you have a lot of paper to store, you could  start the shelves at your ankles - leaving just enough room for your feet to fit underneath.)

FREEZER PAPER (optional)


Step 2: Base Support

These base supports  lift the bottom door to just above my knee.

I used  plastic pipe*  for support.    It might have been totally stable if the room's walls hadn't been convex.  If I ever used pipe for this again,  I would use a wider diameter.  (In a permanent situation  I have plywood box shelves for supports.)

Filing cabinets,  night stands, milk crates or plywood shelves would all make good and probably better and cheaper supports for the doors.  Whatever is used needs to support the full width (hinge to doorknob) of the door. 

*The plastic pipe and fittings solution was more expensive than I expected.    The advantage was in being light weight , small when broken down,  easy,  and reusable.

Step 3: Hollow Doors and 2x4's


Used doors were freely available in Davis, CA. from Hibberts door store on 5th.  This is probably true in most places with a lot of rental units.  These are hollow doors - chosen because they were light enough for me to handle and rigid enough not to sag.  These are 30 x 80 inch doors. Many other sizes are available. 

Two x fours on edge serve as spacers. They just sit on the doors.  I have used this system of spacers for decades with no problems. Make sure the spacers are over the base supports.

Stack until you reach a working height that's good for you.

Step 4: Freezer Paper


Because accidents can happen, I cover the top door with freezer paper and run it up the wall about 18 inches. This way, in case of a disaster, nothing can leak down the back side by the wall.


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