Project Bench (instruc-Table!)

I've been enjoying the many great Instructables on this site; the only problem was the lack of a place to work on them. If you're like me, you feel the slightly obsessive need for a nice, clean, simple surface for spreading out books, papers, or parts. Looking into commercially available work tables was disappointing; anything close to what I wanted cost hundreds of dollars. So I figure, why not make your own?

The table is constructed around a 24" by 48" sheet of particle board laminated with melamine. Sheets of this can be found for around $25 from Home Depot or similar stores. The melamine is a great work surface; its relatively hard and durable, and seems to shed off most spills (so far).

I lucked out in two regards on this project; I did the tricky bits when I was visiting family and had access to a full wood shop, and I found a set of old metal legs to use. I will try to include suggestions for how to modify the design for people who strike out on one or both of these. It should be possible to make something similar with only a hand saw and power drill, although the joinery will not be as sturdy. Also, the obligatory warning: always wear safety goggles and exercise caution when using power tools. Projects are easier with a full set of fingers.

This is my first Instructable; I hope you enjoy it!

Step 1 Parts List

There is a lot of room for flexibility here; the size of the table, the quality of the wood, the type of legs are all easily changed. The melamine-laminated particle board makes a great work surface. For the frame pieces I used regular pine, because it was cheap and I was planning on painting it. Nicer wood could be used if you planned on staining it instead. I wanted to use the metal legs I found because they are sturdy, but can be removed easily for transport. If you can't find anything like this in the basement, attic, or architectural salvage yard, you can buy them from IKEA here for $5 each. Alternatively, you could use more 1"x3" or 2"x4" boards for legs, attaching them to the frame pieces with lag bolts so that they would still be removable.

Anyway, here is the parts list I used. Depending on how much stuff you can scrounge, the total cost should be between $20 and $60. I will try to add costs to the parts list next time I can stop by Home Depot.

Materials:

(2) 1" x 3" Pine Board, 48" Length
(2) 1" x 3" Pine Board, 26'" Length
(1) Melamine-Laminated Particle Board, 48" x 2 4"
(4) Metal Table Leg Set (Legs, Mounting Plates, Screws)

Supplies:
1.5" Wood Screws
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Paint

Tools:
Hand Saw
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Power Drill (Drill Bit, Countersink Bit, Phillips Head Bit)
Hammer
Mallet
Awl
Bar Clamps
Paint Brush
Knife

A miter saw, router and a table saw with a dado cutting set is required for the more complex joinery described here, although not necessary for a simpler version.

Optional:
MDF Piece
Slate Piece
Cork Sheet
Adhesive Spray

Comments

[weasel999]

 construct-table :D

[MamaB2C]

The melamine is also nice as it can be written on with dry erase markers, for notes, measurements, etc.

[daedalus12]

I tried it and it works, wipes totally clean! I had no idea that my project bench was also a whiteboard, thats really exciting. Thanks for the tip.

[MamaB2C]

It does tend to ghost a bit more than a regular whiteboard, so don't leave writing on there too long :)

[Arbitror]

I don't really want to make a table, but the name is awesome!

[Arbitror]

Great job on the 'ible too!
5*

[EmcySquare]

Recently I found that IKEA is a very cheap source for very good laminated surfaces too !!! I'll use to make my progjects. Go to the sale & spare parts corner close to the cash: many "wood" boards coming from their furniture parts is sold for 2 to 4 euros depending on the type and size.

[SpindlyMan]

Project Bench (instruc-Table!)
^{I see what you did there.}

Very nice table.

[ChrysN]

Nicely made!

[Focker]

That sir, is a clean, fine crafted table. Nice ible!