Better Than a Workbench - the Clamping Box

Intro: Better Than a Workbench - the Clamping Box

I have not enough space for a workbench, so this is my solution

STEP 1: The Features

lightweight, non-slip with a rubber mat

use all your clamps you have (no expensive clamps necessary)

clamp on the top and on each site

turn it upside down and clamp in the middle

sawing with handsaw

use it as a mobile wall

STEP 2: How to Built

The dimensions are depending from your clamps (refer to the pictures)

I used scrap wood but you can also use new wood from a store

Connect the beams with dowels or with screws. Glue the top on the beams with wood glue

STEP 3: Watch the Video

for more details.

STEP 4: Detail Explanation

Here are the dimensions of my clamping box:

Material:

19mm plywood 1m x 0.5 m
2 beams 1m long (6cm x 6cm)
6 beams 0.5m long (6cm x 6cm)

24 screws (6mm x 100mm)
6 strips of MDF 0.5m long (6mm x 20mm)
wood glue

Make grooves in the short beams with a table saw or with a router 6mm width and 10mm depth

Mark the position for the short beams on the long beams

drill two 6mm holes in the long beams on each position

screw the long beams on the short beams, (Attention to squareness)

glue the plywood on the long beams

Done

Comments

[annrrr]

This is so cool!

[ZombieWorkshop]

Absolute simple, absolute awesome, this will be in my to do list for this month Thanks for sharing

[litterbuggy]

I'm just like you--my "shop" is one side of the dining room half of an open-plan apartment. As much as I long for a dedicated workbench, I'm reluctant to give up the melamine-topped table I use for everything from cutting mats for photos to tuning my skis, so this is a perfect solution.

Thanks for the detailed pics, especially the ones showing how you determined how far apart to space the short beams. I still don't see where you installed screws (just a couple are visible in the pictures), but having screwed a fair number of things together, I'll be okay without knowing exactly how you did it.

[Mo27]

I have a workshop, but made one of these two weeks ago to put on my table saw for when I wasn't using the saw. It serves as an extra work surface / clamping table at a height where I don't need to stoop. I can either hold it fixed on the table with a rubber mat or swivel it on the table to get all sides of the work piece. I have also taken it in the house, outside, and to other houses as a mobile bench. I don't know how I managed without it. Just brilliant, thanks fir posting!

[StephanP1]

Wow, this is very cool! May be you have a picture for us?

[chiok]

This is the new Black & Decker Workmate. I love this product. I would probably design it to have stronger joins on the cross pieces, but if you've managed with just screws, maybe that is all that is required.

[StephanP1]

Thank you chiok. For stronger joints you can use more screws an glue.

[marcoveronesi]

Realmente espectacular y muy práctico

Felicitaciones

[StephanP1]

muchas gracias marcoveronesi

[JAguallero]

This is brilliant! I agree that this is a good demonstration of how to use it, but not much detail about how to make it. In particular, I am curious about how you fastened it all together so that it would hold up to all that clamping. I don't see many screw holes, so what did you do?. I would love to see that information in this instructable. But it is a great design and I also love how organized and clean your work place is kept. Thanks!

[StephanP1]

Thank you JAguallero. Please read Step 4 again and then you understand why no screws are visible.

[JAguallero]

Ahh, thank you! For some reason I didn't get to step 4 the first time around. My apologies.

[marhar]

Great design, I'm going to make one! And tell everyone my Christmas wish for clamps... :)

I like how you did the MDF, it's a neat way to make the cuts.

[StephanP1]

Thank you marhar and merry Christmas :)

[LisaAndrus]

This is so creative and practical too. Excellent design. Gotta make me one!

[StephanP1]

Tahnk you LisaAndrus and good luck!

[Cohode Crafts]

I do have a work bench, but I still like this design and the possibilities it would add to my work bench, this could be used easily for just simple glue up and such.

Great job!

[StephanP1]

Thank you kaygarystudios.

[Sanderguy777]

Good idea. I saw one of these that was a whole workbench. It had a piece of plywood on top and 2x2s under that. The plywood was removable and anything could be clamped to the 2bys underneath, making assembly much easier. I think this is a better solution for a small shop or (like me) a guy who has enough shop space but too much space in the wallet..... LOL

[LarryW3]

Nicely done! Personally, I have no problem working off of good photos, which you have provided. My son lives in a mobile home in a residential area and this will be perfect gift from me to him. Also, a perfect use for repurposed pallet wood. Thanks!!