Convertible Bench/table

by jordi D

101K1.0K84

Intro: Convertible Bench/table

I made this as a wedding gift for my sister. She was looking for a table that didn't consume a lot of space in her backyard. When the table is not used it can be folded and used as a bench which doesn't need a lot of space. I found some examples with a similar design and adapted those to my needs.

This is my first project and I worked on it for about 2 weeks.

I didn't properly document mys steps but I will later add more information.

STEP 1: Material

the tools that I used for the construction were pretty basic. I only required a table saw, a router a jig saw and a sander.

For this design I bought boards 30X180 -3500 mm. Two board I cut in half through the width and two in 3 equal parts.

The thinnest boards were used in the the legs and the middle part of the table top.

The half width is used in for the seats and the side of the table top.

For the hinges I used bolts with a washer between the wood.

I'll add cut list later.

STEP 2: The Design

Most of the designs I found were with tabletops made of boards placed next to each other which I didn't like. Those designs all had a table top of 50-60 cm wide. This is not a comfortable width to eat on so I definitely wanted a broader tabletop .

I used solid works to design and I designed it for 3 people. This gives it a length of around 1.50 m.

I changed the width of the tabletop to 70 cm which is still smaller then a normal table but has is a decent dimension and it wasn't possible to make the top wider.

You can find the dimensions in the PDF files.

STEP 3: The Table Top

I made the tabletop by making grooves at the end of the boards and for the end boards a groove in the side. During the gluing spacers were put in between the boards.

After the top was made i used a rope and pencil to draw the ends and a jig saw to cut it round.

the edges are rounded by using a router.

STEP 4: The Bench

The bench exists of 3 parts. A part with fixed seats, a part with the table top and a part with movable seats.

I wanted flat pieces so I used a router to make slots. These slots were half the thickness of the pieces and connect in each other.

I first mounted the fixed seat and measured the length for the movable seat.

The table top was mounted on the part by using plugs.

Arm rests are added later below the table top to keep it level when the table is folded out.

STEP 5: Finish

To finish the it and give it a nice shine I used 3 coats of boat varnish.

Because it was my first build I didn't document every step as well as I wanted.

69 Comments

Daniel 290869 1 year ago

Super nice design, wow 👍👍👍 I'll try this,too. Thanks a lot for this Tips

zeroaxe 7 years ago

Jordi D,

i would really appreciate it if you can make some plans available. My girlfriend just about freaked out when she saw it. She loves it!!!

BaznSuz 3 years ago

This link doesn't work

jveazey 3 years ago

Ok they monetized their site you have to buy the plans. These were pics I saved , will look for the rest of the instructions.

jordi D 7 years ago

I'll make the plans available but for the moment my PC is in repair.

zeroaxe 7 years ago

Thank you sir, I shall wait while you get your stuff sorted out.

jordi D 7 years ago

I added the technical drawings I hope they will be useful

Baptiste 49 7 years ago

Firstly amazing work!!

I saw that you made the table drawings on solidworks... so can you please send me the solidworks files ?

Thx

Macnrayna 6 years ago

Hi,
I am in the process of building two of these. Thus far I have cut all of the wood to length, but I am having a bit of difficulty determining the angles for the legs, etc. Is there a way to contact you with a few questions please?

Michael, Canada

davestudt234 3 years ago

what modifications are needed to make seat 3 boards wide please

rtvrtv 4 years ago

Hi folks,

Can anyone please clarify if the long leg is supposed to be 75 or 60 degree? Also, from the cut list I'm struggling to find which pieces to use for the support of the bench on the same side (long legs)

Amelia0803 5 years ago

Good design, I am looking for a table like that...

1from956 5 years ago

Awesome design. Look forward to trying it myself.

buck2217 7 years ago

I can email the scan if you want a clearer copy, just need your email address

KiraY1 6 years ago

There is my mail s'endormir the scan please
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