How to create your own fold-up table

When space is hard to come by, a folding table is a welcome addition. Build this nifty work bench into your office, study or even your bedroom without compromising on style. The clever make that has an upturn which can be fixed to the window architraves, so it'll never be in your way.

From assembling the legs, making the mounting and then installing the finished table, this how-to covers all bases.

Gather your supplies

• Legs (3) 70 x 35 x 720mm pine
• Long rails (2) 70 x 35 x800mm pine
• Short rails (2) 70 x 35 x620mm pine
• Short leg 70 x 35 x 520mm pine
• Mounting upturn 900 x 30 x 190mm laminated pine
• Mounting top 900 x 30 x 170mm laminated pine
• Folding top 900 x 30 x 700mm laminated pine

You’ll also need
Power saw; hammer; chisel; PVA; 30mm screws; 65mm brass hinges (2); straightedge; Cabot’s Stain and Varnish in Marita Grey; fine grit sandpaper; 100mm brass hinges and screws (2); drop sheet; stop block 90 x 90 x 30mm pine offcut

Here's how

To make leg assemblies

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Step 1

Cut all pieces for legs, rails and short leg, then mark in a 70 x 17.5mm-deep housing at each end of all rails and short leg. On long legs, mark in housings, 200mm from bottom. Set power saw to cut 17.5mm deep, then cut on waste side of lines. Follow with a series of parallel cuts in-between to assist with waste removal.

Step 2

Remove waste by tapping with hammer. Using chisel with bevel down, remove remaining waste.

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Step 3

Smooth base of housing by paring with chisel, using it bevel face up. Cut all housings, then test-fit joints and adjust, if necessary.

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Step 4

Apply PVA to joints and assemble components. Check frames are square. Screw together using 30mm screws.

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Step 5

To join the 2 assemblies, measure 90mm in from right-hand side of the assembly with long legs. Screw 65mm brass hinges to frame so they are square to rail.

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Step 6

Bring in other assembly and tilt it back to thickness of hinge barrel or a little bit less. This makes it easier to screw on. Mark with a pilot bit, then screw on.

To make mounting and tabletop

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Step 7

Using power saw along straightedge, cut mounting upturn and mounting top, as well as folding top, to length using full width of 900mm laminated pine. Glue and screw mounting upturn to back of mounting top.

Step 8

Thoroughly sand all components, then paint with 2 coats of Cabot’s Stain and Varnish in Marita Grey, allowing to dry after each coat. To achieve a deeper colour while still allowing wood grain to show through, apply more coats.

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Step 9

When dry, place folding top and mounting assembly facedown on drop sheet on work surface and join using 100mm brass hinges, spacing them 65mm in from each side.

Table installation

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Step 10

Centre long-legged side of hinged leg assembly between sides of mounting assembly, 45mm forward from back of upstand. Predrill and counterbore so screws only have to go through 30mm of long rail. Before screwing on, check that hinged leg just clears hinge. If not, slightly adjust leg assembly, then screw.