How to Build a Quick Inexpensive Work Table

You can always buy a folding table but sometimes that is more than you want to spend. With a door and a pair of saw horses you can have a simple table that can be stored easily when not wanted.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saw horses or saw horse brackets
• 2 x 4 pieces; two cut at 34 inches and four cut at 32 inches
• Paint and brush
• Door, either new or used
• Oil cloth tablecloth or a piece of fabric or oil cloth that is 45 x 80 inches
• Staple gun or tacks and hammer

1. If you are constructing your own saw horses, then I suggest painting the 2 x 4's first. Use at least two good coats and you should seal the ends as well. Let these dry overnight, then assemble them.

2. The door will form the surface of the table so a flat interior door without panels is best. You can find them in the clearance bins of your local home store, sometimes they are minimally damaged, or you may have on in the garage or even find a suitable door in the alley. In any case, clean it if its old and remove any hardware. If it's new you can either paint it with two coats of a semi-gloss or gloss latex or you can cover it with a plastic tablecloth, oil cloth or other fabric.

3. If using fabric or a tablecloth, lay the fabric out on the floor. Place the door on it and then fasten the edges of two opposite sides to the door with either a staple gun or the tacks. Then fasten the two ends in the same manner. The corners should be neatly folded and tucked as if making the perfect bed.

4. Now simply place the covered door on the two saw horses. If you are using this as a work table and you require electrical cords they can easily be passed through the door knob hole.

Tips & Warnings

• Use this type of table in small places because it is easy to assemble, easy to take down and remarkably easy to store. The plastic tablecloth or oil cloth make easy to clean surfaces.
• This is not appropriate for high traffic areas where small children might be playing under it as this is not a table that children can hang on. Or if they stand suddenly underneath it, they could easily bang their heads on it or bring the whole thing down on themselves.