Before & After Work Mate Table Redesign Part 1

Last summer R bought two workmate type tables at a garage sale for 5 bucks each.  One was in good operating condition but the other one wouldn't clamp on one side.

Since we now own 2 working work mate style tables, we really didn't need a third one.  But what we did need was a very sturdy wide table to set the chop saw on when we hang cedar shingles.  This summer is the summer we finish the back of the house.  So that means A LOT of cedar shingles.

 We went to the barn to see if we had any 2X wide lumber that we could make into a table top for the broken table.  Right there by the door were two pieces of 2 X 12's.  One was 50 inches long and the other was 51 inches.  The boards had some splits and there were several holes drilled into them but overall they were in good enough condition to use as a table top on a work table. 

 First, we cut off that extra inch of length and made both boards 50 inches long. We ran the router, with a round over bit, on one long side and both of the ends, on each board.  The boards needed to be joined together so we biscuit joined the boards and clamped them together. But before we called it a day, we added a little glue to any splits or splinters.  Doesn't look too bad for two pieces of lumber that we could never use to build anything decorative.  R thinks these boards came from a used utility trailer that he bought for 80 bucks and resold for $750 after he replaced a handful of boards.

The next morning we removed the original top and nonworking mechanisms on each side.  We saved the bolts that held down the original top.  While I went to the hardware store to buy 4 lock washers, 4 nuts to fit the original bolts, and two large hooks for $3.26.

 R needed to drill new holes in the base to allow the bolts to pass through.  On the top side he needed to countersink the bolt heads using a larger drill bit.  

We flipped the table upright once the bolts were tightened.

 We decided to add the large hooks to hang an extension cord and the other one for something else because you know "there is always something else."

The table is still foldable for ease of storage.  We want to add a power strip underneath so that we can have multiple items plugged in without unplugging the saw.  Also, we will add a measuring tape for 'well measuring' of course.  R said he was saving a broken tape measure that wouldn't retract but we couldn't find it.  If it remains AWOL we will just get the free one from Harbor Freight the next time we buy sanding discs and remove the tape and attach it to the front edge.  

 The table is nice and sturdy and look it can also hold an R.  We will sand the top and add a couple of coats of poly if it doesn't rain tomorrow.

 Not too shabby for $8.26.  This should come in handy this summer.  I think a BBQ cover will fit this, so that we can leave the chop saw outside and not have to drag everything in EVERY day.   We lost an hour of work time every day because it took 30 minutes to bring everything outside and 30 minutes to put everything away.  AND of course we would always forget something and need to go get it.  This summer everything we need will already be there when we decide to get started.

Project took 4 hrs over two days.

How did we do?  Next time you see a broken work mate style table in someone's trash grab it and make yourself a saw table, project table, or maybe spray paint the base black (or any color) and add a couple of nice pieces of stained wood for an industrial style end table in a man cave, or if you really like to think out of the box, how about using the base to make an island in your kitchen.

Reuse Repurpose Recycle