Help me with my project! 2x4 Folding Table Base

[Justin]

Hi All you Kreg experts,

I need to make a base for a 4'x8' plywood top.  I want it to be slightly smaller (length and width) than the top and have the legs fold in (I'll use some sort of locking hardware).  They have space issues.  I was thinking about using lag bolts to hinge the legs, but wasn't sure if that would be best.  Any ideas?  

Full disclosure: This is for a college student's beer-pong table.  They are currently resting the plywood on another table (not too sturdy).

[Michael R. Turner]

Google "folding sawhorse plans" for some ideas. I didn't see much that was useful when I Googled "folding beer pong table plans".

[Justin]

Thanks Micheal, I had the same problem when i google'd it too.  

[Karl]

Justin, maybe something like this would work, w/ some modifications.  I haven't put the legs on yet, but they will fold up to each side and lock in place.  Got the leg hardware from Rockler... When folded up, it's 18" from the wall and it's mobile with locking casters... The dimensions are 4' X 4'. 

[John Walker]

Make a pair of frames 2'6" x 22"  . (Or sized to to suit you space.) from 4 x 2. Use Kreg screws to joint them.

Cut two long runners from 25mm MDF, say 6 feet long and deep enough to engage in the frame slots, and be level with the tops of the frames. . .

In the top rail of each frame cut  25mm wide slots, long enough to engage in similar slots in the runners and wide enough apart to get stability. This forms a sloping cross-halving' joint.

The slots in the runners should be sloped at a suitable angle to splay the frames.  Obviously the slots in all parts  will be 'match-cut', for squareness.  You can cut slots in the sides of the frames too, to enable a lower table to be configured for assembling jobs.  Round all edges off with a bearing guided round-over bit in a router.

Have a look at plansnow,  and you'll see something similar in the 'workstations' section.

This type of assembly can be taken down after use and stored against a wall.

HTH :)

[Justin]

Thanks all.  John, I tried to follow your post, it all sounds good but I was a little lost.  Can you doodle something out and post it? 

[Collins Mitchell]

I built a sewing table with drop down leafs. I think the same would work for a ping-pong table.

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/ct4?context=user

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/ct3?context=user

http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/ct5?context=user

[John Walker]

NP Justin.

It's a bit difficult to explain I agree.

Didn't realise I could post URLs. So here it is:

http://www.plansnow.com/workbenchplans.html

Bottom Row, second picture in. Have a look at the plan. It's a simple design you can replicate, with a few differences for purpose.

Just click through to the largest pic and it's self-explanatory.

Best Regards

John :)

[Justin]

Thanks for your help!  I'll let you know what I come up with!