Work Space for Carport

Howdy,
My workspace is a covered carport with no garage. I want to design/build a workspace at the front of the carport.

This could be as simple as a folding table or more elaborate with locking storage. I can move my Tacoma back 3'-4' and still be on level ground.

My initial thoughts would be for something(folding table) ~4' wide by 2-2.5' deep.


How about some ideas.

 

I would definatly go with a table that will fold down flat against the wall. That will be space saving.... and you can also mount a circular saw on the bottom when needed and have a make shift table saw.

Is it just your truck under the port? Are you wanting to store items like tools and car parts there also?

 

Yes, it’s just one truck. I have a workshop in my backyard, but just thinking about not having to trek back and forth.
It might end up being a folding table(my original idea).

If you or other commentators have a design layout please post.

 

Build a 2' deep x 8' long bench into the wall......using 3/4" plywood from Home Depot or Lowes

Have them rip a piece of 3/4" plywood in half...screw a ledger board (2x4) on the wall....about 32" high

Build some 2x4 braces to support bench....use 4x4's for legs...or cut 2x4's on 45* angles & bolt to wall

Top of the bench will be 35-36" after plywood screwed down...adjust height according to your preference

 

I agree with folding table. My initial thought was a floor to ceiling locking cabinet, that when opened reveals a small workbench mounted to drawer sliders, along with storage above and below. Then I immediately dismissed that for one reason: If your truck is at work the padlock would be visible from the street. Visible padlocks are a neon sign that says "free candy" to thieves.

So back to the folding table idea: Minimum 1/2" thick ply with 2x4 rails along the front and rear edge, mounted to a pair of heavy hinges against the wall. A pair of hinged 2x4s can be used as the front folding legs. Mount a latch to this rail for securing against the wall in the folded position.

Alternatively, you could just buy a pair of plastic folding picnic tables at Academy, and keep them with your tools. Not as cool, but it might be easier to manage.

 

Fold down table. Keep your tools locked up and not out front.

 

One to save. Thanks!

 

Looks like its gonna be a fold down table.
Prefer to build it.

 

If you’re gonna build a fold down table, go way overkill on strength. Strong enough that you can set a transmission on it. It would also be nice to have a big vice on it, but that’s gonna be an shin breaker when it’s folded down.

 

I usually over engineer just about anything I design(not an engineer, but I try to act like one) . The vice will have to be relegated to my workshop.

 

Something I have heard of people doing is mount a trailer hitch receiver under the bench. Then have a vice and a bench grinder mounted on trailer hitch stingers.

 

If you're looking for a quick easy folding workbench I've seen a few variants using old tailgates. Might be something cool to consider!

 

Those are super cool but likely to be stolen from an exposed front-facing carport.

It should look plain and unremarkable.

 

Armed in Utah had suggested 8’ for the length of my table. That seems a tad bit too long.
Persuade me otherwise.

 

Depends on what you're going to do with that bench. If you're going to change out a water pump, 8' is a lot longer than you need. If you're going to completely disassemble a T5 tranny, 8' is probably just right. If you're going to have sex on it, you probably only need 6 1/2'.

 

Its not likely I would be disassembling my tranny. I think I’m leaning to a 6’ length. Thanks!

 

Do you ever plan on building a deck and/or pergola? 6 feet is challenging when doing carpentry projects.

 

Well, I built the deck you can see in the photo. 6’ is no problem for me.

 

My carpentry problems have always been when I start at the 1” mark to get a super accurate measurement and then forget to add 1” on the other end. LOL The electrical equivalent to that is soldering 2 wires together and forgetting the heatshrink. The mechanical equivalent is when you’re bolting things together and you go to the bench for the next part and see a part that was supposed to go on about 3 parts ago.

 

Been there and done that.