I got my frame all assembled only to discover it won’t fit in my garage because of the joists. So I was thinking of adding some hinges. I was thinking of cutting the frame and spoil board along the red line in this drawing:
They’re 8in by 3.5in with 3/8th inch hinge pin holes (bolts).
I plan to cut 45deg chunks out of the 2x4 to enable it to fold, but I am not planning to round the edge. I figure if there’s some resistance to laying flat, that’ll add rigidity to the frame.
Running bolts through the ‘sandwich’, and ultimately being able to store the frame folded in half.
One of the things I like about this idea is that it uses the material leftovers that I had from building the frame to make the hinges (3/4in plywood). I’m planning to use 3/8th inch bolts, with either lock nuts or wing nuts.
I’m pretty much a noob to all of this, which is why I’m posting in No-Judgement. So I was wondering what y’all thought of this plan? Any improvements you’re thinking of would be much appreciated.
I have the same problem. I am going to make mine with the hinges on the horizonal plain. And a lumber rack on the backside. When not in use will tuck tail up on itself and when not completely unfolded will be a secondary work table. It’s still in the works. No drawings yet.
But some other take-aways lead me to not suggest this. The whole frame is so heavy that having it hinge isn’t actually much of an advantage: you still need 2 people to move it, its still hard to move/store. In fact, the hinges pose a risk to fingers, as the way they lock in place cause them to be unpredictable…
If I were to do it again, I’d make the same cuts, but I wouldn’t bother with the 45 deg cut out. Instead, I’d just pull the plates off and disassemble for storage. I might even suggest making a 3 piece frame with similar joinery.
Reinforcing the spoil board is necessary on both sides of the hinge, other wise its held by just 2 screws along a single axis.
WRT making it a table; I haven’t gotten there, but I don’t think the hinges would be helpful there either, again, disassemble and reassemble in the table form.
