After several years and many projects, I’m still finding new uses for this worktable. The latticework top, made from 2x4s and assembled with biscuits, is a versatile aid for glue-ups and assembly work, and it can be raised or lowered as needed. I typically lower it for assembling cabinets and raise it to save my back for detail work, like cleaning up dovetails.

The top can be adjusted from 24 in. to 38 in. tall via four risers that fit through openings in the top of the base cabinet. Oversize knobs and plywood blocks lock and unlock the risers. Each knob has a captive 3/8-in. nut that connects to a 3/8-in. bolt threaded through the block and riser slot. A glued-in dowel prevents the block from pivoting in the slot. Each riser is marked in 1-in. increments to make it easy to level the top.

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Clamps can be placed anywhere on the top, both vertically and horizontally, to glue up small and medium pieces or secure work for power sanding. I also clamp scrap lumber to the top to create impromptu stops and holders for speeding up repetitive work such as routing, pocket-screw joinery, or biscuit-slot cutting.

The top of the base cabinet helps prevent the cart from racking and provides a temporary resting place for tools and hardware. A pair of hardware-store wheels on a simple 1/2-in. axle makes it easy to move the table wheelbarrow style.

Drawings by Jim Richey

Drawings by Jim Richey

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