My final piece of furniture has been more useful than I thought possible.
I needed somewhere fixed to store my folding camp table. It used to be propped between the rear door and drawers inside, but it was a chore having to take it out and put it on the ground every time I wanted to access something from the boot area.
I also wanted a smaller shelf which folds down for quick stops, to make a brew or sandwich. I had a plan to combine the two. And the perfect location.
Removing the door card from the big rear barn door was easy, and I decided to fix the new furniture in place with some self tapping screws. I made a back board from 9mm plywood to attach the rest of the components to. Trial fit:
I next added a couple of side supports and a base support to hold the camp table in place. Again I didn’t take any photos of this step.
Next I needed a way to clamp the camp table firmly so it didn’t fall forward. This would be the fold down shelf/quick-table that would prove so invaluable.
The fold down shelf was hinged at the bottom, and toggle latches were added to the side to keep it upright, holding the camp table in place.
Also I didn’t like the idea of having support chains/ropes to stop the shelf folding down past hotizontal. So I added some blocks that would butt up against the table support and prevent it folding any further.
I also added barrel bolt latches to the sides and drilled corresponding holes in the side of the camp table. This allowed the camp table to remain firmly clamped in place whilst using the fold down shelf.
Painted the contact surfaces with the standard grey paint I’ve used elsewhere. And then stuck some carpet to the underside of the shelf to make ot look a little nicer when it’s all folded up.
Here you can see the blocks underneath the folwing shelf which prevent it folding past level. There must be a technical word for these, but I don’t know what it is.
Finished. It’s a little rough and ready but works really well. Can’t imagine making a brew without my little fold down table now.
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