Almost anyone who likes to build and make all kinds of homemade products can make a folding bench. You can build according to a ready-made project or make drawings and diagrams of a transforming bench with your own hands. The final result will depend primarily on the correct choice of design, and only then the selection of material and quality of work are important.
Transformers are convenient to use in the countryside due to the small size and weight of the bench
Design options for transformable benches
It is not difficult to choose the appropriate option, since most of the folding benches are very similar to each other in design and operating principle. There are more than enough drawings of a transformer bench available for self-production, so there is plenty to choose from.
Another thing is that not all homemade products are equally good at using in a summer cottage, so it would be right to first understand the structure of the most popular models:
- The most common folding benches are transformers with a metal frame;
- Similar models of “folding beds”, but made of wood. A wooden transforming bench, in its basic dimensions and characteristics, approximately corresponds to metal models;
- Wooden benches are transformers of the original author's design, differing in the type of folding, size and shape;
- Small-sized frame benches of various designs.
The design of such little ones is often copied by developers from classic swing transformers, but there are also original products with unusual designs.
The diagram involves disassembling and assembling the transformer without fasteners
Many summer residents prefer to make such transformable benches with their own hands, photo, for only one reason. Thanks to their well-thought-out design and small size, they fold easily, take up little space and can be transported to the dacha even in a car.
The classic version of a folding transforming bench
The most common are universal models of folding benches with a metal frame. The transformer may look different, but it is based on the same circuit. Formally, such a bench consists of three parts:
- The stationary part is a small bench that always remains in one position, regardless of whether the transformer is unfolded or not;
- The movable part of the bench, when folded, complements the stationary part, increasing its size in width. In the unfolded position it is an independent seating area;
- The back of the bench. With any transformer design, it is always connected by hinges to the moving and stationary parts.
The size of the table with benches, into which the transformer turns when unfolded, is equal to the dimensions of the backrest. Therefore, such schemes in the folded position always have unusually high back support, which only increases the level of comfort for tall people and children.
The design of the bench does not involve the use of clamps or clamps; everything is held under its own weight
Important! All hinge joints are bolted and bushed and no door hinges or hinges are used. This solution increases the rigidity of the structure and makes it possible to build a transformer at the lowest cost.
The step-by-step instructions shown in the photo below will help you figure out how to fold or unfold a transformer bench with your own hands.
Folding diagram - grab the back and seat and pull it towards you
The transformer rotates around the hinge and moves into table position
Elements of a metal structure can be rounded in the form of arches or rectangular. If you wish, you can find your own drawings for a transformable iron bench made in an unusual square style.
The shape of the racks does not affect the performance of the circuit and is determined only by the individual preferences of the future owners. One of the transformer bench models, available for DIY assembly, is shown in the video
Wooden benches - folding beds
Models made from oak or larch wood look more attractive, although the operation scheme is practically no different from their metal counterparts.
Important! The only significant drawback is the impossibility of completely disassembling the wooden transformer.
If a bench on a metal frame can be disassembled into separate parts and assembled in the spring, then wooden furniture will have to be hidden in assembled form in a country house for the winter.
Transformer benches with unusual designs
Folding benches do not have to turn into a structure of two benches and a table. For example, to make your own, you can choose a design for a bench with a reclining backrest. In this case, the transformer is assembled in the form of a set of sections that can easily be converted into a folding table.
Another extremely interesting diagram of a transformer bench is presented below. The dimensions of the furniture do not differ from conventional models, but thanks to the special design of the seat and backrest, the latter can be quite easily hidden in the lower part of the structure.
A very simple shop - the transformer is shown in the photo below.
In terms of its design and operating principle, it resembles a folder or suitcase. Of all the options given, this model is perhaps best suited for working in the country during the summer season.
Manufacturing options
First you need to decide what to make the load-bearing frame of the furniture from. There are few options: wood or metal profile pipes. When choosing, you often have to take into account not only the performance characteristics of these materials, but also the skills to work with them, the availability of the necessary tools and equipment.
Since it is impossible to make a transforming bench from metal without a welding machine, which you also need to know how to handle, most home craftsmen choose an entirely wooden structure. Working with wood is easier; even without much experience in carpentry, you can cope with this task.
Wooden bench
To make a wooden frame, it is better to choose species that last longer and better resist the influence of moisture, ultraviolet radiation and other atmospheric influences. It can be pine, beech or ash - they are quite affordable and easy to work with.
It is important! Mandatory requirement: the wood must be dry, otherwise, as a result of deformation during drying, the finished product may lose its functionality.
It is best to buy edged planed boards Source lesshop.ru
To determine the amount of material, you need a project on how to make a transformer bench with your own hands with drawings. Using them you can roughly estimate the lumber cuttings. For example, you can use this option:
Drawing of a wooden transforming bench Source umeltsi.ru
The first stage of manufacturing is cutting the parts according to the drawing, grinding them, chamfering them, and drilling holes at the hinge points.
Note! For wooden structures, the distance between the support legs of the internal and external benches is different. This is necessary so that in a shifted position they take up less space and fit one after another.
Since the product will be placed in the open air, it must be covered with protective compounds. It is better to do this before assembling the parts into a single structure.
Assembly begins with the manufacture of A-shaped bench supports, connecting the parts with self-tapping screws. Then the braces and support strips for the seats are attached to them and to the legs of the second bench.
After fixing the seat boards to the supports, a transformation mechanism is made from three boards of different lengths, connected to each other with bolts. One of them will serve as a support bar for the tabletop, the other two are attached to the supports of the benches.
What tools and materials will be needed
For the manufacture of transformers, a square or round water pipe, wooden slats, timber, board, self-tapping screws and furniture bolts are traditionally used. To work with the material you will need:
- Angle grinder with cutting wheel for metal;
- Welding machine;
- Pipe bending device or machine;
- Marking tool.
If the transformer bench is planned to be made from wooden slats or timber, then you will additionally need to purchase a screwdriver and a sander with a sanding belt.
Most of the work on making a transformable bench will have to be done in a home workshop or garage. Regardless of the design scheme, the bench parts are made separately, welded or bent on a pipe bending machine, painted and transported to the assembly site at the dacha.
Required Tools
A single design is the most optimal and easiest manufacturing method. Owners of private houses and large plots choose this type. This can be explained by high quality and attractive appearance.
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So, you should understand the basics of how to make a table - a bench with your own hands.
If you are making a wooden product, then you will need wooden boards. The optimal length is 1500 mm or more, width 200 mm or more. All these points should be indicated in the drawing of the bench - table.
For the work process you will need bars of size 40*40. More is possible, depending on the size you choose. They are useful for connecting structural elements.
Prepare a hacksaw, as well as screws, nuts and metal rods. A screwdriver and an electric drill are required for work.
Drawings, dimensions with descriptions and assembly diagrams of the transforming bench
At first glance, the structure of the bench seems so complicated that to assemble the furniture you must use drawings and a detailing diagram. Formally, this is true. If you make a transformable iron bench with your own hands in a private house, then the drawings can be successfully replaced with several sketches. It’s another matter if the parts for making the bench have to be ordered from a locksmith workshop. In this case, it will not be easy to assemble a transformer bench without details, drawings and dimensions.
Drawings of the most successful model of a transformable metal bench for a summer residence
According to the scheme, this design is no different from the rectangular options, but there are practically no welded joints, which means that most of the parts can be made using a homemade method. You can make drawings of a transformable bench from a rounded profile pipe yourself or use the bench dimensions given below.
Despite its decent size, this transformer circuit is rightly considered one of the most reliable and safe to use.
The only exceptions are the arches of the right bench and the base of the backrest. Additional bushings will need to be welded to the arcs to install the bolted connection. Few people pay attention in the drawings of a transformer - a bench made of a square pipe - to the presence of additional welded elements - bushings. Most people make the grave mistake of trying to drill holes directly into a square pipe. Due to the small cross-sectional size of the material, this is strictly forbidden, otherwise the profile may burst under load. If it is impossible to weld the bushings, for example, there is no welding, then it is better to find drawings of a transformer on a round pipe.
The table, also known as the back of the transformer, is assembled in a frame made of a metal profile, therefore, despite its small size, the strength of the tabletop is quite large.
Important! Unlike other models of benches, the size of which rarely exceeds 150 cm in length, in this scheme it is 180 cm, so vertical supports made of a round pipe are used.
This means that the transformer can withstand a significantly greater load than models with rectangular supports.
Drawings of a transformable garden bench made of wood
Building a bench out of wood may seem more complicated, but this is not entirely true. If you take a closer look at the drawing and detailing below, it turns out that the structure is simply planned out of more elements.
This is what a drawing of a classic transformer looks like - a bench made of wooden slats.
Diagram of a transformer with an attached bench. The dimensions of the structure can be changed, since the seat width of 183 mm is not enough for an adult
In fact, the most difficult stage is assembling the frame of the benches; it has to be done according to the details given below.
It is best to press steel bushings at the hinge points, and a bolt with a nut will be used as a rotary axis.
Design features and options
Regardless of the material used, the mechanism for transforming such a bench is the same: the wide seat is divided lengthwise into two narrow benches, they slide apart, and the back turns over and turns into a tabletop. The reverse transformation is just as simple - when the benches are moved, the tabletop turns and becomes the back of a comfortable garden bench.
The peculiarity and advantage of this design is that it does not have complex mechanisms, and 4 simple hinge joints are responsible for the shift and rotation - 2 on each side. Before making a transforming bench, you need to think about how to make such nodes. These can be regular bolted connections with locknuts or clamps with studs.
This photo clearly shows the moving joints Source dg-home.ru
When making transformable furniture, accuracy and precision are one of the most important conditions. All parts in it must have dimensions, angles and radii strictly defined by the design, otherwise when moving they will jam, touch each other, and not fall into place, thereby making the structure unstable and unreliable. Or simply inoperative. Therefore, if you lack design skills, you should not invent something yourself. On the Internet and specialized literature there are ready-made projects on how to make a transformer bench with your own hands, drawings from which can be used, modifying and changing them if necessary.
However, it is better to leave the supporting part unchanged so as not to affect the load-bearing capacity of the product. It will not suffer if you increase the width of the bench or the length of the table top, especially if you add additional jumpers for strength. But even here it is advisable to know when to stop and not make the total length of the transformer more than 2 meters. This will increase the load on the hinges and make the furniture too heavy.
Since you want to make a transforming bench with your own hands that is not only comfortable and beautiful, but also fits well into the surrounding exterior, experiments with its design are also allowed: using other materials for seats and backs instead of boards, adding carved or forged elements to the design, etc. .
The canopy will make the bench even more comfortable Source ytimg.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture
How to make a transforming bench from a profile pipe with your own hands
To assemble the best model of a folding bench, you will need the following set of parts:
- Two V-shaped swivel posts;
- A pair of central supports, rolled in the form of a semicircle with an additional welded joint and fastening under the backrest;
- Two L-shaped stands for assembling the back of the transformer. The vertical dimension determines the width of the folding table;
- Two sections of profile pipe to fit the overall width of the bench; they will be used to form the frame of the tabletop;
- A pair of rectangular frames, from which the bases for two benches will be made;
- Short sections of pipes, from which vertical supports for benches will be made;
- Wooden slats for lining table tops and transformable benches.
This set can be easily transported by car to a dacha or country house. In this case, a drawing is not required for assembly, since all elements of the transformer are easily identified without additional detail.
Important! The transformer bench is assembled using bolted connections, so you only need a pair of keys and a screwdriver to operate it. The wooden cladding is secured with self-tapping screws.
The general view of the transformer bench is shown in the photo below.
Assembling the posts and base of the bench
First of all, we assemble the stationary part of the bench - the transformer. To do this, we bolt half-arch supports to the rectangular frame on both sides. It is clear that the length of the bolts must be at least 60 mm.
Next, we attach the L-shaped elements of the back frame to the bushings welded on the half-arches.
The next step is to secure the V-shaped elements of the folding bench. The dimensions and curvature of the arc of the racks are not particularly important; the main requirement for the drawing is that all three elements must be located in the same plane.
We assemble the back and sew on the facing
To form the frame of the future tabletop, we sew horizontal crossbars from a rectangular profile in the lower and upper parts of the L-shaped sidewalls.
We fill the back space with wooden slats, everything as per the drawing. The dimensions and material of the cladding can be chosen arbitrarily; plastic or OSB can be used.
Next, we attach the second rectangular frame to the V-shaped elements. Its dimensions are similar to those of a stationary bench.
All that remains is to unfold the transforming bench, adjust and adjust the dimensions and gaps in the joints, and sew up the horizontal surfaces of the benches with a wooden board or timber.
Preparatory work
A bench with a drawer for a balcony can be made of different materials; I will tell you about the wood options, since it is the most reliable of all. In addition, such designs look very attractive and are easy to assemble on your own.
| Edged board | It is better to use options with a thickness of 25-30 mm; thinner boards are not very reliable, and thicker ones are too heavy. It is ideal to use polished elements, as they do not require additional processing, which greatly simplifies the work process |
| Wooden block | The frame will be made from it, so you need to choose options with a cross-section of at least 40x40 mm so that the structure is strong and reliable. When choosing, I advise you to pay special attention to the geometry of the bars; they often lead during the drying process, which is extremely undesirable - assembling a flat bench from crooked pieces is very problematic |
| Piano loop | A seat will be attached to it, which at the same time serves as a box lid. Such products are sold in furniture stores and are inexpensive, so you can easily purchase them. If the length is long, several loops may be required, it is important that they are located along the entire lid |
| Self-tapping screws | With their help we will assemble our bench, the length of the fasteners depends on the thickness of the board used, it should be approximately 25-30 mm longer to ensure reliability |
Piano hinges allow you to create a reclining top in the bench without hassle
If you are making a soft seat, then in addition you will need to purchase foam rubber and furniture upholstery or leatherette. Although this work can be done later, the bench can be used either way.
Soft upholstery makes the bench much more comfortable
Another factor that needs to be thought through in advance is whether the design will have a backrest, if so, then you will need more materials. If the bench will stand motionless, then the backrest can be attached separately to the wall; this option looks good, and it can be done after assembling the main structure without any alterations.
Furniture panels can be ordered cut into pieces of the required size
For assembly we will need a set of tools; the list of basic devices is as follows:
- To cut materials, you can use a power tool or a hand saw. It is most convenient to use a jigsaw, as it allows you to quickly and accurately cut the board, while you can round the edges, make curved elements, etc. Also often used are circular saws or, as they are also called, parquet saws; they are also easy to use, but only cut in a straight line;
- Self-tapping screws are screwed in using a screwdriver; the main thing is to have bits of the required configuration (PH2 is used for wood screws). To prevent the board from cracking, you can drill holes with a 2 mm drill, this will also make it easier to screw them in;
- To sand the surface (if you have an untreated board), the easiest way is to use a sanding machine; they come in different types, and in our case, any will do. If it is not possible to find such a power tool, then you can get by with a block of sandpaper; the work will take more time, but the result will not be worse;
The board can be sanded in advance so as not to waste time on this work later.
- To take measurements you will need a tape measure; for accurate markings it is better to have a steel ruler, a carpenter's square and a pencil on hand.
The square allows you to quickly mark perfectly right angles
To begin with, the location of the bench is selected and its drawing is drawn up. These steps will help determine:
- Dimensions of the future bench. They can be individual, but some generally accepted parameters will have to be taken into account: the height of the backrest (if necessary) is 350-500 mm, the distance from the balcony floor to the seat should not exceed 600 mm. Regarding the length of the seat, it can be equal to the width of the balcony, so the bench will fit well between its two long sides. This option provides for the absence of armrests. The width of the bench is optional.
- The method of placing the bench on the balcony, as well as its appearance.
- Calculation of required materials.
Homemade bench on the balcony with a soft seat
To make a bench for a balcony with a drawer, you can purchase chipboard sheets at any hardware store. But this issue can be solved in a more practical way. You can get the necessary material from old unnecessary furniture. To make the frame you will need 40x40 mm bars.
How to make a transforming bench with a canopy
The easiest way is to use a ready-made bench design with arched posts. One of the options for building a canopy over a bench - a transformer - is shown in the photo below.
In general, a frame made of rectangular or round pipe is sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the canopy and posts.
The frame base of the canopy will be assembled from three half-arcs, bent on a pipe bending machine from blanks measuring 150 cm. The shape and curvature can be chosen arbitrarily. From this material you will need to cut the rear straight pillars and the front arc ones.
All four elements are welded using a welding inverter to the lower arched supports and the L-shaped sides of the backrest. The assembly can be done without a drawing; it is important that the vertical projection of the line of the center of gravity of the visor is in the same plane with the middle point of the bench. Otherwise, the transformer may tip over when unfolding.
Transformer with metal frame
Let's look at how to make a bench that can be transformed into a table with benches, from boards or profile pipes.
The design consists of the following parts:
- fixed bench - 2 trapezoidal support legs (the upper base of the trapezoid extends beyond one of the sides), a crossbar connecting them - a stiffener, a wooden seat, optional - decorative side inserts into the supports made of moisture-resistant plywood or sheet metal;
- the movable bench consists of the same elements, additionally it has curved elements on top that serve as armrests of a large bench or part of the table supports;
- the table consists of a wooden tabletop and L-shaped supports on the sides.
Dimensions of structural elements and parts:
- table height in mm – 775, width – 600, length 1390;
- bench height 440, width – 220, length – stationary 1700, movable – 1750;
- The stiffeners are made from a pipe with a cross-section of 25x25, length 1594 mm for the smaller bench, 1650 for the larger one. At the edges, fastening plates measuring 25x125 mm are welded to them;
- L-shaped supports for the table are made from the same pipe; a side will go under the tabletop, the length of which is equal to the width of the table (600 mm), and down - a length of 361 mm;
- for the legs of a stationary bench, 4 pieces of pipe are used, for a movable one - 5 pieces, the dimensions and configuration of the parts are shown in the drawing (stationary on the left, movable on the right);
- For seats and tabletops, 100x30 boards with lengths of 1700, 1750 and 1390 mm are used.
To work, you will need a grinder, a metal drill, a pipe bender, a welding machine, as well as bolts, metal screws and hinges.
How to make a transforming bench-table from wood with your own hands
First of all, you will need to make two identical benches with a trapezoidal structure of the legs. At the top of each bench, additional bars are sewn on both sides, the size of which is equal to the length of the lower crossbar. In order not to make mistakes in the assembly, you can use the drawing; the main thing is not to rush to drill holes for the hinges. Typically, bushings at the rotation points are installed after the final mutual adjustment of the dimensions of all elements of the transformer.
The next step is to make the tabletop, its dimensions are chosen as the size of the bench in width plus twice the thickness of the timber, from which a large rail and a triangle are cut - the support. The size can be selected according to the drawing or the length can be adjusted during the assembly process.
How to make a transforming chair-bench for a gardener with your own hands
The simplest transformer, designed for one person, can be made from a profile pipe and a wooden slat. One of the options for such chairs is presented below.
The dimensions of the pipe are 25x25 mm; when unfolded, the circuit may be unstable
The design is based on a metal frame made of a 25x25 mm profile pipe. You can make it yourself or order it from welders according to the drawing.
The trick to this scheme is the use of folding metal frames, for which corresponding grooves are provided in the vertical posts of the chair.
The tabletop and seat can be made from slats and plywood.
Important! The only inconvenience is the incorrect location of the center of gravity of the structure.
A child can sit on such a bench without risk, but for adults it will be necessary to assemble a structure from two transformers.
Briefly about the main thing
Folding garden furniture is convenient not only when there is a lack of space on the recreation area. When the table is not needed, it is removed with one movement of the hand, turning the dining set into a comfortable bench with a backrest.
To have this opportunity, learn how to make a transforming bench with your own hands. A simple structure can be made from either a metal profile pipe or wood.
This will require ready-made detailed drawings, since the most difficult thing is to manufacture all structural elements in exact accordance with the project. Combining them into a single whole is a matter of technology. After looking at the photos and videos in this article, you will surely cope with this task.
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Design options
Despite the fact that almost all models of transformers use the same scheme, almost all home-made workers try to design a folding bench in their own way, to make its design more individual and attractive.
