How to Build a Collapsible Japanese Work Stand - For Carpentry, Construction, and More!

Building an All-Purpose Collapsible Work Stand - For Carpentry, Construction, and More!
In this video, I am building an all-purpose collapsible work stand using plywood and simple design. These work stands are a common place in a lot of Japanese worksites and shops. They are light, collapsible, and sturdy. I made a few of these work stands before and have seen them used in the carpentry shop where I work constantly. Sometimes it is hard to find a set to use because they are always being taken out of our workshop and into a construction site. For the cost of 3000 JPY (~$30 USD) you can make 3 sets of these work stands. We have used these work stands to stack over 40 sheets of drywall (plaster board) on top and also for supporting lumber and other things. I even saw them being used for a BBQ at the shop a few months ago.
I used 12mm thick plywood (or veneer board - ベニヤ板) cut down to 600 mm x 910 mm. The nominal size of plywood in Japan is 910 mm x 1820 mm which is perfect for making 3 sets of work stands from two sheets of plywood. I would recommend grouping the plywood together to make them a mated pair if in the event that your main cut to 600 mm x 910 mm is a little off. This entire project took about 4.5 hours and required some basic tools that most people may have.
The tools I used were:
Ryobi - Circular Saw EDM663
Black & Decker - Jigsaw
Milwaukee - M18 Drill (Japan Edition)
Tajima - Circular Saw Guide - MRG-LX1000
Dewalt - Compact Router
50 cm Shashigane
Tape Measure
Pencil
I hope you enjoy this video. Leave comments if you liked the video.
#woodworking #japanesewoodworking #carpentrylife
Videographers and Editing:
Kaori / Garrett
Equipment Used:
Olympus OMD EM-1 Mark iii (4k)
Apple iPhone 10 (4k)
Rode Interview Microphone (Audio)
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[@natewarner]

I'd not realized the standard dimensions of a sheet of plywood in Japan was so different! Interesting to see.
I can also say that as a tall person (~195cm), I might use US spec plywood to make much taller work surfaces... Like maybe only get a single stand out of a sheet of plywood and have 4' tall stands!! :D

[@dellicaman]

I have just been asked to make these for an event here in Japan. And yes, as noted by other watchers timber sizes in Japan are annoyingly smaller. Ply boards stop at 12mm. Excellent video. Thanks.

[@thecarpentrylife]

They are very useful. Thank you for the nice comment!

[@andrewparsons3253]

Also following your adventure - ‘fantastic viewing’ - All the Best from West 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (UK)

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

I just found your channel. Great stuff, you show some quality work, thank you, Jim.

[@GregJorgo]

Good gear! Making a set of these for the garage projects. Cheers from Australia.

[@abdelaziz0365]

I really appreciate that you shared the plans for table work tanks so much am following your adventure from France 🇫🇷 ✌️

[@just_a_quick_ride]

Lovely stuff. And with the triangular cut outs they can be stored more easily on wall-mounted hooks as well.

[@Ron-FabandBuild]

Definitely putting these in my shop. With limited space for storage of tools. This is perfect for me. Thanks as always and and always great job.

[@user-cr1kb3hm8h-yuki]

軽量化のための穴が現代的で独創的でとても良いですね
車のシャーシみたいでデザインもカッコいいです

[@thecarpentrylife]

ありがとうございます！

[@hairanndo2002]

穴の開け方に個性が出ますよね。

[@RichardDenRooyen1973]

After watching hours of your videos, theres something what keeps coming in my mind any time. ...I see you, and others, often work so low. Why not using a bench to relieve the back? with my back, i would be tired and painfull withing hours of woodworking. much respect for you and your colleagues 👍👍

[@mattp5518]

Gained a few new subscribers from new zealand mate!

[@thecarpentrylife]

Awesome thank you!

[@lordreginaldfilibuster]

I imagine f you remove the center feet portions off both base panels, it should level easier, still have all the strength you might need on it and be lighter.

[@rogercarroll1663]

I like this very much. thank you for a useful explanation.

[@popovicicezar-stefan2387]

Great! Thank you for the dimensions! It must be an extra effort but well worth it!

[@deanhall4069]

Great design.Well presented as usual.Thanks.

[@jeremiahaustin2353]

Thanks! I’ll be making some.

[@incontraincontra9310]

Looks really useful. Wish I could afford the materials. 😂

[@lalitaescuela]

Thanks 🙏

[@colinma6511]

Great work mate! Love the content !

[@thecarpentrylife]

Much appreciated!

[@TuanTran-cs7ht]

Thank you.

[@W4iteFlame]

I think I've never seen someone doing these triangular cut outs. Probably some people does not care much about its weight. I see no other reasons to cut it like this