Watch Next: DIY Portable Workbench - ruclips.net/video/hQGK6pdMo_A/видео.htmlsi=utEcr1LW6dymZmS0 Tools in this video: Woodworker's Chronicle - faithvalleytools.com/products/the-woodworker-s-chronicle Workbench Clamp Kits - lddy.no/1jimi Worx Pegasus - amzn.to/4aJLrZ2 Bora Centipede Base Only - amzn.to/4aPj7V8 Bora Centipede With Work Top - amzn.to/3JbgIZg All Bora Centipede Models - amzn.to/3xFnxj9 Ryobi Speedbench (available May 2024) - www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287194926 Outlaws Portable Workbench - www.731woodworks.com/store/tabletopworkbench MicroJig Clamps 2-Pack (use code 731MICROJIG10 get 10% off) - lddy.no/1jiml MicroJig Dovetail Bit (use code 731MICROJIG10 get 10% off) - lddy.no/1jimm Festool MFT with Track and Protractor - amzn.to/4cQuT3C Festool MFT (bare table) - amzn.to/3UctwVA Festool Track Saw - amzn.to/3UbHeI9 Festool Dust Extractor - amzn.to/3UePcR7 Work Pants I Wear - truewerk.pxf.io/XY36qX PLANS: www.731woodworks.com/store Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks My Woodworking Business Building Course - sawduststartups.com My New Tool Company - faithvalleytools.com The full list of tools and supplies I recommend can be found on my website: www.731woodworks.com/recommended-tools Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Join the TUBAFOUR NATION through Patreon to get access to exclusive member only behind the scenes videos, member only livestreams, exclusive discounts, and other cool member only perks! www.patreon.com/731woodworks If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases. Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Some other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to our email Newsletter to get new content alerts, sales, and more! mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Easy to Follow Build Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter
So ryobi got *zero* points for the _whole handtruck_ it converts to?? 🤔 Definitely think that should've been part of "accessories" seeing as it's a feature the others didn't have‼️
I bought the centipede (2x4) years ago and made a top out of 1/2" Baltic Birch with a 2" border on the underside to "capture" the stand. It's my go to solution for....anything I'm doing in the shop! Love it!
I can’t say enough about the DeWalt Portable Workbench when you need a quick, sturdy space for assembly, finishing, benchtop tool setup space, etc. Folds down to a very compact package for storage. Set up in seconds. Supports 1000 pounds easily. Available at Home Depot and many other places. Regularly on sale for under $100. I have several and don’t believe I’ve paid more than $79-89 each. Definitely worth checking them out.
Festool makes braces for their MFT table that adds a great amount of stability to it. I'm glad it is only an option because 98% of the time mine are setting on top of a cabinet I built for them, linked together and as solid as can be. Of course, I have dedicated space for them, where some may need the mobility and collapsibility. Even those people could benefit by the advanced versatility of a Festool MFT over the others. It does fold up pretty darn flat.
I have one of the Pegasus tables. You forgot to mention that if you have 2 of them, you can hook them together with those orange figure-eight pieces on the edge giving you double the space. I also use mine for staining and for outfeed for my table saw. It was my very first work table. ❤ I love it!
I have that too. My parents got it for me when I got my first house in 1990 when I was 30. Still have it but at 64 it is heavy. Solidly build and a lot better then what B&D sell today.
I agree. I have 3 of the Black & Decker work mates and i use them very often. I even replaced the 2 wooden tops on 1 of them with 2 pieces of 1/2 plate steel for welding and other metal work.
I bought the Worx bench after watching your video about 3 years ago , my wife has used it for her tile saw when she’s tiled our kitchen, and bathrooms. She mentioned how the saw felt stable and it was a comfortable height for cutting. Tile is messy and it cleaned up well with a hose. I’ve used it in my shop when I needed an extra workbench when doing projects. It sets up quick also watch your fingers it will bite. Great review Matt
Appreciate the video. Thanks!! Ido my projects in the garage and everything need to be to be put away to park in there. Maybe I’m just cheap. I use 2 saw horses and toss an old flat door on top and call it a day. It works for the most part. No accessories. About as basic as can be.
I bought 2 of the Bora Centipede 2x4 systems with the tabletops. I love them. There are a ton of accessories that will work with these. Being a short man (5'5'") these fit me very well... Glad to see I got the system that scored the best... Whatever system someone chooses as long as they are happy with it, and it works for them then all is good...
Hi, many years ago I built my own MFT 1.5 X 3.+ . I used the same rails from Festool , but frame base was made out of 24/5mm Ply , the underside frame was made of 3 pieces of 25x160x3+ long laminated ply wood, then surface planed then put through a thickness, to finish 150m , The legs were made of ply as but were mitre lock finger joint, to form a box shape, which obviously made them hollow, I then machined a piece of oak to go in the top and bottom, this was all bolted together was staying steel fasteners, because I used the festool rail around the sides, I could use all of their accessories, are used to use it for assembly of windows and doors, and I used it for a vac bag as well. As you can probably gather, I was not restricted on space , and at the time money was no object, I have always found your reviews and territorials very interesting. Keep up the great work. Stay safe. Look forward to the next review. ,
I bought the Bora 4x8 Centipede and LOVE it. I bought two of the Bora tops as well as a couple of 2x4 sheets of 3/4" MDF. I purchased another pair of BORA tops a year later. I also have two of the Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center that I purchased several years ago, and I really like them as well.
I bought a pair of Work Pegasus benches several years ago, and they were life changing since at that time I lacked space for a proper bench. Now I have space and a couple of proper benches, but the Work benches still get a lot of use.
Would've loved to see the bosch portable bench in this lineup, but understandably as it's almost impossible to find in North America. Thanks for the comparisons, I've been eyeing the bora 4×8 set up for a while and it seems like it won't disappoint.
I have two Worx Pegasus that I have owned for a very long time now. They are great for painting on and I use the clamps to hold pieces when I edge band. I must have gotten lucky with my Festool MFT3 because I have seen videos where presenters show them being very wobbly mine does not wobble at all. I also built the cutting table/grid showcased in Nick from Woodshop Companion. I retired and started building my own garage shop and liked the idea of being able to break down 3/4 Baltic plywood up off the floor and doing it by myself. everything folds or breaks down for storage and allows for both cars to still park easily in the garage at night.
Festool sells a 100 dollar pair of braces for the MFT and I'll probably end up with that if not the cart to mount it flat on top of. The mounting versatility of MFT is so good that overlooking other shortcomings is easy to do. TSO also makes an add-on to give you 33 percent more surface area, essentially an off-fall area for crosscuts.
I have the MFT3 with the rail, fence, and protractor. It’s a great bit of gear. The best bang for my buck that I’ve ever had was buying a couple of plastic saw horses, and adding either 2 or 4 2x3 rails / rails and cross rails. Probably £40, and for a simple large 8 x 4 table / spray bench / cutting station, it’s brilliant.
I am an Industrial Arts teacher (retired) I’ve owned an MFT for 15 years, a Kapex about 13 years and various other Festool equipment. The MFT weighs a tonne!! It’s not easy to move around. I also have the frame extension to mount tools upside down on plates, e.g. circular saw, router, jigsaw, etc… The MFT has a levelling leg. You need to unscrew it!! I will definitely be buying the bora system!! Lloyd
Great video. Now i'm not too limited on space as i have a 6x6m garage (390 square foot). But it's not a woodworking garage. It's a multi purpose garage that needs to carry all my hobbies/passions. So that's woodworking, car detailing, working out, and besides that i have two kids to there's toys, bikes, stuff. Bottom line, i can't have sawdust everywhere so i need to work outside as much as possible.
I have the Husky Portable Jobsite Workbench and I love it. It doesn't have a tone of accessories but it does have some good options. The router table function would be great if you don't have one. It is very compact, strong and easy to set up. Highly recommend.
I have a 16 wide by 20 deep building in the back yard for my shop, so it's not super small, but space is still at a premium. I built a 12 by 16 foot deck out the front of it. Bora Centipede is my other workbench that I use out front on the deck when the main bench is occupied. I don't always need it, but when I do, it is great to have.
I have a Black & Decker workbench I purchased back in the 90’s. I still like using it. I do like the newer builds like the Pegasus. The features look useful. I might get one, or a similar competitor, if my B&D ever needs replacing. 👍🏼
I use multiple Bora’s a lot. I wish there was a way to add those side rails so other accessories could be added like the festool mitering system. I bought a Benchdogs add on and it is useful. But for everyday use, because I’m in a garage and setup and tear down every time, bora works well for most things. I’ve got a Sjoberg’s work bench, but for some reason, I can’t keep the clutter off the top. So I end up using the bora. And just recently I bought a festool Mft. Thanks for the review Matt.
I want a table like yours, it’s got everything I need. The drawers are cool. All these other tables are worthless. But that’s my opinion. Thanks for the video though ❤❤❤
had the centipede for years, love that thing, added my own track to make it (somewhat) similar to the MFT tracks and paired it with a Milwaukee track saw system, much cheaper and awesome unit, couldn't recommend strongly enough.
I've got the 2x4x36" Centipede, it works great for my projects out on the apartment patio. You can also get a set of 6" risers if the model you have is too low.
I built the Timothy Wilmots MFTC bench (his demo video is still on u2b though he's no longer actively posting) years ago as my first woodworking project. Not my best build but the thing has been a fun to maintain workhorse and the center-piece of my shop.
I have the Bora 4x6’ without the tops. I use plywood off cuts for now. It’s amazing how little space it takes up when stored and it has a decent bag/case with handles. My only gripe is that the 30” height is too low for me. I’ll be getting the risers, soon.
I use a 4x6 Bora Centipede primarily for cutting down plywood. I do a lot of hand tool work and the Centipede racks too much for that application. The 4x6 foot size is plenty big for cutting down full size sheets of plywood; If I could change one thing it would be about 6 inches narrower; this would support the 4 foot width of a plywood sheet more securely. I also agree about the pinch hazard with the folding top. For stow-away collapsibility, light weight, and strength I don't think the Centipede can be beat.
I have one of the Werx work benches with a pair of Werx sawhorses & really like the system. For what I use them for, they are a valuable part of my shop. I would easily add another one.
No need to review, it's an awesome, high quality setup. It's on the level of the Festool. I've got their MFT Guide Rail Bracket Set and it is rock solid and square every single time.
I bought the Keter over the Pegasus because it is a bit more compact for storage, as well as cheaper. Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, since other projects have taken priority.
Just picked up a pair of the Worx benches, on sale, so saved $120 on the pair (far more expensive in Canada @ $169.99) P.S. height is only part of the issue with the height of the workbench; I know a LOT of people taller than my 5'7", but many of them have a shorter inseam than my 32"
Hi, great video and very informative. Appreciate the title was about space and yet when you take a look at the sizes of each... they all look to be around the same size? Maybe the Pegasus being a little smaller. I know the term space saving comes from being able to store these way.. and I get that!! I do think though you should have considered cost!! for example, Fastool MFT (Bare table) ~ £700 in the UK - and yet wobbles like a jelly🥃 Anyway - Thanks again 731 good stuff.
Thanks for this, I've been looking for a solution to my limited space. Building a new desktop surface for my fiancée has been painful to do on saw horses without grips on the feet. Part of me still really wants to make an all in one work bench like I've seen with the 4x8 bench that PhilipReborn did or the mobile workbench that Paoson Woodworking did with a table saw and router as well as dust collection built in, just seems like a fun project. My biggest need is really a large work table that I can assemble, work on and rip cut plywood among other things.
Thanks for the comparison. For me, pricing should be part of this type of ranking. I have the Pegasus and the Bora. Both great but, The Pegasus is more valuable to me as it can be set up faster IMO and I use two at a time in either saw horse or link mode. Yes, you can attach two or more of the Pegasus for a huge work bench that is even more stable. That is another feature that puts the Pegasus as my #1.
I have the 4x8 Bora table - it took a while for me to figure out how to avoid getting pinched. The trick is to place on its side edge to fold/unfold. I go through the motions almost daily and still have all my digits!
After seeing your video on the Worx Pegasus, I went and bought two of them. Really nice benches but, as you said the clamps aren't the best. In fact!, one of them gave out the very first week.
I have a Kreg version of what the worx bench is. I love it. I also have a husky version that breaks down to the size of the festool. The bora is on my list of getting it next
I have 2 pegasys tables. They are sturdy and store away nicely. however you can't clamp easily pieces on to the table. The underneath of the surface is not flat. Instead it is ribbed plastic for strength. That's the only thing I would switch. I think Kreg has a portable table that allows clamping to its undersurface.
I have the Kreg foldable work bench. Might should have included it in the review. It is easy to set up and fold away, has a much larger work surface, has track saw capability,dog holes and wheels so it moves easily.
I own 2 Kreg work tables, have a couple of 6’ 2x4’s and a cut down 3/4” plywood top I can use for assembly/painting when necessary. Most of the time I just use them attached to each other with the included X-clips, use the Kreg dogs and clamps, etc. I’ve come to be disappointed in some of my Kreg tools but not these. These and my classic B&D WorkMate are the most used benches in my shop.
For those considering getting the Bora Centipede: The top comes in three versions, one without dog holes, one with 3/4" dog holes, and one with 20mm dog holes. The advantage of the 20mm version is that is the world wide standard. Even in the United States, accessories for 20mm dog holes are more widely available than are accessories for 3/4" dog holes. This gives the 20mm version of the table greater flexibility because some accessories simply aren't made for use with 3/4" dog holes. This doesn't mean you should buy the 20mm version over the 3/4" version. Bora bundles the 3/4" top with the Centipede and some accessories. That bundle often goes on sale. When it's on sale its a few dollars less than you could buy the Centipede base and accessories with the 20mm top. So, if you don't need or want the greater variety of accessories available for 20mm dog holes, you can save some cash by buying the 3/4" dog hole version.
Since it's modular you can get different tops as needed, the larger ones let you mix and match whatever tops you want to use on it or leave open spaces such as for sawing, and so on.
You forgot the original portable work bench the work mate I think you might want to reconsider things with this one in the mix. However great video Thank for your consistently excellent content.
Great, thanks for that I have to admit though while all these new fang dangled workbenches look pretty and probably quite useful. In some cases. I actually personally think the best solution for a portable workbench is to fall back to a trusted Black & Decker Workmate. I've actually got three and if you have a pair of them supporting a decent flat board you've got a brilliant solid workbench you can stick 200 kg on top of the one and it's still stands up that's not the rated weight but it's what I've tried . Mine came from the late 80s and they were built as solid as rock, unlike the newer versions, I created my own board out of a piece of plywood 1 inch thick and put my own dog holes in it and either end I put some dowels that fit into the dog holes on the workmate , that way I still get to keep the vice of the Workmate. I created a second table out of plywood which doesn't require the use of both workmates that simply has a piece of 3 x 2 underneath the plywood which you put between the vice of the Workmate and clamp it down hard and while you do get a smaller work surface it's still useful when you dont need a full bench iI I ever need to go and work at a clients premises that is always in my van and I think it the best ever made tool Black & Decker. ever made.😄 #Workmate
I don't know if things have changed but I have the current worx Pegasus and the dog holes are 3/4" or ~19mm. If you want to use ujk stuff the 20mm dogs obviously won't fit. You can get Rockwell cookies plus but for me I found the 20mm options better.
There are leg braces you can buy for the Festool MFT to make the bench more solid. (Granted you shouldn't have to pay extra for something that should come as standard, especially at the prices Festool Charge!)
I have a very specific metric I measure woodworking benches by; it has to hold up to the rigors of handplaneing. If it flexes, shakes, skips, or moves in any way when handplaneing then it isn't worth it. As far as this video goes, the homemade matchfit bench is the best because you can clamp it to a solid surface and handplane without it moving. Also, I personally feel that the best portable workbench is the moravian workbench. It's design enables it to come apart and assemble quickly and it is rock solid when planeing. It isn't a light as the options here, but it is a real work bench that is portable. I guess if you never use a hand plane, and I can't see that never happening, these manufactured things would be fine, but otherwise you can build a moravian for the cost of some of these things. I made mine from southern yellow pine, aside from the cost of vises, it was less than 200 bucks for everything. The vises can range anywhere from 60 to several hundreds of dollars. Also, if you have the tools, you can make your own vises from wood stock, you just need to be able to thread the wood.
Ryobi reminds me of a Mobile Miter saw cart that has a foot added to give it the ability to be used as a hand truck. and a board added over the rails that a Miter saw typically attaches to.
All those look pretty good. Each one have features I like. Choice might come down to personal preference. Wouldn't it be cool if you could put the best features of each one into one package?
The wen 24" portable work bench is pretty good. I find it more useful than tha worx. The fact that the Wen surface can be used as a clamp is really useful. However it is not as easy to set up, but its not very complicated. It's thw difference between 30 seconds as opposed to 10 seconds
I have ToughBuilts portable work bench. Sturdy as hell and does everything I need it to. I think it's been discontinued though. I got it for like $60 from Lowes last fall.
The difference between the Festool MFT (no rail or protractor) and MFT/3 (w/rail and protractor) is $100. The track alone is close to $100. It would be dumb to buy it without the rail and protractor, even if you already have one already. It's certainly not cheap but well worth it, IMO. Like a lot of Festool tools, it is set up as a complete system for installers. Dust collection and their "system" emphasis fits very well with this market. Getting sawdust all over a client's house is considered rude. An example of the "system" approach. The extension rails for the Kapex, also fit on the MFT, on the Centro edge-bander, and a bunch of other tools. The routers fit on the tracks. All of the tables and Kapex stand, side extensions, etc. are the same height so can be used together. My table saw happens to be at the same height, too, so things work out well. There are all sorts of other "system" features, too. That said, Festool really is designed for the professional, not the hobbyist. The same could be said for some others (hobbyists don't need Pack-Outs) but not to the same extreme.
The In-Line Workholding Clamps from TayTools are great (or EWORK in the 3/4" size or from many overseas stores in many names). They're tremendously cheaper than the Festool Clamping Elements ... and they're mostly better. The short version: The Festools need to be used perfectly and they can get damaged in normal use. They aren't built fragile, it's the design. The other clamps are more forgiving and operate more smoothly. Now that I have the others I find I never pull out the Festool Clamping Elements anymore.
You should sell them and get more of the TayTools versions. What are the vulnerabilities of the Festool Clamping Elements? I haven't seen that and I use them all of the time. Maybe there is something I need to keep an eye on.
@@DavidATakes The first Elements I received I had replaced because they had jammed immediately. I can't find my emails with Festool support to give a good description of everything, but I believe that they told me to expect that the clamp would make divots in the bar when clamping. In the case of the bad clamp, the divot I got was so deep that the clamp was mostly unusable. I believe this was from clamping in a loose way. When clamped too loose and without, the Festool will not stay straight in the hole and will pitch upwards. With the bar pitched up, the clamp dug in to the metal much harder. My replacements have the normal nicks, but I was careful after that to always tighten completely before using.
Love the video but one thing you should include in the comparison is the price which you stated only on the centipede and none of the other one, because that is going to factor in which one you can afford.
The thing I didn't like about Bora is that I am not sure you can trust those holes to be perfectly laid out (a bit off 90) if you wanted to use them as a guide for square cuts. Especially if you're doing multiple tops (that's what you do for larger sizes, multiple tops), but I think even across the same top. That's where the MFT shines - those holes are precise and all you need to ensure squareness.
The work height on the Pegasus has been my only complaint, although the clamps deff could be better but they work well enough. I felt like the $99 price point was decent.
Brad here (from Altendorf) and as usual, great stuff and I gotta say, your production quality is looking awesome! I hope you and the family are well sir!! Gimme a shout when you get some down time!😊
Howdy Matt - thanks for another review that leans into folks with small shop spaces. One question since I have now been watching your videos for a while: it seems that there is rarely ever mention of actual prices in the video (though you do always have links) so I was curious why that may be the case. I realize price is often a subjective topic, what is expensive to me is reasonable to someone else. However, have you considered adding a "Overall Value for Price" as part of your rating system? Anyway, thanks again; one of my go-to channels during my lunch breaks!
Thanks for the informative video! I'm wondering though if I'm missing something - why no adjustability on these for when one needs to place them on uneven surfaces? I would think adjustable feet would be in order, especially for the Bora with its six points of contact with the ground. Does one need to carry shims around to achieve stability when you don't have a nice even concrete slab or floor or deck to put it on? By the way, great channel!
I am surprised you didn't add Mreg portable work bench. I have one and a saw horse which you can add 2- 2x4's and a 3/4 sheet of plywood, I used mdf very stable. I bought it as a temporary work bench before I built a new one instead used it for many years
Won’t lie, I’ve been moving more and more to a track saw main use shop. I’ve tried to avoid festool like the plague, “BUT” I keep coming back to that MFT. I may just have to buckle down and get one myself. Pain in the rear part is I bought the ridgid track saw so, I think that it won’t work and it’ll go to my grave pack…. 😞
Question - do you have any tips on job site table saw maintenance? Like which paste wax to use best for the tabletop surface. How and what to use to check the gears clean?
Stability isn't just about weight bearing. The downfall of portable workbenches is more about pushing parallel to the top. For example: using a bench plane to joint a face.
I had the bora to cut up plywood it did the job well till I let the plywood drop on it too fast and broke three of the grey plastic pieces that hold the differnt accesories.
You can make a top for the Bora of 2 3'x3' 3/4 inch plywood giving a 3'x6' table I have the original make of the tables before Bora bought the rights. I have a 2'x4' and a 4'x8' . On the larger table you put an 4x8' foam and use with with a track saw
Need a portable workbench with adjustable feet/legs for uneven surface or in a yard. I don't know of one yet that wouldn't require use of sawhorses with adjustable legs. Not many sawhorses on the market have adjustable legs and some can't be adjusted much.
Matt love your channel and your advice and knowledge. I do have the bora MFT top which I purchased from amazon because I found the base unit for sale at a garage sale and I do love the set up but I purchased some accessories that were 20mm and they did not fit the size that worked for me were 19mm / 3/4 inch I don't know if this is a fluke or not or if the Bora top comes in two different sizes help me out. would like to purchase the Taylor tools accessory package but if there 20mm won't work
Matt, would it be easier to built your own and cheaper? Don't have problem with the brands but if you make your own it is under your spec of what your needs and space? Use it don't use it??
Watch Next: DIY Portable Workbench - ruclips.net/video/hQGK6pdMo_A/видео.htmlsi=utEcr1LW6dymZmS0
Tools in this video:
Woodworker's Chronicle - faithvalleytools.com/products/the-woodworker-s-chronicle
Workbench Clamp Kits - lddy.no/1jimi
Worx Pegasus - amzn.to/4aJLrZ2
Bora Centipede Base Only - amzn.to/4aPj7V8
Bora Centipede With Work Top - amzn.to/3JbgIZg
All Bora Centipede Models - amzn.to/3xFnxj9
Ryobi Speedbench (available May 2024) - www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287194926
Outlaws Portable Workbench - www.731woodworks.com/store/tabletopworkbench
MicroJig Clamps 2-Pack (use code 731MICROJIG10 get 10% off) - lddy.no/1jiml
MicroJig Dovetail Bit (use code 731MICROJIG10 get 10% off) - lddy.no/1jimm
Festool MFT with Track and Protractor - amzn.to/4cQuT3C
Festool MFT (bare table) - amzn.to/3UctwVA
Festool Track Saw - amzn.to/3UbHeI9
Festool Dust Extractor - amzn.to/3UePcR7
Work Pants I Wear - truewerk.pxf.io/XY36qX
PLANS: www.731woodworks.com/store
Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks
My Woodworking Business Building Course - sawduststartups.com
My New Tool Company - faithvalleytools.com
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If you want to review the Keter portable table, I have a spare that is still in the package.
So ryobi got *zero* points for the _whole handtruck_ it converts to?? 🤔
Definitely think that should've been part of "accessories" seeing as it's a feature the others didn't have‼️
I bought the centipede (2x4) years ago and made a top out of 1/2" Baltic Birch with a 2" border on the underside to "capture" the stand. It's my go to solution for....anything I'm doing in the shop! Love it!
Nice idea
I can’t say enough about the DeWalt Portable Workbench when you need a quick, sturdy space for assembly, finishing, benchtop tool setup space, etc. Folds down to a very compact package for storage. Set up in seconds. Supports 1000 pounds easily. Available at Home Depot and many other places. Regularly on sale for under $100. I have several and don’t believe I’ve paid more than $79-89 each.
Definitely worth checking them out.
Festool makes braces for their MFT table that adds a great amount of stability to it. I'm glad it is only an option because 98% of the time mine are setting on top of a cabinet I built for them, linked together and as solid as can be. Of course, I have dedicated space for them, where some may need the mobility and collapsibility. Even those people could benefit by the advanced versatility of a Festool MFT over the others. It does fold up pretty darn flat.
I have one of the Pegasus tables. You forgot to mention that if you have 2 of them, you can hook them together with those orange figure-eight pieces on the edge giving you double the space. I also use mine for staining and for outfeed for my table saw. It was my very first work table. ❤ I love it!
Yes, this was my first one as well. I only have one but will be getting another.
I have an old Black and Decker Workmate I bought in a thrift store for $5 that is one of the most useful tools in my shop.
I have that too. My parents got it for me when I got my first house in 1990 when I was 30. Still have it but at 64 it is heavy. Solidly build and a lot better then what B&D sell today.
My grandpa gave me one from the 50s
I agree. I have 3 of the Black & Decker work mates and i use them very often. I even replaced the 2 wooden tops on 1 of them with 2 pieces of 1/2 plate steel for welding and other metal work.
Thank you for another fabulous review Matt. I always appreciate your honesty. 😊😊😊❤❤❤
I appreciate that!
I bought the Worx bench after watching your video about 3 years ago , my wife has used it for her tile saw when she’s tiled our kitchen, and bathrooms. She mentioned how the saw felt stable and it was a comfortable height for cutting. Tile is messy and it cleaned up well with a hose. I’ve used it in my shop when I needed an extra workbench when doing projects. It sets up quick also watch your fingers it will bite. Great review Matt
Appreciate the video. Thanks!! Ido my projects in the garage and everything need to be to be put away to park in there. Maybe I’m just cheap. I use 2 saw horses and toss an old flat door on top and call it a day. It works for the most part. No accessories. About as basic as can be.
I bought 2 of the Bora Centipede 2x4 systems with the tabletops. I love them. There are a ton of accessories that will work with these. Being a short man (5'5'") these fit me very well... Glad to see I got the system that scored the best... Whatever system someone chooses as long as they are happy with it, and it works for them then all is good...
Hi, many years ago I built my own MFT 1.5 X 3.+ . I used the same rails from Festool , but frame base was made out of 24/5mm Ply , the underside frame was made of 3 pieces of 25x160x3+ long laminated ply wood, then surface planed then put through a thickness, to finish 150m , The legs were made of ply as but were mitre lock finger joint, to form a box shape, which obviously made them hollow, I then machined a piece of oak to go in the top and bottom, this was all bolted together was staying steel fasteners, because I used the festool rail around the sides, I could use all of their accessories, are used to use it for assembly of windows and doors, and I used it for a vac bag as well.
As you can probably gather, I was not restricted on space , and at the time money was no object,
I have always found your reviews and territorials very interesting. Keep up the great work. Stay safe. Look forward to the next review. ,
I bought the Bora 4x8 Centipede and LOVE it. I bought two of the Bora tops as well as a couple of 2x4 sheets of 3/4" MDF. I purchased another pair of BORA tops a year later.
I also have two of the Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center that I purchased several years ago, and I really like them as well.
I bought a pair of Work Pegasus benches several years ago, and they were life changing since at that time I lacked space for a proper bench. Now I have space and a couple of proper benches, but the Work benches still get a lot of use.
Would've loved to see the bosch portable bench in this lineup, but understandably as it's almost impossible to find in North America. Thanks for the comparisons, I've been eyeing the bora 4×8 set up for a while and it seems like it won't disappoint.
The Festool table is great for making cabinets and breaking down longboards. The system 32 makes making cabinets so easy.
I have two Worx Pegasus that I have owned for a very long time now. They are great for painting on and I use the clamps to hold pieces when I edge band. I must have gotten lucky with my Festool MFT3 because I have seen videos where presenters show them being very wobbly mine does not wobble at all. I also built the cutting table/grid showcased in Nick from Woodshop Companion. I retired and started building my own garage shop and liked the idea of being able to break down 3/4 Baltic plywood up off the floor and doing it by myself. everything folds or breaks down for storage and allows for both cars to still park easily in the garage at night.
Festool sells a 100 dollar pair of braces for the MFT and I'll probably end up with that if not the cart to mount it flat on top of. The mounting versatility of MFT is so good that overlooking other shortcomings is easy to do. TSO also makes an add-on to give you 33 percent more surface area, essentially an off-fall area for crosscuts.
I have the MFT3 with the rail, fence, and protractor. It’s a great bit of gear. The best bang for my buck that I’ve ever had was buying a couple of plastic saw horses, and adding either 2 or 4 2x3 rails / rails and cross rails. Probably £40, and for a simple large 8 x 4 table / spray bench / cutting station, it’s brilliant.
I am an Industrial Arts teacher (retired) I’ve owned an MFT for 15 years, a Kapex about 13 years and various other Festool equipment. The MFT weighs a tonne!! It’s not easy to move around. I also have the frame extension to mount tools upside down on plates, e.g. circular saw, router, jigsaw, etc… The MFT has a levelling leg. You need to unscrew it!! I will definitely be buying the bora system!! Lloyd
Great video. Now i'm not too limited on space as i have a 6x6m garage (390 square foot). But it's not a woodworking garage. It's a multi purpose garage that needs to carry all my hobbies/passions. So that's woodworking, car detailing, working out, and besides that i have two kids to there's toys, bikes, stuff.
Bottom line, i can't have sawdust everywhere so i need to work outside as much as possible.
I have the Husky Portable Jobsite Workbench and I love it. It doesn't have a tone of accessories but it does have some good options. The router table function would be great if you don't have one. It is very compact, strong and easy to set up. Highly recommend.
I got the Pegasus workbench on your video recommendation,and it is great I use it all the time.
I have a 16 wide by 20 deep building in the back yard for my shop, so it's not super small, but space is still at a premium. I built a 12 by 16 foot deck out the front of it. Bora Centipede is my other workbench that I use out front on the deck when the main bench is occupied. I don't always need it, but when I do, it is great to have.
I have a Black & Decker workbench I purchased back in the 90’s. I still like using it. I do like the newer builds like the Pegasus. The features look useful. I might get one, or a similar competitor, if my B&D ever needs replacing. 👍🏼
I use multiple Bora’s a lot. I wish there was a way to add those side rails so other accessories could be added like the festool mitering system. I bought a Benchdogs add on and it is useful. But for everyday use, because I’m in a garage and setup and tear down every time, bora works well for most things. I’ve got a Sjoberg’s work bench, but for some reason, I can’t keep the clutter off the top. So I end up using the bora. And just recently I bought a festool Mft.
Thanks for the review Matt.
I want a table like yours, it’s got everything I need. The drawers are cool. All these other tables are worthless. But that’s my opinion. Thanks for the video though ❤❤❤
The Kreg ACS is pretty useful.
had the centipede for years, love that thing, added my own track to make it (somewhat) similar to the MFT tracks and paired it with a Milwaukee track saw system, much cheaper and awesome unit, couldn't recommend strongly enough.
I've got the 2x4x36" Centipede, it works great for my projects out on the apartment patio. You can also get a set of 6" risers if the model you have is too low.
The risers make it a truly workable system and a total back saver! I have rosettes on both of my Centipedes
I built the Timothy Wilmots MFTC bench (his demo video is still on u2b though he's no longer actively posting) years ago as my first woodworking project. Not my best build but the thing has been a fun to maintain workhorse and the center-piece of my shop.
I have the Bora 4x6’ without the tops. I use plywood off cuts for now. It’s amazing how little space it takes up when stored and it has a decent bag/case with handles. My only gripe is that the 30” height is too low for me. I’ll be getting the risers, soon.
I use a 4x6 Bora Centipede primarily for cutting down plywood. I do a lot of hand tool work and the Centipede racks too much for that application.
The 4x6 foot size is plenty big for cutting down full size sheets of plywood; If I could change one thing it would be about 6 inches narrower; this would support the 4 foot width of a plywood sheet more securely. I also agree about the pinch hazard with the folding top.
For stow-away collapsibility, light weight, and strength I don't think the Centipede can be beat.
If portability is very important - I love my Bora I have the larger one and use it all the time.
I have one of the Werx work benches with a pair of Werx sawhorses & really like the system. For what I use them for, they are a valuable part of my shop. I would easily add another one.
Thank you again for your reviews I have been looking for a little work bench and now I'm sold on the Bora centipede.
You should review the DashBoard system and accessories.
No need to review, it's an awesome, high quality setup. It's on the level of the Festool. I've got their MFT Guide Rail Bracket Set and it is rock solid and square every single time.
I bought the Keter over the Pegasus because it is a bit more compact for storage, as well as cheaper. Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, since other projects have taken priority.
Just picked up a pair of the Worx benches, on sale, so saved $120 on the pair (far more expensive in Canada @ $169.99)
P.S. height is only part of the issue with the height of the workbench; I know a LOT of people taller than my 5'7", but many of them have a shorter inseam than my 32"
Hi, great video and very informative. Appreciate the title was about space and yet when you take a look at the sizes of each... they all look to be around the same size? Maybe the Pegasus being a little smaller. I know the term space saving comes from being able to store these way.. and I get that!! I do think though you should have considered cost!! for example, Fastool MFT (Bare table) ~ £700 in the UK - and yet wobbles like a jelly🥃 Anyway - Thanks again 731 good stuff.
Thanks for this, I've been looking for a solution to my limited space. Building a new desktop surface for my fiancée has been painful to do on saw horses without grips on the feet. Part of me still really wants to make an all in one work bench like I've seen with the 4x8 bench that PhilipReborn did or the mobile workbench that Paoson Woodworking did with a table saw and router as well as dust collection built in, just seems like a fun project.
My biggest need is really a large work table that I can assemble, work on and rip cut plywood among other things.
In the end I think the bora centipede is my best fit solution
I have an old black and decker. Thats OK. I have the bora and love that one. Thanks for this video. It's awesome ! Virtual fist bump
Thanks for the comparison. For me, pricing should be part of this type of ranking. I have the Pegasus and the Bora. Both great but, The Pegasus is more valuable to me as it can be set up faster IMO and I use two at a time in either saw horse or link mode. Yes, you can attach two or more of the Pegasus for a huge work bench that is even more stable. That is another feature that puts the Pegasus as my #1.
I have the 4x8 Bora table - it took a while for me to figure out how to avoid getting pinched. The trick is to place on its side edge to fold/unfold. I go through the motions almost daily and still have all my digits!
Also, you are right about the Bora Table top pinching fingers. Watch out for that!
After seeing your video on the Worx Pegasus, I went and bought two of them. Really nice benches but, as you said the clamps aren't the best. In fact!, one of them gave out the very first week.
I have a Kreg version of what the worx bench is. I love it. I also have a husky version that breaks down to the size of the festool. The bora is on my list of getting it next
I have 2 pegasys tables. They are sturdy and store away nicely. however you can't clamp easily pieces on to the table. The underneath of the surface is not flat. Instead it is ribbed plastic for strength. That's the only thing I would switch. I think Kreg has a portable table that allows clamping to its undersurface.
I have the Kreg foldable work bench. Might should have included it in the review. It is easy to set up and fold away, has a much larger work surface, has track saw capability,dog holes and wheels so it moves easily.
I looked at three different Kreg tables and much to my surprise & disappointment. None of them had a flat top. All were bowed!
I own 2 Kreg work tables, have a couple of 6’ 2x4’s and a cut down 3/4” plywood top I can use for assembly/painting when necessary. Most of the time I just use them attached to each other with the included X-clips, use the Kreg dogs and clamps, etc. I’ve come to be disappointed in some of my Kreg tools but not these. These and my classic B&D WorkMate are the most used benches in my shop.
For those considering getting the Bora Centipede: The top comes in three versions, one without dog holes, one with 3/4" dog holes, and one with 20mm dog holes. The advantage of the 20mm version is that is the world wide standard. Even in the United States, accessories for 20mm dog holes are more widely available than are accessories for 3/4" dog holes. This gives the 20mm version of the table greater flexibility because some accessories simply aren't made for use with 3/4" dog holes.
This doesn't mean you should buy the 20mm version over the 3/4" version. Bora bundles the 3/4" top with the Centipede and some accessories. That bundle often goes on sale. When it's on sale its a few dollars less than you could buy the Centipede base and accessories with the 20mm top. So, if you don't need or want the greater variety of accessories available for 20mm dog holes, you can save some cash by buying the 3/4" dog hole version.
Since it's modular you can get different tops as needed, the larger ones let you mix and match whatever tops you want to use on it or leave open spaces such as for sawing, and so on.
You forgot the original portable work bench the work mate I think you might want to reconsider things with this one in the mix. However great video Thank for your consistently excellent content.
Great video Matt I would love to have one of the Bora systems they look very easy to set up and take down. Thanks for sharing
Great, thanks for that I have to admit though while all these new fang dangled workbenches look pretty and probably quite useful. In some cases.
I actually personally think the best solution for a portable workbench is to fall back to a trusted Black & Decker Workmate. I've actually got three and if you have a pair of them supporting a decent flat board you've got a brilliant solid workbench you can stick 200 kg on top of the one and it's still stands up that's not the rated weight but it's what I've tried .
Mine came from the late 80s and they were built as solid as rock, unlike the newer versions, I created my own board out of a piece of plywood 1 inch thick and put my own dog holes in it and either end I put some dowels that fit into the dog holes on the workmate , that way I still get to keep the vice of the Workmate.
I created a second table out of plywood which doesn't require the use of both workmates that simply has a piece of 3 x 2 underneath the plywood which you put between the vice of the Workmate and clamp it down hard and while you do get a smaller work surface it's still useful when you dont need a full bench
iI I ever need to go and work at a clients premises that is always in my van and I think it the best ever made tool Black & Decker. ever made.😄 #Workmate
I don't know if things have changed but I have the current worx Pegasus and the dog holes are 3/4" or ~19mm. If you want to use ujk stuff the 20mm dogs obviously won't fit. You can get Rockwell cookies plus but for me I found the 20mm options better.
There are leg braces you can buy for the Festool MFT to make the bench more solid. (Granted you shouldn't have to pay extra for something that should come as standard, especially at the prices Festool Charge!)
I have a very specific metric I measure woodworking benches by; it has to hold up to the rigors of handplaneing. If it flexes, shakes, skips, or moves in any way when handplaneing then it isn't worth it. As far as this video goes, the homemade matchfit bench is the best because you can clamp it to a solid surface and handplane without it moving. Also, I personally feel that the best portable workbench is the moravian workbench. It's design enables it to come apart and assemble quickly and it is rock solid when planeing. It isn't a light as the options here, but it is a real work bench that is portable. I guess if you never use a hand plane, and I can't see that never happening, these manufactured things would be fine, but otherwise you can build a moravian for the cost of some of these things. I made mine from southern yellow pine, aside from the cost of vises, it was less than 200 bucks for everything. The vises can range anywhere from 60 to several hundreds of dollars. Also, if you have the tools, you can make your own vises from wood stock, you just need to be able to thread the wood.
Ryobi reminds me of a Mobile Miter saw cart that has a foot added to give it the ability to be used as a hand truck. and a board added over the rails that a Miter saw typically attaches to.
All those look pretty good. Each one have features I like. Choice might come down to personal preference. Wouldn't it be cool if you could put the best features of each one into one package?
The wen 24" portable work bench is pretty good. I find it more useful than tha worx. The fact that the Wen surface can be used as a clamp is really useful.
However it is not as easy to set up, but its not very complicated. It's thw difference between 30 seconds as opposed to 10 seconds
I have ToughBuilts portable work bench. Sturdy as hell and does everything I need it to. I think it's been discontinued though. I got it for like $60 from Lowes last fall.
The difference between the Festool MFT (no rail or protractor) and MFT/3 (w/rail and protractor) is $100. The track alone is close to $100. It would be dumb to buy it without the rail and protractor, even if you already have one already.
It's certainly not cheap but well worth it, IMO. Like a lot of Festool tools, it is set up as a complete system for installers. Dust collection and their "system" emphasis fits very well with this market. Getting sawdust all over a client's house is considered rude.
An example of the "system" approach. The extension rails for the Kapex, also fit on the MFT, on the Centro edge-bander, and a bunch of other tools. The routers fit on the tracks. All of the tables and Kapex stand, side extensions, etc. are the same height so can be used together. My table saw happens to be at the same height, too, so things work out well.
There are all sorts of other "system" features, too. That said, Festool really is designed for the professional, not the hobbyist. The same could be said for some others (hobbyists don't need Pack-Outs) but not to the same extreme.
The In-Line Workholding Clamps from TayTools are great (or EWORK in the 3/4" size or from many overseas stores in many names). They're tremendously cheaper than the Festool Clamping Elements ... and they're mostly better.
The short version:
The Festools need to be used perfectly and they can get damaged in normal use. They aren't built fragile, it's the design.
The other clamps are more forgiving and operate more smoothly.
Now that I have the others I find I never pull out the Festool Clamping Elements anymore.
You should sell them and get more of the TayTools versions. What are the vulnerabilities of the Festool Clamping Elements? I haven't seen that and I use them all of the time. Maybe there is something I need to keep an eye on.
@@DavidATakes The first Elements I received I had replaced because they had jammed immediately.
I can't find my emails with Festool support to give a good description of everything, but I believe that they told me to expect that the clamp would make divots in the bar when clamping.
In the case of the bad clamp, the divot I got was so deep that the clamp was mostly unusable.
I believe this was from clamping in a loose way. When clamped too loose and without, the Festool will not stay straight in the hole and will pitch upwards. With the bar pitched up, the clamp dug in to the metal much harder.
My replacements have the normal nicks, but I was careful after that to always tighten completely before using.
Thank you for a thorough and practical review. I may get myself the Bora, and add the Festool to the wishlist!
The Keter Work bench is a greatly underappreciated one. It should have been ok this list.
Love the video but one thing you should include in the comparison is the price which you stated only on the centipede and none of the other one, because that is going to factor in which one you can afford.
The thing I didn't like about Bora is that I am not sure you can trust those holes to be perfectly laid out (a bit off 90) if you wanted to use them as a guide for square cuts. Especially if you're doing multiple tops (that's what you do for larger sizes, multiple tops), but I think even across the same top. That's where the MFT shines - those holes are precise and all you need to ensure squareness.
The work height on the Pegasus has been my only complaint, although the clamps deff could be better but they work well enough. I felt like the $99 price point was decent.
I know this post is a little late, but the Bora Centipede has an accessory 6" riser to raise the height to 36"
Brad here (from Altendorf) and as usual, great stuff and I gotta say, your production quality is looking awesome! I hope you and the family are well sir!! Gimme a shout when you get some down time!😊
Hey thanks Brad! Things are great here, hope all is well with you as well. Will you be at IWF in August? We are going.
I love the Bora tables. I have two in my shop. Keep up the great work!
Howdy Matt - thanks for another review that leans into folks with small shop spaces. One question since I have now been watching your videos for a while: it seems that there is rarely ever mention of actual prices in the video (though you do always have links) so I was curious why that may be the case. I realize price is often a subjective topic, what is expensive to me is reasonable to someone else. However, have you considered adding a "Overall Value for Price" as part of your rating system? Anyway, thanks again; one of my go-to channels during my lunch breaks!
Centipede even without the top is great for thin material like Formica
Thanks for the informative video! I'm wondering though if I'm missing something - why no adjustability on these for when one needs to place them on uneven surfaces? I would think adjustable feet would be in order, especially for the Bora with its six points of contact with the ground. Does one need to carry shims around to achieve stability when you don't have a nice even concrete slab or floor or deck to put it on? By the way, great channel!
I am surprised you didn't add Mreg portable work bench. I have one and a saw horse which you can add 2- 2x4's and a 3/4 sheet of plywood, I used mdf very stable. I bought it as a temporary work bench before I built a new one instead used it for many years
Router a light chamfer in the bora hand-holes. Gets rid of the hard pinch.
Won’t lie, I’ve been moving more and more to a track saw main use shop.
I’ve tried to avoid festool like the plague, “BUT” I keep coming back to that MFT.
I may just have to buckle down and get one myself.
Pain in the rear part is I bought the ridgid track saw so, I think that it won’t work and it’ll go to my grave pack…. 😞
Question - do you have any tips on job site table saw maintenance? Like which paste wax to use best for the tabletop surface. How and what to use to check the gears clean?
Stability isn't just about weight bearing. The downfall of portable workbenches is more about pushing parallel to the top. For example: using a bench plane to joint a face.
I had the bora to cut up plywood it did the job well till I let the plywood drop on it too fast and broke three of the grey plastic pieces that hold the differnt accesories.
I think you should try/review the Keter Portable Folding Work Table…I think you would really like it
I've never heard of that until today and several people have commented about it lol. I gotta check it out!
Festool does sell cross members / braces for the MFT 3 to improve the stability.
It should come with it, standard. Not an extra add on though.
I know you've done a review on it in the past, but addin the Kreg ACS would be nice to add to this and rate it as well.
The kreg is better than all of these I would say. It's like the Ryobi but more accessories and just all around better
Great video thanks what about the kreg acs? Anyway thanks again brother for the informative videos
You can make a top for the Bora of 2 3'x3' 3/4 inch plywood giving a 3'x6' table I have the original make of the tables before Bora bought the rights. I have a 2'x4' and a 4'x8' . On the larger table you put an 4x8' foam and use with with a track saw
You may want to add another rating “Price”
Need a portable workbench with adjustable feet/legs for uneven surface or in a yard. I don't know of one yet that wouldn't require use of sawhorses with adjustable legs. Not many sawhorses on the market have adjustable legs and some can't be adjusted much.
Bora just added a new table top as well with a t-track with the dog holes
Matt love your channel and your advice and knowledge. I do have the bora MFT top which I purchased from amazon because I found the base unit for sale at a garage sale and I do love the set up but I purchased some accessories that were 20mm and they did not fit the size that worked for me were 19mm / 3/4 inch I don't know if this is a fluke or not or if the Bora top comes in two different sizes help me out. would like to purchase the Taylor tools accessory package but if there 20mm won't work
Ahh, yes it comes in two versions of dog hoes, one is 3/4 one is 20mm
Awesome video Matt. Keep up the awesome work. 👽
Thanks Alien Leader!
It is a dolly. Don't listen to the dorks that call it a hand truck. 🤓
But can any of them reliable take the pressure from holdfasts? I much prefer to use them to hold oieces while i plane or sand boards
What about the kreg mft table?
Quick question. At the 2:53 when you first talk about big swimbaits, it looks like the bait is hooked upside down. Is that something special trick?
I have a bora, Keter and workmate. The Keter is nice and sets up in 3 seconds. Bora is nice too!
I was looking at the keter folding work bench
The keters are great. I have a few myself
Always enjoy the videos and info thanks!
Thanks for watching!
I have the bora 2X4 & 4X8. Every time I use the 2X4 I wish I had the 4X4.
Matt, would it be easier to built your own and cheaper? Don't have problem with the brands but if you make your own it is under your spec of what your needs and space? Use it don't use it??
I learned the pinch point the hard way on the Bora