If Ron Paulk’s original portable workbench was excellent (and it was), then this new and improved version is beyond excellent.
Ron is a builder in Anacortes, Washington, and a couple of years back he posted a video of his portable workbench. It was so popular he ended up selling plans for it online. A friend of mine built one and it’s a first-rate portable bench. The top consists of two 2×8 hollow plywood boxes (box beams basically) with openings cut through the sides so tools and supplies can be tucked inside. It’s supported by a pair of plywood horses that fold flat for transport. Clamps can be slipped through a series of holes in the top and used as hold-downs.
The original workbench was made from solid stock and 1/2- and 3/4-inch plywood. Version II is made from 1/2-inch plywood alone and is said to be lighter, cheaper, and easier to build. What’s more, it incorporates an integrated router table and has a place to hang a portable table saw so you can leave the saw stand at home and use the bench as an oversize outfeed table.
Plans for the bench go for $10 and are sold from Ron’s website. I have not seen the new ones but the old ones were very well done.
If the bench interests you, you might also want to check out Ron’s mobile wood shop.
