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Is Ron Paulk's Workbench still the ultimate?

10K views 21 replies 15 participants last post by  Jglb1956 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello All,

I've been away from woodworking for a long time. I hope y'all are well! My question:

Is Ron Paulk's Ultimate Workbench still the ultimate? Are there better designs for portable workbench's?

Please post links if you got them.

[Edit] I will be building cabinets in the road, not exactly like Ron Paulk. I'll be living in my van at various job sites. But, a trailer is out of the question. So, I don't want a full workshop in the van. However, I'd also like to be able to do handmade furniture (ultimately just doing furniture on the road [not likely, but hopeful]). I don't know if any of this is actually viable, but we'll see.

If anyone has any ideas for such, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!
Alejandro
 
#2 ·
Just got done looking at YouTube video's of this bench, very cool. But having said that, work benches are a very personal thing, what works for one person may not necessary work for someone else. So that only person that can answer your question is…you! What are you looking for in a bench, what do you want from the bench?

I have that problem like you, I making the move toward a more traditional, hand tool woodworking, my current bench really isn't good for that, so I've been searching for a bench that fits my needs and budget, not easy to do.

Good luck in your search…

Chris
 
#4 ·
Like GGG said, a workbench is personal. You need to determine how high you want it and the size that will fit in your area. I looked at the Ron Paulk bench and I would not like all the holes in the top and the big oval spaces around the perimeter, but that is my feeling. I also like a wood vise on the end and maybe 2 of them. I like an overhang for clamping and a few drawers just under the top and a shelf on the bottom. I also like electrical outlets and compressed air source just under the top.

Figure out your preferences and pull out a blank sheet of paper and make an initial sketch and then decide on the joinery- especially if you feel you may need to take it apart some day to move it. I saw a few with a scissors lift under the top and it is nice for an assembly bench..

cheers, Jim
 
#22 ·
Curious as to what you ended up with? Ron has new compact work bench design with lots of flexibility. I have plans for both his original and Paulk Smart Bench. 30x60 approximately. Fully mobile and expandable to 4x8 in modules. Built a mod version with a buddy for his shop. Slightly smaller for shop dimensions.
The Smart Station is the new tool station. Has miter saw and table saw and two router configuration. All on the same 30x60 platform. Both pieces nest on a cart ECT .

Hope you followed your dream and have a functional mobile shop. In case you didn't see it yet you can get a CNC built Paulk Smart Bench for right @ $1000 delivered to your door now. Ron partnered with another Smart woodshop member. Y Tube video available.
Ps. I bought the UJK parf guide for my holes. And yes there are lots of holes
 
#6 ·
What kind of answer do you expect here? If I say yes and the next says no, are you any farther ahead? I think it's a bench design that if you think you'll like it, you will. I don't see any way to make a lighter bench without using lighter materials.
 
#11 ·
STILL the ultimate? Lol thats a funny blanket statement. For hand tool working its probably the worst bench out there. For DIY and ana white furniture its probably great. If you need portability and work at various jobsites its great. If you are a weekend warrior that has 2 cars in the garage during the week its great. Short answer is it depends. I looked into making one, then looked at the festool mft, but then kreg came out with theirs. I still kind of like the kreg portable workbench and horse combo. But i still just end up throwing a sheet of MdF on my table saw.
 
#13 ·
I plan on copying aspects of his workbench for my office desk. But for a "woodworking bench" I think it is FAR from the ultimate. Way too light for hand tool work. Can't use dogs or hold downs. No big vises for hand mortising. Etc…

It's great for what Ron does and fits his needs perfectly. If you want to do what Ron does, it should be great for you too.
 
#14 ·
Excellent. Thanks everyone.

I will be building cabinets in the road, not exactly like Paulk. I'll be living in my van at various job sites. But, a trailer is out of the question. So, I don't want a full workshop in the van. However, I'd also like to be able to do handmade furniture. I don't know if any of this is actually viable, but we'll see.

If anyone has any ideas for such, I'd love to hear it.
 
#16 ·
I think the concept of the Paulk design is a great idea. It really is a torsion box concept. It's meant to be strong, yet light. But the overall size or size of any part of it can be modified to better suit specific needs.

I'd be willing to bet he didn't engineer the design, so likely there is an even more optimal design of strength to weight ratio. But I don't think anyone needs optimal. For weight, it must be light enough for you to handle, not as light as possible. Same with any holes etc. Make them what you need them to be.

I'd certainly use his idea as a starting point to create a portable, but very strong work surface. I'd look at his details to help me think through my needs, but I would not blindly build his exact workbench.
 
#18 ·
If you want a pretty decent workbench on the cheeep. Go to Harbor Freight and buy theirs. I have one and use it constantly. ( I also have a wall length bench ). If you have to move it - it is movable.

Keep it tight and it will work just fine for all your needs.

When woodworking is your income, then invest in something in the $2-4,000 range.

One "guy" teaches how to make a workbench that knocks down in under 10 minutes but has all the features. If that is your thing. You can also buy it for about $3,800.
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
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#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
Paulks design is strictly load and go as a basis for why it works for him. First I heard the word "ultimate" attached to it though.

If you are a contractor, and plan to load and go, and need a good mutlui function bench, work table, support for tools, et bench, he has given it some thought.

If you just have a shop, and don't plan moving it, and want to do any kind of work, my suggestion is go current. Current is Microjig Matchfit. Check out their version of the ultimate workbench.

https://www.microjig.com/projects

Even if I had to make it load, and go, I would push some of this onto it, great stuff, works as advertised.
 
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