Its all about the bench 

I put EVERYTHING on wheels. I can rearrange my small shop in just a few minutes. Cleaning is so much easier and a new arrangement makes it feel like a new shop.

I bought your plans and spent Christmas revolutionizing my shop. I converted a hospital bed into a portable big bench that acts as an outfeed for my shop tablesaw and a tracksaw panel breakdown/assembly table. I can raise/lower it as well as tilt which is fantastic for dealing with my uneven floors and micro adjusting for infeed from tablesaw or viceversa when tablesaw is the outfeed for the big bench….I always wanted a torsion box top on the hospital bed table as it was such a handy assembly table before but top height was too low. Your concepts and thoughtful design has allowed me to take my shop to the next level of efficiency. I am very grateful.

I know it's a "sales" video, but I still enjoy your presentations. Your time, ideas, and effort are appreciated!

Hey Ron, I’m glad to be a part of the ronpaulk-workbench-family. Thank you for your work in creating, planning, building and filming. Please go on.

As an eight year Paulk bench user, I cannot overstate the value of Ron’s efficiency on my workflow. I always thank you Ron for your innovation. I’ve been busier than a one armed paper hanger, but as soon as I get a break, the smart carts are next. Really looking forward to moving my benches around in my small shop.

Came here because of @scott Brown Carpentry and subscribing because of the great videos.

Good to see a new video. No longer doing much myself but I like you and the way you think.

I love how they all work together and are so interchangeable!

Just started my contracting business a few months ago. Bought your plans. Built the smart bench then the smart station, then put them on wheels… then built my cradles for the table saw and sander… currently halfway through the complete trailer build out. Each week I get more and more productive as I build out your system. It’s amazing. And it’s safer than working on a just a couple of saw horses… couldn’t imagine building out the trailer without the benches. Especially because I’m working in a small basement carrying stuff up as I build to make room as i live in the North East and it’s cold right now to say the least… thanks for your system Ron, its amazing…

Great video and as always, thanks for the content in all the directions you go! I have a "semi-compact" bench I built (3x7) with MFT top, pipe rails for table saw support, lower spreader, and SMART total station horses with material supports but could not obtain light weight ply so it weighs a bit! I am super happy with it and when I find a supplier of premcore ply, I plan on building the total station and an additional compact workbench. This time, employing your newer "hanging" system using the bench dogs with all the accessories - which allows me to make the SMART carts and make them mobile. I am very excited about this eventual build. I am not always on concrete surfaces at job sites but when I am, the mobility will be awesome! If I am able to upgrade to a wider SMART trailer, they would then fit in the isle like in your trailer. Thanks Ron!

Love the modular nature of the benches and your enthusiasm for them!

Totally awesome...so much thought/engineering! I totally agree...the mobility is a game changer.

I'm so glad my brother sent me one of your videos several years ago. I have been a residential carpenter for almost 16 years now, and have always been the most organized person on the job. I'm about to take it up a big notch! Ha ha! I bought a package deal of your plans a while back, and am finally going to start building my own benches. I'm going to build both benches you had set up with a cart for each and one router table to start. I did buy enough plywood to build a cradle though. It will most likely be for a Kreg Foreman, which I have yet to purchase. Thank you for all your quality content Ron.

My first shop project was to make a safer setup for my table saw, the internet drove me to the original Paulk Workbench. I bought all of Ron’s plans and built mine. It is a wonderful workbench and I am proud as heck of it. But these new benches are irresistible, I guess I’m going to keep building stuff for my shop.

Thanks for the deep dive on your great benches. Another useful video. Would you comment on the below-the-table (extension) dust issue for your router on the station? Does the dust collection on the fence catch most of the dust? I'd love a peek under the fully set-up station to see how you organize the dust collection and the cables.

Best shop designs anywhere.

Great overview.. thanks..

Hey Ron - I bought your workbench plan a few months back. I built the bench and the mobile base and I've been using them for a while now. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the thought you put into this system because it has really improved my accuracy and workflow when making cabinets. A lot of people see the holes and assume an MFT is only useful for clamping/work holding. They are missing the larger purpose which is (among other things) superbly accurate and repeatable cross cuts of larger panels. I used to struggle with large table saw crosscut sleds or various cutting guides when cutting wide panels for cabinets. Not anymore. I made a few minor modifications to suit my particular situation. I put the bench on a pair of Toughbuilt metal saw horses with adjustable legs. I like being able to make the bench taller for certain types of work. They are very strong and portable and they work perfectly with the Smart Kart mobile base. I added a UJK Parf fence and rail dogs for my Bosch track saw rail which makes batching out deadly square cabinet parts super easy and accurate. For my top, I used the CNC files provided for free by TSO. I took them to a local CNC routing shop and they cut it in an hour for about $100. Although Festool created the MFT concept, you've taken it to a whole new level and also made it accessible to those of us who can't afford a Festool MFT. Many thanks to you on behalf of garage woodworkers everywhere!

Great video! Thank you for everything you do Ron! Keep up the great work.

Absolutley love everything you do Ron! Keep up the great ideas... built the original Paulk Bench, but will be upgrading plans and going with the all newer benches...

Ron Just wanted to say thanks for all your efforts. I’ve had a bigger bench for several years now and use it daily. I’m just about finished with my trailer and have built one PSB so far. Working on a cradle for my table saw currently. Not only do they all work great but you’ve also taught me to be a better carpenter and how important flow is. I appreciate it.

Hello Ron. It seems like yesterday that I ordered the Paulk II workbench plans. I tuned in today and see you have done so much more with the concept. I'm in post-op recovery and sidelined, so I thought about you and checked in. Thanks for sharing your views on the mobility issues. Once I get beyond the restrictions, I plan on tinkering with some light woodwork again. The cart concept is just the ticket for reducing my weight limitations at that point.

Great video! You are a tremendous problem solver, thanks for sharing.

Check your trailer tire. Looks to be low on air. 😉

Building my first wood shop at 55 and my first big build will be the Big Benches. Also I’m going to tell Stumpy Nubs that you convinced me to go metric in the shop. Big fan, keep it up.

thought i was watching Robert Redford for a second there.

You have given so much to the sawdust makin community, thank you. I also have put all I can on wheels. The biggest thing I’ve gotten from this channel over the years, is to follow my own ideas”all the way” when I got my trailer years ago I saw the truck you outfitted. I thought wow. Then I saw the history of your outfitting set up and realized that this is a process. I threw out my simplified ideas and went all out on some concepts to see if they would work knowing that I’d be refining the ideas some years to come. When I get someone that wants to do their own set up but don’t know where to start, I send them here.

Nice Workbench. Great presentation

Great video

I just found out about your benches & very excited about learning more about what you have to offer:) Thank you

Great explanation!

Wonderful video, Ron. This will help so many people get going on building their bench. Maybe another Smart Cross Cut video, since you only mentioned it on this one.

Ron - have you consider making a set of CNC files available for purchase? That would be a huge time saver in making these. You could find a cnc service to convert your sketch up files to a cnc format

Seems like the paulk bench (the 3 foot by 6 foot one) would make a good infeed support for a tablesaw if you are ripping something really big. Although a tracksaw is really better for that anyway.

Very helpful explanation of the entire system!! Thanks so much!

Looks awesome, can't wait to dive in further

Is Ron the younger brother of Robert Redford?

Do you have any videos showing you demonstrating you using the bench on a job site ? I think people could get a better perspective of how you use it if they actually see you moving the wood around and how you roll the benches around to where you need them. And to show all the uses of the holes in action Thanks for the video

I always enjoy your videos.

Love smart system thinking. Great job!

I have to say, I'm very interested in building one of these. I bought the plans and I can't wait to get started. You obviously put a lot of thought into this system.

Great work

Nice ideas, great job, clear videos .Warm greetings to you, from the other side of the ocean... Sotos from Greece

Thanks for the lowdown!

Great start to 2022! Keep it up!

Heck, I like the stretcher shelf. I usually park my cordless circular saw on it, maybe a full-sized router, or whatever else won't slip inside the bench. But okay, you've talked me into trying out a cart. I admit, it would be nice to be able to easily slide around a little to stick the occasional long piece of trim through a doorway, or whatever.

Premcore! I work by myself and don't even try to move a 4x8 sheet of plywood if I can help it. Looking at the big benches there is no way I could manage those :-) I'll see if someone carries it here in Honolulu but with the prices of plywood nowadays I might have to live with my hell shop for a bit longer. Thanks Ron... these are great designs! Aloha

Thanks for making this video! I've been working with the PSB for almost two years now. It was the first thing I made when I ventured into my.own business--so thank you for these videos. My main concern in adding.the cart is the foot space/ergomics of center of gravity over the workspace. It seems like whatever the mobility benefit is far outweighs whatever concern that is. I suppose I could just add some table extentions kind of like your router table.

Built my 1st bench off Ron's original plans, modified to 3'x6' It's time to look at building my next generation table. Struggling with the idea of switching to the 20mm dogholes though lol

Thanks

I need A good workbench ⚠️✌🏼

It's a shame that I can't find a way to procure any of the CanUSA Premcore premium plywood in my area (NW PA.). I don't know whether it's the disastrous state of pandemic supply chain disruption or just dysfunctional corporate lumber yards that never adequately serve customers, but I couldn't order any of that material to save my life. I love how Ron designs and sets up these truly outstanding workbenches. The only problem with videos like this is that he refers to other videos without providing any links, so it's hit-and-miss on searching for specific titles.

I'm not gonna lie, I actually thought that was Garry Bussey for a minute. Well, I subbed even though it's clearly just his brother.

I'm interested in his desk, I'll try to follow and make it👍🙏

So the Smart Station is just a Smart Bench with some accessories? Though the mitre saw is mounted well below the table top level of the rest of it.

Ron - great video as always. Question - any chance of combining the design of the Smart cross cut with the design of your miter saw extensions - seems (to amateur like me) that there could be some synergy there

Ron, Love your videos and I will be building one of your workbenches. I have a question that maybe you could address on your next video. How did you determine to use 20 mm instead of 3/4" holes? And for someone that would use the bench as more of a universal work space, (working with small parts and such), would it be good to make some hinge holes on the top so you could flip it over and have a solid top or just make a top that would use the holes to secure it? I would not leave any hole off the top because you would lose some of the functionality.

Hi Ron, I got your plans and built some benches inspired by them a few years ago. I went for a mobile option back then with the idea that I'd be able to use the separate units together as needed. Sadly my flat garage floor isn't actually that flat! so they don't line up properly, so may be time to look into the smart cart option. By the way I can't see any of your comments - is that deliberate?

Another great video, I really like your ideas, so much I purchased four of your plans, the problem is that two of the pdf's have an error in them that prevents them from displaying anything. I tried logging into the store and was going to re-download the two files that have errors in them but I can't find a way to do that without paying for them again. I looked for a way to contact you through some kind of email but could not find one. Will you help me? If so, please provide an email in your reply to this comment. Thanks!

brilliant

Absolutely LOVE this bench. I bought the plans to it, the Smart Cradle (since I work a fair bit of commercial) and the table saw sled. I’m curious if you have a ply sheet breakdown for cutting out the parts? So far, it looks like I will need (3) full sheets of 3/4” Lightweight “Kanoosa primcore Plus”. . .just curious if you have a preferred map of maximizing the off cuts for the sheets & what parts to cut from what sheet. Thanks and please keep up the great content! Can’t wait to start building this bench!

I think you did a great job explaining the benches with one possible exception. Why do you have the Big Bench? What do you use it for? And how might someone just setting up in their garage benefit from using it rather than the PSB? I know it's more real-estate, but what do you use that extra surface area for, or how do you imagine others might use it?

Awesome

Your friends at TSO Products need to have a look at the website certificate - my antivirus is flagging their website as unsafe!

Love you’re benches,but that bottom pc would be in the way for toe kick space

Ah! Forgot to mention I bought a UJK Parff Guide system. Still in the box. Held up on its use by the heart issues. I will be remaking you original model with it using 20 mm system. I'll check out those TSO? source for the dogs.

I work in homes on Long Island as a carpenter and we have to set up outside most of the time unless it’s a big job that’s got a mess in it already or have to do a lot of prep work to cut inside but to have a giant bench rolling around someone’s kitchen I don’t see it being actually applied unless you do new home construction no way can you do this residential you would have one headache customer sayings floors scratched list goes on but seems like a good bench to have on a job site would be awesome never seen one with a vise on it that’s not for a woodworking shop I never watched you before and hear a lot about you just wanted to give you some feedback that I can see this being used as an outdoor bench you set up by the door

Ron, do you experience sagging or any issues with those black storage bins on dollies? Keeping with the wheel theme, I tried it for my garage bins and the bottom one started crumpling on its base. I was going to cut a plywood piece so the bin has a full bottom to rest on instead of just the 2 small dolly ends for support. Seeing if you had any tips

Nice

How difficult would it be to mount a Twin Turbo Vice to one of your benches?

After purchasing a number of your plans I've yet to actually build one.. now you have changed them( for the better) so which do you think I'll need for a permanent shop. I was a builder/ remodeler for years but became disabled so no more field work. I've always wanted to make jewelry, keepsake boxes,etc. and have the major tools and finally have access to shop space. Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

How is the stability of the PSS for planing? I see woodworkers with those heavy 300 lb. hardwood Sjobergs benches, for example, but it seems to me that, in exchange for hardwood, you have your power tools which might give the PSS the heft it needs (off the wheels, of course) to be a stable platform for woodworking (in addition to carpentry). Plus it's infinitely more modular. With the two bench extensions, router plate & lift, cradles, etc., I imagine you have close to 200 lbs. in tools & accessories alone (maybe more). How much weight does the PSS bench and the PSK add themselves? Is it comparable? Obviously I'm thinking in terms of working from home as people aren't typically mobile to do that kind of work. But the PSS may still be a great option for those of us who don't have a lot of room in a garage where we still park cars but who are also interested in woodworking in addition to carpentry.

Love your work Ron, I just quit working for someone else to start my own company. I bought the ART and plan on making the bench, any ideas how to make it work in a grass yard or gravel driveway?

Have you shown your Kreg DB210 Foreman Pocket Hole Machine with the cradle in any of your videos? I'd like to see that.

What I'm interested in is what is the right answer for the occassional woodworker / homeowner / home organizer. This isn't my source of income. What I'm trying to do is tackle honey-do lists. Any tools I buy or build are going to sit unused in my garage 95% of the time where they will be taking up space. For that reason, I'm favoring compactness and minimizing tool purchases vs. pure efficiency. A 24" wide workbench is better for storing along the wall in my garage vs. a 36" wide top. Here's my idea ... one traditional thick top, sturdy woodworking bench combined with 1 or 2 sit/stand desks with MFT tops mounted on them. When stored, the heights of the sit/stand desks can be adjusted so that the whole array of benches can be Chinese-dolled against the wall. When I need to cut some wood, I can use the bench and the desks in whatever configuration I need as infeed or outfeed or assembly tables, and I can use the desks for other things besides woodworking. All the RU-vid videos I watch are created with the assumption of full time usage.

Ron: Do you put a finish on the work benches? If so, what would you recommend?

It's probably explained in one of the videos, but could you clarify why 96mm is an industry standard? I work hard metric and can't yet see the logic in it.

The whole time I was watching this video, I was thinking “man, he looks like Robert Redford”

What face vise are you using here? I have most of your plans and will be building the PSB shortly.

Ron, do you have a link to the plywood you use? It's so hard to find decent plywood over here. I'm used to easily available goof stuff when I used to live in the UK.

Hi Ron, what do you have for floors in your trailer. I just bought a 6.5x10 EZ hauler and I want to put a better floor than the 5/8 it came with. Thank you for your time. Peace

Do you have cradle for old craftsman table saw

Was that the birch or maple plywood you used, and are they the same weights? Calling supplier to get my plywood tomorrow to build me a bench, thanks Ron!

Which one is better to use MDF or Plywood to make desktop wood dog bench hole on it

What aprin is that?

I must be missing something. Seems like a normal assembly table or fabrication table with dog holes. How is a torsion box revolutionary? Don't get me wrong looks nice and all but seems like a infomercial add trying to sell a torsion box. Putting wheels on tables is hardly revolutionary. If this is a sales pitch I have no idea what you are trying to sell or to who.

This is a pretty solid little workbench. While once you figure out how it comes together, it is physically Easy to assemble ru-vid.comUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh by yourself. But the diagrams explaining the steps are really pretty bad. I could not get the handle pins in all the way despite multiple attempts, so I just used a screw I had on hand for the 2nd handle. I could not get the first pin in further or pull it back out. You are supposed to hammer it in, but I had no leverage and the handle is plastic and I did not want to risk breaking it. I will get a lot of use out of the bench because of the convenient size and height. It does fold up nicely for storage. They even explain how to fold it so you don't get pinched...that is important!