With all the great projects recently posted, I feel ashamed to present this, but being my insensitive self, I thought stuff it, go for it… someone has to make other “less impressive project” look great.
NO!... I didn’t make the tabletops, even though I have the UJK Parf Guide System… too many holes and I just ripped the tip off my right index finger…
lame… duck.
Back to the project… Quite, a few years ago (circa 2019) I bought 2 Bora Centipedes (1,219.2mm x 1,219.2mm) when they were practically giving them away at a hardware closedown sale. After opening it up, I quickly realised they were just too big to setup, however at their price I was loathe to return them and filed then in some spare spaces,
and ordered a smaller one (609.6mm x 1,219.2mm) that was setup in a permanent position in the workshop,
While it takes up space, it has been a handy workspace with half of it dedicated to my Shaper Origin (that I still haven’t used), however, the larger ones laid dormant for a few years.
After reading somewhere that someone ran a Shaper continually on a project that took nearly 30 minutes, with my still dodgy left arm I freaked out and immediately ordered their new BenchPilot.
It was back ordered and finally arrived last week, near 6 months later.
No room in the workshop, I thought I could probably use one of the dormant centipedes upstairs in my patio. Grabbed the one in the workshop,
(don’t ask why I didn’t use the one stored under the bench in the patio… another l_oo_nnn_gggg story)… dusted it down and bought a Boratabletop (609.6mm x 1,219.2mm) for it and found a convenient corner for it. Unfortunately, it only covered ½ the centipede
and I debated just a chunk of 18mm MDF to pad it out. Looking at one of our “local” (24K away) merchants, they had a Boratabletop without its accoutrements for $30. Naturally I snapped it up not considering how I would attach it to the centipede.
With the front one secured all I needed to do was secure the second to the first and keep them together
… but how?
I “cannibalised” 3 connectors from the first table
but with only one anchor point on each leg, how to connect the two tabletops at the join?
I thought of screwing/doweling them through the sides, however, screws/holes in MDF “endgrain” is a no-no, so I considered braces using the dog holes.
First I cut a swag of 18mm plugs,
found their centre point,
plugged two adjoining holes,
and measure centre to centre (126mm),
In CorelDraw, I drafted out a brace with two 20mm holes,
and cut out one from some 6mm MDF scrap, using my laser
Tested for fit using two veritas dogs,
Amazed at first time fit… I was gruntled. Cut 2 braces and glued the plugs in with CA,
and coaxed it into a tight friction fit, used 2 dogs to test fit,
Ideal view of the single anchor point on each leg.
While they may seem obtrusive on the top, if they get in the way there is no reason why they can’t be mounted from underneath,
with enough friction to keep them in place.
While the patio is under cover and enclosed there are enough opening to let birds in, but the dumb bastards have trouble getting out, shit themselves all over my furniture. One managed to spot the single tabletop the first night,
Unfortunately I couldn't find the traditional red and white table top cover, so I had to settle for a conservative "waterproof synthetic", to keep the crap off... only the foreign avian gems, I'm just hoping I master my fear of the Shaper and get to use my new workbench after the finger heals.
Sorry for the pathetic content, but remember, I'm currently a cripple... but if you got this far, I'm sorry to inform, with the non typing crippled finger... more to come.
FOR NOW!
Don’t be crafty Craftisians,... SHARE your craft!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I love my centipede...I got the 4x8 one and they weren't giving it away either...I do not have the top tho...I suppose I better keep up with the ducks tho. I did 3d print the cradles for the 2x4 or what ever you call a 2x4 in 3rd world countries. I made one for each leg...then I cut on it with the track saw on it. If anybody is going to get one, make sure you get the 30" tall one or whatever cm that is.... but good fix on this one duckster....
SplinterGroup At first I thought you'd go for one of your fancy Domino counter top edge linker doodads, but noooo! This fix is "perfect"!
Damn it Splinter, where were you when I was mulling over the solution with a cask-o-vino as the mentor.
I never considered my Domino… could have been another ideal opportunity to use their breakdown connectors… much as I have that love affair with MDF, endgrain work still freaks me out… every marriage has its foibles.
Moke commented about 10 hours ago I love my centipede...I got the 4x8 one and they weren't giving it away either...I do not have the top tho...I suppose I better keep up with the ducks tho.
Personally they are worth every shekel... I can't imagine how anyone can possibly fit a 1219.2mm x 2438.4mm into their workspace.... appreciate that a 4' x 8' will probably fit better. Being a devout advocate of the MFT style tabletop, the perforation of 20mm dog holes was a must... was just a tad too lazy to drill myself and our local MDF supplier only sold appropriate MDF in 4800mm x 2400mm sheets and they refuse to cut MDF to fit in the car... and guess who's too lazy to hitch up the trailer with The Donald inspired petrol shortage. I use these packers
under the job when using my tracksaw on it
all aligned using TSO lock-dogs, keeping everything at a perfect 90°.
Dutchy/Gary G, I first became aware of the Shaper just over 6 7 years ago and immediately thought of hundreds of uses. Having a 110V transformer, I wanted to order one from the States, however, the supplier/manufacturer declined as they said that as it couldn’t be supported in Aussieland, it could besmirch the brand name/reputation. Skip forward 6 years, when they became available locally, I immediately placed an order, without though of what I would/could use it for today… so far I haven’t been inspired to use it on anything worthwhile... I've had it since Jan 2025, yet to cut wood/MDF/plastic... just air cuts so far.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Nice write up Duck. You are smarter than some give you credit for :=)
I quit doing trade work in 2013 when I had my heart bypass done. I am not positive how long I have had my centipede, but it was at least 3 years before that, and back then they were either so very expensive or like mine around 85 bux for my 4' x 8', and accessories. Then not long after they took it off the market, and then reintroduced them in 2017, when Bora had a reorganization. I have had some Bora through the years, and always liked their products.
Much later I bought a few of those holed out tops, but really haven't had near as much use of them as the centipede itself. It's almost hard to fathom something so light, and yet so strong, and when you are done using it, it shrinks up to such a small space and can fully support a full sheet of plywood, because I don't have either a Festoool or Kreg with their fancy schmancy tables. I can easily use my Dewalt to shear down a sheet of plywood into pieces sized as I need them.
Theoretically with the tops it would be easier yet. I cut way too many sheets without tops, and got a system down, as I said I hardly use them, but I have them if I need them.
Anybody on the fence, just pop for one, get the top if you need it. You won't be sorry.
The Bora Centipede (originally the Centipede Support System or Centipede Sawhorse/Workstand from Centipede Tool, LLC) was introduced in 2015.
A May 2015 press release announced that the Centipede Portable Work System was launching in retail stores, with details on models like the 2’ x 4’ sawhorse/support that folds compactly and holds significant weight. Inventor Ed Adkins and business partner Keith Fyhr developed it.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
Thanks GW, I get my smarts from a cask-o-vino... Doesn't make me any smarter, but lets me BS to perfection and ignore criticism. I'm a addict to the perforations and have made the MFT my preferred love interest. I've found the 20mm dog holes provided greater versatility than 3/4" 19mm worm holes, and when I discovered the TSO loc-dogs, I use them extensively to attach whatever I can (after modification) for low/no profile connection. The Swiss cheese effect is a PITA, however, the convenience nearly outweighs getting down on all fours to pick up items that fall through the dog holes... but once on the floor I can have a quick snooze while contemplating/formulating how to struggle to get back up.... I just need to remember to carry the remote for my hoist to pick me up, Fortunately it runs above the centipede.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Rich, as usual you never read the entire post, or too stupid to understand what you read. Probably the big words like ummm and duh throw you off. Reread, and look for the part where it was available, taken off the market, then reintroduced. Is Grok your make believe friend who holds your hand during storms?
I could use a lift like that LBD. Move around the shop like that mechanic in Mad Max.
Wouldn't need any operator since with Alexa or Siri I could command it to slowly drop me down to just above the table saw blade for some critical cuts...
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