8020 vs Paulk Style Workbench

[Bugsysiegals]

I’m building several 24” deep mobile cabinets for tool storage and then planning to build a few workbenches which the cabinets will roll underneath.  The workbenches will have MDF tops with Parf Guide drilled holes and I figured I could do some clamping, sanding, and align the Kapex deck so they’d also serve as a miter station.

I was planing to make the workbenches with 8020 but I’m now considering whether it makes more sense to build Paulk style bench tops which sit on top of 2x4” framing.  My thoughts are that they could be lifted off the base and set on saw horses for breaking down 4x8’ sheets and then placed back on top of the base when finished (perhaps can be re-aligned with some dogs on the bottom MDF).  In addition, assuming these would be 30” deep, I could also use them as a MFT style cutting station using dogs with rail clips which could even be taken mobile in the future.

I love the idea of keeping things lean, reusable, flexible, etc.  Maybe I’ve not searched enough but haven’t seen any other posts of anybody else doing this so I figured I’d create a new thread and ask your thoughts. Are these tops fairly sturdy, remain square, etc.?  Does this sound like a better solution than 8020 which is more of a one trick pony?

 

[Grev]

I built myself some modular "Paulk Style" MFT cubes and use them on my TrackTubes.  I always thought that using the extrusions is a better foundation than the Paulk sawhorses.  The modular units are 24 x 32 and much easier to manage and more versatile than a larger bench.  You can swing them around and position them where you need them on the tubes.  These could easily be adapted to a permanent bench base as you suggested.  Just giving you ideas .. good luck with your benches.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I built myself some modular "Paulk Style" MFT cubes and use them on my TrackTubes.  I always thought that using the extrusions is a better foundation than the Paulk sawhorses.  The modular units are 24 x 32 and much easier to manage and more versatile than a larger bench.  You can swing them around and position them where you need them on the tubes.  These could easily be adapted to a permanent bench base as you suggested.  Just giving you ideas .. good luck with your benches.

I love what you've done here, nice work and thanks for sharing!  I was considering longer Paulk style tops so I appreciate you sharing the smaller unit idea.  I could use them on top of the mobile cabinets while at home but would definitely need something better than the saw horses to keep them rigid and possibly connected ... maybe the smart connector dogs with some smaller pieces of MDF, etc.

Have your Paulk style units stayed flat without warping?  Are they sturdy enough to assemble a cabinet on top of without it gluing up not square?

 

[Grev]

Have your Paulk style units stayed flat without warping?  Are they sturdy enough to assemble a cabinet on top of without it gluing up not square?

I actually built these a couple years ago and stored them in my cargo trailer to use when I traveled to help family with projects.  Mine are built out of 3/4" plywood with HDPE laminate.  I haven't used them to assemble anything very large, but they are flat and square (haven't warped) and I'm sure you could assemble a cabinet or any large case square.  I always use Jevons clamping squares, so that helps with a quick and square assembly.

 

[mkasdin]

I’m building several 24” deep mobile cabinets for tool storage and then planning to build a few workbenches which the cabinets will roll underneath.  The workbenches will have MDF tops with Parf Guide drilled holes and I figured I could do some clamping, sanding, and align the Kapex deck so they’d also serve as a miter station. ....  Does this sound like a better solution than 8020 which is more of a one trick pony?

I’m building three styles of cabinets out of 5/8” Baltic birch for sides and 3/4” for the top and bottom with sliding draws.
1. The shop cabinet set are for building materials to haul around in a trailer and get them out of the ridgid milk crates. 
2.  set for various hand tools and yellow and red tools.
3. set of cabinets are for the few systainers that get used frequently.
I’m doing the benchtop out of series#10 80/20 aluminum extrusion.  Keeping the length to 6’ - 8 foot in length. I want to have the ability to join/scab them laterally or across the back. So the width of the mdf top is at 24” which nets a 26” width. Hope that helps? I’ll post some pictures once I start...