Anyone using the Bora Centipede?

[Packard]

I am currently using two steel (read: heavy) saw horses along with two 2” x 4” x 8’ studs to support a 4’ x 8’ sheet of foam insulation as a work table for cutting sheet goods with my track saw.

It works well, sets up in about 5 minutes.  It is heavy and breaking down takes as long as setting up.  The base is extremely sturdy.

This Bora centipede is much lighter, sets up much quicker and stores quickly in a carrying case.

They come in 3 sizes.  4’ x 4’; 4’ x 6’ and 4’ x8’.

Is anyone using this?  Are you happy with it?  What size is most useful for breaking down full sheets of plywood?

The 4 x 4 is $80.00
The 4 x 6 is $135.00
The 4 x 8 is $210.00

Two 4 x 4 setups are cheaper than on 4 x 8.

What size do you think works best?

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=74278]Packard[/member] - one of our team recently moved and is working on a compatible garage / car/ workshop set-up. I happened to speak with him yesterday and he commented how well the Centipede works for him.

I will get in touch with our Ryan W and ask him to provide a specific recommendation without bias to any of the versions we have been selling on TSOproducts.com

And yes, we use the Centipede in our own large commercial building.

Look for more details.
Hans

 

[4nthony]

I bought a 4x8 Centipede that I use in the other half of the garage when I move the Bronco to the driveway.

My primary use is cutting down sheet goods. I throw a full sheet of rigid insulation on it and it works well. I have a couple of their quick clamps but haven't needed to use them.

I was previously cutting sheet goods on the floor, so when I set it up, it's nice to have an additional surface to put things. It's much more stable than I thought it would be. It is easy to set up and break down. Wrangling it into the storage bag isn't as difficult as I expected it to be.

In hindsight, I think I would've been fine getting the 4x6. I don't think having full sheets overhanging would be much of a problem when cutting them down.

 

[jonnyrocket]

Packard,  I have two of the centipedes. I used them religiously before I received the Festool STM. I haven’t used them since.

The biggest challenge with them, that I had, was that they are designed assuming that they will be set up on a perfectly flat surface. Setting them up on uneven surfaces causes some of the legs to “float” and they can then wobble slightly, depending on the stability of the other legs.

My recommendation is that, if you go this route, buy a size just smaller than what you want to use it for. I.e., a 4’x6’ centipede for braking down 4’x8’ sheets. And a 4x4 if you use much 5x5 sheets.
Reason being is that the legs of the 4’x8’ size are right at the edges of the system and so if the 4’x8’ piece of foam moves slightly when loading the sheet goods, then the foam can slip off the edge supports and tip down.  This becomes even more challenging if your piece of foam is made of two pieces of 4’x4’ for easier storage.

(Edit: Anthony posted his response while I was typing mine).

 

[Packard]

I think I will try the 4 x 6.

Thanks.

 

[gunnyr]

Am I using the Bora Centipede!!  I have 2 of them an use them as a tool base, cutting station and sometimes even as a table! 

My 2x4 table top is configured for cutting station use.  The 2x2 table top is set up to attach the FastCap Fast Fence system. 
I've found them to be incredibly strong, stability is greatly improved as the weight increases.  I put rubber chair pads on the tops that line up with the tops of the Centipede legs to improve stability when there is no load on the table and to better locate the top.

I now have the KSC 60 so the DeWalt chop saw was donated to #1 son.  I think I'll likely put the extenders on the 2x2 so it is the same height as the 2x2.

I first started using the Centipede tables when I had a pick up.  I would have to store them in their carry bags and have to fish them out of the depths of my pick up bed.  Now that I have a van the Centipedes are stored in the side box of my van so I can quickly access them.  By storying them where they are readily available I tend to use them a lot more!  I have reached a point where I want things OFF the ground!  [unsure] [big grin]

[attachimg=2][attachimg=1]
[attachimg=3][attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]

 

[Imemiter]

Bora Centipedes are the only thing standing between me and an MW 1000! I got my first one after seeing Franks Ghetto Bench Build on YouTube. So far I've made three and sold two. I'm thinking about trying the higher legs next. The only downside that's ever mattered to me is that you lose the space beneath the bench. Stuff can be threaded in there, but it's usually not worth bothering with. Other than that, Centipedes have been a love story.

 

[gsdvorak]

My wife bought me the 4 x 6 version for Christmas a few years ago- I already had been using my STM for breaking down sheet goods so mine has been used primarily for finishing- perfect height for me to set a piece of furniture on for staining and spraying top coat.  I've been using misc plywood cutoffs as the top for this, but thinking about making some fold-up tops out of 1/2" ply or pdf. 

If I didn't have the STM I would probably use it for sheet goods- it works great on a level surface (garage floor)- I'm not sure it would do well at a job site though.  Really like that it 'folds' up for easy storage- very easy to setup and take down.

Gerald

 

[rst]

I bought the 4 x 6 with the tops.  I sent the centipede back as it was a pain on commercial site work and the way the top was to be attached was ridiculous. Kept the top to use on my STM.

 

[Leemstradamus]

I have the largest one and I'm not in love with it. I got it to cut down sheet goods and nothing ever quite fit on it. I'm still in the beginner phase but might give it a go for finishing on it.

I've found I still like using my DeWalt miter saw stand as a portable base to break down sheet goods.

 

[rst]

After returning the Bora I returned to using the two DeWalt WDX 725 stands.  They are much wider and more stable than most saw horses at 36" wide they support 4' and wide stock with much more stability.  Also they lock together and while heavy that makes them stable and can be carried with a shoulder strap...I used a tool bag strap from one of the many too bags that came with tools.  Anyone needing a bag contact me as I have some really nice ones that have never been used.
For sheet work I connect them with a pair of 8' 1530 8020 extrusions...stability excellence, which I need when cutting laminated glass on site.  I bored two holes in each stand to insert bolts into tapped holes in the extrusions.

 

[Packard]

The other alternative I am considering is pairing my B & D Workmate with a matching one.  I could always clamp a 3” wide by 4 foot long 3/4” thick board in both, thus supporting the entire width of a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood. I already have one.  A second one is under $100.00.

 

[gunnyr]

The other alternative I am considering is pairing my B & D Workmate with a matching one.  I could always clamp a 3” wide by 4 foot long 3/4” thick board in both, thus supporting the entire width of a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood. I already have one.  A second one is under $100.00.

Scott Landis devotes a chapter to the lowly Workmate right along side the classic benches in his book "The Workbench Book"

 

[Paul_HKI]

Another fan of the Centipede here.  I have a couple of the 2x2 type which I use frequently for finishing (I put an IKEA desk top on them for that purpose, cheap, lightweight, perfect fit) and using the X shaped cradles and some 2"x4"s as trestles for staging hardwood boards while I'm working a load through the planer/thicknesser. 

Space is at a premium in my workshop and the compact storage footprint of the Centipede stands makes a lot of sense for me.  They take a lot of weight also and as already stated they are really sturdy if set up on a level floor.  I like them a lot.

 

[ChuckM]

I got a box of 4 Centipedes for the price of 1 from a guy, and have since given one away and sold one, and now have two in the shop. They're seldom used because they're nowhere near as versatile as my Krenvo style sawhorses, which can handle not just sheets or large carcases but also planks, long lumber, etc.

As they don't take up much space, there is no harm having one or two around.

[attachimg=1]

 

[kevinculle]

I bought a Centipede a while back and only used it a few times.  So I built a benchtop with about 8" of rise to attach to it.  It's now my sanding and finishing station.

 

[Packard]

I got a box of 4 Centipedes for the price of 1 from a guy, and have since given one away and sold one, and now have two in the shop. They're seldom used because they're nowhere near as versatile as my Krenvo style sawhorses, which can handle not just sheets or large carcases but also planks, long lumber, etc.

As they don't take up much space, there is no harm having one or two around.

[attachimg=1]

I was not familiar with the Krenov saw horses.  I found this Fine Woodworking video showing hou to make them.  Actually there were 8 videos.  About 2-1/4 hours worth.

I did not watch more than 3 minutes.  If you can’t demonstrate how to make a saw horse in under 10 minutes, the you need to get a job at the motor vehicle department.  They too are experts on wasting your time.

For all the masochists with too much time on your hands, I present volumes #1 through #8 for you enjoyment.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/02/06/iconic-krenov-style-sawhorse

 

[cpw]

I have the 4x8 and a few 2x4s from before they were Bora branded.  For sheet goods I prefer the STM; though it obviously is in a different league cost wise.  For the sheet goods, with a foam top, I found the 4x8 centipede to not line up quite right and to be a little bit flimsy.

For small tables, I prefer the Dewalt folding tables ($119 now, but I got a couple of them for $49/each IIRC).  The Dewalt tables can be used inside or outside; and you don't need to separately keep the sheet of foam.  They also have enough slots cut in them to use Festool style ratchet clamps (the holes are no good for that, because the top is too thick).  3 of them spaced widely are good enough for dealing with 16' lengths of siding, trim, etc.  One of them makes a good work surface for all kinds of things.

 

[ChuckM]

snip.
I was not familiar with the Krenov saw horses.  I found this Fine Woodworking video showing hou to make them.  Actually there were 8 videos.  About 2-1/4 hours worth.

I did not watch more than 3 minutes.  If you can’t demonstrate how to make a saw horse in under 10 minutes, the you need to get a job at the motor vehicle department.  They too are experts on wasting your time.

For all the masochists with too much time on your hands, I present volumes #1 through #8 for you enjoyment.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/02/06/iconic-krenov-style-sawhorse

Many FW videos, given the pay/subscription model, are like that, long and split into 5 to 8 episodes. A lot of YouTube videos (power tools or hand tools) are also long-winded, and I either skip them all together, or download them and screen the contents quickly. To be fair, NYW has set too high a standard for others to follow or beat!

Content makers should choose quality over quantity, as there're many many people who appreciate to-the-point presentations. Most 30 min. to 1-hour woodworking videos can be chopped to under 5-minute to 15-minute clips without loss of valuable content for me.

 

[rst]

My first job out of high school, 1971, was at a custom kitchen factory, Wood Mode.  We were using “Krenov” style adjustable horses before I discovered Krenov. I built my own from oak and had to them for years.  I discovered Krenov through Fine Woodworking, and still have the original B/W magazines.