I have made two of your benches over the last year. One from 1/2 inch and one from 3/4 inch plywood. Both are equally strong. I love them and had a blast making them from scratch. Best wishes to you on this venture Ron!
Where did you order this bench from, or is it changed and now it is owned by fastcap and branded as such? I cannot find the Paulk plans nor the bench for purchase.
FWIW, I sanded the oval cutouts on the side pieces for a smooth finish. I sprayed the top with Polycrylic (about four coats, sanding in between) to help with drips, etc. I strongly recommend spraying vs. brushing, so the Poly doesn't goop up the holes.
Got mine about a month ago, and I love it. Went together very well, but you have to be prepared to treat it like any other big glue-up. Have your clamps set to go, rubber hammer at hand, etc. The top was a very tight fit, and the sides keep wanting to bow out as you work. Best to have a helper if possible. If not possible, consider using slow-setting wood glue, just in case you run into a problem.
Congratulations. I love my bench that I built. Hope you do well with those. People who say it is too expensive have not bought they plywood and built one.
I built one kinda like his but without the fancy top. I worked on it for days. It was my first big project though and I am 69. It was a miracle that I finished.
Product is a good all round work bench I made one myself last year and can highly rate it, I can this a case of a great product that's difficult to get to market. I think selling the plans was an easier option or maybe even a universal template / jig sort of multi one piece template to enable people to make the bench with ease if desired just an idea. All the best
I built a modified version of a Paulk inspired workbench for cutting plywood as my first woodworking project. I had five separators and tried to sand the tops of the separators with a random orbit sander and it wobbled quite a bit so I added furring strips on the outside perimeter and on both sides of the separators to stabilize them. I then added 1/4 20 threaded inserts in the furring strips lining up and drilling 1/4 inch holes and then took off the plywood and drilled the larger hole for the thread inserts and installed them. I put the plywood back on the top and inserted flat head machine screws through the plywood to secure it to the top of the table around the edges so I could replace plywood top when necessary without dealing with the glue issue. I didn't use much glue so my brass screws really show up on the outside. Live and learn. Does Fastcap sell the top sheet of plywood by itself with the holes? I use mine outside and cover it so it would be nice if the edges of the plywood were round so as to not catch on my tarp when pulling it off and on. Probably not, but would be nice for us beginners who want to play.
I am surprised the edges are not already rounded over if your recommending that.??? North Wales UK. The bench is brill by the way. I'll be building one this year from your plans I intend on buying soon. Skint at the min. Keep up the great vids. 👍🏻👍🏻
I notice there are red and green letter labels stuck on components to aid in assembly, with reference to the printed instructions. That's an idea that can be expanded to the orientation of the top work-surface too. Your warning of possible mis-orientation of the top Vs bottom sheets could be resolved if a coloured edge was painted along top and bottom, so during assembly, both edges can be aligned correctly, thus getting the router-mounting in the correct position.
with so much thought that went into making this bench I am surprised that you did not make the "tabs" bigger on one end, that would stop the top from being put on incorrectly and would not use any additional wood
Hello boss I just wanted to say thank you I got your bench today I assembled in my garage with the horses and I am extremely extremely impressed with the quality of this product. Everything fit like a glove like it was supposed to ,. I would like to ask you though what do you recommend to put on as a finish to help last for a long time, obviously I'll paint the horses but I'm kind of talking about the top of the bench with the bench dog holes in it Thks again Raymond solenske
Awesome work, Ron! I have been a fan since v1.0 of the Ultimate workbench, and would like to know if the 2 sectional version, the Ultimate Workbench II is available for ordering. I'm in a conundrum... I don't have a workbench, and need a workbench to build the workbench that I need in order to build things... :( If I could order the Ultimate Workbench II, and assemble it like this one here, that would be AWESOME!!! Thank you!
www.thesmartwoodshop.com Hi, the PWBII is available as detailed plans for you to build, but not as a ready to assemble the bench. If you saw my video about building, packing, and shipping the PCB then you know we no longer offer it. We lost money on every bench as shipping and packing were over have of the price we were selling the bench for. Thanks, Ron
Hi paul, I am waiting for your work bench to be redesign with beefier legs but not too heavy like the top. It is a great design, but to me personally, it look like a bodybuilder with chicken legs if you know what I mean. I will like to see the legs been kind of boxy like the top part. Please don't take it personal. I am a subscriber and love watching your videos.
The horses are very strong and very light, plus fold up small and have storage to boot. At 185# I can jump up and down on my benches. They are the perfect design especially for portability and fitting inside the bench for storage. Designs can always be improved but making them boxy and big is the wrong direction.
I will like to try a mod on the PSS2 to have the tracks like their wooden track. This would give us more table top room With minor adjustments we can make it work. Will send video to you if I follow through.
hello, love your work. couldn't you mis-align (keyhole it) the tabs on purpose in the design to avoid the mistake of putting the top on in the wrong way. regards Mark
The shippers charges us the same rate for the unassembled, assembled, and the top only. Separating the parts would drive the shipping cost even higher, not to mention the additional packaging costs.
Fair Enough... I was just curious because of how things like Inventables' X-Carve is shipped in segments (with options to go without waste board as well). Just wondering. Best wishes on fantastic sales. :-D
We use 2 pieces of ¾ and 1 piece of ½ to make the bench. If we made both sides and all three spreader with ½." it would have added another piece of ½" and we would have lots of ¾" waste.
I was also wondering why 3/4 and 1/2, I was at first thinking it was a weight issue. So in the 3x6 work bench plans you now have out, with the build and material list consist of two 3/4 inch sheets and one 1/2 inch sheet, to be just like the fast cap one?
The Paulk Compact Bench is functionally the same as the Fastcap version, but I have made adjustments to make the build shop tool friendly. I will be building the 3x6 bench from scratch which should answer most questions.
Two questions. An earlier video it said you don't have to glue down the top in case you want to replace it in the future due to damage. Is that still the case? Also did you round over all five sides on both sides? Thank you. ua-cam.com/video/myxVrFqYKEI/v-deo.htmlm4s
NO, I did not say the top did not need to be glued down. Someone else made a video and misunderstood. The top we are shipping is not a replacement top, it is an altered version for a DIY bench. I will be releasing a set of plans in a few days that can be completely shop built or build most of it and buy just the DIY top. The top does not get cut if sacrificial strips are used. I still have the original PWB prototype with not even a nick and it had been used a very long time. No need for a replacement top and gluing is essential for the bench strength.
I can't swing the price + shipping. I know it's worth every penny, but I share my hobby costs with 6 kids and wife. Can the plans for this be purchased separately?
Hi Ron, any recommendations on protecting the bench from moisture/rain. I know it will eventually get wet somehow. Would a varnish, stain or something else be good? Great job on the bench and all the hard work up to this point!
Yes, I have been surprised at a lot of the "unknowns" For each bench, we have $22 in box and packing material, plus the shipping companies require a pallet for each bench which is another $19. FastCap has decided to sell the bench for cost at this time which helps offset the total price, but doesn't do much for the bottom line. I am finding it is a challenge to manufacture and distribute in the U.S. and keep the price at what people are willing to pay. We are also maxed out at producing 3 units per day with the CNC running full time, which means the CNC can't do anything else. I can see why big companies out source to other countries.
the money you are going to make is selling the knowledge not the thing no marginin a board drilled with holes... no business. I think you would be in a much better position feeding local cnc and maker spaces witha dfx file you are selling a board with holes drilled in it there is zero barrier to entry cost to compete with your product Ron you will spend a ton of money advertising this and there is zero return and will actually go negative if another guy jumps in and cuts the price to the bone because they are piggybacking your advertising efforts. been there done that lost the tshirt
@@802Leith, this is much more than a piece of plywood with holes cut in it! If it was so simple to engineer why haven't many others already, or before hand produced very similar designs? Why didn't YOU come up with such a simple product? And I'm sure he's not going to be losing money on his designs or pre manufactured benches, but I'm sure you know better than Ron and fast cap lmao LMAO, yea umm ok buddy
Hi Ron, fan of your videos. However.... This skipping of the video is very irritating. If you keep it up I will stop looking. There is no 'zen' here. There is a limit on information transfer for the brain. Humans are not flies with segementend eyes.
Why oh why should it be necessary for me to predrill any pilot holes to prevent splitting on anything that is brand new! Is that because fastcap doesn't have the time to do it or are they just trying to save time and money! This is a brand new item! I should not have to do this at all! I'm sorry but it makes me feel as though it's cheap quality. What else am I missing that I need to do to bring the quality level up to what I expect would be a Paulk standard?
You don't have to pre drill, but it will help with the possibility of the plywood laminations separating. Even if you pre-drill, it is possible that some separation can happen. In the assembly video, I had a side corner separate, that I filled with glue and clamped. It is the nature of all plywood. We are offering the unassembled kit for those that want to save money by providing their time and skill and those that want to do their own assembly. We do offer a completely assembled bench that requires no work by the end user except unboxing.
Roy, with all due respect, if your buying a workbench, one would assume you have the tools to drill a pilot hole. Most flat pack furniture needs feteling and can always be improved.
Very nice Ron. I really like the design considerations especially the efficiency of utilizing materials wisely so you minimized waste.
I have made two of your benches over the last year. One from 1/2 inch and one from 3/4 inch plywood. Both are equally strong. I love them and had a blast making them from scratch. Best wishes to you on this venture Ron!
Do you prefer the 1/2 or 3/4 inch version better?
@@jakoj2098 I have not had any flexing issues at all.
Broke down and finally ordered this bench from Fast Cap...imo worth every penny! Thank you for all you do Ron✌️
Where did you order this bench from, or is it changed and now it is owned by fastcap and branded as such? I cannot find the Paulk plans nor the bench for purchase.
Yes do you have a link as I followed the one in the description and it’s not there
I wish you all the best with this venture Ron!
FWIW, I sanded the oval cutouts on the side pieces for a smooth finish. I sprayed the top with Polycrylic (about four coats, sanding in between) to help with drips, etc. I strongly recommend spraying vs. brushing, so the Poly doesn't goop up the holes.
congratulatons Ron! the dimensions of the bench look great and the cnc cutting of the tabs and bench top looks solid. What a great product.
Got mine about a month ago, and I love it. Went together very well, but you have to be prepared to treat it like any other big glue-up. Have your clamps set to go, rubber hammer at hand, etc. The top was a very tight fit, and the sides keep wanting to bow out as you work. Best to have a helper if possible. If not possible, consider using slow-setting wood glue, just in case you run into a problem.
congratulations on a wonderful bench and getting it to market. Wish you much success with this.
An ingenious setup. Thank you
Congratulations. I love my bench that I built. Hope you do well with those. People who say it is too expensive have not bought they plywood and built one.
I built one kinda like his but without the fancy top. I worked on it for days. It was my first big project though and I am 69. It was a miracle that I finished.
Product is a good all round work bench I made one myself last year and can highly rate it, I can this a case of a great product that's difficult to get to market.
I think selling the plans was an easier option or maybe even a universal template / jig sort of multi one piece template to enable people to make the bench with ease if desired just an idea.
All the best
Plans are still available: stores.modularmarket.com/paulk_homes/
Sweet kit. The tabs and slots could be designed so the top only fits on the frame in the correct orientation. Just a thought.
The FC bench venture ended a long time ago. Can only lose money on every bench just so long.😎
congrats on the Fast Cap deal!
great design Ron hope this project works out well for you my friend
Darn, you need a Paulk Workbench to assemble your Paulk Workbench ;)
Benchception
And Paulk himself..!
Thanks Ron. Love your work station..
Felix from Nebraska
I built a modified version of a Paulk inspired workbench for cutting plywood as my first woodworking project. I had five separators and tried to sand the tops of the separators with a random orbit sander and it wobbled quite a bit so I added furring strips on the outside perimeter and on both sides of the separators to stabilize them. I then added 1/4 20 threaded inserts in the furring strips lining up and drilling 1/4 inch holes and then took off the plywood and drilled the larger hole for the thread inserts and installed them. I put the plywood back on the top and inserted flat head machine screws through the plywood to secure it to the top of the table around the edges so I could replace plywood top when necessary without dealing with the glue issue. I didn't use much glue so my brass screws really show up on the outside. Live and learn. Does Fastcap sell the top sheet of plywood by itself with the holes? I use mine outside and cover it so it would be nice if the edges of the plywood were round so as to not catch on my tarp when pulling it off and on. Probably not, but would be nice for us beginners who want to play.
I am surprised the edges are not already rounded over if your recommending that.??? North Wales UK. The bench is brill by the way. I'll be building one this year from your plans I intend on buying soon. Skint at the min. Keep up the great vids. 👍🏻👍🏻
A suggestion: make the tab positions on top of the center brace asymmetrical - that will make it impossible to put the top on incorrectly.
I notice there are red and green letter labels stuck on components to aid in assembly, with reference to the printed instructions. That's an idea that can be expanded to the orientation of the top work-surface too. Your warning of possible mis-orientation of the top Vs bottom sheets could be resolved if a coloured edge was painted along top and bottom, so during assembly, both edges can be aligned correctly, thus getting the router-mounting in the correct position.
with so much thought that went into making this bench I am surprised that you did not make the "tabs" bigger on one end, that would stop the top from being put on incorrectly and would not use any additional wood
Hello boss I just wanted to say thank you I got your bench today I assembled in my garage with the horses and I am extremely extremely impressed with the quality of this product. Everything fit like a glove like it was supposed to ,. I would like to ask you though what do you recommend to put on as a finish to help last for a long time, obviously I'll paint the horses but I'm kind of talking about the top of the bench with the bench dog holes in it
Thks again Raymond solenske
I leave mine unfinished and they have all held up well.
RJ&JR RAILS g scale Solenske I personally like an oil finish tung oil
Awesome work, Ron! I have been a fan since v1.0 of the Ultimate workbench, and would like to know if the 2 sectional version, the Ultimate Workbench II is available for ordering. I'm in a conundrum... I don't have a workbench, and need a workbench to build the workbench that I need in order to build things... :(
If I could order the Ultimate Workbench II, and assemble it like this one here, that would be AWESOME!!! Thank you!
www.thesmartwoodshop.com Hi, the PWBII is available as detailed plans for you to build, but not as a ready to assemble the bench. If you saw my video about building, packing, and shipping the PCB then you know we no longer offer it. We lost money on every bench as shipping and packing were over have of the price we were selling the bench for. Thanks, Ron
For the price why does the bench not come with rounded edges already?
Kirk McCoy I suggest you try making one and see how much work is really involved this is a very involved process and we are selling it for cost.
Paul Akers that CNC machine isn’t working that hard....
Selling at cost? LMFAO get out of here with that BS. Its plywood. Also Kirk, Takes 2 minutes or less with a router
You should do a 3x6' plan for the workbench. I'd be most curious to see an efficient cutlist, for those of us who use 4x8 plywood.
Matt Steele see the download drawing, 4 sheets does it all
That's new since the comment. Clearly many folks were interested in the smaller form.
Hi paul,
I am waiting for your work bench to be redesign with beefier legs but not too heavy like the top. It is a great design, but to me personally, it look like a bodybuilder with chicken legs if you know what I mean. I will like to see the legs been kind of boxy like the top part. Please don't take it personal. I am a subscriber and love watching your videos.
The horses are very strong and very light, plus fold up small and have storage to boot. At 185# I can jump up and down on my benches. They are the perfect design especially for portability and fitting inside the bench for storage. Designs can always be improved but making them boxy and big is the wrong direction.
Did you design the Fastcap system?
FastCap manufactured my bench for a few years.
I will like to try a mod on the PSS2 to have the tracks like their wooden track. This would give us more table top room With minor adjustments we can make it work. Will send video to you if I follow through.
By the way I spent $350.00 at Lowes for the plywood necessary to build the PSS2 and the PSK a week ago.
hello,
love your work. couldn't you mis-align (keyhole it) the tabs on purpose in the design to avoid the mistake of putting the top on in the wrong way.
regards
Mark
Ron, get them to offset the tabs a bit to make the top only fit one way
The link of the kit build takes you to your site not fastcap. The search on the fastcap site cannot find your bench.
What is the cost of the kit?
Is there any chance that shipping in 2 - 3 packages allows greater ease of shipment, lowering shipping costs?
The shippers charges us the same rate for the unassembled, assembled, and the top only. Separating the parts would drive the shipping cost even higher, not to mention the additional packaging costs.
Fair Enough... I was just curious because of how things like Inventables' X-Carve is shipped in segments (with options to go without waste board as well).
Just wondering. Best wishes on fantastic sales. :-D
Congratulations Ron, why do you have one side made in 3/4 and the other one in 1/2?
We use 2 pieces of ¾ and 1 piece of ½ to make the bench. If we made both sides and all three spreader with ½." it would have added another piece of ½" and we would have lots of ¾" waste.
I was also wondering why 3/4 and 1/2, I was at first thinking it was a weight issue. So in the 3x6 work bench plans you now have out, with the build and material list consist of two 3/4 inch sheets and one 1/2 inch sheet, to be just like the fast cap one?
The Paulk Compact Bench is functionally the same as the Fastcap version, but I have made adjustments to make the build shop tool friendly. I will be building the 3x6 bench from scratch which should answer most questions.
How much does this bench weigh fully assembled?
Two questions. An earlier video it said you don't have to glue down the top in case you want to replace it in the future due to damage. Is that still the case?
Also did you round over all five sides on both sides? Thank you.
ua-cam.com/video/myxVrFqYKEI/v-deo.htmlm4s
NO, I did not say the top did not need to be glued down. Someone else made a video and misunderstood. The top we are shipping is not a replacement top, it is an altered version for a DIY bench. I will be releasing a set of plans in a few days that can be completely shop built or build most of it and buy just the DIY top. The top does not get cut if sacrificial strips are used. I still have the original PWB prototype with not even a nick and it had been used a very long time. No need for a replacement top and gluing is essential for the bench strength.
Thanks
I can't swing the price + shipping. I know it's worth every penny, but I share my hobby costs with 6 kids and wife. Can the plans for this be purchased separately?
Yes you can and you can alter it to fit your needs. I made mine smaller, not as deep and added an end vise
Hi Ron, any recommendations on protecting the bench from moisture/rain. I know it will eventually get wet somehow. Would a varnish, stain or something else be good? Great job on the bench and all the hard work up to this point!
I recommend asking your local paint shop. I don't use my benches in the weather so I have not had any concerns with moisture.
whats the purpose of the holes on the top piece?
To use bench clamp
cant swing the price either i like the other bench you made like the split top
I'm glad I watched this video - it's a one piece design which is NOT what I want.
So, by counting the holes, this appears to be 3’x6’.
why not assemble the table upside down. use the top as guide for the sides.
decent price for a awesome workbench, but that shipping cost is outrageous !!!!!!! that's probably going to stop me from ordering. that's insane
Yes, I have been surprised at a lot of the "unknowns" For each bench, we have $22 in box and packing material, plus the shipping companies require a pallet for each bench which is another $19. FastCap has decided to sell the bench for cost at this time which helps offset the total price, but doesn't do much for the bottom line. I am finding it is a challenge to manufacture and distribute in the U.S. and keep the price at what people are willing to pay. We are also maxed out at producing 3 units per day with the CNC running full time, which means the CNC can't do anything else. I can see why big companies out source to other countries.
the money you are going to make is selling the knowledge not the thing no marginin a board drilled with holes... no business. I think you would be in a much better position feeding local cnc and maker spaces witha dfx file you are selling a board with holes drilled in it there is zero barrier to entry cost to compete with your product Ron you will spend a ton of money advertising this and there is zero return and will actually go negative if another guy jumps in and cuts the price to the bone because they are piggybacking your advertising efforts. been there done that lost the tshirt
@@802Leith, this is much more than a piece of plywood with holes cut in it! If it was so simple to engineer why haven't many others already, or before hand produced very similar designs? Why didn't YOU come up with such a simple product? And I'm sure he's not going to be losing money on his designs or pre manufactured benches, but I'm sure you know better than Ron and fast cap lmao LMAO, yea umm ok buddy
Brilliant design except for that strap.
Pretty expensive plywood IMO
Way to expensive for the workbench. It needs to be affordable to sell. Good luck with that one.
The top is 150$ shipping 180$ makes no sense
Hi Ron, fan of your videos. However.... This skipping of the video is very irritating. If you keep it up I will stop looking. There is no 'zen' here. There is a limit on information transfer for the brain. Humans are not flies with segementend eyes.
Why oh why should it be necessary for me to predrill any pilot holes to prevent splitting on anything that is brand new! Is that because fastcap doesn't have the time to do it or are they just trying to save time and money! This is a brand new item! I should not have to do this at all! I'm sorry but it makes me feel as though it's cheap quality. What else am I missing that I need to do to bring the quality level up to what I expect would be a Paulk standard?
You don't have to pre drill, but it will help with the possibility of the plywood laminations separating. Even if you pre-drill, it is possible that some separation can happen. In the assembly video, I had a side corner separate, that I filled with glue and clamped. It is the nature of all plywood. We are offering the unassembled kit for those that want to save money by providing their time and skill and those that want to do their own assembly. We do offer a completely assembled bench that requires no work by the end user except unboxing.
Roy, with all due respect, if your buying a workbench, one would assume you have the tools to drill a pilot hole. Most flat pack furniture needs feteling and can always be improved.
Sadly you associated yourself with the kings of over pricing and gouging. I will have to decide if I want to buy your plans