Today in the shop (centipede sawhorse)

[reible]

While I'm sure a centipede can stand on its own right out of the bag I had a few plans for the one I got so I will shared what I have done so far. The 2' x 4' smaller version I have can serve various functions from woodworking to craft fairs to outdoor parties but I got it to use as a portable work platform. Now this is not going to be the end all solution to everyone's needs at the very least I hope it will function well enough to get my moneys worth of use out of it.

As it is packaged you get the basic package that looks like this when set up:

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The X shaped parts called X-cups (quantity 4) are designed to hold standard 2" x 4" lumber. (There are also a couple of hold downs included.)

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My plan called for needing a couple more X-cups and they are sold in sets of 2. This works out well as that is just what I needed. These X-cups swivel about this center point:

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So if you can picture it going around in a circle as indicated.

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This adjustment allows for various positioning of the lumber. In my case I wanted to give myself as large a base as I could. I also wanted some support in the other plane thus the need for the 2 additional X-cups.

The 2' x 4" lumber was then arranged as seen here:

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This is 31" wide, the length is then 51"

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A bit more to come on the next post.

Ed

[Ed in Tampa]

Is it possible to stand a 2x4 on edge and butt another against it in the x-cups? Sort of like a butt joint? How much weight can an x- cup support. It seems the weight is off center of the centipede upright so I hope the X-cup is strong.

Really interested in the centipede. But I'm looking for total knock down capabilities. It seems you top with the lap joints is not easily torn down to individual components. I guess I could used a saddle joint with out carriage bolt instead of a lap.

[reible]

OK where was I???? Ed I'll get to your questions in a bit. First I wanted to finish a couple of other things.

The next item I wanted to cover is the Non-Slip Pad set that you can by as an option. the go in the same holes as the X parts but present a pad with a non-slip surface. I one wanted to put a sheet of plywood down as a top these would work well for that. Of course you only have support at the leg locations but for again for a lot of uses that would be fine.

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I'm thinking that for cutting up sheets of plywood I would have two of these or just get one larger one and then put a sheet of pink foam board down then set the plywood on that for sizing. That is still in the planning stage. If I went with two of these then there is still a large unsupported area so how bad would that be? Not sure.

So after spending the extra money on these I got to thinking that the rockler bench cookie t-track risers and the bench cookies could serve the same function. With the t-nuts in place they can't slide in but if you replaced those with hex nut parts they will fit.

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Or simply put the screw in place and screw the cookie on as seen here:

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I made the lap joints loose fitting so it is easy to take apart and put back together. I used nuts for now but I have some wing nuts that I want to go to in the future. If and when I want to take it apart it is after all only 4 fasteners. The bottom side is marked so it can go back together the same way if that becomes important.

I'm looking forward to get some plywood, maybe 1/2" and making a folding top for it. If I make a hinged top then it would be slightly larger then the 2 x 4 structure say 3 feet by 6 feet and fold to 3 feet by 3 feet. That is still in the planning stage.

Ed

[reible]

This is all new to me but it would appear the x-cup was done to hold a 2 x 4 flat as I have done. If you were to go up on edge and go to the inside or outside of the holder in all cases it might serve to hold things in place. If you were in the middle it would have wiggle room.

In my design the two 31" pieces are right over the legs, the two 51" pieces are still pretty much over the legs. The structure is designed to distribute the load in the vertical direction. The x-cup is not designed to carry a load only to locate and hold position in the horizontal plane where there is a very limited load capacity.

These centipedes are load rated at 1500 pounds so in theory say you had a stack of MDF sheets and each weighed in at 80 pounds, then you could stack 18 of them up and still be within the range. Of course I don't think any of us would do that. Say you did do that then shoved on the stack the whole thing might just topple over since the load is no long vertical but on some combinations of vectors.

In practice I can not see loads anywhere near that limit, maybe a couple of hundred pounds at most. In the bench mode that I have done with the 2 x 4's maybe I'd put my miter saw on it and perhaps a 2 x 6 to cut and even if I were to make a stack of parts to cut it just is not going to weigh that much.

I'm only showing how I think I want my system, there are a lot of options to explore and again I haven't used this for any time yet so maybe I'll find it just doesn't work the way I want and do a redesign or maybe even give it away because it is not to my liking. Time will tell.

In the end I'd like to back my van into the driveway where I have a support system setting then pull the plywood out of the van and on to that support system and using a guided saw system cut the pieces either to size or manageable sizes for further sizing on the shopsmith. This is a step in that direction.

Ed

Is it possible to stand a 2x4 on edge and butt another against it in the x-cups? Sort of like a butt joint? How much weight can an x- cup support. It seems the weight is off center of the centipede upright so I hope the X-cup is strong.

Really interested in the centipede. But I'm looking for total knock down capabilities. It seems you top with the lap joints is not easily torn down to individual components. I guess I could used a saddle joint with out carriage bolt instead of a lap.

[benush26]

Thanks Ed!

After checking out your review and then watching some amazing demonstrations on YouTube, I ordered the 4x8 unit (local Lowe's didn't have the larger ones in stock). It should be here by Wednesday.
My next project consists of breaking down 15 or so sheets of plywood for garage/shop shelving units, most of which has to be done outside (since there is no room IN the garage to use the SS, hence the need for the shelving!)
I was going to borrow (steal? ) and modify Gene's idea of a T-track straight edge, but ended up getting the Bora wide track instead. I still cannot justify a dedicated track saw system. But not in the best frame of mind for going through the work to make a 9' + straight edge, so will just go the Bora route.
I'll devise something to keep the sacrificial foam board from slipping on the Centipede framework, but all in all the centipede system seems just the ticket!

Thanks again for the write up!

Be well,
Ben

[reible]

I was just thinking about my garage shelving project and pricing some plywood today. Do I want to spend $40 a sheet or $45 for a better material finish wise. I'm also wondering if I want to get a second 2' x 4' centipede or just get the larger unit for the plywood projects. As of now I tending towards the larger one for those projects.

I will be interested in hearing your perspective on the larger unit.

I'm finishing up my sketchup drawing but have a few issues that remain that effect plywood usage. Do I try going cheaper by using strips or bite the bullet and go first class. And to I try for a universal fit or customize based on what I already have. Oh yea do I want the units to stand alone or be part of a larger assembly that has to share parts limiting it to a full on project rather then a series of add-on units that can be built over time.....

The plan still hasn't come together.

Ed

Thanks Ed!

After checking out your review and then watching some amazing demonstrations on YouTube, I ordered the 4x8 unit (local Lowe's didn't have the larger ones in stock). It should be here by Wednesday.
My next project consists of breaking down 15 or so sheets of plywood for garage/shop shelving units, most of which has to be done outside (since there is no room IN the garage to use the SS, hence the need for the shelving!)
I was going to borrow (steal? ) and modify Gene's idea of a T-track straight edge, but ended up getting the Bora wide track instead. I still cannot justify a dedicated track saw system. But not in the best frame of mind for going through the work to make a 9' + straight edge, so will just go the Bora route.
I'll devise something to keep the sacrificial foam board from slipping on the Centipede framework, but all in all the centipede system seems just the ticket!

Thanks again for the write up!

Be well,
Ben

[krusty]

I have one of these and love it. It breaks down when I don't need it and easy to setup. I didn't know they had the non-slip pads but I like the cookie idea.

Russ

[benush26]

I received my 4x8 XL, but due to weather it sat unused for a while. Put up my old Wentzel canopy to work out of the hot sun or pouring rain (to night we are getting 6" to 12" of SNOW!!!!!! )
It does set up okay, but not so great on grass. The legs catch too easily. The ground is relatively even so foam board does sit but I decide I would try to make it better. Solution, a piece of OSB as a base, but the lower feet slide too easily on the OSB.
Though they show pictures of this on all sorts of surfaces, I think this thing was meant for concrete or paved surfaces. I would guess that if I had a heavy load, it would not slide on the OSB base at all, but right now it's only job is as a table to break down 4x4 sheets of thin OSB and plywood. No heavy loads involved. Maybe when it comes time for assembly and glue up.
The foam board laying on the top as a cutting surface slides WAY to much. I tried a couple of lame solutions including duct tape to a couple braces but I thought I may have to find a way to impale the foam to the supports or at a minimum find a way to glue flat piece to each corner and then peg it to the swivel pads on corners. If I was not out in the wind, I think much of my frustration would be eliminated, but the foam board lies to play kite when ever the wind picks up.

Tonight I ordered the friction pads which fit over all the support tops. Maybe they will give the foam a better surface to keep from sliding around, but I'm already thinking of ways to better attach it. The inventor says that one of the next accessories is something which will keep sheets stable without need of the holdfasts. Maybe something like that will work, but until then.... I will keep inventing.

I did place a sheet of 1/2" OSB on top without the foam and it makes a GREAT stable work surface. The funky holdfasts are different to get used to. You press down on the free end to get them to come loose and up?? . Sounds strange to me but once I tried to do it their way with some force, they work well!!

So overall I am pleased with it as a very stable work support and the Lowe's price is less than some of the other retailers. Once I figure out how to adapt it to my specific wants I think it will be my go to work table (at least in the summer!! Because of the stability and convenience, I may also get the 2x4 model as a separate table.

Anyway, when the friction pads get here (and the snow melts!!) I'll give you another update.

Be well,
Ben

[rpd]

Solution, a piece of OSB as a base, but the lower feet slide too easily on the OSB.
Though they show pictures of this on all sorts of surfaces, I think this thing was meant for concrete or paved surfaces. I would guess that if I had a heavy load, it would not slide on the OSB base at all, but right now it's only job is as a table to break down 4x4 sheets of thin OSB and plywood. No heavy loads involved. Maybe when it comes time for assembly and glue up.


Be well,
Ben

Did you have the OSB smooth side up or rough side up?

[benush26]

Had to go and check... Yes, the slightly rougher side is up. Until you asked, I never gave it a thought. I'm guessing that the light weight of the system and therefore it's ease in moving it might be part of it sliding around so easily.
With a foam sheet under the wood sheet to be cut, the Bora straight edge clamp is not really the best, so I'll just cut the sheets on the centipede sans the foam (avoiding the supports ). I'll also remove the OSB base and set it on the ground to see if the normal unevenness of the ground cause the sheet on top to bind when being cut. All this has to wait for the friction pads to arrive and some nicer weather.
I thnk this support would shine when using a conventional track saw system (home made or a system).