Kreg has recently come out with their Mobile Project Center, a new folding work table.
The Kreg Mobile Project Center features a heavy gauge steel A-frame base, and a large top with an integrated Kreg Clamp Trak and dog holes. It’s designed to work with several different Kreg tools and accessories, but it’s still very functional by itself even if you don’t already own any Kreg products.
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Two reinforced polypropylene tables flip up independently and lock with the Kreg Clamp Trak in the middle to give you a 27.75″ x 31.5″ work surface. When the project center is in sawhorse mode, with both tables folded down, the Clamp Trak is still usable.
The Mobile Project center can support up to 350lbs. and there’s a bottom shelf that can hold up to 25lbs.
The Mobile Project Center has keyhole slots on the side, for using the track clamps vertically like a vise. They can hold a workpiece against the side of the project center, or can be used with Kreg bench dogs for low-profile clamping.
Kreg wood project clamps can slide into a T-slot on the underside of one of the tables. This allows you to use them one-handed to position and secure material to the table.
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The sides also have slots for support brackets that allow you to span a 2×4 from one Mobile Project Center to another. This gives you the ability to drop in a sheet of 3/4″ plywood on top of the 2×4’s to make a much larger work surface.
When using the Mobile Project Center as a sawhorse, you can attach 2x4s to the Clamp Trak using the included bushings, to protect the clamp track from damage.
The support brackets also have a an upper slot which brings the spanning 2x4s flush to the sacrificial 2×4. This allows you to fully support a sheet of plywood and not worry about cutting into the Mobile Project Center.
One of the tables has two built-in storage trays on either side to hold small parts and hardware. It also has drill holsters on both sides. On the edge of the table is a lip that you can hang Kreg screw boxes and their new hardware containers.
You can connect two Mobile Project Centers together with special connection keys which store in the tables when they aren’t being used.
When it’s time to clean up, the tables fold down by pulling the two easy release tabs. Then you bring the legs together while pulling up on the middle of the bottom shelf, which conveniently has a carrying handle built right in. To set it back up is just as easy, spread out the legs and pull up the tables — they automatically lock into place.
The Kreg Mobile Project Center includes 1 Kreg Bench Clamp with Automaxx, 4 Kreg Bench Dogs, 2 support brackets, 2 Trak bushings, 2 connection keys, and an owner’s manual.
The best pricing on the Kreg Mobile Project Center is $160 with free shipping at Amazon. There, and at other online retailers, they’re listed as not yet being in stock, but you can still order.
I’ve personally seen it in stock at Rockler and Menards stores, so you might have better luck locally. They probably hit retail stores first and will head to online retailers’ warehouses next.
Price: $160
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Check out their intro video to see what you can do with the Kreg Mobile Project Center:
First Thoughts
I’ve seen the Kreg Mobile Project Center in local stores, where they’ve been on display since before Black Friday. I went to Rockler today to see if I could play with a Port-A-Cube, but they didn’t have one set up. Instead I played around with the Mobile Project Center, and was immediately impressed.
It has a decent size top, is really sturdy, and seems well thought out. The only downside that I could see was that it was a little low for a work surface, about the height of a plastic sawhorse.
From the limited time I played it, I found that it was way more stable than the Craftsman Portable Peg Clamping Workbench I reviewed. Although its basic design is the same as the Worx Pegasys Folding Work Table Stuart previewed, it looks both substantially sturdier and more useful.
If you are into Kreg Accessories and are in the market for a portable work surface, this table is definitely worth a look — if it ever gets back in stock.
NoDeuces
I’m in love with this. I was going to buy another MFT, but this might be on my Xmas list.
Dan
Has any one reviewed the walko mobile workstation?
BikerDad
Would be perfect for me, except….
the plastic top ain’t gonna take to welding …
I understand that Kreg’s focus has always been on woodworking and such, so the plastic top isn’t so much a shortcoming as it’s a design decision. Make it friendly to sawblades and such, or durable under metal working conditions? They chose the former.
Jason
Millers F series Arc Station is a really nice portable solution for welding. it is not cheap however, $265 from Welding supplies from Indiana Oxygen company, free shipping.
Jason
https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/miller-30fx-folding-arcstation-300837
fred
If I were a younger man I’d be tempted – and would get rid of my homemade table ( a piece of 3/8 inch plate with 4 pipe flanges welded on the bottom to attach splayed out 3/4 inch pipe legs with crutch tip feet). Its heavy and I was never ambitious enough to cut proper slots in the plate – so my drilled keyholes are often in not exactly the right spot
BikerDad
oh, I know about that beastie, and it’s almost wreaked havoc on my tool budget several times already. Very tempting indeedy.
Michael
Harbor freight. Folding welding table. Slots for clamps, drop down edges for squaring and clamping, supports 300lbs and the top tilts and locks in place.
firefly
Wow. Honestly this look much better than the miller at less than 1/3 of the cost.
BikerDad
Those who’ve used both conclude that the Miller is a better table. The HF table isn’t nearly as stout. Whether it’s 3x the price better depends on one’s use case.
firefly
Northern Tool also have a few different versions for around $150.
I don’t own neither so I can’t comment on the build quality. I was just going by the comment on the miller site that they can have run off as much as 1/8 of an inch. I just have higher expectation for a table that price. Again I could be wrong but if I was in the market for one I would definitely look at the Northern Tool or HF first. If those doesn’t meet my need I would be more inclined to build my own.
Bart
It also isn’t very stable at all. I was tempted to get one, but after reading the reviews, and looking at one today in person, unless you’re just doing very light work, it will probably cause more frustration than it is worth.
Hobart sells one at around $100 that may need a little work to the table, but looks like it uses the same base as the Miller. All this talk led me to realize I’ve got a perfectly functional cart under my workbench that would probably be an awesome mobile welding cart though!
Michael
I bought one and found it to be stable when assembled correctly.
red92s
Wish I could handle one locally to assess the top. I love the idea of having one portable work table that allows the use of my exiting kreg clamps, the ability to use bench dogs, and could essentially replace the need for seperate stands for the miter saw and table saw.
Curt
These look like the 21st century update of Black & Decker’s Workmate folding tables. Between the two of us, my dad and I have 3.5 of the old ones – and they can pry them from our cold dead hands. The new models are predictably crappy, unfortunately, so we’ll be repairing ours into the far distant future….
Wouldn’t mind having one or two of these, though. Look pretty handy.
Russell
I have my dad’s B&D table. It has to be 50 years old and still works great. Picked up one of the Kreg tables to add more workspace. I just took it out of the box so liking or not is yet to be determined on use.
ktash
I was in Home Depot the other day and they had a Husky worktable set up. About 3′ tall. It has two t-tracks for standard clamps. Makes into a router table. I didn’t see the demo, but it looks sturdy enough. The router plate is not metal, though. But at $60, it looks good. It could be used in some of the same ways this table is, though it doesn’t have all places for clamps, etc that the one you reviewed has. They have a nice promo video and also a dimensioned drawing of it. I wish other companies would do that. Even good companies like Bosch and Dewalt, with expensive items bought online, it is difficult to find the dimensions.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-8-ft-x-3-ft-Portable-Jobsite-Workbench-225047/205887786
Pete
I saw that husky table too, they didnt have a demo setup to play with or else i might already own one. I NEED a mobile folding work table just need to find the right one!
The yeti
Damn this page is getting expensive ☺. Gonna look for a bench like this
Travis Collins
This looks infinitely more useful than I originally thought it would be. I like the idea of the under the table T track with the ability to add the 2×4 on top as well.
If you have a small shop or only partake in small projects around the house or friends, this looks to be the ideal ticket.
Brian
That looks awesome! I have been looking at the new Worx table, this looks a lot better but it’s also $60 more.
Alick
The saw horse functionality reminds me of my $20 plastic folding trestles with the 4×2 supports from the toughbuilt products
http://www.toughbuilt.com/product/c650-sawhorse-jobsite-table Except those are height adjustable.
Actually, I think this is quite clever. Most everything it does can be done cheaper or better by something else but it combines quite a lot of features at a substantially lower price than the (much) better walko or festool folding tables.
If this sells, there’s going to be a demand for replacement tops. A killer profit opportunity for Kreg 🙂
firefly
I agree. I think this will sell. Based on the visual it look reasonably well build. I liked the fact that they use C Channel and solid metal instead of metal tubing. That mean I can easily hose them down if needed and they will air dry nicely.
You are right the concept is not new but it’s definitely a very well executed packaged. The way they have combined everything is definitely super. One of the reviewer mentioned that he would like to see some locking mechanism for the top while the table are folded. Personally I would love to see some height adjustable legs. Other than those I think we have a winner.
I wasn’t aware of the tough build. I am going to pick those up. The ability to drop in 2×4 without any modification is awesome. I saw some guys on youtube showing how he notched out some 2×4 to fit into a cheaper pair of sawhorse. I think this is a much better option. Plus the leg height are adjustable as well. The fact that there isn’t any cross bracing or shelf underneath is a feature that I like in this case because I can roll stuff underneath without any obstruction. Easier for cleaning/vacuuming too for a semi-permanent workstation set up.
Blythe M
If you have a Menards near you, masterforce makes a version that’s basicallythe same for cheaper, same load capacity, 2×4 slot, etc.
I own a pair, they work great
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/work-supports-workbenches/masterforce-reg-adjustable-steel-sawhorse/p-1444436617805.htm
firefly
Wow… even better. Thanks Blythe.
Blythe M
If you haven’t bought them yet, menards just put out a mega holiday tool ad yesterday, these saw horses are now 5 bucks cheaper at 29.99.
Also, they have the centipede 2×4 system for $39, cheaper than anywhere else I can find
firefly
I am still contemplating since we don’t have a Menards locally. S&H was about 15 for two. So it still come out cheaper. I do like the fact that the tough build c700 have rubber feet (at least it look like they do based on the pictures) and are available at my local home depot. I have been meaning to check them out locally. If the build quality is good on the Tough Build I don’t mind picking them up locally for a little more especially with the added rubber feet.
goodnightjohnboy
Get the Husky table. Its way better than any folding workbench I’ve used. The old B&D one was always too small. Very lightweight & all you have to do is detach the legs. Very sturdy. Its even big enough to lay a door or full sheets of drywall, ply, etc. The only problem I had was the slots for a clamp. It says that most “normal” bar clamps will work. I tried an Irwin & a Bessey. They didn’t fit so I had to customize the clamp slots. Other than that the Husky is a great work table. Its perfect for my tile & miter saws as well as a saw horse. Plus it’s a lot cheaper than the kreg.
firefly
Woodcraft also have one called the QuikBench. It’s currently on sale for $79.99. Based on the reviesw the bottom shelf are the weak point, the kreg one have similar plastic shelf connecting the two legs and so does the Pegasus. I really hope they use some heavier duty plastic or have some metal inside. The pivot point on the kreg also look a little different so I don’t know if they will function without the shelf or not. I don’t mind if the plastic shelf broke because I don’t plan to use it anyway but if broken shelf also render the bench useless then that’s definitely a problem.
At any rate I have pick up one of the QuikBench today. The store associate said he have two and he is happy with them. Based on my in store inspection and unboxing at home the undershelf seem to be ok. They are definitely the achilles of the whole thing and could be made better but I think it should be ok as long as I don’t use or abuse them.
Benjamen
Here’s a blemished QuikBench sold at Walmart.com by WoodCraft for $50 plus free shipping.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Blemished-QuikBENCH-Portable-Worktable/141875285
Michael
I just got it by UPS this morning. It looks well made. With a quick look I do not see the blemish. Glad I got it. Thank you Toolguyd and Benjamen.
Andrew
Santa, maybe knowing that it was going to be a really, really, really rough Holiday decided to surprise me with this the day before Christmas and tonight, needing a little moment of Zen, decided to brave the 25 degree temperatures (it was 50 this afternoon!), set it up and drill some holes.
I really, really like this bench. It is lightweight, it is sturdy and while I know one review I saw mentioned they found it rather short; I’m 6-foot-5 and actually find it to be a very good height. Of course, I may just be used to benches designed for shorter folks.
I’m adding another set of bench dogs tomorrow ($7 at menards plus 11% rebate) and another hold-down clamp for it … which brings me to my only real “gripe” about the bench: the hold-down clamp really doesn’t hold down very tight. There is a great deal of wiggle when workpieces are under the clamp (though, I did have great success wrapping some better-late-than-never presents with it).
Obviously, this isn’t geared toward high-end woodworkers. But for the weekend warrior/DIY/newbie, especially if he or she has limited space, it really is a great investment.
Benjamen
“…which brings me to my only real “gripe” about the bench: the hold-down clamp really doesn’t hold down very tight. There is a great deal of wiggle when workpieces are under the clamp”
Did you adjust the clamp force using the set screw under the handle? I hate to imply that you didn’t know about it, but I just want to be sure.
If you did adjust the set crew, is the table under the clamp deflecting — thus not holding the work piece, or is the track section not very securely attached to the Project Center?
Andrew
Benjamin,
I did adjust the set screw underneath the clamp as well as the tension knob at the end of the clamp. The latter of the two was stuck and wouldn’t adjust.
I actually came on to post an update and just saw your response. I reached out to Kreg and before I even got their response, there was a notification that a replacement clamp was on its way. That one, functions perfectly. I also grabbed a second on sale at Rockler for $15.
I very much like this table. Talked one of my shop buddies into getting one, too, so we’ll be teaming up from time to time.