BORA Centipede 30in Folding Work Table Set - No Assembly 15-Strut Collapsible Table 6000lb Weight Limit - 4x8ft Mobile Work Station with Storage Bag, Foldable Work Bench Table - CK15S, Orange

First impressions

Big sheet goods don’t care how much space you have. I needed a full 4×8 work surface in a cramped garage and on a couple of job sites, but I didn’t want another fixed bench. The Centipede CK15S seemed like the obvious candidate: compact in storage, full-size in use. The first time I kicked it open, I had to laugh—one smooth “whoomp” and I had a sturdy 4×8 support grid ready to go. It feels a bit like setting up a camping chair the size of a sheet of plywood, only made of steel.

Setup, portability, and footprint

The Centipede lives in a shoulder-strap bag and comes out as a single piece. Drop it on the floor, lift the handle, and it unfolds into a 30-inch-tall lattice supported by 15 steel struts. I can get it standing in under ten seconds and collapse it just as fast. There’s no hunting for legs, loose parts, or finding a second pair of hands. Packed up, it slides behind a shop cabinet or into a truck without hogging space.

At roughly 30 pounds, it’s light enough to carry with one hand but has enough heft to stay planted. The included bag does its job; it’s snug, so if you toss all the accessories in there it can feel a bit tight. I now keep clamps and X-Cups in a small separate pouch so the frame slips in easily.

Stability and capacity

BORA rates this frame at up to 6,000 pounds when weight is evenly distributed on a flat surface. I didn’t torture test that claim, but I did load it with stacks of MDF, a pair of solid-core doors, and a few base cabinets during an install. The Centipede didn’t flinch. The steel scissor struts flex a bit under lateral pushes—expected for something foldable—but it never felt sketchy, and there were no creaks or pops. It’s happiest on flat ground; on uneven surfaces, I set scraps or plywood shims under the feet to eliminate rocking.

The 30-inch working height is comfortable for cutting, assembly, and staging. It’s lower than a standard table saw, so I don’t use it as outfeed for most saws without adding a top and risers. For general carpentry, trim, and sheet good breakdown, the height feels right.

P-Tops and surface protection

Each contact point has a polymer “P-Top” cap. Two things matter here. First, they protect your work from metal-to-wood scuffs. Second, they protect your saw blade if you’re cutting sheet goods directly on the Centipede with a foam sacrificial layer—if you accidentally overcut, you won’t chew up steel. The P-Tops rotate 360 degrees, which sounds trivial until you start dropping in accessories; being able to align things without fighting fixed posts is surprisingly helpful.

Making a usable top

Out of the bag, the Centipede is a support grid, not a solid bench. You have a few good options:

• Foam insulation board: A 4×8, 2–3 inch thick rigid foam board turns it into an ideal cutting platform for track saws and circular saws. It’s the simplest, lightest solution.
• Plywood or MDO: A 3/4-inch sheet gives you a solid assembly surface. I predrilled mine for hold-downs and dog holes.
• 2×4 stringers: Using the included X-Cups, you can drop 2×4s into the grid to create a strong frame for odd-shaped workpieces or to support smaller tabletops. This also stiffens the whole structure when you expect lateral loads.

I’ve rotated between all three depending on the task. For cabinetry assembly, the plywood top wins. For sheet breakdown, foam is king. For paint and finish staging, 2×4s are fast and forgiving.

Accessory ecosystem

The included quick clamps plug into the P-Tops and are excellent for pinning down sheet goods, foam, or temporary tops. They grab securely and don’t mar surfaces. The X-Cups accept 2×4s flat or on edge, letting you build a temporary torsion box or a simple grid in seconds. The rotating P-Tops let you orient cups and clamps where you want them.

BORA also offers tabletops with dog holes and risers for other models. On the 4×8 Centipede, I’ve found most value in the basics: clamps, X-Cups, and a sacrificial top. That trio covers most job-site scenarios without overcomplicating the setup.

Real-world use

• Breaking down plywood: This is where the Centipede shines. Drop foam on top, set your track, and cut. There’s no balancing act between sawhorses, and material stays at a comfortable height. Because the support points are so numerous, offcuts don’t crash to the ground—they just rest on the foam.
• Assembly and layout: Building face frames, carcasses, and built-ins is easier when you’ve got an 8-foot surface. I can clamp a straightedge to the plywood top and square up long runs without running out of table.
• Job-site staging: As a blueprint table, miter saw platform (with a separate top), or materials station, it’s excellent. Being able to clear the space in seconds keeps a site tidy.
• Finishing: With 2×4 stringers, I can set doors and trim pieces on points or pyramids for painting. If something drips, I’m not worried about the steel struts catching finish—everything is elevated.

Durability over time

The steel struts and joints have held up without bending, and the powder coat shrugs off normal shop abuse. The P-Tops are replaceable, but mine still look good after months of cutting and clamping. One tip: don’t step inside the grid or use it like scaffolding. It’s a remarkably strong support surface for work, but it’s not designed for foot traffic or lateral loads like a platform.

Keep fingers clear at the hinges when collapsing; there are pinch points. It closes smoothly, but it’s still a scissor mechanism—treat it like one.

Limitations to consider

• Fixed height: At 30 inches, it’s not adjustable. If you need counter-height or tool-matching outfeed, you’ll need risers or a different solution.
• Needs a top: For small parts, tool mounting, or clamping across gaps, you’ll want a plywood or foam top. That’s the design philosophy, not a flaw, but it’s worth planning for.
• Uneven ground: The feet don’t individually adjust. A handful of shims solves it, but you have to think about it on rough concrete or pavers.
• Large sails: A full 4×8 sheet of plywood becomes a wind sail outdoors. Use the quick clamps to secure tops and sheet goods if you’re working outside.

Who it’s for

• Small shops and garages that need big work surfaces but can’t sacrifice floor space.
• Remodelers, trim carpenters, and site crews who want fast setup and teardown.
• DIYers looking for a safer, more ergonomic way to cut down sheet goods than wrestling them on the floor.
• Anyone sick of juggling sawhorses and wobbly makeshift tables.

If you need a precision bench with a grid of dog holes for repeatable clamping at fixed heights, a dedicated workstation might still be better. But for raw versatility per pound and per cubic foot of storage, the Centipede is hard to beat.

Tips for best results

• Pair it with a 4×8 foam board for cutting. Your blades and struts will thank you.
• Keep four X-Cups and four quick clamps in arm’s reach. They turn the frame into a system.
• Add a 3/4-inch plywood top when you need a smooth assembly surface. Pre-drill it for dogs, stops, and jigs.
• Shim the feet on uneven surfaces for rock-solid stability.
• Collapse and carry with two hands until you’re used to the motion; it’s quick, but don’t rush it.

Recommendation

I recommend the Centipede CK15S wholeheartedly. It sets up faster than any other full-size support I own, supports serious weight without babying, and adapts to a wide range of tasks with simple, inexpensive add-ons. The fixed height and need for a top aren’t deal-breakers; they’re part of the concept, and easy to work around. If you need a portable, space-efficient 4×8 workstation that you can deploy in seconds and trust with real work, this one earns its spot in the truck and in the shop.