Ron Paulk Smart Bench

There are countless workbench designs available to buy or build. After considerable research, I chose Ron Paulk’s ‘Smart Bench’. It met my requirements for something portable, yet large enough to rip full 8’ x 4’ sheets and serve as an assembly table for model railway baseboards.

I spent a fair amount of time deciding which 18mm plywood to use. In the end, I went with joinery-grade, Poplar-core plywood with a Eucalyptus face, supplied by Jewson. It offered a good balance of weight, stability, and finish.

Materials:

  • 4 sheets of 1220x2440mmm (8’ x 4’) 18mm thick plywood (Jewson)

Tools:

  • 12mm Upcut Spiral Bit