Mobile Project Center Becomes Ultimate Workbench

Add wheels to your Kreg Mobile Project Center with these free plans! Roll it where you need it or fold it when you need more space. The Ultimate Workbench!

Add wheels to your Kreg Mobile Project Center with these free plans! Roll it where you need it or fold it when you need more space. The Ultimate Workbench!
The Kreg Mobile Project Center is a workbench, an assembly table, a clamping station, it can be used as a sawhorse, it folds flat for storage, and with these free plans it becomes the ultimate workbench for a small workshop!

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For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links to supplies or tools I used to complete this project. Purchases made using these links help support the Saws on Skates website and allow me to share more DIY projects. and DIY tips with you. There is no cost to you for using these links. Click here to visit my site policies.

I received the Kreg Mobile Project Centers in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Space is Limited in a Small Workshop

Those of us with small workshops don’t have room for a big, clunky workbench. When I received the Kreg Mobile Project Center I sat it next to my old workbench and the first thing I noticed was my old workbench looked, well, old, tired and BIG.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - my old workbench was old, tired and big

My big, ol’ workbench was made of a solid oak pallet and was SUPER HEAVY. Even though it was on wheels it was difficult to move. None of the legs were square, so it was nearly impossible to add a proper storage shelf. Plus, adding more wood only made this thing even HEAVIER. Not only that but visually those thick hunks of pallet wood made my small workshop feel even smaller than necessary.

Enter the Kreg Mobile Project Center. The Mobile Project Center was loaded with more features than my old workbench could ever dream of having. It could be used as a workbench, an assembly table, a clamping station, it can fold into a sawhorse, and it folds flat for storage. Plus, it visually appeared “less heavy”, sleeker and more modern than my old space consuming workbench.

Traditional Workbench Limitations

My old workbench was heavy on weight and light on the features. It was basically just a flat surface with virtually no storage. There’s no way it could fold into a sawhorse like the Mobile Project Center. And it NEVER could fold flat for storage. Plus, because of its size and weight, it had to permanently live in my workshop. I could never move it outside which means I would need another work surface for outdoor DIY projects.

What DIYers with Small Workshops Need

DIYers with small workshops like us need a workbench that can be an assembly table, a clamping station, and a sawhorse. And wouldn’t it be great if our workbench could fold flat for storage? Can you imagine if we could totally disassemble our workbench to free up floor space to build a big project?

Or set up a spray shelter and use our paint sprayer indoors? See how I sprayed my DIY Tool Storage Cabinets in my workshop without making a mess.

Or fold our workbench, bring it outside and set it up for an outdoor project? Or fold up our workbench, toss it in our truck and take it to a buddy’s house to help with a DIY project?

We could never dream of doing any of this with a traditional workbench. But we can with Kreg Mobile Project Center!

The Mobile Project Center is definitely a workhorse, but it needed one thing to make it the Ultimate Workbench for a small workshop. I don’t bring anything into my workshop if I can’t make it mobile.

That’s the entire reason the name of the site is Saws on Skates®! And even though the Mobile Project Center is already mobile, for me it needed some skates casters to make it into the Saws on Skates® workshop.

Wheels Transform Mobile Project Center into Ultimate Workbench

Here it is. The easy to build base with wheels that transforms the Mobile Project Center into the Ultimate Workbench. This DIY mobile workbench base makes a great thing EVEN BETTER!

I usually build my projects with pine, but opted to make the Ultimate Workbench base with poplar instead. Poplar is more durable than pine and it accepts paint really well. The easy to make mobile workbench base was built using my Kreg Jig K5 and wood glue.

The free plans for this base made with popular turn two Kreg Mobile Project Centers into the ultimate workbench

Six casters allow the DIY mobile workbench base to move where you need it and then lock to keep the workbench in place. I bought two sets of these casters because they received lots of positive reviews. So far I’m really pleased with them. There are four casters in each package. I used six for this project and have two casters left over.

Six casters attach to the ultimate workbench and two Kreg Mobile Project Centers sit on top of this DIY mobile workbench base. Six casters allow the ultimate workbench to roll where you need it.

The cradles are a great place to store your Mobile Project Center accessories like bench dogs and In-Line Clamps. It’s also perfect for storing your Kreg Bench Clamps and Kreg Wood Project Clamps.

The cradles on the ends of the ultimate workbench provide a place a convenient place to store accessories like bench dogs, In-Line Clamps, Kreg Bench Clamps and Kreg Wood Project Clamps

Finishing the Ultimate Workbench Base

I wanted the mobile workbench base to look like it could be an optional Kreg accessory, so I went over the top with finishing. First, I used my Kreg Pocket Hole Plug Cutter to make plugs to fill all of the pocket holes and used my Kreg Jig Mini to seat the pocket holes in place. Want to make the best pocket hole plugs? Skate over to 9 Secrets to Make the Best Pocket Hole Plugs for some pocket hole plugs tips and tricks.

The pocket holes in the ultimate workbench were filled with pocket hole plugs that were inserted with the Kreg Jig Mini

Then I trimmed the pocket hole plugs flush and sanded the mobile workbench base using 120 grit sandpaper. I set up my HomeRight Spray Shelter in my workshop and used my HomeRight Super Finish Max to spray the base with primer. For the color, I chose a grey color inspired by Kreg products.

It’s not an exact match, just an inspiration. For durability, I opted for high gloss paint. Sometimes it can be tricky to get a smooth finish with high gloss paint when applied with a brush, so again I used my HomeRight Super Finish Max to apply the paint.

The last thing to do is attach the skates casters to make the base mobile. I attached the casters to each corner and in the middle.

The casters were attached to the ends and in the middle of the ultimate workbench base

Ultimate Workbench Investment

There is something I want to address about the Ultimate Workbench, because I’m sure you’re already thinking about it, and that is the cost. So yes, the investment in the Ultimate Workbench might be more than a traditional workbench. But that’s the way we need to look at it, as an investment.

The ultimate workbench base lifts out of the way to free up floor space

Does it make sense to spend money on a traditional workbench that can’t be folded to free up floor space in our small workshops? Or spend money on a traditional workbench that is so big and heavy that it can’t be moved outside? This means we would need another work surface for outdoor DIY projects which is an additional cost.

Placing the Kreg Mobile Project Center in the ultimate workbench base

For me, the investment in the Ultimate Workbench is a no-brainer. The Kreg Mobile Project Center is a workbench, an assembly table, a clamping station, it can be used as a sawhorse, and it folds flat storage. It can be easily moved outside or taken to a buddy’s house for a DIY project. And with this DIY mobile workbench base it becomes the ULTIMATE WORKBENCH for a small workshop!

Important Disclaimer

This DIY mobile workbench base has not been tested and most likely will not be able to support the approved load claims of the Mobile Project Center in any configuration. Do not use the mobile workbench base if you’re working on a project that needs the support of the Mobile Project Center approved load claims. Also, for safety and stability reasons, do not use the Mobile Project Center in sawhorse mode while on the DIY mobile workbench base.

Ultimate Workbench Plan

Printed Plan
Click here to download the FREE plan!

Supplies
(4) 1x3x8
(1) 1x4x8
(1) 1x6x8
1-1/4″ pocket screws
Wood glue

Tools
Stanley FatMax Tape Measure
Miter Saw
Kreg Jig
DEWALT Cordless Drill
Pocket Hole Plug Cutter (optional)

Step 1. Cut the Cradle Rails

Cut 6 pieces of 1×3 to 27-1/8” and drill pocket holes in each end.

Cut the Cradle Rails for the ultimate workbench

Step 2. Cut the Side Cradle Bottoms

Cut 2 pieces of 1×4 to 27-1/8”. Drill pocket holes in each end and along the sides.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Cut the Side Cradle Bottoms

Step 3. Cut the Middle Cradle Bottom

Cut 1 piece of 1×6 to 27-1/8”. Drill pocket holes in each end and along the sides.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Middle Cradle Bottoms

Step 4. Assemble the Side Cradles

Apply glue to a Side Cradle Bottom (Step 2) and clamp to 2 Cradle Rails (Step 1). Attach using 1-1/4” pocket screws. Repeat for the remaining side cradle.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Assemble the Side Cradles

Step 5. Assemble the Middle Cradle

Apply glue to the Middle Cradle Bottom (Step 3) and clamp to 2 Cradle Rails (Step 1). Attach using 1-1/4” pocket screws.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Assemble the Middle Cradle

Step 6. Cut the Front and Back Rails

Cut 2 pieces of 1×3 to 64-1/4”.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Cut the Front and Back Rails

Step 7. Attach the Side Cradles

Apply glue to the side cradles, position at the ends of the front and back rails and clamp. Attach using 1-1/4” pocket screws.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Attach the Side Cradles

Step 8. Attach the Middle Cradle

Apply glue to the middle cradle, center on the front and back rails and clamp. Attach using 1-1/4” pocket screws.

Ultimate Workbench for a Small Workshop - Attach the Middle Cradle

Step 9. Finish the Mobile Workbench Base

Use a Kreg Pocket Hole Plug Cutter to make pocket hole plugs. Apply glue to the plugs, and use a Kreg Jig Mini to seat the plug into the hole. When the glue is dry trim the plug flush with a chisel or flush cutting saw. Sand smooth and apply a quality primer. For a durable finish I painted the mobile workbench base with high gloss paint.

Final Thoughts

The Kreg Mobile Project Center is a workbench, an assembly table, a clamping station, it can be used as a sawhorse, it folds flat for storage, and with these free plans it becomes the ultimate workbench for a small workshop!

 

14 Comments

  1. This is absolutely perfect! Unfortunately, it’s the exact same idea I had for my 1st posting/video… aside from the casters instead of leveling platforms.

  2. Enjoying this project.

    Question: why cut 2 1×6’s in step 3. I can only find a use for one in the middle cradle?

      1. You’re very welcome. This is a great project. I’m almost done with the build.

        Little things I’m noticing are that I initially bought one set of the casters, missing that it takes six, and the set had four, and need to buy a second set. Maybe putting those details in the supplies section would help.

        Also the casters don’t come with screws. Did you use kreg screws for those?

        Thanks! ????

      2. Good point – I will get it updated. I just built this not too long ago and I don’t remember what screws I used to attach the casters! I would flip it over and take a look if it wasn’t loaded with a project. If the casters didn’t come with screws I’m guessing I used 3/4″ wood screws. The shortest Kreg screws I have are 1-1/4″ and those would have been too long.

      3. I’m all done. Loved this project. Fits perfect. Thanks for doing the hard part of building the plan.

  3. For 40 years I have always used bolts, lock washer and nut or kept (lock washer & nut attached) to attach casters to equipment so they will not loosen up. On 3/4” wood I would use bolts. Heavier wood would accommodate the use of lag screws.
    Mark A

  4. Nice idea for a smaller shop. I am thinking about modifying slightly to be at an outfeed height for my table saw when I need that. Mostly it would be a work surface though.

    1. Hi Eric – Thank you for stopping by. That’s a great idea! I have used mine as an outfeed for my table saw, but it is just a little low at its current height.

  5. I’ve had this for almost a year now. It has made it so easy to roll over to where I need it and have used it for numerous projects. Recently I had to load a big heavy sofa a truck and this made the perfect dolly. Thanks again for a great idea and project.

    1. Glad to hear this is still working well for you! And I love that it serves double duty as a moving dolly!

  6. Scott, where did you source the thin.silicon mat from ? I have been looking around and they are either way to small or way too big and costly. My new bench is 24″ x60″ .

    I enjoy your projects and drawings

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