This Portable “Centipede Table” Is a Game-Changer for Small-Space DIYers
When I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw the phrase “best Costco find for any DIYer,” I had to stop in my (digital) tracks. DIYs and Costco: Are there any two things Apartment Therapy readers love more?! The thumb stopping, perfect-for-DIYers find in question was the Bora Centipede Table, a pop-up work bench and saw horse that can support thousands of pounds of weight.
This is the ad that first grabbed my attention, but it turns out there are over 1,000 posts on Instagram from DIYers and even professional makers and craftspeople raving about this table.
While the table is only available to Costco’s Canadian customers right now (where it’s priced at $100 CAD, according to the Costco Canada website), you can still get it stateside. Here, you’ll find it at Home Depot (for $100) or on Amazon (for $89).
It’s called the centipede table because of its many legs; the smallest size (4 feet by 2 feet) has six legs, or struts, and the largest option has 15. Unlike most other tables, this thing doesn’t have a tabletop. Instead, you open up the legs to create a base, then use clamps to strap on a piece of plywood or plastic to create a totally custom-sized table. You can also attach a couple of parallel pieces of lumber to either end to make a sawhorse. (The table comes with some clamps, but you can buy additional ones online, as well as a tabletop.)
As online demos show, the centipede table expands for quick setup and also folds up neatly for easy takedown, which makes it a great option for apartment dwellers or DIYers who are low on space.
DIYer and carpenter Kaysea (@kays_creates_) gushed about the throw-and-go table in a post on Instagram, calling it “literally the BEST space saving work bench!!” She notes that the military housing she shares with her family doesn’t offer tons of room for a workshop, and this table gives her a space to do projects that’s not the garage floor (and that stores away when not in use).
It’s important to note that you’ll need to expand the table to its full intended size for stability, so make sure to take that into account when you choose your size.
The table itself is actually really lightweight (although it’s rated to hold up to 2,500 pounds). The smallest work table is about 14 pounds, and it packs neatly into a tote that’s about 3 feet long and 9 inches wide. If you’re thinking, This would actually make for a great tailgate or beach-day table, you’re one step ahead. As the Bora website says, “Use it at the beach for a dining table, a place to set gardening tools in the yard, or on your job site to look at plans while someone else saws. The options are endless!”
Whether you’re making a sandwich at the beach or crafting a custom canoe (or some DIY in between), this space-friendly “centipede” table is worth a look.
Buy: Bora Centipede Portable Work Stand, $88.41 (originally $99)