Real Deal, Hands-On Review: OmniTable Plus
Somebody definitely had light bulbs go off over their heads when designing the Disston OmniTable Plus. They call it a “5-in 1” work bench, but it’s really a 500-in-1. And counting if you ask me. And to me–when a tool is useful outside its design parameters–you’ve got my attention.
Disston OmniTable Plus: Top Line Review
- Job site command center
- Sturdy
- Stores easily
- Versatile–”creeper,” drywall bench/scaffold, work/outfeed table
- Smart power features
- Outfeed support
Click here to read Mark’s review of the original OmniTable
The OmniTable Plus hero functions are:
- work bench
- clamping table
- “scaffold” (they really mean “drywaller’s style bench”)
- dolly
- creeper
It is all those things, to be sure, but to me it’s way more. In fact, I don’t even use it much for what it’s ideally designed for.
But I use it all the time!
For example, there is a jobsite law: Any and all horizontal surfaces will be instantly cluttered with all the things we remodeling carpenters need to put down somewhere. Coffee cups, keys, water bottle, clip board, iPad and phone…you name it. They’ll land on tables, window sills, the counter we’re about to demo, you name it.
Because I don’t really want to launch a search and rescue mission for where I put the job folder or the ear piece I use to make calls in the truck, the first thing I set up on a project–and the last thing I put away–is my OmniTable Plus.
All the “stuff” goes on it or under it. I could do an infomercial on this thing…And now that I’m joking, it’d be great camping, at the beach, fishing…anywhere you need to put stuff down where there isn’t a place to put stuff down.
But, is there more, Mark?
Why, yes. Yes there is more.
You can run power to OmniTable Plus and get it back from an on-board 3-way multi-plug with two USB ports. You can do more than have a place for your iPad, you can charge that puppy, too. I love it.
Eat lunch
Flip over a 5-gallon bucket for a chair (a little low, but this is a job site) and you can eat your lunch like a civilized human being or type on your tablet’s keyboard.
Command Center
Because I use it as a jobsite command center, I don’t usually clear it off to use it as a drywall bench (scaffold), but I have and it’s a beast. Think of it as a large, stable stool with a 350-pound rating. And while it has holds and pegs for clamping, I don’t really clamp stuff. I do assemble it, but I do that on my miter saw bench. I have used it as a dolly in a tradeshow setting and it works great.
Outfeed Table
However, what I really like as a secondary use is as an outfeed table for my table saw. Really, I should have two on the truck, one for outfeed and one for command center.
As an outfeed table, I can also plow long boards through my table saw and they’re supported as they come out. It’s awesome. But, it’d be extra perfect if it was about 1½-inch taller.
Lightweight
The OmniTable weighs 29 pounds and has a rugged carry handle. So I actually tie it up in my tool truck to store it on edgeby that handle and I can tell you, it’s tough.
The table surface is about 24 x 36. The legs deploy easily. And it stores nicely in a truck, shop or garage.
Whomever had the light bulbs going off over their head even named it aptly: Omni. Because it’s useful just about everywhere.
FIRST ONE IN, LAST ONE OUT
Called a “5-in-1” workbench, clamping table, drywaller’s scaffold, dolly, and creeper, this OmniTable unit is much ore than that. First, some specs, then we’ll get into the gooey stuff
- Less than $140 on Amazon
- Three heights
- 29 pounds
- 350-pound load capacity
- Built-in power strip and USB
- It’s the first thing I set up on a job site and the last thing I put away
Its Goldilocks size of about 2×3-feet makes it idea for a bone yard for job site stuff—phone, paper, coffee maker, iPad, small parts—it also stores nicely on the truck or in a workshop.
What do you think?
Have you tried the OmniTable? Did it make a difference in your productivity during home improvement projects?
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