Monday I bought the 4X8. I thought, why pay $50 for a 2X4 when I can get the 4X8 for $100, at Lowes. HD, here, didn't have the 4X8.
If I ever want a smaller work surface, I don't have to open it up all the w ay. It's just as stable opened all the way, as half way... and points in between, as long as you secure an appropriately sized work surface/sheet go od, using the holddowns. I can posibly foresee wanting more holddowns. F our may not be enough for multiple goings-ons on the worktop.
Opened all the way, it's 30" high. Opened partially, the height is taller , which suits me a little better than 30" high. But 30" high is fine, too .
Someone posted a Lowes reviewer review, about the 4X8 self leveling itself. Well, yes it stays level, but the feet that don't touch, a dip in the gr ound, need shims under them, for them not to "wobble".
The foot pads don't slide on the ground, as you're opening/expanding it. Easy fix to that is lift one end and it opens easily. Same with closing/f olding it, just lift one end and it collaspes easily.
Once folded up, don't lay it down on its side to place it back in the carry ing case. It's kinna like a slinky, all those legs and elbows wobble, whe n the 4X8 unit is laying on its side. So, once it's folded up, stand it o n end and slip the bag over the top, then flip it over and pull the rest of the bag over the other end. Since the 2X4 unit has less elbows and legs, it may be easier to bag when laying on its side, rather than standing on it s end.
When one worker is utilizing the unit, a 4X8 sheet good needs to be gingerl y tilted/leaned onto the top "points" of support.... you can't just easily plop a ply sheet onto all those individual points of support. Two people can simply lay a sheet good on top. In that initial video, that Mike post ed, the guy says "after initial set up....". Yep! For one person to lay a sheet good on top (for a work surface): I lifted the sheet good, stepped into the maze of centipede legs and rest the ply edge onto several points o f support, then laid the sheet down, as I stepped from the maze of legs. I adjusted the ply onto all points and secure the ply with the supplied ho lddowns. That setup took 60-90 seconds. Setting up other tools (chop sa w, etc.) on top, is probably what the video guy refers to, as to additional time "setting up".
With some good effort, I leaned on the sheet and tested lateral movements. It's pretty darn stable. The 4X8 unit support 3000 lbs. I think this tool will be a good helper. This weekend I hope to do some heavy work on/ with it, give it a better testing.
I haven't tried the four 2X4 (stud) braces (called "X-Cups"), that come wit h the unit, and I have some ideas about adding custom X-cups. To use the cups that came with the unit, I surmise a situation, for my specific needs, and I may need additional cups, so I have in mind how to make additional c ups.
So for, I like what I see. Stay tuned for further reviews.
Sonny