Whether in the shop or on the job site, there always seems to be a need for stands to support long or awkward workpieces, particularly when catching long offcuts from a table saw. The new Bora Portamate PM5093 Deluxe Pedestal Roller offers three solutions in one to this challenge.

The PM5093 is basically a bipod stand with extensions to give it a stable footprint but still keep it easily portable. The best part of the stand is the quick-change feature on top that allows you to instantly change between the three most popular work stand options: roller, ball bearings or fixed bar.

Basic features

With sturdy all-steel construction, the PM5093 is plenty strong for most applications. It is officially rated to hold up to 200 pounds. The two legs mount into a triangular fixture that braces them securely when engaged but allows them to fold up for transport.

One of the common problems with work stands is how the center column locks – or doesn’t – to support weight without slipping. This stand’s center column has a tapered design that means that gravity and weight actually wedge the column tighter against the locking screw.

The quick-change feature for the three different support systems is clever and easy. Without tools, you simply lift up the bracket and flip it over to one of the three modes. The big roller is great for ripping long boards on a table saw. The roller ball fixture is helpful with unusual shapes and pieces that might need to change direction while still being supported, such as positioning a piece in a drill press. The fixed bracket is the right support when you just need a long end supported while you are working on the other end, such as crosscutting a long board or holding a piece for gluing.

How it works

Sturdy and simple, the PM5093 performed excellently in all of our tests. It was great to change to a different support system as the work required. When out of the shop and on a job site with uneven ground, a leveling feature on one of the stand’s feet kept the unit stable. The wedged center support never let the stand slip while supporting work.

Our only complaint is that when switching between the three stand modes, the height of the stand changes and must be readjusted, but that’s just a minor inconvenience for a very useful stand. You can learn more about the unit at www.boratool.com.