Spec me a workbench

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Joined
14 Jun 2012
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Location
Halstead, Essex
I've used a few B&D Workmate's over the years and they're pretty solid pieces of kit. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another in the future if I needed one.

That said you seem to get a lot for your money with the Forge Steel ones. Personally I'd buy the £30 one and spend the other £20 on some quick release hand clamps which are essential for using these types of bench in my opinion.
 
£20 or £50, they all still use the same clamping systems, lots of free play and rubbish plastic pegs.

You'll notice the bottom shelf on the b+d, thats to put your foot on, all these workmates have a tendency to 'wander' during some vigorous sawing due to their lightweight

Buy a cheapie and an assortment of clamps, cheap rubbermat chopped into four to go under the legs to stop wandering and make sure all 4 feet are on the ground.
 
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I've got a standard workmate that does get used but what I find more useful is a pair of folding saw horses which I can drop a sheet of 18mm MDF onto and it becomes much more practical as I can:-

* Clamp things to it for cutting without worrying about cutting into the worktop itself (e.g. using rail saw)
* Use the worktop as backing when drilling through other items avoiding blow out
* Screw scrap bits of wood directly to the worktop to create clamps/jigs
* Paint/spray items without worry about causing a mess

Then when top becomes too damaged it's binned and replaced.
 
SPG said:
http://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-foldable-quick-grip-clamp-workbench-w550mm/704219_BQ.prd

Got one of these in the sale for £40 its been bombproof, well built and solid as a rock. Clamps are very good as well.
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I also have one of these and it's a brilliant bit of kit. Paid the same price as you too so must have been the same sale. It's a decent height and is very stable plus it folds up out of the way when not in use. I have even used my mitre saw and router table on it. I also have a Black and Decker workbench but since buying this I have not used it because this is so much better.

For cutting long lengths of wood I have a pair of these saw horses. They were on offer when I got mine as I only paid something like £15 for the pair.
 
pastymuncher said:
I also have one of these and it's a brilliant bit of kit. Paid the same price as you too so must have been the same sale. It's a decent height and is very stable plus it folds up out of the way when not in use. I have even used my mitre saw and router table on it. I also have a Black and Decker workbench but since buying this I have not used it because this is so much better.

For cutting long lengths of wood I have a pair of these saw horses. They were on offer when I got mine as I only paid something like £15 for the pair.
Click to expand...

Another vote for this workbench. Got mine in a deal at Screwfix, and its so much better than the metal B&D Workbench style things.
 
I ended up getting the black and decker and a couple of cheap clamps. Been very handy so far and seems sturdy enough.
 
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