BLACK+DECKER Portable Workbench, Workmate Folding Workbench, 550 lb. Capacity with Clamps for Woodworking (WM425-A)

Whether you are a contractor or a diy, this bench will serve you well. It's rugged and adaptable for all sorts of jobs. You will love the way it can hold all sorts of odd shaped objects. It certainly reduces the number of clamps you need as well as the hours time needed to complete a job. I've had mine for over a year, and I consider it to be one of the most important items in my shop.

I did not ever own an "original" workmate so I cannot speak to the quality when compared to the 1980's models. i can say however that this thing is AWESOME and plenty sturdy for my needs. I use it for everything from projects around the house, to a tailgating table at football games, even a portable outdoor kitchen counter when I took a Turkey to Thanksgiving and my Dad's wife did not want me to carve it indoors. It easily folds and slides into my trunk and i am tempted to just store it there since I find so many uses for it. I am a shooter and I take it with me to the outdoor range. When I get there I just unfold it and have an instant shooters bench. I have noticed other guys buying one or trying to fashion one. If the cost of an item is how much you paid for it divided by how much you use it, this thing is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Again, it is PLENTY sturdy and easily holds the 500lb weight advertised. I guess it could suddenly fall apart tomorrow but I don't see that ever happening. I will agree assembly was a PITA but that is a one time thing. I wish I had purchased one years ago.

Hey got my Workmate today and I'm really happy I did! I don't do a ((LOT)) of woodwork but when I do finally get on a project, I need TOP-SHELF GEAR to be on hand and ready to go. I don't have TENS OF THOUSANDS to invest in a PREMIUM HOME WORKSHOP, so I get by with something REALLY COOL over here, and REALLY HANDY over there. I needed this bench more than a hog needs slop lol.. Because when I used my router or sander, I never had anything to properly hold the wood steady - till now!! I'm so excited to FINALLY be able to clamp a piece of wood down and just go to work on it - (Be careful not to sand or cut in to the plastic "dogs/posts" holding your work. As long as that doesn't happen you can't beat this for versatility, practicality & usability. The only reason I didn't give it 5-stars was because it's a tad small, and was a little tough to put together. There's 2 pins that have to be hammered into place, and MANNnnnn.... That took some WORK to get those things banged into place and "FLUSH" with the handled. You better hope you don't bend or damage them during hammering because once they get INTO position just a bit, you'll NEVER get them back out. After battling those pins to get them into position, the rest was easy. The instructions are fairly vague and you have to really figure it out on your own. This IS NOT for beginner-level builders because you really do have to figure most of it out as you go - fortunately there's not many pieces for it. Regardless, I DID also stop at the hardware store and pick up 6 washers - I don't understand why they didn't include washers and it likely doesn't matter but (I don't like bolts digging into wood). So ultimately - It would also be cool if it had a height adjustment, better directions, and if it was BIGGER! Basically... Black & Decker needs a FULL-SIZED WORKBENCH with drawers, peg board on the wall and a vice on the side. With THE WORKMATE as an item-companion, WOOWWW!! Now THAT woulda been cool!!! 😉 Other than that, It's actually REALLY well made, solid as a rock, and I'm looking forward to using it and putting it through the paces. 😍

A well built solid, versatile work bench. Easy to carry but it's a bit heavy and somewhat clunky but the handle makes it easy.

Its B&D . It works

I wanted a metal work bench, and since the vast majority are now plastic, my choices were rather limited. The assembly instructions weren't exactly clear. Note that the plastic mounts that tie the top to the base are of two types. The ones missing the protrusions are for the fixed (first) top piece nearest the clamp handles. Also, note the split roll pins for the mounting the clamps handles have a beveled edge which should be inserted first. I used the bench once for planning down a couple of solid core doors. The bench was a little wobbly while holding a heavy door. Also, the clamping strength was lacking. The plastic clips which hold the top to the base are not going to last. The top is already scratched up and dinged from the one project which was pretty mild. So, the top is soft, way too thin and flimsy. I'm sure I'll replace the top with 1.5" thick hardwood. The plastic dogs are pretty worthless. The base is metal and pretty sound. I will add a thin plywood shelf to the base to add temporary tool storage. This workbench has quite the following with numerous websites dedicated to it. You can find a lot of good ideas for modifying it. If you're willing to do a little work, you could have a decent, portable workbench. Unfortunately, I could not find a something nice right out of the box. At least, it's relatively cheap.

I wanted a “Workmate”. My dad had one back in the day, and I was stoked to find them still available. Slight issues putting together, but thanks to other reviews for pointers. The connection between the two winding handles is over elaborate and unnecessary, but I can see how it may assist some users. It seems to be well made, and is extremely versatile. The 425-A is much better value than the 825 Deluxe; they are basically the same but the 425 has more interchangeable “boards” on top and is way less than half the price.

This offering of the Black+Decker Workmate is a far cry from the model 79-001 I purchased in the early 80s. The twin independent screws of the early models connected at both the front and rear of the top of the frame, distributing the torque from clamping throughout four points. The amount of clamping torque that could be applied was impressive. Unfortunately, over the past ten years I left it out in the elements, causing the thick plywood top to fall apart. In last year’s move I (stupidly) left it behind. After seeing how the current 425 model is constructed, I wish I had brought it with me, refurbished it to last another 25 years. The Workmate 425 has a notable share of Cons: The stamped steel frame is flimsy compared to the old model I owned—a thinner steel used with lots of sharp edges in the cutouts and ends. Where the old model had independent screws driving the clamping top piece, the 425 uses a thin plastic perforated belt to synchronize the crank screws. Each crank handle is attached to a pulley wheel on the shaft, under spring tension. A sheer pin through each screw shaft holds the pulley on, but will easily spin to the next indent when clamping down, causing the belt to skip at the other handle. Using both handles at the same time to clamp onto the work, as it was with the original independent handle design, allows for a decent amount of even clamping force. But make no mistake, the belt is there only to get both sides of the clamp jaw to the work at the same time. Both handles are needed to get a firm, even hold. Personally, I don’t find this feature necessary. I may end up removing the belt. My old model worked just fine for decades without it. The instructions need to be in a larger format, with some clarification added: larger images, stick-on labels for parts X2 and X4, which are so close in looks that it took me a while to figure out which was which. Old eyes, here. My old model had a thick plywood top that weathered through decades of rain, snow, sleet, cold, heat, pounding, clamping, and more. Time will tell how long the species of wood used in the 425 will last. Fortunately, as with the older models, one can replace the wood with whatever is on hand or desired. Assembly Tips: Adding washers to each of the bolts will allow you to tighten the bolts more than without, and the heads won’t cut into the wood. Washers, as is always the case, are left out due to cost savings, not a lack of necessity. The easiest and least frustrating way to attache X4 to the middle and final clamping boards is on a bench or table. Because there aren’t any threads to guide the bolts in, place an X4 under each side of a given board while on a table or bench. Insert the bolt and washer, then give a firm tap on the bolt head with a 12oz or large hammer to force the threads to jamb into the plastic. This is all that is needed to get the bolts to start cutting threads. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THESE. Remember: steel bolts forcing itself into soft, THREADLESSS plastic. Instead of using a hammer to drive the sheer pins into the shaft holes of each handle, large slip jaw pliers make this easy, avoiding possible damage to the handle or shaft. If you find the white plastic screw connectors are not equally spaced on their respective shafts (the top looks crooked in relation to the frame) you can flip the unit on its back side, remove one end of the spring that runs across the belt (to provide tension on it). Then slip off the belt of one pulley and crank the other until the top is even in relation to the frame. Slip the belt back onto the pulley teeth and hook up the tension spring when done. Improvements/Recommendations: The top clamping work boards should be packaged with their respective plastic X2 and X4 components attached. A small bolt or slip-on pinch pin clip would be the better choice for attaching the handles. Asking the purchaser to use a hammer to drive sheer pins though a plastic handle is just asking for service calls to be made and bad reviews to follow. Instructions seem to always be the Achilles's heel for every product needing assembly by the buyer. A larger paper format was needed here, with some labeling on X2 and X4 components a great help. Conclusion: Having had an early model of the 425 for many dependable years of use, I can’t help but look at this new model with disappointment. It is nowhere near the quality, sturdiness, and clamping power of the early models. Whether the 425 is worth the price (for me) is yet to be determined. Outside of the cons given, I look forward to using my new Workmate 425. The design format, for me, is still the best for what I want out of a folding workbench. I doubt this will last as long as its older sibling did, but then again, with the TLC that I had neglected to give to old model applied to the 425, maybe it will.

Great

Terrific workbench. Bought it for my son so he has a place to build and create without destroying my wooden floors. It sits in his bedroom and he loves it! Delivery was also super fast which is an added bonus.

Produto muito bonito, prático e versátil. Porem chegou com problemas, travas dos pés de apoio quebradas. Está em processo de devolução.

Very good product Sturdy. Works well Good value for money. Took a little bit of sorting out when it arrived but not a big problem. Easy to use. Very well designed

Great work bench to do my little dad projects with haha.