Which workbench to buy?

sethsgran

My husband has been wanting a workbench for ages so I have decided that I will get him one for christmas. I have been looking at the Black and Decker ones like this.... http://www.godfrey-diy.co.uk/show-product.html?sc=32001490&ref=fr or am I better getting something else. His diy is just around the home and helping our kids with their homes.

Thanks

zax47

That's ideal, but you can get much better deals than that if you shop around!

I've had my WM825 for over 12 years and it's still going strong.

sethsgran

Thanks I plan to shop around for a good price just needed to see what folk thought of the Black and Decker ones

27col

I've got one of the original Workmates. Bought before Black and Decker took over. I think that I saw it first at THE Ideal Home Exhibition in 1968. We couldn't afford to buy it then, but managed to save up and get one soon afterwards.It has been used a lot over the last 40 years. Including building two houses, I don't use it much now, but I would not be without it. Very useful at times. I think that the new ones are lighter as they are only made of sheet metal.

wallbash

Would think most of us are fans of the BD workmate , nearly indestructible unless you go mad with the circular saw ... I'm on my third!
Personally would go for a cheaper model , but add a couple of heavy duty quick clamps

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/37669/Hand-Tools/Vices-Clamps/Clamps/Quick-Clamps/Forge-Steel-Spreader-Clamp-305mm-12

Not the best clamps , but would rather have a few cheap ones than one expensive one.

iamcornholio

Have a look at the Stanley " Mobile Project Centre ". A neat idea, tough, mobile and storable, and can be used as a sack truck.

There is a small issue in that it does wobble slightly, but this can be sorted out by a DIYer, and may not be an issue compared to the versatility of it.

tony6403

Already mentioned in an earlier reply , but I would try to keep the weight down. I " Freecycled " my expensive dual height workbench as it was right pain to carry around.
Bought a £10 lightweight replacement which lacks build quality but it will hold a door while I plane it .

sethsgran

This is great guys, thanks for some invaluable tips/advice

A.Penny.Saved

I have a B&D Workbench 825 myself and they are pretty good. The prices do vary be quite a lot and did seem to go up quite considerably around the time I purchased mine a couple of years ago. I did see some being sold cheaper at homebase at one time because the boxes were a bit tatty but I purchased mine online and got free delivery which helped.

I don't think you will find them for for much less than £75 delivered now. That's a lot more than I paid.

£71.94 delivered @http://www.toolmix.com

sethsgran

Thanks for that, thats about the price I have seen

leveller2911

27col wrote: »

I've got one of the original Workmates. Bought before Black and Decker took over. I think that I saw it first at THE Ideal Home Exhibition in 1968. We couldn't afford to buy it then, but managed to save up and get one soon afterwards.It has been used a lot over the last 40 years. Including building two houses, I don't use it much now, but I would not be without it. Very useful at times. I think that the new ones are lighter as they are only made of sheet metal.

Same here, made of cast alluminium , I was told the designer previously designed aircrafts air frames so you can see the similarities......I also have a modern B&D workmate which is all pressed steel, its fine and does the job but it doesn't have the quality of the original Alluminium ones..