B&D Workmate or similar

[Gozza]

Hi folks

Not really caravan related except very loosely, but this is the best place I know to get handyman-style advice!

I'm looking to buy something similar to a Black and Decker Workmate portable workbench - I have no brand loyalty in this matter one way of the other, so I only quote the B&D name to give people an idea what I'm talking about.

The trouble I have is that the on-line reviews I've seen, both for this brand and other brand name products of the same type, are uniformly not very good, speaking of tinny materials and poor construction - this includes other brand names that with other products I've trusted almost without thinking.

So, given that I know there's good quality advice here, can anyone advise me - what's a good quality product of this type in the £60-ish bracket?

 

[paws]

I can't really speak for the other brands, but my wife bought me a Black and Decker Workmate as a birthday present, more than 40 years ago....

I have used it regularly (its a bit paint splattered and with plenty of sawdust and the like in all its joints!)
but it all works perfectly, the vice clamps securely, the folding and locking mechanism is great and I have never had a problem with it...

I reckon it will likely see me out!
I guess it was designed and put together correctly in the first place, unlike some other stuff that is available today.
Regards
paws

 

[Gozza]

Thanks Paws, I have access to what used to be my Dad's Workmate which I guess is about the same vintage as yours...unfortunately since he died it's been stored in a very leaky shed and isn't in such good condition as yours.
Unfortunately some of the reviews I've seen specifically mention that folding workbenches of today (regardless of brand) are made of much cheaper materials than when the first B&D versions came out. As I'm going to be buying this with money I was given for my birthday I don't want to end up disappointed!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Gozza
I've had my B&D Workmate since 1976. A wedding gift. Still works and performing as required.
It has been well abused so I have no complaints.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Had my B&D workmate from about 1980. Been used a lot but looks virtually as new. Bough a new cheapo one recently to keep in the new shed at the bottom of the garden (30 yards long), so too long to keep carrying the original one down from the garage and back up again. The new workmate is only used for holding various blades from gardening implements while I sharpen them, so is OK @ £15 so long as I don't press too hard on a corner and buckle the flimsy thin-metal legs.

 

[Sproket]

You won't go wrong with this one at this price....

I have had one of these for the last ten years, paid more than this for it then ....

 

[RayS]

I too have had a Workmate for more years than I care to remember. But I bought a second much simpler device from Screwfix some years ago and this is very useful in holding up and (more or less) level the 'other end' of doors etc or other long work items.

The weak spot of the Workmate is undoubtedly the folding legs - the sort of leaf springs on mine are long since gone - but still worth keeping.

The history of the workmate is interesting too: as I undeerstand it the inventor offered the design to B&D outright (which was turned down) so he settled for a small percentage on each one sold and retired a righ and happy man. (Legend or fact - I don't know - but a nice story)