🔧 Versatile BLACK+DECKER Portable Workbench and Vise (WM425-A): The Ultimate Project Center Solution Review

I bought this product to replace my original 80's model. While the product is excellent (like the original) with some useful improvements, the build and instructions are pathetic. First, the unit is quite compact when folded, so it should come fully assembled like the original model (even an extra $10 or $20 if needed). The instructions are painfully brief and lacking in detail, and the diagrams are so small they're useless. It's almost impossible to identify specific parts from instructions…

Lots of reviews mention bad building instructions - I checked them out but got the basic clue from the instructions on YouTube - just search "How to build your Workmate 425". " from youtuber "WorkMateGuy". Based on that, assembly was a breeze. Except that the third (largest) panel that came with my unit is cracked, badly deformed and delaminated. It is like that badly deformed that i could hardly fit it Fit in the frame and it got stuck because it was so bent so its usability is severely…

I've had a B&D WorkMate for 20 years and I love it - portable yet durable, easy to set up, braves the daylight and still stands. Unfortunately one kid of mine left it outside for the winter without warning me and now as soon as the clamp screws get rusty and the wood top soaks up twice its weight in water he'll almost kick it to the curb on garbage day and start over . Bought as a replacement for my old friend. Let me tell you, this is NOT your 1990's WorkMate. It's MUCH heavier, but somehow…

This is for the 550lb WM425-A. It's not terrible, but I was disappointed in the design and build quality compared to a very similar model from the early 80's. Details like thinner metal, thinner wood top (it's laminated bamboo which is good but could be thicker), plastic clasps and small springs and clips make it a lot less durable. The version I just bought has a swivel section that locks in at more or less 90 degrees. It really should have a more positive stop as it can range from 88 to 92…

So. Tried to go to the back yard and do some staining/painting but the people right behind us were swimming in the remodeled pool and it's taking forever (seriously, how long does it take to redo the pool?!) and every time I would get all her stuff out for work, run the table saw and send the sawdust right over the fence and onto everything in our yard. So I decided to install it in my garage and do it little by little until it's done but at least free of the wind and sawdust. I have already…

When people say "You get what you pay for" it's usually a negative, but in this case it's also a positive. This is a great little workbench. I used it for several hours and found it very helpful. As for stability, this portable workbench is actually much more stable than I expected. I really appreciate the large platform which gives me more room to put my feet when working with my hand plane. I think it's really important for healthy ergonomics. Some other workbench/platform solutions don't…