BLACK+DECKER Workmate Portable Workbench, 350-Pound Capacity (WM125)

Note: I'm a 63 yr old Handy-Lady, and well used to getting my hands dirty, and make furniture and other woodworking projects. Like many people I was wary of getting this workbench set up. I actually bought this in May and left it till I needed it - September 9 - to assemble it. I forgot the return window for Amazon had closed, so I was really nervous when I examined the box, which had obviously been opened and resealed. And even more so when I found one of the plastic bags of parts was opened. But, I looked up the Black and Decker assembly video for the WB125 and setup my iPad to watch as I assembled it First - and I am one of those people - I arranged all the parts and hardware exactly as shown in the video, and was pleased that nothing was missing. TIP #1: Make sure you have the 2 cross-braces identified as the shorter one goes on the inside legs, the longer one on the outside legs - the holes won't line up if you make the same mistake I did. TIP #2: Yes! Use locking washers - 8 x M6 lock washers - on these cross-brace attachments to make sure it is as sturdy as possible TIP #3: There are 4 slides included for the vise. These are actually 2 sets of 2 and are not identical. The first set have a protruding knob which fits in the hole in the metal top of the bench. This set is the one used to attached the non-moving part of the vise - the one without the printed logo and product name on it. Everything else went smoothly - watching the video carefully - and I even used the Roll Pins to attach the handles. I had bought - upon the advice of a number of reviewers - but the Roll Pins - with a little force, went through OK. Tip #4: I attached the feet, which fitted well, but also used Flex-Glue, since the feet are flexible plastic. I literally just finished the setup, so I can't say whether this was a good idea, but it seemed logical to me. Once assembled it seems very sturdy and - I used to have one of the original 1970's versions - not quite as solid as the original, but good enough for my home projects. At $40 (incl. tax - and it's now even cheaper) I am very pleased with the workbench. VIDEOS: Search YouTube for WB125 Assembly and you should get the one from the Black and Decker Product Manager. But also search for "How To Put Together A Black+Decker WorkMate 125 Portable Workbench" by user, 'Help at my Home'. He runs through some of the confusing aspects of assembly and the various parts and pieces that might get your frustrated. _______ Hammer On!! -Kim

ASSEMBLY - I hate assembling stuff! It took me over an hour to assemble. I ordered two sawhorses and even though I had successfully finished one it still took me almost 45 minutes to finish the second one. I can't say the instructions are wrong as they are "technically" correct. But parts are not labeled or described well and assembly images are not always clear. I was searching for a nut driver in the garage and then later figured out that a plastic nut driver was provided in the bag of parts but wasn't identified as such in the instructions. Sometimes it's like looking at a map where someone has decided that west should point to the top of the map (by the way, maps normally are oriented with north to the top). USAGE - These sawhorses are very sturdy. I haven't tested out their claimed capacity of 350lb (160kg) but they seem like they should be handle that much weight. The vise feature works nicely for holding items. There are some removable plastic inserts on the top that can be used to provide stoppage points (I think of them as small walls) so items can be positioned in a more steady manner, however, I find using separate clamps more intuitive. All in all, I would probably buy these again if I needed more sawhorses.

For those who find the product unsteady or unstable, I think you may have misunderstood how the support crosspieces need to attach to the legs - easy to do, given that the instructions don't mention or show it. But it's a great product, sturdy, simple and convenient to use and store, big enough to do the job but easy to move around, and a great price. That said, I'm good at putting things together, and I can't say this was easy to put together. The instructions really are inadequate - if I had it to do over I'd skip them and go straight to a video tutorial on You Tube (though the Home Depot one is not the best, either.) The hard part is the sliding vise assembly, which the instructions would have you put together before you've added the table top pieces. The videos suggest waiting until last. Having tried it both ways, I'd say last is better. But even then it's awkward, and having a third hand would help. The handles that could so easily have come pre-assembled require some force to put together, as do the pins that connect them to the rods that adjust the vise. Be prepared to hammer the hell out of the brand new thing you just bought, and know that it may have some scratches and scuffs before you ever get to use it for the first time.

Small, with a strong grip of the vise, 4 plastic dogs included (the fact that they are a bit compressible improves the grip). Standard aluminum dogs fit the holes. A bit tricky to assemble but completely doable using instructions (not as straightforward as IKEA's, but doable, nevertheless). Does anyone expect it to be sturdy? If anyone does, checking with common sense is advised. But placing a foot on the crossbar is enough to fix it in place and make manipulations which do not include excessive force to the side. Yes, if I put all my strength to the fixed plank sideways, this poor contraption will bend, but... it is not designed to withstand this. With this in mind, my first three days working on it with tools and efforts, which are consistent with its design, were pleasant. I did what I needed - chiseling, drilling, cutting 2x4 (!) with a saw etc. No complaints. It can be stored flat, and it will be when my main workbench will come fully functional. This small piece can be a reserve or take-out workplace.

The workbench arrived missing two bolts. I was unable to assemble it without these two important items. Efforts to obtain them came to zilch in spite of my best efforts. So item was returned.

Collapsable and the vice feature is great. Great value for money too. If your making anything at home that needs a vice and a flat surface you should buy this, very convenient.

Bonne qualité, très pratique pour les petits bricollages

Easy to use, slim when folded - so easy to store, sufficiently robust for home use, light enough to lift and carry.

Excellent product. Don’t let the hard to grasp assembly instructions put you off. For that one time set up. Simply type the make into you tube & watch how to put it together.