Work Benches: some advice please

[Speicher]

I think I need a workbench in the garage, but one that will fold away when not in use. This would be for various mending, cutting, sawing jobs at a good working height.

Black and Decker do a range of them. But I do not think I need the all various accessory bits on the more expensive ones. Are there some attachments that are vital? Is there a brand that is sturdy, and strong, and well-made?

Are the cheaper more basic ones the same Bench/Frame as the more expensive ones? In other words, would I be paying for the extra gadgets etc or the strength in the bench on a more expensive one? I guess that I would need to avoid the really cheap ones.

Please could someone offer some practical advice on this. Thank you

 

[MontyVeda]

I've been using a cheap one from ScrewFix for about 8 years now, cost me £6. (yes, six pound). It's still going average! (buy cheap doesn't always mean buy twice)

You could spend a lot more, but if it's just to hold the odd skirting board or chunk of 3x2 for sawing, they're fine. The vice isn't great... but they're not like a proper woodworking vice on a proper bench... folding workbenches are a compromise, no matter how much you pay.

I'm about 11.5 stone and also use it as platform to work from... if it's strong enough to stand on and work from, it's strong enough.

height wise, they about the same as a table, which is a little on the low side for me (6'2")... but it's the same height as my dads posh black and decker one.

 

[accountantpete]

 

[snorri]

I've had one of these for quite some time, it has proved to be very useful and has saved me from many skint knuckles.
http://www.blackanddecker.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/WM536/

I have not bought any accessories but use the 'Swivel pegs' a lot. If anything else needs to be held securely then G cramps usually do the job.
The option of being able to adjust the height can be handy.

 

[Speicher]

I have seen a very expensive work table by De Walt. Would I be able to securely attach a larger flat work area to the work bench like the one you have Snorri?

 

[craven2354]

Is it not possible to build your own? We have a workshop and fitted it all out ourselves we do get free mdf off cuts though so I don't know how much it would cost

 

[defy-one]

I have an old kitchen worktop fixed in my shed, looking for a vice......

 

[Speicher]

Is it not possible to build your own? We have a workshop and fitted it all out ourselves we do get free mdf off cuts though so I don't know how much it would cost

Not really. My skills do not extend beyond basic sawing, cutting and mending things. It would be for small diy jobs, etc or things that need doing outside of the house to save making a big mess indoors. This is why I was thinking of a folding one. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to park a car in the garage.

 

[Speicher]

I have an old kitchen worktop fixed in my shed, looking for a vice......

I am not that sort of Vice Admiral.

 

[MontyVeda]

I have seen a very expensive work table by De Walt. Would I be able to securely attach a larger flat work area to the work bench like the one you have Snorri?

If you attach a larger top to it, be aware the the bench's legs won't be at the corners and therefore will only be stable in the middle, above the benches legs. What I do is, take my £6 bench from Screwfix, plus a £10 bench from Wilko and use them as two trestles for a larger work top. (4' x 2') ... but most of the time, just the one bench will do for a quick sawing/hammering/clamping job.

The two folding benches plus the top fits very neatly in my hallway when not in use.

 

[Speicher]

I have some large pieces of wood in the garage, and I have seen the sturdy Trestles. How would I firmly attach the work surface to the trestle?

 

[Speicher]

I have also seen this work table on Amazon. However, I cannot find the Draper website to find out how much weight it would take. It is a bigger surface area. It would not take a vice though, I presum.

 

[MontyVeda]

I have some large pieces of wood in the garage, and I have seen the sturdy Trestles. How would I firmly attach the work surface to the trestle?

On the underside of the work top I've screwed two chunky chunks of wood about 6" in from the short ends... These make the top a lot sturdier, but also clamp into the vices of each workbench

edit... here's a couple of photo's of my cheap, cheerful and versatile bench

the grey bench is the £6 screw fix bench, and is far more substantial than the blue Wilko* one on the left. It makes a very sturdy work surface at the right height for a lanky git like me, and packs up well

* i would not recommend the wilko bench... it's sh!te, but still in one piece..

 

[craven2354]

I

I have also seen this work table on Amazon. However, I cannot find the Draper website to find out how much weight it would take. It is a bigger surface area. It would not take a vice though, I presum.

Would you get away with a old folding dining table off fleebay or something?

 

[Fnaar]

looking for a vice......

I have several...