Which Workmate style Bench ?
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- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by tomo dixon.
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26 May 2017 at 5:34 pm #312359
Hi folks first off let me give you a little bit of context. I’m after a very portable workbench which takes up a really small amount of space and is as sturdy as possible. I’m currently just renting a room in a friends house so haven’t got the capability to build a solid bench ( which I would obviously do in a heartbeat if I had the facility).
So my question is to all of the peeps out there who are compromising as I plan to, and just using a workmate style bench (not bothered about the particular brand). There seems to be a quite a few different designs out there with the 1000 series looking to be the most solid from the range that I can see.
Before I took the plunge and bought something I thought I’d ask people what they’re experiences were using this style of bench and what they would recommend to buy and avoid.
All input is welcome including those who think this style of bench is a mistake for a hand tool woodworker even as a temporary option. Any other alternatives that I have overlooked?
Cheers in advance
Tom D
I bought one of these:
to do extremely messy, dusty stuff outside, like grinding or sanding.
It folds down flat and tucks away easily. It is fairly strong and can support a great deal of weight, and it’s taller than most of the more common options. I clamp my grinder to it (use pieces of wood so the clamping force doesn’t crush the plastic), load a hundred kilos of junk onto the lower shelf for extra stability, and it’s been perfect.
My wife has also used it a few times for sanding and carving with her Dremel, and so it keeps our garage free from most dust (which is important to us, our heater and air conditioner are in the garage, so air in the garage becomes air in the house).I haven’t tried every porta-workbench option out there, but a neighbor has the workmate, and after trying it, I decided to go another way.
As for using it for the whole gamut of woodworking…I can’t imagine an elevated porta-bench that could handle serious planing on its own. It could handle light planing, no problem, so perhaps just limit yourself to very thin shavings or softwoods. Perhaps if you could brace it against a wall (and didn’t mind damaging the wall and / or the bench) The lateral force multiplied by the height of the bench just gives you too much leverage…only a proper workbench can handle that kind of work among elevated benches, which is why, in the apartment woodworking thread (and there are lots of good suggestions in that thread, you should check it out), I mentioned that perhaps an elevated workbench was not the answer.
Traditional Japanese woodworkers sit on the floor, working on a 4-6″ high platform which is braced with their legs. Watch this video; it should start at about 4:35: https://youtu.be/7_p7libPJKg?t=4m35s You can watch the whole thing to see him do layout, rip to width, etc, etc. I couldn’t do that, but if you’re flexible enough, maybe it’s an option. That little platform he’s working on as a work surface…think about it as a box (which it might very well be). That box can also hold all your tools when you’re done, and you just slide it under a desk or bed or into a closet. And you could improve that box with Western-style workholding options…drill it full of dog holes, get some dogs, make some wedges, and you’ll be well on your way. So your workbench is also your toolbox, and together they take up almost no space at all. If you drop a tool, it sure doesn’t have far to fall, and you probably don’t have to bend over as much, which might be good for the back.
Not the answer for everyone, but where there’s a will there’s a way. Good luck!
Hello Tomo,
I made a portable woodworking bench for traveling to trade fairs. I used the plan from Roy Underhill’s book, The Woodwright’s Apprentice. I made it six feet long but it could be any length. I made the legs slightly thicker than the plan. It has worked out very well and everyone that has used it is impressed. Instead of just a hook I made a leg vise for the left front. You can add a bottom shelf and stack tool boxes on it for weight and stability. I didn’t include the tool well as they don’t work out for me. Roy has other plans in the book that you may want to build also. I have made several of the other items in the book but be advised that his plans are sometimes short on details. I don’t have an issue with it but a beginner might have a problem figuring things out. If you want to go that route I can send you a picture of my bench and extras. –Jim- This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Jim Allen.
27 May 2017 at 2:08 pm #312371Thanks guys some good things to think about there cheers for the input.
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