Black and Decker WM425 Workmate 425 550 Pound Capacity Portable Work Bench
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend Workmate&tmreg. 425 Workbench, 1 Handed Clamp Portable Project Center, Front Jaw Swings Up For Vertical Clamping, Folds For Easy Storage, Holds Up To 550 LB. Product details and pricing info |
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86 Customer Reviews Posted
- Super Workmate
- The product is all I hoped it would be, and fits my needs perfectly. If only the instructions on how to assemble had been as clear -- I think they were written outside the US! Product arrived quickly, quicker than expected, and in perfect condition, and I have made good use of it.
- 2007-01-10, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Not for the serious DIYer!
- Very poorly constructed. Flimsy sheet metal. Catches on the underside of the jaws do not engage securely into the holes in the frame. Adjusting screws were poorly aligned so that the first attachment of the moveable jaw left it crooked and required some disassembly and adjusting on my part. Reasonably sturdy with all 4 legs on a flat floor, but I suspect it will prove wobbly on an uneven surface. Definitely not for the serious DIYer who works with heavier items. Next time I would look for something much sturdier. Made in China.
- 2007-01-04, 6 of 9 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Good Helper
- Would vote 5 stars, but one star got lost in the plastic...
Comes in handy for larger projects, and/or working outside. I wouldn't use it for welding projects, as the laminated-wood-product top, and plastic parts would take too much damage. As a clamp for holding odd-shape items for grinding, it's great! Holds surprisingly solid, considering the flimsy appearance of the parts.
Clamping force could be better, but most of that assembly is plastic. When you reach a designed clamp force limit, (maybe 30lb psi - just a guess) it will ratchet off further turning of handles. Considering all torque and pressure points are dependent on plastic to hold all the "business" parts together, B&D did a decent job with this unit, and is is a good and useful tool.
Overall, I'm happy I got it, it's a third-hand when you need it.
I regret not getting one years ago, when metal was the primary component... - 2007-01-03, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- With some PATIENCE!
- Black & Decker's resupply of parts was excellant. They made a decent product, betrayed by pathetic instructions. The parts illustration does not match the items in the parts bag. So I ordered the missing parts. Guess what? The missing parts were pre-installed, but the instuctions did not indicate this. Calmly look for the 2 vise screws & the 2 pivot nuts hiding in the metal frame. 6 bolts are to be tightened by a micro "wrench", which can only screw the bolt down about 90%. Putting on a heavy glove got 5% more.To finish the screwing, I had to use a Channel Lock wrench over the micro "wrench". To ease opening up the Workmate, I suggest marking the release levers with a bit of duct tape.
- 2007-01-02, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- One design flaw
- I have had one of these units for several years and they are handy and don't take up much space when folded up. The problem that I have had is that there is a plastic latching mechanism that holds the lower legs in place when it's in the folded position and also when it's in the unfolded position. Over time each of these 4 plastic pieces broke one by one. The unit can still be used but it is a pain in the rear trying to get all the legs in the right position to stand up -- on the level or fold up and stay folded up. I'm looking for something with the same capability without this feature which is common to three or four of the workmate models.
- 2006-12-21, 2 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
