Best Workbenches reviewed

by Joost Nusselder | Updated on:  August 23, 2021
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Crafting and creating, dying and giving aesthetic shapes to your working components is always a mind satisfying job. We often face a problem if we let the professionals handle our tasks. Because they don’t always get our individual views of artwork.

A remedy to that the best workbenches out there are really a great option for you to craft your own piece of material. With advanced criteria, these tables simply reduce your pains of relying on anyone and along with that meets up you need.

Workbenches are an oracle of effortlessly summing up your used tools. The jaws tighten the grips so the components don’t slip and you get a right cut, a beautiful dye, and nice crafts.

Best-Workbenches

“We can do this job anywhere we want”- you can state it like this. But definitely, it’s a messy idea to jumble your living place. So for having integrated workability we prefer a suitable workbench.

A Comprehensive Workbench buying guide

A worktable is just a platform where you keep your work-piece that you wish to dye, cut or furnish as per your need. Workbenches available in the stores mostly give you an assurance of heavy-duty work.

What best workbenches do is simply make your messy surroundings clear by allowing you to have a work station. Else you would have seen your living area being so untidy. Workbenches come with cantilever shelves, drawers, bottom trays, hooks, and rails.

Some workbenches allow clamping systems to hold your work elements. This feature is undoubtedly a great add up. While you’re cutting a log or wood piece, doing garage works supposedly you need to ask someone to hold it accordingly so you can do the job well.

But the perfection remains questioned. In this case, the clamps really are to save you. They can be adjusted the way you want to work with the addition of some swivels. So overall for a neat and perfect working experience a worktable is worth calling.

How to strip wire fast
How to strip wire fast

A proper buying guide leads you to a way of consuming a perfect item of your need. The workbenches come up with a lot of varieties and that might create a vague situation for you.

In the midst of a lot of variations, you choose the ones which have less installation program and those ensure you heavy-duty work and storage capacity. Some are featured with clamping systems to assist you. Here we are enlightening the basic features of the best workbenches for you to choose an affordable one.

Construction Material

Most of the workbenches are made of highly qualified plastic resins. So they are capable enough to work with heavy substances.

While some have the support or leg made of plastic resins and the work surface is made of particleboard or plywood. In this case, we need to see the thickness of the board if it can bear the loads. Other than these there are steel supported ones which also gives a sturdy work efficiency. The workbenches can hold up to 1000 pounds to 3000 pounds of load.

Storing and portability

There are 3 kinds of workbenches classified as – storage integrated, stand-alone, and worktop. The storage integrated has a spacious surface and have inclusive cantilevers and drawers. Some have extensive trays and rails to save necessary tools for work purposes.

Stand alone is strong and is perfect for heavy-duty jobs. The worktops are small in size and are light-weighted. These are easily foldable and their installation process is also to collaborate with. They are specially used in garage works and in mechanical sectors.

For garage works the work area is needed to be of MDF, plywood or metal surfaced so because of dying works and other chemical works the surface doesn’t go through any corrosive procedure.

Clamp up Buckle up!

There’s a clamping system added to most of the workbenches. This trait is to hold down the workpiece so that you can do your job more nicely. Most of them include 2 clamps to hold the pieces and some clamps can easily be handled vertically and horizontally.

Some include 4 swivel pads to assist the clamps and also to work with uneven work surfaces. The swivels are added in the grids that form the worktable. Some workbench work as both table and sawhorse. In such cases, the clamps are more usable to cut any work component. So one can easily do heavy duty works and work with delicate components with the help of clamps and swivel pads.

LED and Power strips

The power strips help if you need to work with any kind of electrical machine and some include USB ports. The LED lights or lighting system helps to another degree of ensuring a calculative work done.

Best Workbenches Reviewed

Here we have picked the top 6 workbenches

1. 2x4basics 90164 Custom Work Bench

Specialties

The Hopkins 2x4basics workbench follows a DO-IT-YOURSELF system. Elaborately what you’re getting are 4 black workbench legs and 6 black self-link, and necessary hardware to customize your own specialized worktable and store-case.

All you need is a powered screw-diver and a saw to fully construct your bench and at best you’ll only need an hour or so to do the task. The 4 supports are made of plastic resins which are experts to handle heavy-duty works. It can hold up to 1000 pounds without any disturbance.

Now you need to choose your 2×4 sized lumber cuts and design up to your need. In this case, you need no miter cuts. The legs are designed this way that only 90° cuts of the lumber will suffice. At high the workbench can be of 8 feet in heights and 4 feet in width. The product is dimensioned as L = 10.50, W = 12.00, H = 34.50, and it weighs only 20 pounds. To create the base you will need plywood or particle boards.

It’s a smart choice for working with odd-shaped components. Also, it has a considering storage facility that increases its demand. Also quite a handy for working in small areas like garages. Ensures a lifetime warranty.

HALT!

No clamps are included with the kit, which might make you uncomfortable to attach stuff while working. Also, the compacted structure is not a portable one. So this might not be comfy you if you’re a here-there worker.

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2. WORX Pegasus Multi-Function Work Table

Specialties

Being a multi-functional company, the Worx Pegasus has shown an incomparable impact. Firstly it works on two modes.

  • As a workbench
  • As a sawhorse

However, the conversion system is too friendly. There are clips in the supports which are quite flexible and just by pressing them it auto folds. This comes with 2 quick clamps and 4 clamp dogs, including a dual clamping system. The dual clamps help to join multiple tables to enhance the working surface.

The 2 quick clamps hold the objects tightly so the cutting, dying, painting works can be done without any pain. The clamp dogs help to work on any uneven surfaced element. There plenty of holes and adjustments all over the base so the clamps can be set perfectly.

It is a plastic made material that is a durable one and the support legs are locked up while working. The work arena is of 31 x 25 inches. The whole work table weighs only 30 pounds, and the height is 32 inches. The table can hold up to 300 pounds and while transformed into a sawhorse it can bear around 1000 pounds successively.

The sawhorse mode is nicely indented so it can hold a 2×4 sized working object. There is a power strip included for better work affairs. It gives a promising warranty of 6 years and ensures a portable and storage facility having light-weighted features. When folded then the depth is only 5 inches.

HALT!

Despite being having versatile features its limitations might upset you. The grips of the clamps are usually not too strong. So in case you’re thinking of doing a sawing job then you might get disappointed. The worktable is not even as it has multiple adjustments, so it’s kind of a hard one to work with.

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3. Performance Tool W54025 Portable Multipurpose Workbench

Specialties

The Wilmar’s workbench is a metallic one, with a customer-friendly appearance. Its height is around 31 inches, and the work table’s dimension is 23.87 inches in length and 25 inches in width. There is a significant amount of grid visible in the table for better performance. Also, there’s a ruler and protractor for user convenience.

This has folding flexibility having a safe workload of 200 pounds and can also be used as storage management. Enables a one-handed clamping system, so jaws are adjusted without any difficulties. The jaws added here are of quality materials so they don’t easily get twisted and gives you an uninterrupted working experience being evenly angled for abruptly shaped objects. The jaws open from 0-4 inches almost.

The whole product is dyed in yellow. In the lower portion of the bench near the 4 legs, there are aligned rails to keep the necessary tools safe. So overall it’s a good pick up for adequate weighted works and it has greater control.

HALT!

The holes in the tabletop are not spacious enough to work with and so you might need to create holes for your own purpose of work.

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4. Ultra HD Lighted Work-center

Specialties:

The Ultra HD work-center is a mixture item of metal and beech wood which is well-decorated with necessary LED lights and so enhances your work capacity. It’s a smart choice for your garage, warehouse, for DIY works.

There are two USB ports available with power strips. A nice cantilever and a complete attached pegboard, with a 23 hook’s set. It’s a nicer idea since you no need to hanker after the tips to hang pegboards and the stress associated. The storage drawer here has full extensive ball-bearing sliders and so it is quite easy to move.

The drawer’s weight capacity is 60 pounds and there are liners included that helps you to customize your own drawer spaces. The pegboard is dimensioned as 48”x24” and the cantilever as 48”x6”x4”. The workbench’s height is about 37.5” and the rest is 48”x24”. The whole table weighs about 113 pounds and the workload capability is almost 500 pounds.

The work-center is colored as satin graphite and it is framed with heavy-duty steel with a leveling grounds. Coated with powder so there can be no corrosive options, and its drawers are made of ULTRA GUARD fingerprint resistive.

There is plenty of options to store a variety of items in the customized drawers and the cantilever shelf. The working area that is made of sturdy beechwood is 1.5 inches thick for enduring heavy-duty work.

HALT!

Having a great performance doesn’t ensure portability. This is the limitation that can be noticed, else it’s good to go one.

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5. BLACK+DECKER WM125 Workmate

Specialties:

If you are a specialized crafty guy and want to do your job without a headache the Black & Decker Workbench kit is a perfect selection. The supports are made of good steel materials and the worktable is of a sturdy wood piece. Maintaining a very lower weight of 15 pounds can hold up to 350 pounds of pressure without any pain.

The wooden vise jaws and the durable steel frame makes it more of a choice. You don’t even need a bench vise. Also, the inclusive 4 Swivel pegs are quite handy and adjustable. The dual clamping creates an environment so the one can easily work with any irregular shaped material. The light-weighed configuration is a great feature to make the portability more efficient and it can be folded in a very unproblematic way. The feet are slip resistive, has a strong grip. Easy to set up easy to pack up, a very friendly workspace for your working area.

The dimension of the whole table is 33.3x5x5 inches. The clamps and swivels don’t swell any material and they have compact grips so don’t get warped. Has 2 years of warranty assurance. For a serious craft job, it’s a very affordable choice.

HALT!

This might be easy to set up but the assembling time is quite high.

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6. Keter Folding Compact Workbench

Specialties

The Keter folding compact workbench is one of the easiest to set up a companion of yours. Less than a minute you can easily make it installed. The installation process is almost around 30 seconds.

The length of the product is 33.46 inches and width is 21.85 inches. When folded the width turns less than 4.5 inches. The usual height of the bench is 4.53 inches. The height can be adjustable according to your use. This is a full plastic manufactured one but the high resins ensure its quality. This can hold up to a 1000 pounds load.

There’s this handle that increases the portable facilities. You can easily fold it and carry it with the handle and as for the weight, it’s quite less about 28 pounds. The two 12” bar clamps can be adjusted and mounted both vertically and horizontally.

The supports are made of aluminum and the height can be adjusted from 30.3” to 34.2”. Can be also altered as a sawhorse and storage management system. The lower portion has a tray where the necessary tools can be kept. Includes an extensive work area.

This has a promising warranty of 5 years. The outer appearance is black dyed. Overall it’s a perfectly balanced working component that lessens tension for having a low spaced working area. More beneficial for dying works and professional uses.

HALT!

The plastic component might not be handy in critical cases of work.

Check on Amazon

 

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.

What Is a Good Height for a Workbench?

38″ – 39″ (97cm – 99cm) makes a practical, tall workbench height. A tall workbench is good for detailed work, cutting joinery, and for power tool use. 34″ – 36″ (86cm – 91cm) tend to be the most common workbench height for woodworking.

What Is a Good Size for a Workbench?

Most work benches range from 28 inches to 36 inches deep, 48 inches to 96 inches wide and 28 inches to 38 inches tall. The amount of space you have usually dictates a bench’s depth and width. Size your bench so you can move material and equipment past it freely.

What Is the Best Wood to Use for a Workbench?

Accessible/affordable wood. Any of the following would do: Douglas fir, poplar,ash,oak,beech,hard/soft maple… For hand tools, I’d go with softer wood – it easier to hand plane flat and less likely to ding your work. If this is your first workbench, use something inexpensive.

What Makes a Good Workbench?

The principal requirement is mass… lots of it, as workbenches are meant to take punishment in spades. In practice, this means that the legs and top should be made from stuff which is as thick as possible; 75 or even 100mm thick is desirable. … The timber used for a bench isn’t critical as long as it’s stiff and strong.

How Far Should a Workbench Top Overhang?

4 inches
Be sure your workbench top has an overhang of at least 4 inches on the front and the sides. You will discover this will come in very handy if you need to use larger adjustable clamps to hold something in a steady position while you glue, drill or sand the object.

What Type of Plywood Should I Use for a Workbench?

For most workbenches, the best plywood products to use are sanded softwood plywood, marine grade plywood, Appleply, Baltic Birch, MDF, or phenolic board. If you’re looking to build your workbench the most budget friendly possible, stick with softwood plywood, with either MDF or tempered hardboard for the top layer.

How Deep Should My Workbench Be?

The depth of your workbench should, ideally, be no longer than your arm can reach across it. In most cases, that number falls around 24”. If you happen to be the type of woodworker that works with unusually large or wide pieces, then you may want to add a few inches.

How Thick Should Wood Be for a Bench?

The TOP should be at least 10 x 36 x 1. A bench longer than 36 inches square may require a thicker top, 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The top should overhang the structure by about 1 inch. APRONS should be from 3/4 to 1 inch thick,4 to 5 inches wide and about 30 inches long.

Is Pine Good for Workbench?

There’s a common misconception that pine is not durable enough for a workbench and also not heavy enough. I think that’s a funny perspective as pine has been used for solid wood flooring for centuries. The pine is holding up just fine and 100% yes, pine is plenty durable and heavy enough for a workbench.

Does Mdf Make a Good Workbench Top?

Using what you have at hand you can make any number of different workbenches of various styles and configurations. At the most basic a single thickness of MDF can work as a top for now, with the plan being to beef it up later, and possibly add a sacrificial hardboard surface as well.

Q: Can wheels be added to the tables?

Ans: Apparently, the answer is no. Because the manufacturers don’t create it that way so that you can customize it with wheels. There are other workbenches that come with wheels from the start.

Q: Are the tools for installation provided?

Ans: In most cases no. You only need a screw-driver mainly set the whole bench.

Q: Does the steel make benches get damaged?

Ans: No, they don’t because the stainless steels are mostly powder coated. So any kind of oxidation and handprint doesn’t deteriorate the surfaces.

Conclusion

To craft with more integrity, and cut workpieces without effort an advanced workbench is all you need to call for. While working you might need to keep your tools aligned and might need to store stuff. So the best workbenches have space for those too.

One of the versatility of these tables is that they are foldable and easy to carry. And if you need to increase the work arena you can easily customize that too. From the top picks above we’ll suggest the Keter folding compact workbench for its multi facilities.

For storage and work assistance they provide tray at the bottom, plus the height of the table can be adjusted freely. It can hold up to 1000 pounds load. And mostly the clamps give you a fair grip and can be laced vertically and horizontally all together.

The others also have names in the market but the Keter one is comparatively better as its features are more solid. The 2×4basics one is a good one for garage works but this has a portability problem where the Keter is more of a choice. So overall a good choice of the workbench is all you need for better work performance.

I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.