Black and Decker Workmate - Just the Best Folding Work Bench Around

The Black and Decker workmate is a marvel of a workbench for home use as well as professional. A folding workbench that is lightweight enough to carry with you and with a built in vise - what could be better?

Black and Decker introduced the workmate many years ago (my own workmate is around 20 years old) and in a demonstration of the longevity of some ideas, is still available today. B&D has expanded the original line to three models now, with varying capabilities and prices, but they are all still the workmate that is loved by so many home improvement enthusiasts.

At its most basic, the workmate is a small workbench with a built in vise. One of the two boards that make up the workbench surface is fixed; the other moves back and forth via two screw handles, giving the vise effect. Pegs are also available separately, although the workmate comes with four of the handy "dogs" that extend the size of the work piece that may be gripped.  As a method for clamping materials for drilling or sawing operations it is unparalleled. 

The workmate also folds reasonably flat, taking up little room in the workshop or garage, and is light enough to easily carry to a more distant job. All but the most economical model have folding legs that produce two different work heights.

My own Black and Decker workmate is one of the most used tools in the workshop. It is a workbench. It is a sawhorse. It is a bench tool support. It is a wood vise. It is so many different things it is incredible, but what it is not is just another useless tool cluttering the workshop. I would give up almost any other tool before my workmate, and appreciate it so much that a new one was my first gift to my son upon becoming a homeowner himself.

The Black and Decker WM125 is the smallest and most economical of the workmate line of workbenches. Listed for holding up to 350 pounds, it maintains the vise arrangement that makes the workmate so valuable while still folding for storage.

With a workbench area of 13" X 24" it is still of a reasonable size for most homeowner use, and at only 15 pounds it can be taken anywhere the work is. Complete with 4 swivel pegs for clamping larger objects, the workmate 125 is a good addition for any home workshop.

The workmate 425 is the top of the line in these workbenches from the Black and Decker workmate line. Listed at the ability to hold 550 pounds it is again a little larger and heavier than the workmate 225 while still retaining the ability to fold flat.

The 425 maintains the vise assembly, but with a new twist; the front jaw will now swivel up to provide a vertical clamping ability. The workmate 425 also comes with an additional block to fill in the empty space with the vise is wide open, giving a larger workbench surface when needed.

The top of the line workmate also keeps the folding legs, dual height and step from the 225 model. The workmate 425 is more than adequate for any homeowner use and is a popular choice among professionals that need a portable workbench. The heavy construction virtually guarantees a long life under demanding conditions and would certainly make a welcome addition to the homeowner tool set.