Page 2 of 2
Re: B&D Workmate - alternatives?
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:04 am
by mangocrazy
The very first Workmates had cast aluminium legs and frame, as I recall. That fairly quickly got substitued for pressed steel, and then gradually all the good bits got swapped out for lower quality alternatives, the steel got thinner, the worktops were made out of MDF not laminated plywood etc. etc. When in France I use a B&D Workmate in conjunction with a pair of Stanley (plastic) saw horses and that covers most things. I also have a proper wall-mounted bench in the garage for heavy stuff.
Re: B&D Workmate - alternatives?
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:16 am
by Count Steer
mangocrazy wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:04 am
The very first Workmates had cast aluminium legs and frame, as I recall. That fairly quickly got substitued for pressed steel, and then gradually all the good bits got swapped out for lower quality alternatives, the steel got thinner, the worktops were made out of MDF not laminated plywood etc. etc. When in France I use a B&D Workmate in conjunction with a pair of Stanley (plastic) saw horses and that covers most things. I also have a proper wall-mounted bench in the garage for heavy stuff.
Mine must be an in-between job. Pressed steel
and laminated ply
.
Cast alloy sounds like exactly what I want, but even wood would probably suffice.
Had an absolute Bismark of a bench at the last house - it was better built than the house
But, tbh the current job is not one for indoors (I wouldn't saw any manufactured boards in an enclosed space if it's avoidable).
Re: B&D Workmate - alternatives?
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:54 pm
by HIGH65
I was in the same case and I took a Wolfcraft Master 600, super light and very stable.
It holds under 11 kg and the jaws are great for clamping wood.
If you want bigger, the Master 700 is worth it too.
Well glad to have fired my old Workmate!
Re: B&D Workmate - alternatives?
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 9:35 pm
by Felix
I was gifted a workmate. Never used it so took it up to the tip.