Portable work benches?

[N80]

Now that I have a saw mill I'm starting to do more projects around my cabin. Put new rails on the porch last weekend. Planning a carport soon.

I have two old Black and Decker Workmates. One was a gift. One was my Dad's. They have been okay for simple projects but really don't cut the mustard for any serious work. Plus, all of the plastic parts have failed so they're a real pain to work with now.

Looking for recommendations for a better alternative.

I suppose most of what I'll be doing with them would fall under carpentry. Sawing. Electric hand plane. Bench top planer etc. After the carport my next big project will be a 40x30ish shop on a concrete slab. Those are the sorts of things I'll need it for.

Of course I can and will put together some saw horses. The reason I'm looking for a workbench is that I do a lot, probably most, of my work alone. It is nice to have a bench that I can easily clamp things into.

Any recommendations or experience much appreciated.

 

[Root Cause]

I've been thinking about this as well.
It seems that I need to drag along the entire shed with me when I do something. I leave a trail of tools it seems for even small projects.

I want something on a small trailer that I can pull around with SXS and just roll it into the barn at day's end.
Glad you posted this so I can follow others smarter than me.

 

[newbury]

Lot of plans on the web, make it simple and relatively easy to move until you decide on a final resting place.
I've got a lot of 42"x8'+ work surfaces. The first levels of my numerous pallet racks. They work out well for me.

 

[N80]

I'm thinking about something small like a Black and Decker workmate....just better built and better designed.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I build this 2'X3' work/welding table and use it every where inside and out. Big caster makes it easy to move. Vise folds down for a flat surface for big stuff.

gg

 

[N80]

I build this 2'X3' work/welding table and use it every where inside and out. Big caster makes it easy to move. Vise folds down for a flat surface for big stuff.

View attachment 751865

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gg

I'll take one!

 

[Doughknob]

I don’t have one, but have always wanted one like this

https://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Tools-84-906-Hard-Workbench/dp/B071RH3VW7/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_mod_primary_new?content-id=amzn1.sym.b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5%3Aamzn1.sym.b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5&cv_ct_cx=clamping+workbench&keywords=clamping+workbench&pd_rd_i=B071RH3VW7&pd_rd_r=8cb36a40-17a8-485b-b3bf-20ca0a9ccdb2&pd_rd_w=9Cm3f&pd_rd_wg=rhiw7&pf_rd_p=b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5&pf_rd_r=GSMP0A1A9P44VZRZ1MRE&qid=1656373844&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241

 

[Smokeydog]

Strong hand welding bench.

Certified flat bench.

Basket made to use as a stand alone saw horse, lumber mover, multi level platform, tool tote.

 

[dannoGT]

I like this style of saw horse from toughbuilt They are rated at 1300 lb each or 2600 lb per pair and you can put a couple of 2 x 4 in the clamps and throw a sheet of plywood on and make a table. Plus the legs fold down into the top "box" to take up less space for storage or for transporting in the pickup.

Sawhorse Table | Jobsite Table | ToughBuilt — TOUGHBUILT

The C700 is a serious sawhorse table constructed of 100% high-grade steel with 1300 lb. capacity alone and 2600 lb. per pair. C700, the ultimate job site table!

toughbuilt.com

Danno

 

[2manyrocks]

fine homebuilding portable bench

1x4 frame glued and gusseted with 1/4 plywood makes a strong, but lightweight frame. The two end pieces are on hinges so it folds nearly flat. Make it as tall as comfortable for you and put whatever top you want on it.

A bench top planer is going to be pretty heavy. Needs it own metal stand on wheels in my experience.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a pair of wooden saw horses that I like the best, and a set of plastic saw horses that fold flat, that are OK. I also have 4 different roller stands that are easy to adjust their height. 90% of the time, I work off of my tailgate. But sometimes I'll set up a tool on a sawhorse and use the roller stand to support material out far. Right now I'm doing a lot of Hardie Lap Siding. I cut it off of my tailgate with a roller stand set up to support what hangs off of my tailgate. The most common "big" tool that I deal with is my chop saw. It fits perfectly on top of my wood sawhorses when I put them close together. There is no moving it around once it's in place, but it's very handy when set up. Since I work on other peoples homes for a living. it's important for me to be able to set up and get to work quickly. Hauling around a cart of some kind seems like it would take up a lot of room, and take more effort to set up.

 

[SandburRanch]

As Mr. Haney would say , have i got a deal for you .

Build a portable miter saw table that sets across a couple of saw horses . Stores easily in the shop standing on end . For most saws this can be accomplished with 1/2 sheet of 3/4" .

 

[nbking]

Not sure where I saw this, but I made 2 saw horses out of only 2x4's, I think it was in the Family Handyman magazine. They are sturdy, easy to carry around, and I just throw a sheet of plywood on top. Been doing that for years.

 

[2manyrocks]

If someone is cutting with a miter saw every day, it's worth it to invest in dedicated miter saw stand. It's safer to have the saw mounted to something. The extensions make it faster to support material of varying lengths and the cuts are more accurate. It's also more convenient if the stand actually rolls easily. This one from Home Depot has the larger wheels on it. Best miter saw stand for the money I've found.
RIDGID Universal Mobile Miter Saw Stand with Mounting Braces AC9946

Noticed it's on sale right now, too.

Although my 12" slider will fit on it, the slider is pushing the limits of what I'm personally comfortable with. It handles my 12" nonslider just fine.

 

[jjeff]

Built this using an old craftsman bottom chest, angle iron for a frame, old rear axle off a snowmobile skid and two old swivel casters for the front. Thought about running angle up the sides to reinforce and welding a piece of steel plate for a worktop getting rid of the mid box. When I worked at boatyards I utilized Stanley, wheeled carriers for organizing and hauling tools along wharfs can use the tops for a workbench kind of.

 

[N80]

Couple of thoughts:

I have a dedicated stand for my compound miter saw.

Roller stands would be very helpful. Need to get a couple of those.

Bench top planer is heavy, about 80 pounds. This shouldn't be a problem for a decent work bench and in fact the weight was no problem for the WorkMate. The problem there was that the planer slipped around on the smooth WorkMate surface. Rubber feet on the planer would help with that. Or a set of clamps.

This bench gets good reviews:

https://cdn-tp3.mozu.com/24645-3713...-1a699327467e?quality=60&_mzcb=_1649148331752

 

[jjeff]

Couple of thoughts:

I have a dedicated stand for my compound miter saw.

Roller stands would be very helpful. Need to get a couple of those.

Bench top planer is heavy, about 80 pounds. This shouldn't be a problem for a decent work bench and in fact the weight was no problem for the WorkMate. The problem there was that the planer slipped around on the smooth WorkMate surface. Rubber feet on the planer would help with that. Or a set of clamps.

This bench gets good reviews:

https://cdn-tp3.mozu.com/24645-3713...-1a699327467e?quality=60&_mzcb=_1649148331752

Those are nice work benches, probably Build or find an old warehouse cart for it, imo. If you end up using castors probably make sure they lock. Or use the running gear from one of these for more off-road capability and build what and mount how you want and what you need off it. I built this one awhile back it has held up really good endless uses, plenty of room, backing it hooked to a lawn tractor is a challenge it's small enough I can unhook and manhandle it though.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I don’t have one, but have always wanted one like this

https://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Tools-84-906-Hard-Workbench/dp/B071RH3VW7/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_mod_primary_new?content-id=amzn1.sym.b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5%3Aamzn1.sym.b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5&cv_ct_cx=clamping+workbench&keywords=clamping+workbench&pd_rd_i=B071RH3VW7&pd_rd_r=8cb36a40-17a8-485b-b3bf-20ca0a9ccdb2&pd_rd_w=9Cm3f&pd_rd_wg=rhiw7&pf_rd_p=b245e49f-68a4-4489-b1f9-81f4034255f5&pf_rd_r=GSMP0A1A9P44VZRZ1MRE&qid=1656373844&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241

They are actually pretty awesome. I have one of the ones from Harbor Freight. Mounted my sliding miter saw on it in the shop. It's on casters, so can be moved in there. Way too heavy to be moved around unless on forks on the tractor.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Like you, I'm usually doing projects by myself. A decent portable workspace with clamps is like another set of hands. I have both the WORX table and a KETER table. Both are light and portable but hold hundreds of pounds. Deploy and fold easy. I recommend them both.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Example of Keter with adjustable legs and Worx Pegasus.