Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #211 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Black & Decker
• Model: B/DWM825

Manufacturer's Description
Black & Decker Workmate portable project centers hold virtually anything. Their clamping mechanism is ideal for either standard lumber or odd-shaped objects. The versatility of the Workmate doesn't stop there. The large work surface and rugged design makes the Workmate an ideal work bench or tool stand. The Black & Decker Workmate can support more weight than any other clamping workbench on the market. The Black & Decker Workmate: An extra pair of hands!

Customer Reviews

Cheap and Nasty
I look at the quality of the original W/M and see a piece of kit that is strong,robust and well made.This version has been designed by accountants purely and simply for the cheapest construction possible. It is supposed to be a portable work bench I would hesitate to build a leggo toy on it.
The wooden top is flimsy flattend bamboo, the metal used in the frame work is thin and very unstable. Black and Decker are selling this on the strength of their name certainly not on the strength of the W/M. I wish I'd looked at one before I bought as I would not have made the purchase.It is a piece of expensive rubbish don't waste your money

Excellent product and good value for money.
This is an up-to-date version of the original Workmate first introduced nearly 40 years ago. It has been value-engineered to make the price competitive (the original version would cost over £300 in today's money). There are some convenient features such as a belt between the two handles to assist in maintaining the jaws parallel. Obviously, the belt cannot be expected to carry the tightening torque - it is designed to slip when tightening the jaws on an asymmetrical work piece. In addition, this model allows the front jaw to tilt upwards by 45 and 90 degrees to clamp work pieces to the rear jaw. Interestingly, the jaws seem to be made of a bamboo laminate. This is stronger than the plywood used for the original (and the particle board used in recent models) as well as being a sustainable material. Black & Decker no longer recommend using the Workmate as a step. This is probably to protect themselves from Health and Safety criticism since the Workmate can support up to 250 Kg. However, unless the jaws are tightened, the rear jaw might just be a tripping hazard. There are those that can find fault with the design, but any tool can be dangerous in the wrong hands and will fail if not treated with respect. Overall this is considered to be good value for money.

WM825 Workmate or Hinderance
This item is a very poor development of the original workmate. The jaws are thin and mark wood when it is clamped for working on. In addition they have warped and have insufficient strength to remain flat / straight when tightened up. Boards cannot be held vertically as one of the metal struts affect clearance. I spent more time moving the clamps backwards and forwards than should have been necessary and in the end I used it as a place to keep my tools on and got out my 20yr old Workmate and used that. Wish I had spent my money on spares for the old one rather than thinking that getting a new one would be an improvement.

The little orange clamps for pushing into the worksurface are its best feature and are very good. Otherwise a total waste of money and I wish I could return it.