Having previously owned a number of B&D wooden workmates I was a little sceptical about how a plastic bench would fare.
I need not have worried, it is a whole lot better than anything I have owned or used before. I would replace it immediately if it were to be lost or stolen and I would happily recommend it to all my friends in the trade.
There is a knack to opening it for use, but it is actually a rather neat bit of mechanics, and once you have done it once it all becomes easy and clear.
If you have any doubts have a look at the videos on YouTube that show you how it's done.
Essentially, you grab the two handles on the edges of the TOP shelf and squeeze in the two red locking catches. The whole bottom half of the bench will then come loose and flip down into the required position for working. You can give it a quick flick for added dramatics if you so desire.
You then flip up the grey, latticed centre piece (which also doubles as the carrying handle) and the red locked symbol appears on the top surface to tell you it is locked in position and safe to use.
To fold it up just push the grey centre piece down and fold the side hinges in very slightly, to get it started, then pick up the bench by the handles on the SECOND shelf and pull the whole thing up towards you.
It is quite a heavy item, though, so if you are in any doubt as to your ability to chuck it about I would strongly suggest you try and find one to have a go with before you buy it. I'm an average 62 year old bloke and I can do it with little or no bother, but I have good upper arm strength which helps.
The work surface is much larger than the B&D Workmates, and it also has a shelf underneath so you can store some of your tools out of the way when handling larger items. I have even stood on it for a moment to reach a light fitting (14 stones and a few pounds) and it was fine.
It is solid enough in use, and is pretty stable (remembering that it is a portable bench, not a fixed one) when using power tools on it.
It also comes with a couple of handy quick release bar clamps to help you hold stuff in place while you are working on it. These clamps, being specially designed for this bench, also have their own grooves in the top of the bench, so you can fix them to the bench and use them like a vice.
They have a grip maximum of just shy of 12" and they really do grip, despite their rather flimsy looking construction.
It has a few cut marks on it now, due to my enthusiasm with a jigsaw when undertaking some panelling earlier this week, but at least I know that the top won't swell and warp if left out in the rain due to these cuts. This is what happened to my second B&D, which is another reason I was prepared to try a plastic bench this time around.
I also have a storage unit made by the same firm, Keter, and I am also impressed with that. They clearly know about getting the best out of plastics through clever design.
The bench is a joy to use and also has the final advantage of storing very flat, so I am allowed to store it under the stairs when not is use!
| Manufacturer | KETER |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 17182239 |
| Product Dimensions | 85 x 55 x 75.5 cm; 8 kg |
| Item model number | 237005 |
| Size | 85x55x75.5 cm |
| Colour | Black |
| Finish | Painted |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number of Pieces | 1 |
| Special Features | Foldable |
| Batteries included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Item Weight | 8 kg |
