Finds: Black & Decker’s Workmate 525 w/Hand Truck
By Chuck Cage
Over the last few years Black & Decker has vastly expanded their line of Workmate folding work tables to include all sorts of specialty versions — like this model that has wheels and can serve as a hand truck.
Heck, we use our ancient plain Workmate a ton in the shop — you can see it in many of our testing photos — but the idea of wheels sounds even better. My only complaint about the one we have is that sometimes it’s a bit heavy to lug around.
Black & Decker offers other specialty models now, too, include a smaller “X-frame” version and a version with a power strip included. Come to think of it, I may consider mounting a power strip to the one I have — it’d be handy working with power tools.
Anyway, the 525 (pictured here) includes the removable middle panel like the 425 and can support (according to Black & Decker) up to 450 lbs.
If you don’t already have one — or are looking for a gift for a DIYer friend or family member — keep an eye out for sales on ‘em this time of year. Street pricing hovers around $105 for the 525, much less for others.
The WM525 Workmate Handtruck [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
November 28th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Even in Amazon’s plethora of pictures, I’m not able to find any that show it actually being used as a hand truck. There’s a little black panel down by the wheels in one picture, and it looks like it might fold out, but they’re not exactly proud of that mode!
We have an old Workmate and it’s been great. The clamping top is such an innovation, I hope the original inventor is still making residuals. Good stuff!
November 29th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I’m with you — I couldn’t find any, either, though I suppose I could call for some. Honestly, though, I already have a hand truck. I like it because I don’t have to carry around the unit itself — especially considering that you have to hold it out away from you a bit to avoid it tripping you as you walk.
November 29th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Wouldn’t you know I have one of these. I like it quite a bit but it is very heavy for a handtruck and quite a bit heavier than my regular Workmate. I got it for a specific purpose though and it works quite well for that. I have a portable lathe and I use this to transport it and the associated accessories and then to set the lathe on once I get to my destination (I do occasional lathe demos). I imagine it couls also be used for those small portable table saws or chop saws too.
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I bought the workmate 525 but it does not show it as a handtruck on the box. It is a gift so I don’t want to open it but I would like to be sure I got the correct item.