Hot or Not? Black & Decker’s X Frame
By Sean O'Hara
A small workbench is where most projects in the home shop start. Even if you’ve built yourself a beautiful big bench, smaller foldable units like the Black and Decker Workmate are often extremely handy to have around. The problem with most of the old orange-and-black standbys is that they’re heavy and a pain in the ass to unfold and setup. The X Frame model Workmate from Black and Decker aims to ease some of that pain.
The X Frame is smaller and lighter than a standard workmate and boasts a 350 pound weight capacity — but that isn’t the good part. The X Frame opens like a TV tray for easy setup and tear down. We dig that.
The question, though: is the trade off of sturdy vs. light-and-easy really what you need in the shop? Let us know what you think in comments.
Street pricing starts at $30.
X Frame [Black and Decker]
Street pricing [Google Product Search]
Via Amazon
November 30th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Hot… I have one and they are pretty useful for projects that take only a few minutes but don’t require a full set of sawhorses. I can set it up cut/drill/paint/etc… and then fold it right back up.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I like it!
I will put this on the Christmas list.
November 30th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Hot. I got one because it’s lighter and more compact than the big ones. I have a real workbench so just need the portability. It’s also the same height as a plastic sawhorse so the pair works well for sheets of plywood and long boards.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
i’m going with “not”
as a sawhorse, fine… but a workstation even for light duty stuff outside of the shop? nope. too flimsy for my needs. that it’s not US made is another drawback, for me…
November 30th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Hot from a tag sale. I’ve seen this type go for around $5. HF had a cheapy version too.
December 1st, 2007 at 1:34 am
Very, very useful for all those light duty tasks and easy to get out of the way when done.
December 1st, 2007 at 9:28 am
I have one and love it, as a minor-project homeowner. HF has a cheap one, I have the B&D one that they always stock at their outlet stores for $20.
adm
December 1st, 2007 at 10:51 am
Nothing like the full size B&D workbench and you’r right it is a pain in the ass to open and it is heavy.Look at the good side Where else could you add several inches to your bicepts just by using the workbench.
I like the the B&D X frame. It is on my list.
December 1st, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Hot, maybe. I’ve got the much maligned old, heavy one, had it since they came out. Guess I never thought much about the weight, although it is a pain to unfold sometimes. The heft kept it in place while I worked on something. Not sure this new one will stay in place, hence the “maybe.”