Skil Compact Workbench with Folding Stand

Overview

Skil’s compact workbench and folding stand is aimed squarely at folks who need a sturdy, portable platform that packs away small but still handles real work. After several weeks using it as a small assembly bench and as a base for a compact table saw, I came away impressed with how thoughtfully it balances rigidity, portability, and ecosystem compatibility—though there are a few limitations and wish‑list items to note.

Setup and build quality

Out of the box, the stand arrives as a simple bolt‑together frame with a quick‑connect top interface. Assembly isn’t difficult, but budget an unhurried afternoon if you’re working solo. The included multi‑tool will get you there, though having a socket wrench on hand speeds things up. Once assembled, the stand feels solid. A steel frame with a reinforced plate under the mounting zone keeps flex to a minimum, and the hinges and latches inspire confidence when locking open.

The benchtop is bamboo, split into two jaws that act as both clamping faces and a work surface. Skil prints a straight ruler and a protractor scale across the jaws, which is handy for quick layout. Two vertical V‑grooves and a horizontal V‑groove help hold round stock securely, and four included bench dogs expand the clamping options. The surface is compact—think twin planks roughly 24 inches long and a bit over 6 inches wide each—and that size informs what it does best.

Skil rates the load capacity at 550 pounds. I didn’t test the absolute limit, but with a compact saw onboard and lumber piled for a project, the stand stayed composed. The frame doesn’t shimmy, and the anti‑rack geometry is better than most fold‑flat stands I’ve used.

Portability and storage

Fold‑flat is the headline here, and Skil nails it. The stand collapses in seconds, and the workbench detaches with a tool‑free quick‑connect latch. Folded, it’s slim enough to tuck behind shelving or slide along a garage wall. Weight is reasonable, so carrying it from truck to site isn’t a chore.

I would love to see an optional wheel kit or integrated casters. The stand’s portability is great between storage and working locations, but once a saw is mounted you’re lifting rather than rolling. A simple dolly or a strap‑on wheel accessory would make this a truly one‑handed move.

Work surface and clamping

As a compact bench, it’s a very useful partner for small to medium tasks. The twin‑jaw design lets you clamp panels or boards across the gap; the maximum opening range is about six inches, which covers most of the casual joinery and sanding jobs I do on site. With the bench dogs, I could secure odd‑shaped parts for edge work and quick routing tasks.

The printed ruler is accurate enough for layout, and the protractor scale is a thoughtful touch when you need a quick angle reference without reaching for a separate tool. Bamboo is a good choice here—it’s firm but not so hard that it damages workpieces or your edge tools if you make incidental contact.

The downside is surface area: it’s not a full‑size bench, and you’ll feel that when assembling large carcasses or supporting long stock. Add outfeed or roller stands if you’re planning to work with eight‑foot boards or sheet goods. For small cuts, sanding, fastening, and layout, the footprint is ideal; for big builds, it’s a supplemental surface, not the main event.

As a table saw base

Skil’s quick‑connect system is the anchor of the ecosystem play. The stand accepts select SKIL compact table saws (including the 8‑1/4‑inch models) and the FS3602 flooring saw, and it pairs with other SKIL accessory stands. With the intended saws, the interface is dead simple: align, drop, latch, and you’re cutting in under a minute. The connection is tight and transmits very little vibration.

I also test‑fitted a non‑Skil compact saw. The platform handled the weight and footprint just fine, but the built‑in clamps didn’t line up perfectly. That’s not a knock—this stand is designed to favor Skil’s mounting pattern—but if you plan to run a different brand, expect to adapt with auxiliary brackets or straps and verify clearances around the latch arms.

Dust management

Skil includes a quick‑install dust bag that connects under the saw area. It’s a nice touch for quick cleanup, particularly when you don’t want to drag a vac out for light cuts. Realistically, a shop vac or dust extractor is still the way to go if you’re ripping more than a few boards. The bag catches a fair share of chips but won’t keep up with prolonged cutting. The attachment point is robust, and swapping to a hose is straightforward.

Stability, ergonomics, and capacity

In use, the stand feels stable for a lightweight, foldable platform. The stance is broad enough that you don’t tip it with off‑center loads, and the feet grip smooth floors well. The working height lands at a comfortable standing level for me; there’s no height adjust, so if you need to match a specific outfeed height, plan to shim or choose a dedicated saw stand with adjustable legs.

With heavier loads—like a saw plus a stack of materials—the steel plate reinforcement helps the platform resist deflection. I appreciated that you can push laterally during ripping without the stand wandering. Vibration damping is modest but adequate for a compact setup; pairing with a rubber mat beneath the feet further reduces skitter on slick concrete.

Compatibility and ecosystem

Skil’s ecosystem thinking pays off if you already own or plan to buy their compact saws. The stand accepts the TS6308 and TS6328 table saws and the FS3602 flooring saw, and it plays nicely with their portable miter saw stand and rolling tool box set. There’s even a bracket provision for a storage box so you can keep clamps and dogs onboard. If you’re invested elsewhere, weigh the convenience of the quick‑connect against the potential need to fabricate adapters.

What I’d improve

• Wheels or an optional caster kit for easy garage‑to‑driveway moves with a saw mounted.
• Adjustable legs or leveling feet to fine‑tune height and compensate for uneven surfaces.
• A larger auxiliary top or clip‑on side shelf to expand surface area for assembly work.
• Universal mounting slots or a standardized hole pattern to improve cross‑brand compatibility without DIY brackets.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’d elevate the already strong design.

Tips from use

• If you’re mounting a non‑Skil tool, mock up the footprint and clamp locations before drilling or committing. A plywood adapter plate works well and preserves the stand.
• For long rips or crosscuts, set up an outfeed roller or a second stand; the compact surface isn’t meant to be your only support for eight‑foot stock.
• Wax the bamboo jaws lightly. It keeps glue from sticking and makes clamping smoother.
• Use the V‑grooves with the bench dogs to lock round stock when sanding or sawing—it’s more secure than it looks.

The bottom line

The Skil workbench hits a sweet spot for mobile, compact work: it’s sturdy, folds flat in seconds, and integrates cleanly with Skil’s compact saws. The bamboo clamping top, bench dogs, and printed scales make it more than just a platform—you can actually build on it. The 550‑pound capacity and reinforced steel frame make it feel like a real tool, not a wobbly compromise.

Its limitations are clear and reasonable. It’s not a full‑size bench, and it’s not a universal saw stand. If you regularly process long stock or need a rolling cabinet‑style base, look elsewhere. If you want a small, dependable, quick‑deploy surface that stores out of the way and pairs perfectly with Skil’s compact saws, this is a very good solution.

Recommendation: I recommend it for DIYers, pros, and trim carpenters who value portability and already use, or plan to use, Skil’s compact table or flooring saws. The quick‑connect interface, fold‑flat design, and solid build make daily setup faster and storage painless. If you’re committed to another brand’s mounting system or need a larger, wheeled workstation, the value proposition drops—otherwise, this is a smart, capable addition to a small shop or mobile toolkit.