Black & Decker Workmate Portable Workbench, 350-Pound Capacity

A compact helper that earns its keep

I keep a rotating cast of portable benches in the van, and the Workmate 125 earns its spot for one reason: portability. At roughly 15–16 pounds, it’s easy to grab with one hand, toss in the trunk, or lean against a shop wall without consuming real estate. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated workbench, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a lightweight, fold-flat platform with a clever clamping top that’s ideal for small projects, on-the-go repairs, and as a temporary stand for benchtop tools.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly took me longer than I expected. The hardware is straightforward, but the instructions left gaps and a couple of diagrams were more confusing than clarifying. My advice: lay everything out first, loosely assemble the frame, and don’t fully tighten the fasteners until the top is aligned and the legs swing freely without binding. On my unit, a few holes needed a minor nudge—a quick pass with a round file made alignment drama-free. I also added a dab of medium-strength threadlocker (or use lock washers) on the frame bolts to prevent loosening with repeated folding.

The twin crank handles threaded smoothly once I seated them fully. The wooden jaw panels came flat and clean, with machine-routed dog holes. The plastic dogs fit tight out of the gate; a light sanding around the holes and a touch of paste wax on the pegs gave me the slip I wanted without slop.

Folded, the Workmate becomes a slim slab that slides behind a shop cabinet or under a truck seat. Opening and closing the legs is a two-handed operation the first few times; after that, muscle memory takes over. The feet are slip-resistant and do their job on concrete and hardwood alike, but on dusty floors I still use a rubber mat to stop any creeping.

Clamping and workholding

The hallmark of the Workmate is its split top: two wooden jaws that act as a vise. The front jaw travels via the handles and will open wide enough to hold a 2×4 on the flat. Pitch the jaws slightly and you can grip tapered work without chasing it across the bench. Four included dogs drop into the grid of holes for clamping panels, odd shapes, or to act as a planing stop. I often set two dogs along one edge as a fence, then bring the moving jaw up to stabilize a board for sanding or routing.

For round stock, I’ll offset the dogs diagonally and snug the jaw; it holds surprisingly well, especially if you add a piece of rubber shelf liner between the work and the jaw. The clamping force isn’t in the league of a heavy cast-iron vise, but for trim carpentry, bike maintenance, and small furniture repairs, it’s up to the task. I’ve held chair legs for tenon cleanup and door latches for chisel work without any wobble.

A practical tip: keep a short length of sacrificial plywood handy. Drop it across the jaws to create a continuous surface for tools or to prevent marring delicate pieces. It also lets you use the bench as a small outfeed or assembly table.

Stability and capacity

Black & Decker rates the Workmate 125 at 350 pounds. In use, that translates to confidence with moderate loads and caution with dynamic forces. I’ve set a compact miter saw on it and made repeated cuts without drama. I’ve also clamped a door slab on edge for hardware installation—secure, yes, but it’s the kind of job where you mind your stance and keep the load centered over the frame.

The steel scissor legs are stronger than they look, but the bench will rack if you push hard across a corner. That’s expected given the weight class. If you’re hand-planing aggressively or mortising with gusto, you’ll get better results by widening your stance, orienting the bench so your force runs along its length, and adding a sandbag or a toolbox on the lower rails to ballast it. For cutting sheet goods or supporting long stock, I pair it with a sawhorse for stability and to avoid tipping.

Portability and storage

This is where the Workmate shines. At about 15.6 pounds, it’s light enough to carry up stairs or across a jobsite without thinking about it. Folded flat, it tucks into tight spaces and won’t gouge the inside of your vehicle. I appreciate that the protruding handles act as grab points when you’re moving the bench around. If you work in a small shop or apartment, this bench earns its keep by disappearing when you don’t need it.

Ergonomics and usability

Working height feels comfortable for mid-height tasks like sanding, routing, and light assembly. The stance is compact, which is good for tight spaces. The handles are large enough to grip with gloves, and the screw action is smooth. The top sits level and the wood feels dense, resisting minor dings. The slip-resistant feet help on slick floors, but if you’re really leaning into a cut, anchoring the bench with your body or adding a temporary cleat against a wall makes a noticeable difference.

The included dogs do their job, though I’d love to see a slightly looser fit from the factory. Once I waxed the holes and pegs, swapping positions was much easier. The hole pattern is generous enough for basic panel clamping and for using the bench as a makeshift downdraft table with a perforated accessory board.

Build quality

For a budget-friendly portable bench, the materials are sensible: a steel frame with stamped brackets, wood jaws, and plastic hardware where it makes sense. The steel parts on mine were straight and coated well, with only a couple of edges that benefited from a quick deburr. The wood jaws were flat and accept screws nicely if you want to mount a sacrificial face. Over time, the top will pick up glue and scars—part of the charm. If you keep the screws clean and hit the moving parts with a little wax once in a while, the mechanism stays smooth.

I did swap a couple of the factory nuts for nyloc versions to resist vibration as I fold and unfold the bench. If you plan to keep it permanently set up, that’s probably overkill. If you’re a frequent folder, it’s a cheap upgrade.

Real-world use cases

• Tool stand: A compact miter saw, benchtop sander, or small drill press will sit securely. Clamp a plywood platform across the jaws for a broader base.
• Vise on demand: Holding cabinet parts for sanding or edge-banding is quick and non-marring with the wood jaws.
• Field fixes: I’ve trued a bicycle wheel, cut dowels, and repaired a chair—all in a driveway—without wishing for a bigger bench.
• Sawhorse duty: It’s fine for supporting shorter stock. For long boards, add a second support to eliminate twist.

What I’d change

• Instructions: The layout and clarity could be much better. A single exploded diagram with clear labels would save time and reduce misassembly.
• Fasteners: Metal, larger-format knobs for the leg braces would be welcome. At minimum, include lock washers or nyloc nuts.
• Dog hole tolerance: Slightly easing the holes from the factory would improve the out-of-box experience.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re common friction points that users encounter early.

Tips to get the most from it

• Don’t fully tighten frame bolts until the legs swing smoothly and the top is square.
• Wax the screw threads and the dog holes; it makes everything feel more expensive.
• Add a 1/2-inch plywood “aux top” with countersunk screws for assembly tasks.
• Use a rubber pad or drop cloth under the feet on smooth floors.
• Keep a short bar clamp handy—combine it with the jaw vise for more secure three-point clamping.
• Label the front and rear brackets after assembly; it makes reassembly or adjustments straightforward.

The bottom line

The Workmate 125 is a lightweight, portable bench that punches above its weight for small to medium tasks. It’s easy to store, quick to deploy, and genuinely useful as a mobile vise and project center. Assembly can be frustrating and the fit-and-finish won’t impress tool snobs, but once it’s set up and tuned, it becomes a go-to platform you’ll use far more often than you expect.

Recommendation: I recommend the Workmate 125 to anyone who needs a compact, affordable workholding solution for home projects, DIY carpentry, and mobile repairs. It’s not for heavy hand-tool work or as a primary shop bench, but if you respect its 350-pound class and add a couple of simple tweaks, it’s a reliable, versatile helper that earns its footprint—or lack thereof.