Black & Decker Foldable Workbench, 33.5 in. x 23.5 in. x 29 in., Black

I didn’t realize how often I’d reach for a portable surface until this foldable bench showed up in my shop. It’s a simple idea executed thoughtfully: a compact, carry-friendly work platform that pops open in seconds and punches above its weight for DIY tasks, yard work, and ad-hoc assembly. After several weeks using it as an extra set of hands—inside, outside, on concrete, and on pavers—I’ve gotten a good feel for where this Black & Decker bench excels and where it asks for some compromise.

Setup and portability

This is the kind of tool you reach for because it’s easy. From folded to ready-to-work takes me about 10 seconds: set it down, pull the quick-release levers, swing the legs out until you hear the positive click, and the self-locking top snaps into a locked position. No fiddly braces. No loose parts. Fold-down is just as quick, and the integrated handle makes it genuinely one-hand carryable, even when I’m juggling a tool bag.

Stowed, it’s roughly the size of a wide briefcase and slides neatly behind a shelf or in the trunk without hogging space. The listed shipping weight is about 16.5 lb; in hand it feels light enough for anyone to manage, but not so light that it seems flimsy. That balance matters—portability is useless if the bench wobbles once you set it up.

Build quality and stability

On a flat garage floor, the bench is impressively stable for its footprint and weight. The leg geometry spreads loads well, and the locking mechanism hasn’t misbehaved on me. I’ve leaned into planing edges and pushed a circular saw across sheet goods without the bench skittering or splaying. There’s a touch of flex if you load one corner heavily—normal for this class of foldable bench—but it never felt unnerving.

Height is 29 inches. For me (5'11"), that’s comfortable for light assembly, sanding, painting, and layout work. If you prefer a full-height woodworking bench for hand-tool work, 29 inches will feel a bit low. On the flip side, it doubles nicely as an extra table for tailgate projects or potting plants, where a slightly lower surface is actually a plus.

Outdoors on pavers and compacted soil, the bench behaves well, though any folding table benefits from a reasonably level surface. The feet didn’t mar finished floors in my tests, and they didn’t telegraph vibration excessively when I ran a miter saw.

Work surface and features

The top is sized at 33.5 by 23.5 inches—big enough for small cabinetry parts, tool setup, and portable saw stations, but not so large that it becomes ungainly. The integrated measuring guide along the surface sounds gimmicky until you find yourself grabbing it constantly for quick checks and rough layout. I wouldn’t rely on it for precision joinery, but it’s handy for trimming, spacing, and repetitive cuts.

A shallow accessory tray keeps fasteners, bits, and pencils corralled. It’s not huge, but that’s the idea—you keep the essentials within reach without turning the bench into a parts bin. Cleanup is straightforward; glue pops off and paint drips don’t soak in. I’ve used it as a finishing surface covered with kraft paper and as a makeshift laptop station for tool updates. The top wipes down easily and doesn’t mind the occasional rain splash.

Clamping and capacity

Black & Decker rates the bench at 700 lb when the load is evenly distributed. I didn’t approach that limit, but I did stack it with pavers and use it as a support table for a benchtop planer, and it remained composed. Concentrated loads at a corner are less forgiving—common sense for a folding platform—so I keep heavy items centered.

Clamping coverage is solid for a portable bench. Edges accept standard F-style and quick-grip clamps, and the underside geometry leaves enough clearance to get clamp throats where you need them. This is not a replacement for a vise-equipped bench; it’s a staging and support surface. If you need aggressive hand-planing or chisel work, pair it with a dedicated clamping solution. For most DIY tasks—holding a cabinet door for hinge mortising, securing a fence for repetitive cuts, or pinning a board during sanding—it works just fine.

Linking benches for a larger surface

One standout feature is the ability to lock two units together. I borrowed a second bench to test this, and the combined surface felt noticeably more stable than two benches simply pushed side by side. The connectors kept the seam aligned and prevented drift under side load. If you regularly break down sheet goods or need an outfeed support for a table saw or miter saw station, pairing two benches is a practical upgrade without committing to a permanent shop table.

Everyday use

Over several weeks I used the bench as:
- A mobile miter saw station for trim and deck repairs
- A potting bench for container soil mixing and transplanting
- A finishing stand for small cabinet parts
- An extra table for sorting hardware, laying out electrical boxes, and cutting drywall patches
- A quick outfeed for ripping long stock, with a roller stand taking the far end

In each role, the bench’s ease of setup is what made me grab it instead of improvising on sawhorses. The self-locking top gives peace of mind—no sagging mid-task—and the fold-down levers are intuitive enough that guests helping on a project figured it out without instruction.

Durability and care

So far, the hinges and latches show no slop. I’m careful to fully extend the legs until I hear the lock engage; if you stop short, any folding bench will feel vague. With portable gear, the failure mode is often shipping or handling rather than design. The retail-style packaging isn’t overly protective, so I recommend inspecting the bench for cracks or latch damage if it’s shipped to you, and popping it open once on arrival to confirm the locks engage cleanly. Kept clean and stored out of prolonged direct sun, I expect the mechanism to hold up for years of home and jobsite use.

What it’s not

• A heavy-duty joinery bench. The 29-inch height and flat, non-sacrificial top aren’t ideal for aggressive chiseling or planing sessions.
• A precision clamping workstation. It provides good clamping coverage for general tasks, but it’s not a substitute for dogs and vises.
• A sawhorse replacement for all tasks. It excels as a table, staging area, and light-duty bench; for long lumber support, combine it with sawhorses or a second bench.

Value

At around $99, the bench lands in a sweet spot. It’s more affordable than some premium folding tables while offering a higher load rating than bargain options. The convenience per dollar is excellent: you’re paying for time saved and frustration avoided during setup, plus the flexibility to stash it just about anywhere. If you’re outfitting a small shop, working in a shared garage, or building a portable tool kit, that flexibility is worth real money.

Tips for best results

• Always extend the legs until you hear/feel the lock engage.
• Keep heavy loads centered, especially if you’re near the 700 lb rating.
• Use a sacrificial board or paper when cutting or finishing to protect the surface.
• If you plan to process sheet goods, consider buying a second bench and using the lock-together feature.
• Inspect the latches and corners on day one if shipped; exchange promptly if anything seems off.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker foldable bench hits the right notes: quick setup, stable enough for real work, easy to carry, and small enough to store without thought. The integrated measuring guide and accessory tray are genuinely useful, not gimmicks, and the ability to connect multiple benches expands its usefulness beyond its modest footprint. It won’t replace a dedicated woodworking bench, and you shouldn’t expect vise-like clamping or chiseling stability—this is about smart, portable support for the kinds of tasks most of us do weekly.

Recommendation: I recommend this bench for homeowners, DIYers, and pros who need a portable, reliable surface for assembly, finishing, light tool support, and general task work. It offers strong value at the price, a trustworthy locking mechanism, and practical features that make it a grab-and-go staple. If you want a heavy, traditional bench for hand-tool joinery, look elsewhere; for everything else, this is the one I find myself using far more often than I expected.