Im currently looking at getting my first mire saw for a project. However int he meantime im going to use an old circular saw ive been given. To give me a good chance of using it id like to get a little bench to chop stuff up on. Something like a workmate?

Any suggestions as theres a few out there.

I’ve got a keter folding worktable (look on youtube for product vids to see how it folds etc).

I like it cos it gives a decent size flat surface, and it folds neatly compared to workmates and the like.

I find the B&D Workmate heavy and a pain to move about – keep smashing my shins with the metal edges when its folded up. The Keter looks a much nicer solution.

I was going to get one of the Keter folding tables recently but Screwfix et al had no stock. Could only source one for about £80+ so opted for 2 (non B&D) workmate style benches instead for about £20 each.

so the keter one is better than the workmates et al?

so the keter one is better than the workmates et al?

It looks a lot nicer to move about folded up, but not tried one yet. Am tempted to order one as the feet no longer fold up on my workmate (plastic spring clips have snapped).

It looks a lot nicer to move about folded up, but not tried one yet. Am tempted to order one as the feet no longer fold up on my workmate (plastic spring clips have snapped).

Spares are available, or elastic bands.
http://www.partshopdirect.co.uk/black-and-decker-latch-p373195-01/

Spares are available,

Good find, had not thought to even look.

The Keter’s look expensive in the UK – £80 ish vs $40 in Walmart!

The Ketter ones (B&D do a version too) are more stable and more like a table and easier to work around – a work mate is more like a clamp, so you can grip things in it, but not really successfully place things (that you’d cut with a circular saw) on it.

Unless the pack-away-ability of the Ketter is important then a small sturdy table from a charity shop and a couple of quick clamps would probably be better.

I inherited the B&Q version from my dad – its good but I don’t know if its £80 good. Having two matching ones would be better and I’m kicking myself for not grabbing the ones screwfix had in their clearance sales recently. For a few notes more I’d say the framex might be worth a look – like a workmate on steroids and works in two orientations and is able to support pretty big boards. Its a taller structure than either the Ketter or a workmate so less fatiguing to work at. I used to have one and would clamp an old flat panel door in it to make a quick, light, transportable table for working on location

The Keter’s look expensive in the UK – £80

Think I paid 60, and us price is always plus tax etc….

They do an extending leg version too which might be handy, get another height, but then maybe less robust?

Another plus about it is the clamps, cos they can either slot in or be used free, it’s good for awkward clamping or funny angles etc.

Using it as a sawhorse maybe not as good as a workmate as it doesn’t have the step to stand on, but then i’ve been on just putting a foot on the shelf.

Pair of height adjustable trestles, like these.

Top made out of 18mm plywood to the size you need, screw some stops on the underside. Cut a thinner strip to sit on the lower leg horizontal braces for a shelf.

Rated at 150kg so you also work on top for decorating and the like…

For cutting up sheet material I have something like this but it’s made with 18mm mdf ripped to 120mm straddled across 2 trestles.
But for smaller stuff I have one of these https://www.festool.co.uk/products/pages/product-detail.aspx?pid=495315&name=multifunction-table-mft-3-mft-3

But for smaller stuff I have one of these https://www.festool.co.uk/products/pages/product-detail.aspx?pid=495315&name=multifunction-table-mft-3-mft-3

£618 for a table!

£489 less the vat = about £418
But it ain’t just a table!

£618 for a table!

It comes with a set of 6 dining chairs though 🙂

I’ve just spazzed £6k on a table for my workshop. Now I just need to get my mutton-head to try and work out how to programme the fecker. A tall order as I’m not totally up to speed with programming my telly.

Those festool ones look pretty good value when you factor in all the oddments and doodahs (festoo-dahs) that come with it, but if you’re not already invested in festoolery then the only bits that are actually useful are the holes.

But it ain’t just a table!

Even as a Festool fan I baulk at that. Is it really that much better than two trestles and a bit of Ply (which you could drill your own holes in)?

like I say – theres l the guides, rails, stops etc that are part of the kit – not just the table (although the cardboard box it gets delivered in is also listed as a feature). Those elements are intersecting with the machined channels on the table frame, the wooden top with the holes is sacrificial. Given a rail on its own would cost 100 spots or more the table itself is only a small portion of that total price.

But if you don’t have the machines that intersect with all those guides and rails then you’re left with a bunch of holes that you could drill yourself. But without all the festoolery the holes are of limited value (if any) anyway.

Festool 1080 rail = £50.

Festool 1080 rail = £50.

one that isn’t uselessly short costs a little bit more though 🙂

But the 1080 is what is included with the table.

1400 = £60

I fit kitchens, I’ve done the ply and two trestles.
Tbh it was bought for me as payment for a kitchen that I done for free (2 weeks worth).
It is very good, very accurate and as mentioned the bits that come with it cost a fair whack by themselves.
It’s superb for repetitive parallel cuts, every one is perfect, and just the right hieght for putting a cuppa on!

Hope you use a coaster.

Of course!

Is it a festool coaster though?

Unfortunately not. I did think about buying the big 2000w router, dismantling it and using the base as a coaster but I didn’t think it would work out well.

forget the coaster – the mug is where its at

Unfortunately not. I did think about buying the big 2000w router, dismantling it and using the base as a coaster but I didn’t think it would work out well.

Depends how big your mug is I guess, would probably need some guides to ensure consistent tea tool placement too.

That one ^ has a self cleaning bottom.

I’m liking the mug!
I’m a self confessed festool junkie. Started with the ts55 and now have a pretty hefty collection including a van racked with systainers.
It’s pricey, but the amount of customers that comment on it speaks for itself.
At the end of a working day it’s all stacked up neatly in the corner with little mess to clear.

There’s no doubts they make good gear, I just can’t warrant more than a plunge saw and detail router for the majority of jobs.

I’ve been using a Keter for over a year, it’s a useful bit of kit.

get one of these..

I like that Framex that maccruiskeen linked. Clicked on the “contact us” and pleasantly surprised to see they’re only 5 minutes from my house. Might see if I can pick one up from the factory. 🙂 Anyone else interested?

Just realised I hadn’t posted link for a home made bench
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/cuttingwork-table/
It’s a bit more elaborate than mine but the same idea.

For the king of all homemade benches check out Ron Paulk’s videos on youtube

Might see if I can pick one up from the factory. Anyone else interested?

Tonight? I’ll keep look out and keep the engine running. Do the owl hoot thing if it looks like we’ve been rumbled.

If you’re breaking into the factory, I’ll take 25, but only if you agree not to shoot to kill…..

got the keter one last night. First impressions are its just what i needed.

That FrameX looks good. About £120 is it not?

They emailed me this morning to say I could pick up from the factory. I think it’s more like £100 – unless we could get a STW group buy going. 🙂

Does look like a nice bit of kit.

On the subject of festool porn, just came across their new multi-tool: http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/multi-oscillating/festool-vecturo-due-september/11336/

That FrameX looks good. About £120 is it not?

£80 on ebay I think

£80 on ebay I think

Ta.

Think I’ll have to get some more use out of the two new benches before I consider something more funky. Good heads up though.