Last Updated on 2020-12-29 by Harry Masterton
Bosch PWB 600 Workbench Review
A workbench is perhaps one of the most overlooked tools you can own. It provides a working surface that allows you to work comfortably, take abuse from tools or building materials, and holds things stationary while you work. The portable workbench in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review performs these tasks and more.
Portable Workbenches – Designed For Work
Home tables or other furniture pieces provide beauty and function for your home. Using this type of table as a work surface is less than ideal. In many cases, they lack the needed stability and load-bearing capacity required of a workbench. Portable workbenches like the one in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review hold lots of weight, and the legs provide a stable platform that will not tip over.
Many furniture pieces have the decorative edging, scrollwork, stain, and protective coatings not intended for work surfaces. Designs like the Bosch work bench are built for function, providing connection points for clamps and other woodworking accessories.
Built To Hold Your Stuff
A portable workbench acts as a large clamping device in most cases, keeping your project flat or straight as clamps and fasteners are attached. This Bosch PWB 600 workbench review covers a tool that excels at holding work pieces horizontally or vertically.
A good portable bench will provide plenty of attachment points along the tabletop edge for various clamps to attach. Many designs also include holes for bench dogs and other accessories. The more versatility a workbench provides, the more often you will use it.
Portable Workbenches Checklist
Most DIYers and woodworkers are looking for a portable workbench design that stores when not in use. The product in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review does both.
A portable work table should be easy to set up and break down. It should also provide sufficient locking capabilities to prevent it from separating during use. Bosch work bench and other big-name manufacturer designs include features that allow you to perform these tasks in seconds.
Many hobbyists and homeowners shop for a bench based on how much weight it can hold safely. Lightweight benches rate at about 300 pounds or less while heavy-duty work tables can safely support much more.
- Easy Storage
- Quick To Set Up And Put Away
- Weight Capacity
Bosch PWB 600 Workbench Review
Recommended for: Homeowners, apartment dwellers needing simple to use portable workbench design, as well as hobbyists working in a small space workshop.
The PWB 600 by Bosch measures 26.77 L x 26.77 W x 32.83-inches High. Its table surface will accommodate medium-sized projects, and the height of the bench is adequate for all but the tallest of users. The workbench weighs just less than 26 pounds, making it light enough for one person to carry.
Bosch PWB 600 – Features
The stand out feature in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review might be its ability to hold materials of different shapes and sizes. Bosch designed the tabletop to open with two screw handles, allowing it to function as a vertical vice. It also includes four blade-style bench dogs to place into several holes to hold on oddly-shaped work pieces.
The bamboo tabletop will not scratch your project's surface, which becomes critical as you approach the finish and topcoat stages. It provides a flat surface that won't warp as you apply clamping pressure, and it is rated to hold 440 pounds. That exceeds many of the maximum capacities found on similar workbench designs.
The hinge design allows you to set this bench up quickly, and it folds to approximately 3.5-inches thick. Its aluminum frame is light but durable, creating a framework that will not bend under clamping pressure.
Bosch offers a two-year warranty on this workbench, or three-years if you register on Bosch's website. Assembly is required, but the instructions are clear.
Bosch PWB 600 – Things We Like
- The split table top that acts as a clamp for vertical workpieces
- Includes four blade-clamp dogs that help hold odd shape pieces on the table
- A bamboo table surface that is waterproof and resists scratching
Bosch PWB 600 – Not So Good
- The storage drawer has a low profile and will not hold very many things
- Several places on the bench can pinch your fingers or hands while you open it
Bosch PWB vs Workmate
Those familiar with Black & Decker's Workmate series may assume the product in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review is simply a knock-off. There are, however, differences that will stand out between the two designs that include:
- Bosch has a larger table when comparing the Bosch PWB vs Workmate designs
- The PWB 600 has multiple dog holes in its surface and includes four bench dogs, something Workmate lacks
- Bosch's sliding tray offers more storage when looking at Bosch PWB vs Workmate models
Bosch vs Workmate Designs
The thin profile and low weight of the product in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review could make it the best portable workbench for DIYers working around the home or yard. You can set it up in just a few seconds, and it allows you to clamp items either horizontally or vertically.
Need More? Check our best portable workbench reviews here.
Another feature that would make it the best portable workbench for some is the bamboo tabletop. It is waterproof and will not mark your project when it comes into contact. The surface should stay flat, even when you apply clamping pressure along the edges.
Another stand out feature highlighted in this Bosch PWB 600 workbench review is the blade-style bench dogs. There are four included with the PWB 600, and multiple dog holes allow you to set them in various positions. That provides a firm grip on odd-shaped workpieces, giving you more control and safety when using the Bosch work bench.
An aluminum frame keeps the weight down, but it also provides a stiff frame. It should be stable once placed on a flat surface, and the rigidity will make it the best portable workbench for serious woodworking, such as planning by hand.
For many, the best workbench for the money needs to have adequate coverage by the manufacturer. The PWB 600 is covered by a two-year limited warranty that can be extended to three years by registering your workbench on Bosch's website.
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