Last Updated on 2021-02-02 by Harry Masterton
Most jobs you do in the shop require that a work piece stay stationary. Even around the home or out in the field, you will find yourself needing something to be kept secure while you modify it with another tool.
That makes products like the one in this Keter portable workbench review ideal for woodworkers, DIYers, and contractors.
For woodshops with limited space or an area shared for other purposes, using a full-sized bench may not be possible.
A stationary work surface may not be convenient (or practical) for home improvement projects or on a job site. Those limitations and requirements have opened the market to many portable workbench designs, including the Keter Portable Workbench.
Keter Portable Workbench Review
The What, Where, And Why Of Portable Workbenches
A workbench provides you with a surface upon which you can work. Clamps and vices usually require a table-like surface to help secure wood or other materials as you work on them.
A workbench substitutes for other tabletops and furniture that you do not want to be damaged as you work.
We’ve all been there as fledgling DIY’ers or woodworking hobbyist suffering the wrath of our partner trying to cobble a job together on the kitchen table!
The design we discuss in this Keter portable workbench review provides all of this, along with mobility. That feature can help you to complete your project, no matter where you are working. It is easy to carry and sets up quickly, important features when time matters.
The Portable Folding Workbench In The Shop
The model examined in this Keter portable workbench review will allow you to store the bench when it is not in use.
That keeps floor space open for swapping in other shop tools, a benefit that becomes crucial when your work area has limited square footage. You will also find that it does not clutter shared spaces, such as your garage or in the basement.
The Portable Folding Workbench Around the House
Homeowners and renters alike will find the item in this Keter portable workbench review easy to set up anywhere. It will help with simple maintenance projects like painting walls or cutting molding.
A portable workbench sets up quickly and provides mobility on home modifications like add-ons or when you are finishing a basement.
The Portable Folding Workbench On the job
The product examined in this Keter portable workbench review is easy to set up with one person. That is important for general contractors or laborers that move between job sites frequently.
The female DIY’ers amongst us will appreciate the easy setup, lightweight and ease of storage.
It is also made with tough materials, providing the durability needed for outdoor and construction site conditions.
Keter Folding Workbench Review
Keter Model 17182239 Folding Work Table with Clamps
Recommended for: Contractors, DIYers, and Woodworkers needing a portable bench for material support or power tools.
The Keter folding compact workbench measures 21.6 W x 35.8 L x 29.7-inches High when opened. When folded, it maintains its width and length but collapses down to 4.4-inches, allowing you to store it without taking up a lot of space.
The Keter Folding Workbench weighs less than 30-pounds, making it easy to carry with the over-sized handle that Keter added to the design.
Keter Model 17182239 – features
One of the best Keter folding compact workbench design elements is the easy set up it provides users. The four legs unfold from below the table with a click of the buttons on the table edge.
You can pull the tabletop up and into position before folding the support structure into place.
The Keter portable workbench consists of polypropylene plastics and aluminum components. Once assembled, the workbench is rated to hold 1,000 pounds.
That should handle most projects that you will do by hand, and the leg angle should keep the surface steady when the bench is on even terrain.
The aluminum will resist corrosion problems and rusting. The polypropylene should not fade or weaken from UV damage. Heat can affect the integrity of the plastics, so keep that in mind as you work.
The Keter folding compact workbench includes two 12-inch ratcheting clamps for holding materials as you work on them. The table surface has slots that the clamps will slide into, allowing them to function in a vice capacity.
Several openings provide spaces to hold down tools while you work.
Keter Model 17182239 – Things We Like
- A secondary table surface can be used to hold items and keep them out of your way while working on the top table
- It is easy to use and can be set up in three steps at 30-seconds or less
- The aluminum and polypropylene components are lightweight and weather-resistant
Keter Model 17182239 – Not So Good
- The plastic components used as hinge or latch pieces are the weakest parts on the workbench and can wear more easily.
- Its clamp accessories are not the best quality, and you might consider replacing these if you use them often
Keter vs Workmate
When comparing the two product lines, the stand out feature for any user will be the work surface design. Keter provides a solid one-piece tabletop, while the Workmate surface splits down the middle.
The solid tabletop is the best Keter folding compact workbench feature for many owners, as it provides a larger area for material support.
Black & Decker's Workmate product line uses a split top design that is thinner by design.
That split top acts as a vice for holding pieces. It offers a different holding method compared to Keter's clamp accessories.
The workmate uses two handles to tighten the entire tabletop together at two points, which can apply uneven pressure, causing the project to slip.
Two ratcheting clamps on the Keter provide a firm grip, but the clamping pressure focuses at specific points.
Another consideration is support, with the Keter holding greater weights than the Workmate designs.
Keter vs Workmate Winners and Losers.
Overall the Keter Model 17182239 comes out as the winner offering a larger load capacity and much more versatility.
If you’re looking for a budget portable workbench however with the split top design then the Black and Decker Workmate will serve you well.
How Keter Can Support Your Projects
It is not just the product in this Keter portable workbench review that supports your work. The manufacturer has been making products since 1948 and operates in over 90 countries today. Keter includes a two-year limited warranty with your purchase.
The best Keter folding compact workbench features include:
- Compact – Only 4.4-inches when folded
- Lightweight – Weighs 29.95 pounds
- Strong – Rated to support 1,000 pounds
- Durable – Uses resins and aluminum materials
The model in this Keter portable workbench review is a good option for DIYers looking for an affordable work table that they can move around their home. It is not too expensive for casual use by homeowners and hobby woodworkers.
General contractors and those entering the trades will find the table a great starting point for their vehicle tool kit.
The weather-resistant materials and higher weight support rating make it safe to use on the job, both inside and outdoors.
Hobbyists, including woodworkers, will appreciate how easy set up is. For smaller shops, this collapsible workbench offers a work surface that can be abused by hand and power tools.
Its portability and ease of storage allow you to work in your garage or basement without dedicating these spaces to your hobby.
A hinged and latched design allows the table to unfold quickly, locking into position in less than a minute. That makes the workbench easy to use, which means it won't sit around collecting dust.
The stability and height compare favorably to other portable designs on the market. Adding two 12-inch clamps to your purchase provides holding power straight from the box, and it is worth noting that the Keter portable workbench is easy to assemble.
Is the Keter Portable folding workbench the best portable workbench? We think that crown goes to the Worx Pegasus. The Keter Folding Work Table however is a lot less expensive and for most jobs around the home, yard and jobsite will do a great job.
The Keter Model 17182239 Folding Work Table is a well made portable workbench offering a high level of versatility. The doubts about the hinges aside the Keter portable workbench will make a great addition to your home, small workshop and garage.
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