Last Updated on 2021-02-02 by Harry Masterton
Table Of Contents
Kreg KWS1000 Portable Folding Workbench Review
Many DIYers and hobbyists alike start out using either the ground, a couple of chairs back to back or other home furniture as a work surface.
The ground is an unyielding surface that you will damage your power tools on. It can also be hard to secure items as you work. Either of these problems can damage your workpiece or present safety issues.
Using existing furniture as a work surface will get you off of the ground, but it is not the ideal workbench. Your workpiece will damage the furniture you use, as will the business end of your tools. Safety can also be an issue as you work on something intended for decoration or light-duty support.
Sound familiar?
What you need is a mobile work surface, like the Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench. These moveable platforms serve as:
- An assembly table
- A clamping station
- As a workbench
Some products, including the Kreg KWS1000 mobile project center, can also be adjusted to work as a traditional sawhorse.
Many of today's workbench designs include surfaces that provide access points for clamps, bench dogs, or other accessories. These allow you to secure the piece you are working on, improving your control and safety. The subtle differences when comparing products like the Kreg KWS1000 vs Worx Pegasus holding features allow you to purchase a bench that fits your needs.
Most DIYers and hobbyists, including woodworkers who are just starting, may find a portable workbench a necessity.
Casual users won't need a full-sized bench to do odd jobs around the home. You can use a mobile workbench anywhere and store it away in your garage or tool shed when finished.
Products like the Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench are a great way to get started in woodworking. A portable bench might be necessary if you have a small shop or a shared space for work. These mobile surfaces store easily and usually set up quickly.
While some products work well in heavy-duty settings, homeowners and hobbyists usually get by with something rated for lighter workloads. Home repairs and improvement projects will rarely get larger or heavier than what you can manipulate by yourself. The same holds for someone building furniture in their home shop.
Portable workbenches that can function as a sawhorse, like the Keter bench reviewed below, are great to use in tandem. If your shop budget allows it, two folding benchtops can support large furniture or break down into sawhorses holding long timber or scaffold.
Kreg mobile project center vs Worx Pegasus
One of the more popular models on the market is the Worx Pegasus, and you might wonder how the Kreg KWS1000 compares to it. Both portable folding workbenches function as a workbench or as a sawhorse. These benches also use tracks for clamps, with the Worx Pegasus providing an extra slot to fit your clamps.
One feature worth considering between Kreg KWS1000 vs Worx Pegasus designs is weight rating when assembled as a table. The Kreg KWS1000 provides you with 350 pounds of support, 50 pounds more than the Worx Pegasus. Both models rate higher for support when assembled as a sawhorse.
Another consideration between the Kreg mobile project center vs Worx Pegasus is table surface size. The Pegasus has a table size of 31 L x 25-inches in Width. Kreg's table surface on the KWS1000 offers slightly more surface area, providing more contact when clamping to the table.
The Worx Pegasus weighs approximately 20 pounds. Kreg's folding workbench weighs double that.
The difference here is the ABS materials of the Pegasus compared to the metal framing of the KWS1000. Kreg provides handholds for carrying, but the Worx Pegasus lacks a handle in its design (something that may favor Kreg for your needs).
Kreg KWS1000 Mobile Project Center
The Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench measures 31.5 x 27.75 x 31.5-inches, providing 27.5 x 31.25-inches of table surface when opened. That compares favorably to other designs on the market.
The product weighs approximately 40 pounds, which is on the heavy side for portable folding workbenches. Kreg installed handholds in the workbench, but the location is not ideal for carrying that weight.
Kreg KWS1000 – features
You will need to assemble this work center out of the box. The instructions are adequate, and it should not take you long. Once built, the KWS1000 will fold, open to a workbench, or adjust into a sawhorse without tools.
The Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench is rated at 350 pounds when used as a workbench. That rating increases to 1,100 pounds when used in the sawhorse configuration. It will support most materials that a DIYer or woodworking enthusiast would use.
Kreg has designed the KWS1000 to be used side-by-side. You can support up to 2,200 pounds of load in either sawhorse or workbench tandems. Kreg includes diagrams on how to connect two work centers safely.
The table surface assembles from two wings that use support brackets to stay in place. These wings can collapse to form side supports for the KWS1000 when converted into a sawhorse. Caution is required when setting up the workbench, as there are several places that you can pinch your hand.
Kreg provides a clamp with the purchase. It is a solid design that uses Kreg's Automaxx clamp technology. You also get four Kreg bench dogs that fit securely in the table holes.
The metal frame, table size, versatility, and accessory interface raises the price of this model. A solid three-year warranty helps to cover potential issues, however.
Kreg KWS1000 – Things We Like
- It provides users with both a sawhorse and a workbench in one device
- Your purchase includes a clamp as well as four bench dogs for holding materials in place on the mobile project center
- A three year warranty provides consumer confidence in the weight rating and overall durability
Kreg KWS1000 – Not So Good
- It weighs 40 pounds, making it more difficult to carry around with the handholds
- This workbench has a bigger price tag compared to similar designs, making it pricey for occasional use
Kreg KWS1000 – Staying Mobile While You Work
Need more? See our Best portable workbench reviews here.
For DIYers and woodworkers with limited space, a portable workbench that can be easily stored is a must. The Kreg KWS1000 mobile project center provides that, and more.
You get over 859 square inches of workbench surface. That represents the upper end of most benches in this category. You can clamp from all sides, making it useful no matter where you stand.
The table includes eight rows of five dog holes. You can use the four bench dogs in a variety of arrays to hold almost any project. The Automaxx clamp operates either horizontally or vertically on the table, and it is easy to use.
The Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench can convert into a sawhorse as well. Buying a second unit will allow you to use them together around your house or shop, safely supporting you and your building materials. The unit folds into each position within seconds and locks into place to prevent accidental configuration changes.
The Kreg KWS1000 portable folding workbench may not be for occasional use, but it is a good option if you plan to stay busy. Its versatility will serve you both indoors or out, and its metal frame should last for years. That should more than justify the slightly higher price point.
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