HF Work Bench

[Acelectric]

Has anyone had any experience with this workbench?

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inc...dium=email&utm_campaign=1413a&utm_source=9999

With coupon I can get it for 139.99. It looks like it would be a good intermediate workbench to get by with until I can build a good work bench. I think I will go by HF tomorrow and see if they have one I can look at but wanted to see if you guys have any insight.

 

[SubGuy]

Looks good, heck it's cheaper than buying just the top at most places:dontknow:

 

[Jeremy Scuteri]

I have that exact workbench. It isn't great by any means, but I have been getting by with it for a couple years now. Adding some scrap plywood bracing helped a ton with racking. I think I paid $129 when I got it and I think I have gotten my moneys worth. I didn't have a bench or vice at all before, so I can certainly say that it is much better than having no bench. At some point I will build myself a real bench, but I don't know when I will get around to that....

 

[CarvedTones]

+1 on extra bracing. I had an earlier model with 2 drawers. Racking was the only issue ; held up well.

 

[Acelectric]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll ride over to HF and take a look at one.

 

[rcarmac]

Let me know what you end up doing. I have been eyeing the same bench as well and hope to make a purchase next month.

 

[woodsman7933]

I have this exact bench and it works great for me anyway. I did add a second small vice on the front also bought from HF and it works well also for smaller tasks. I like the end vice and the dogs could be a bit better but i made my own out of some oak and have had no issues with racking or anything. my only complaint is the height of the bench out of the box. I added 2x4 feet and its just at 36" which is where i like it to be. just my thoughts. have a great one guys and God Bless


Oh, and on a further note make sure you bring the coupon or they will charge the 159 price point as it stands in the store. I had to run back to the house thinking that they would know about it and honor it. my mistake, I make many lol.

 

[Acelectric]

I brought it home with me. It is about as I expected but not what I had hoped. It is worth the coupon price of 139.99 but not much more than that. I added some plywood underneath the top to reinforce it somewhat. And one of the drawers is hard to open and close but I may be able to adjust it some.

Overall it is a decent workbench and will do the job until I have time to build a good bench. I will add to this post after I have spent some time working on it.

 

[CLetts]

I bought this same bench with the intent of using this bench until I could afford a "real" one. I put it on locking casters because my shop is less than 400 sq. ft. and I needed to be able to move it often. This brought it up to a nice height at well. I didn't like that it had 5/8" dog holes though so I drilled them out to 3/4". I did this by cutting pieces of 5/8" dowels and marking them with a centering gauge and tapping the centers with a sharp wood screw, then put them into the dog holes. This allowed me to use a 3/4" forstner bit and drill out each dog hole. I also didn't like that the drawers only pulled out about 3/4 of the way and with the benchtop overhang it was annoying getting to the back of the drawers so I bought 2 over extension drawer slides for the top 2 drawers and 2 full extension slides for the bottom drawers. I also added a 7" quick release vice from woodcraft. I've used it for probably 8 years now and just don't have the room for the one I want (sjoberg elite 2000 with cupboard), so I'm still making do with it.

 

[Mark Stewart]

Id like to see pics of the renforcements because I am considering this bench as well.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Acelectric]

Not much to take a pic of. I just cut some plywood and screwed it to the underside of the top. 2 pieces about 18 1/2" by 22".

 

[Jeremy Scuteri]

I'll try to get some pictures of my setup. I cut plywood strips and screwed them on the back in the shape of an "H" to keep it from racking side to side.