Home Depot has an early Black Friday 2023 deal on the Dewalt folding workbench, model DWST11556.
This is a spectacular portable workbench. I bought mine soon after Dewalt launched it – during a sale like this one – and have had zero regrets over the years. It’s still going strong.
I first saw the deal in-store, and they had sold through all but one unit in the display. The Dewalt workbench tends to sell quickly every year.
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Surprising, Home Depot is also selling these online with free shipping in addition to in-store pickup. The free shipping part isn’t typical – due to the workbench’s size, it’s usually an in-store-only deal.
The top work surface features slots and an array of dog holes.
It’s compatible with a wide range of bar clamps and other types of clamps. It does not come with any tools or clamps – you’ll have to supply your own.
I find both the cross slots and dog holes to be useful. I’ve used mine as a general work surface, and also for clamping in a similar manner as shown in the product photos.
A long and narrow channel serves as a small parts tray.
And when the project is done, the legs fold back up for easy transport and storage.
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I’ve got mine stored under a heavy duty rack near the garage door. Before that, I stored it in other places, including between two tool cabinets.
The top work surface measures approximately 33″ long x 24″ wide. Dewalt says the workbench can support up to 1000 pounds.
If you’re on the fence, buy it and think things over afterwards, or at least keep a close eye on the online inventory numbers, as Home Depot stores tend to sell through them quickly.
Price: $89
The workbench was the same price for Black Friday last year.
Jared
Also on sale in Canada at Home Depot. It’s $128, which is within $5 of the currency conversion – so pretty good!
Peanut
Looks to be a carbon copy of my Toughbuilt
Stuart
The Dewalt was announced in 2017 – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/5-new-dewalt-tools-from-2017-media-event/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> The ToughBuilt launched in 2022.
Jason
I’ve had the toughbuilt one since last black friday and the legs seem to not want to lock into place over time. I’ll be picking up the dewalt one this year. The mechanism seems to be overall more stable
fred
I bought 2 of the Toughbuilt ones last year when Lowes had them for $69. Both recipients like them.
For myself (and others) I’ve also made my own versions of the Festool MFT – with some mods as I went along. Axminster tools sells a jig under their UJK brand that facilitates locating and boring the 20mm holes. I see that TSO now carries the item this side of the pond – but I paid less for the jig when I bought it from Axminster and had them ship it. I guess inflation took its toll.
https://tsoproducts.com/jigs-fixtures-guides/parf-guide-system/ujk-parf-guide-system-mark-ii/
Stuart
That was a really good price. Unfortunately, Lowe’s raised the price after the early sale and then kept it high for the rest of the season, even through Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
al
its 75 right now at lowes i believe
MoogleMan3
I love the that thing. It paid for itself with two mft worktops. I grabbed mine from tso during one of their sales; $211 shipped. Good enough for me.
fred
My first attempt at an MFT tabletop – was the conversion of my shop assembly table (4×8). My plan was to build a new Baltic Birch top to fit on my existing torsion box table. I first planned to layout and drill the holes using by radial arm drill press. But that unwieldy setup was abandoned in favor of constructing a jig with 1-1/4 inch holes to accept a PC 42021 router collar. After laying out the hole positions, I used a plunge router, Amana 20mm hinge boring bit and 10mm to 1/2in, collet sleeve adapter to bore the first hole then positioned the second hole using a bench dog – cut the 3rd hole – and used 2 bench dogs to locate subsequent holes. The process took way longer than I had expected – with frequent stops to vacuum up the chips. Building subsequent tops for portable stands I used the UJK Parf jig – much simpler and faster – worth the $180 or so that I paid for it.
fred
Doing a bit more looking – I see that the UJK Parf System jig has been updated since I bought mine. It appears that the MKII version allows you to select a few different spacings between dog holes – and provides a better set of tools to drill the 3mm piliot holes used to center the actual 20mm boring bit. It may well be worth the added price.
John
Love my toughbuilt one and would definitely grab another even if I can’t get it for 69$ again.
Rog
I have this bench and LOVE it. It’s a great portable hand and worth every penny.
Jon F
I have one that’s been set up outside my garage for a couple years. Starting to show some fading and weathering, but still very solid and a good work surface for quick projects.
Tom
Great bench. So good I bought it twice.
Josh
Same here, own two of them now. bought first ine a few years ago and it is still holding up well!
Noah
I have a worx Pegasus table that I bought a few years ago that’s starting to show its age. I may pick one of these up. Thanks!
jules rosen
Very funny that an advertisement popped up for a similar workbench that is regularly the price of the sale that you mentioned. There seems to be at least a half a dozen similar Work benches oil price between $99 and $149. I don’t understand retailers who have fake retails and then put things on sale.
Can anyone tell me if these are suitable if I put on a vice ???
fred
I guess it would depend on how big the vise is. My big old 6 inch Athol could fit – but if the stand tipped over it could break your foot or even the concrete floor.
The way one might use this sort of bench with a modest utility vise – might be to mount the vise on a board then clamp the board securely to the benchtop from above. Alternatively, you could see if the vise mounting holes can be lined up with holes/slots in the table and use bolts/washers/wing nuts (or threaded knobs) to secure it.
Stuart
Depends on the type of vise.
As a portable table, this excels at things like clamping down wood for cutting, sanding, or assembly. It’s sturdy, but light. For heavy vise work, such as for pounding something into shape, you generally want greater mass and rigidity.
fred
Right on.
Some years ago – the Rockwell Jaw Horse was all the rage – with it sliding jaws and vise-like utility. A pair made a decent portable support for working on doors etc. But even with their spread-foot stance they would stand up to the same pounding or pushing that a genuine workbench (secured to a floor) would.
https://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-JawHorse-Portable-Material-Support/dp/B007XRFQKW/
fred
SHOULD HAVE SAID : they would NOT stand up
Mike
We bought one of these for my woodworking son-in-law last year, and he loves it. It’s made several appearances in my front yard to help with projects. I just ordered one for myself, it beats setting up sawhorses. Too lazy to go to the store, so I’ll take that free shipping, thankyouverymuch.
Munklepunk
I have two of these. After a year both have issues with the legs opening properly and they have been used relatively light. The tops are very tough.
Derek
I’ve had this for roughly 3 years, use it often, still works great. Super convenient little table.
Nick
I just got one of these – delivered today. I have an old Keter plastic folding table that I’ve used for years. This one is way better than the Keter. It’s larger, lighter, and the set-up is a breeze. Nicest set-up mechanism I’ve seen.
I’m excited to put it to use!