Readers Zev and Travis sent in tips (thanks guys!) about a new Husky portable workbench that features folding legs and a clamping tabletop.
This is made by Keter for Husky, and so its resemblance to a previous Keter folding work table and an adjustable height clamping work table should come as no surprise.
Advertisement
The new Husky folding workbench is rated to support up to 1500 pounds. It’s strong, but also lightweight and easily moved since it folds down for storage and transport.
There are metal rails built into the tabletop, creating a convenient clamping surface. Not only that, it comes with a pre-drilled router table insert plate that should fit popular woodworking routers.
When fully opened, the work table surface is at a height of 32 inches, which according to Husky and Home Depot is the same as for standard sawhorses. Sounds about right. Self-leveling feet compensate for slight unevenness that many floors are bound to have.
Overall, this is a good-looking light to medium duty portable work table. The “assembled” width and depth are 34.65″ x 21.65″, which should give you a good size about how big the work surface is.
Price: $70
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Advertisement
Thanks to Zev and Travis for the find!
If you can find them, Keter makes 2 other versions of this workbench under their JobMade branding. One has a solid top with brackets for 2x4s, so that you could create outriggers that support extensions to the tabletop, and the other is similar to this one but with a lower weight rating and no router table insert.
Chris Petersen
Seen these already at the local HD a few weeks back. Probably worth mentioning that all (3) of these that were on the shelf already had broken latches on the bottom where the table legs are supposed to slide in for storage when the table is knocked down. The legs therefore were sliding all over the place even in the packaging.
The table itself seems very sturdy, and the overall design seems good but it’s hard to get a good feeling when you see the same failure on multiple brand new tables. I would have very likely bought one that night if it hadn’t been for that.
Travis C
Great concept table made by KETER but needs work (my table top was not flat)
I purchased this table and found that a few in the store had broken clips that hold the legs in. So I picked one that was still in tact. After using for one day I found that my table top was not flat but had a large bow with the center being the highest point. That caused issues sanding pieces of trim, clamping boards/stock across the table, and such. I dealt with this until the job was finished. I could not have used this to router anything as the table wasn’t flat.
I returned this table. However, I purchased 2 more. Check those tops when I got home, then proceded to check every table in my local lowes with a straight edge. All were bowed equally. My guess is this bow is what gives the table extra strength. Unfortunately, its use as a router table is null.
I kept one table as it is very useful and compliments my Keter folding workbench.
fred
These may be OK for home use, but we bought some of the Keter varieties about 5 years ago – and they lasted about 1 month in commercial use. We should have known better – and decided that like the Stanley plastic sawhorses we had bought before – the plastic either starts out too brittle or becomes that way. With the sawhorses – they never seemed to survive the winter.
Maybe we were expecting too much – but probably could have bought at least 1 Festool table for the accumulated prices we paid for the plastic that we ended up junking
Dave Wittmann
Fred, I have had a set of the Stanley horses for about 8 years. We are a much smaller shop than yours, but, still a commercial user. They have held up well. Though, admittedly, they are about done now.
fred
They might of actually been OK if we used them in the shop – but our installers used them in the field – and they cracked in sub-zero weather. Not exactly the fault of the product – more that we used them in a way that they were not capable of supporting.
Curt Hibbs
I saw something very very similar to this at Costco yesterday. I wasn’t really paying attention, so I don’t remember the brand, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Husky.
Dave Wittmann
A portable bench that is counter top/bench height would be nice to find. These short ones don’t cut it for me.
tipper
I saw these with the ketter brand in costco for $40
Stuart
Yes, but it’s not the same exact thing. As mentioned, there are a few differences, such as with the load rating and tabletop design. It looks like this specific version is specialty made for Husky and Home Depot.
Zachary
Neat idea, but none of these new portable work bench products can really compete the workmates.
They are very stable,strong,durable,fairly quick to set up. Plus they have a much nicer clamping system with the vise and dogs. The make pretty decent sawhorses as well. Can’t beat them at $30 each.
Biggsio
Hello,FYI…
Just bought this table at the Easton, PA Depot yesterday Sept. 29. It cost $49.00 after a LBA $20.00 discount. Have no idea what LBA discount means… It was on my receipt. Nice surprise, though…!
Dave
What clamps fit in the rails on this table? I looked at Home Depot but the piece that slides into the rail was either non existent or too big. I’m sure I missed something. Anybody have a product name/model that I could find online? Thanks. Dave.
Biggsio
The Bessey Model # LM2.004 will fit the table
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-4-in-x-2-in-Bar-Clamp-LM2-004/204957893
ED
the router insert is very limited to the brands of routers that can be mounted on to it . so if your looking to double use it check if your brand router will mount onto it first. mine didn’t and had to buy a undrilled insurt for it from rockler and it doubled the price for the table cost.
Mark
Does the Rockler router plate fit the table? Any adjustments have to be made or different screws? My router wont fit, but I really like the table and already have it set up the way I like. I was thinking rockler or benchdog.
ED
when I talked to Rockler they said to by the insert with just the center hole cut out and drill the screw placement for the 4 outside holes, I have not done so yet but they said it will fit. my choice is to plane down a piece of hardwood and make the size and holes needed my self . hope this helps
Fran
I have an older router and just yesterday, purchased a new one because I thought one of the two would work on this table. What a disappointment that I have to buy some other attachment to drill my own holes?? Nothing like buying something you cannot use right away!
ed
if you have a thickness planner it is cheaper to make one from a piece of hardwood. I have 3 routers and none fit. so I made my insert myself and it works great.
Goodnight Johnboy
I bought one & I was disappointed with the so called “rails” for bar clamps. I have bessey & quickgrip bar clamps & neither one of them fit. The channel for the clamp is too shallow & narrow. It said on the box “fits most standard bar clamps”. They’re full of s__t. It may fit some mini clamp, but what’s the point if your clamp has no holding strength. Its obvious they didn’t actually try to slide a bar clamp in the channel. If they did they would have designed it to fit what they’re advertising. Also the legs don’t fold in, there’s one for each corner. But I think it makes it more durable.
Greg
These are currently on sale for $59 at Home Depot.
Richard
All They are is a plastic table. I have tries three different routers with no luck.
Larry McGraw
I’ve had my Husky table for over a year and have used it extensively with no trouble whatsoever. Light weight, strong and easy to set up. No problems with breaking leg clips etc mentioned in earlier responses. As I said mine works great and I would highly recommend it. I have other tables, workmate etc and they are great products as well, only different for what they were designed for.
joe
does anyone know where I can buy the metal brackets so it can hold the 2×4 or a part number for the brackets
Ray Cook
Where can we get the clamps that they show in the table? I have purchased two different sets and neither of them fit in the table.
Stuart
Maybe something like Bessey’s track saw clamps? They’re available at Home Depot and Amazon.