Portable Workbenches
Buy the best portable workbenches selected and recommended by interior designers. By Chloe Hughes.
A workbench is one of the most essential and basic tools when you get started in traditional woodworking. Now, you can either make your own DIY portable work table, or you can buy a professional workbench. An advantage of doing the latter, is that the purchased products often come with additional functions or gadgets. Below we have a selection of portable workbenches for your shop in different materials and sizes.
Portable Workbenches
Buying Guide
Chloe Hughes
Interior Design Expert
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
Portable work benches go beyond that of merely storing tools, parts, and accessories necessary for completing household tasks and DIY projects. They also serve as an integral part of a busy individual's workshop and, when they're portable, it's possible to bring them from task to task conveniently. Therefore, it's critical to pick on that not only serves your needs but is also constructed from the materials that are optimal for the portability you seek.
If you’re going to keep the portable work bench in your workspace, you may not be too worried about the materials from which its made. You may have more concerns focusing on how many compartments it has, if it features a vice, or there’s enough drawers or shelves available. However, for those who are moving this unit from place to place a lot, it needs to be light. Some possible materials to consider include:
- Solid wood: while this material will experience dings and gouges as you work and move it from job to job, those flaws are easily restored when you’re working with hardwoods. Many of these work benches feature pull-out drawers, shelves, and large workspaces.
- Steel with plastic: you’ll find this is a common material combination for those who are working with power tools. In addition to being durable, they move around quickly, are convenient, and last for years when you keep them clean.
- Plastic: these portable work benches are best for those who are working on small projects and aren’t in need of significant storage. While they’ll last for a long time, they’re more challenging to ensure longevity because plastic isn’t as durable in comparison to wood and steel.
You’ll find that portable work benches are available in a wide variety of options including the following examples:
- Foldable work benches that easily tuck away similarly to a small latter.
- Small portable work benches that look like saw horses with a vice on one end.
- Larger, multi-functional units featuring power strips, spacious work tables, tool storage, and wheels for easy maneuvering.
- Roll-around units constructed from solid wood featuring tools on the ends and measuring devices on the top.
- Furniture-like pieces featuring a workspace on top, drawers, pull-out shelves, and storage compartments.
- Simple table constructions for those who prefer working on small projects and then putting everything away.
When you’re shopping for portable work benches, you’ll find they’re available in my styles, configurations, and sizes. Therefore, it’s essential to give a lot of thought regarding its use before committing to a specific work bench. That way, you’re not purchasing on that’s too small. Make a list of each of the tasks you intend to use the bench for, as well as where you plan to keep it stored. These considerations will not only help keep the bench organized and ensure you have enough space on it, but it will also provide you have enough space for storage in the area you designated for the bench.