Yes I know I bought this and I also know it is very cheap… which means I also know parts of it are not the best like the vice, draw slides could be better and odd size dog holes. That being said why did I buy it?
I saw one made up in Mitre 10 and gave it a good looking over. It was pretty stable, and well made for the price of only $350.00 NZD to me that was cheap. It was cheap but it wasn’t too nasty. So I decided to purchase one. Mitre10 Jobmate Kitset Workbench. There is a difference between cheap and nasty and just cheap.
Jobmate Workbench Kit set. https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/kitset-workbench—h:-865mm,-w:-1525mm,-d:-510mm/p/394483
- Includes three drawers and one storage shelf
- Easy to assemble kit set with all fastenings
- Vice opening 185mm.Measurements: H: 865mm, W: 1525mm, D: 510mm
While they recommend having some one to help you put it together it is entirely possible to do it on your own as I did but I didn’t do it in the recommend way the instructions say. I also assembled it in cramped conditions adding that extra layer of difficulty, but definitely possible to do on your own.
Once everything is tightened up the bench itself is surprisingly pretty sturdy. However for me it is a little low, but that is not a problem to sit it up on some leg extension blocks.
The Dog holes appear to be 17-18mm instead of the average19mm which I can fix and I just buy new size dogs and accessories. (that being said there is no standard size dog… but it is more of an average.) The holes just empty into the draws below so your draw will get full of dust.
Like I said above the draw slides are not the best but they work and I possibly could change them in the future if I really want nice sliding draws etc. But to be completely honest I probably won’t ever get round to it.
The end vise is not the best (and this is where they really skimped on the money) but will it will do the job? … most likely will b able to handle what I throw at it (I am not sure if I can change out the vice or some how install a better one on the other end.
So am I happy with it, time will tell how well it will hold up to my abuse, but for $350.00 NZD it is not a bad deal and so far it is okay. Actually ore than okay. But just don’t expect the best quality vice, or draw pulls etc.
