A Black & Decker Workmate is a DIY classic and like a second pair of hands, so does the Workmate WM536 live up to expectations?

Every DIYer needs a workbench, even if they don’t know it. Their multi-use capabilities make them a must-have for anyone embarking on a variety of projects. But not everyone has space for a full-blown workbench, and that's where foldable workbenches come in. They are a real space-saver; you can simply fold them flat and hang them out of the way.

Like a second pair of hands, a foldable workbench like the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 goes with you wherever you work and makes any DIY project that much easier.

Use it with different types of power saws such as jigsaws, or hand saws to cut timber, plastic, and plasterboard. It can also double as a sawhorse to support long lengths of timber and plastic. Whatever project you are working on, it's always there to help.

Specification and features

• Working heights: 592.5mm and 762.5mm
• Weight: approx. 10 kg
• Dimensions (folded): 740 x 610 x 217mm
• Maximum load: up to 250 kg
• Vice jaw opening size: 0-136 mm
• Vice jaw length: 610mm
• Warranty: 2 years
• Features: 4 x swivel pegs, folds flat, adjustable vice, fold-down legs

Get the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 today

Unboxing and first impressions

I'm happy to admit that a sparkling new workbench got my excitement levels rising. It's been a long time since I’ve used a Black & Decker Workbench. I adopted my dad's old one, and it got lost somewhere along the way. So I've been reinventing old furniture and using bar clamps (like these Irwin Quick Grip 150mm Blue Steel Bar clamps from B&Q) to tackle DIY projects. But I decided it was time for a workbench, as I'm about to start a big DIY project, making it the ideal time to choose the latest version of an old classic – the Black & Decker Workmate 536.

Housed in a recyclable box, it gives you an instant sense of what's inside. Plenty of product photos and facts give you a clue about how to use the Black & Decker Workmate WM536. Opening the box, I noticed there's very little packaging inside the box; just enough to keep the workbench safe and secure. With no time to waste, I lifted the bench out and at nearly 11 kg, it was easy to lift and set down.

My immediate impression was that the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 looked good and was almost ready for action. A bag of parts, and what I assumed were the wooden planks that sit atop the workbench, were securely attached to the frame. Elsewhere were a couple of components that I wasn't sure about. But I was pretty sure it would all become obvious when I put the workbench to the test.

Setting up the Black & Decker Workmate WM536

It's easy to dive in and start guessing where everything goes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. This time, I decided to skip the guesswork and head straight to the instruction manual to make sure I was doing it correctly (hopefully saving me time and a lack of profanities for anyone listening).

The instruction manual listed three model numbers – WM535/WM536/WM626. This is often a pointer that you're getting a set of generic instructions rather than a specific set which, from experience, can make it a bit more confusing. And I wasn't wrong. Parts of the illustrated instructions were pretty obvious, but others weren't. I wasn't sure which blocks to use to support the wooden vice planks, which plank to use, or which hole to put the screws through.

One obvious improvement would have been to be more specific with the planks. One has markings which could have been illustrated in the instructions. However, with my powers of deduction in full swing – and a few ‘got it wrong’ moments – I eventually worked it out. Another simple solution could be a QR code printed in the manual that links to an instructional video.

A bonus was the handy plastic spanner specifically designed to fit the bolts. This worked a treat. What I wasn't so impressed by were the pins to secure the arm and handle that operates the vice planks. You need to hammer these in, which can damage/mark the handle.

In hindsight, setup wasn't difficult, but clearer instructions would have definitely been a bonus. The final step was to pop in the four plastic grips. Each vice plank has six strategically placed holes, three at each end. To start, I chose the classic positions for a straightforward grip on straight-edged timber.

The Black & Decker Workmate WM536 is a dual-height model, so with the legs folded, the height sits around 590mm, an ideal height for resting items rather than a working height. Releasing the folded legs raises the Workmate to around 760mm, an ideal height for most DIYers. Plastic clips hold the legs in place, and plastic feet provide a stable base. I noticed that one fell off when I was putting the Workmate away, but luckily I spotted this and replaced it. It's still there at the time of writing.

The Black & Decker Workmate WM536 in action

With the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 set to the 760mm working height, it was time to test out the Workmate. The first task was to tackle a load of plastic guttering that I had just replaced. I needed to cut it into more manageable lengths (so I could get them in my car).

To give the work bench more of a thorough test, I decided to cut the guttering without the vice, just using the worktop. The vice-free cutting worked fine, but after about ten cuts, the planks were quite well marked. Onto the vice cutting, and again the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 did its job well; the vice gripped the guttering securely and didn’t mark the plank's surface.

Next up was cutting sheets of plywood; a standard 2440mm x 1220mm sheet is far too large for the vice, but I used it as a temporary sawhorse to help cut the plywood into more manageable sizes. The vice with grips (easy to remove and move elsewhere) has a maximum width of around 300mm, a minimum of around 15mm, and a length of 610mm. This makes it ideal for cutting plywood, MDF, OSB, timber fence posts, and much more.

As I mentioned, the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 has 12 grip holes, offering plenty of combinations and the ability to hold non-standard shapes. Combined with the independently operated vice handles, I managed to hold a circular wooden stool to help sand the wood by hand. It took time to work out grip placement, and they won't work for every shape you throw at it, but it can tackle most.

The vice has a maximum opening of 140mm, so it can hold a wide range of objects vertically, such as window frames, timber studs, and smaller sheets of timber. I tried it with 75mm x 75mm x 2000mm fence posts, 50mm x 75mm CLS timber, and 18mm x 250mm x 1440mm plywood. As expected, everything worked well and held securely.

I also tried a larger sheet of plywood - 18mm x 500mm x 1440mm. The Workmate vice secured the sheet well, but the height and depth (18mm) offered too much flex for my liking; but, this would be the same for most foldable workbenches.

Both vice planks have a groove alongside their inside edge to help grip circular objects such as wooden broom handles and plastic plumbing pipe. The minimum recommended size is 7mm, with a maximum grip of 58 mm. I tested this with 32mm and 40mm plastic waste pipe; both were held firmly by the vice while cutting. A set of metric measurements along the edge of one of the planks was a useful addition for double-checking measurements and even marking out if needed.

When finished, a couple of clips let you fold it down quickly for storage. With a folded depth of 220mm, it's easy to find a home for it in your garage storage. I suggest investing in heavy-duty storage hooks like these KURUI Heavy Duty Garage Hooks for Hanging from Amazon to save space and keep the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 away from damp floors.

Should I buy the Black & Decker Workmate WM536?

If you're a DIYer who doesn't own a portable workbench, you should give the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 serious consideration. Its versatile, multi-use design makes it an excellent choice for a whole host of projects.

You can use it as a general workbench for cutting and painting, double as a sawhorse to support long lengths of timber and guttering, and use its vice and adjustable swivel grips to hold wood, plastic, and non-standard shapes securely. In fact, it can do pretty much anything you’ll probably encounter. It's like having a second pair of hands, offering extra help when you need it.

Admittedly, I've only used the Black & Decker Workmate WM536 for a short time, so I'm not sure how the components will last. There were minor niggles such as the plastic knobs, the wood panels being marked, and a plastic foot falling off. Will the paint last? But in reality, it's a tool meant to be used, and only time will tell how well it lasts, but I'm happy and impressed with what I've seen so far.

As an expert DIYer I often test out new products to the market, so if you're in the process of upgrading your own tool kit, find out what I thought of the new Black and Decker BLD783 18v Cordless Brushless Combi Drill, and if the affordable Titan TTB876PLN 3mm Electric Planer lived up to expectation.