Craftsman Professional Height Adjustable Clamping Table

[RickP330]

Guys,
I got soaked on this one. I had a job (cutting, grinding, welding) and since I've got my garage so cleaned up and organized, I needed a collapsing work surface I could use in the driveway to do the dirty work. I was in a hurry (Recipe for disaster already) So after the Home Deep load didn't have anything I went to Sears and bought the following:

Craftsman Professional Height Adjustable Clamping Table

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965796000P?vName=Tools&keyword=65796

This thing is Junk with a capital J. Well, Actually the frame is quite nice - folds up smartly, is balanced around the handle nicely when folded for carrying, but that's about it.

Top is MDF, Mine was cracked before I even took it out of the box. Again, I needed to get the job done so I lived with it. The lead screws were so tight it was difficult to clamp items and the knobs are all plastic with set screws in the plastic! They all stripped out on the first use. The knobs on top are plastic and if you clamp anything in them with a little force they spread out and the piece pops out.

Guys, I'm really bummed out. Can I just take this thing back for a refund? It's been used now and I wouldn't plan on trying to pass it off as a new return, but I'm just so dissatisfied I don't want this thing anymore. I have enough projects without having to fix this horror.

On another note, does anyone know of a better made work table?
Regards,
Rick

 

[Cashed]

I would say take it back. That sounds ridiculous.

 

[mulepackin]

I would say the stripped out plastic knobs would be pretty good grounds for a return.

 

[Rickster]

After many years of moving this beast around the garage I finally got someone to buy it at the second yard sale I put it in for $5. Man was I happy to see that thing leave! I had to have a fight with it every time I wanted to fold it up. The stupid plastic feet kept falling off and those stupid plastic turn screws were a PIA. I would take it back and try to get your money back ASAP, I have this X leg thing I use for my miter saw base now. It came from Home Depot, not a bad unit. At least if folds totally flat for storage.

 

[gotmud13613]

I had the same problems with mine, the top boards broke, so I had some left over treated deck boards. I put them on the top and haven't had any problems yet, drilled new holes for the plastic pieces and now they stay put.

They are still not the best, but when ur in a hurry they work fine.

 

[dxdexter]

Guys,


On another note, does anyone know of a better made work table?
Regards,
Rick

I have two Black and Decker Workmates and they are great. They are the older type which are made much better than the newer ones (heavier gauge metal, plywood top). They are very sturdy and have been used for just about anything you can think of and have not failed.
The current model is the 425.
Keep an eye out and you may find an older used one. I got one of mine for $20.

 

[jhn9840]

I was looking at the same model online yesterday. The professional model and the home owners model both have bad reviews on the craftsmsn.com website. I would be taking it back to Sears for a refund. I've not seen the newer B&D workmates but the older ones were great. The ones that HF sell are complete junk as I found out the hard way. Hopefully someone out there will have a good suggestion.

jhn9840
John

 

[eschoendorff]

I would say take it back. That sounds ridiculous.

Definitely. If you were closer, you coulda just borrowed mine.....

 

[RickP330]

Thanks guys, do you know if they will just accept a return because I feel the thing is peice of junk? Will Sears Honor that? They certinally cannot resell it now it's used. I'll check out the B&D.
Rick

 

[dxdexter]

B&D has several models similar to what you had, which may be no better than the Craftsman. This picture shows the style I use. This one has had a lot of use in the garage and my basement wood shop.

 

[RickP330]

Thanks,
That's what I'm afraid of. I'll take it back and what I get to replace it will be no better. At least I know what to look for now.
Rick

 

[RickP330]

The current model is the 425.

Wow, I checked out the B&D site. They have quite a few even a 525 that looks pretty awsome:

http://www.blackanddecker.com/productguide/product-details.aspx?productid=9597&toolview=5#details

A little different construction then the 425, also 100# less capacity but a little more expensive? Anyone have any experience with these two?
Rick

 

[Rickster]

I'm looking at the pictures in the link, what kind of work can you do on that door? That base is too small to support the door from tipping if you do any work on either of its ends and clamped upright, who's gonna cut a door knob hole 6 ft in the air? I'd recommend a couple of those fold up saw horses and a chunk of 3/4 plywood, maybe 5 or 6 ft long and 3 ft wide. You can screw blocks to it to use as stops and you won't get upset when you spill paint or stain on it or slice into it with your circular saw.

 

[Cebby]

I have an older version of the 425 and it has served me well. I need new boards on it (caught on fire from welding on it), but other than that, it has been a tank.

 

[RickP330]

Took it back to Sears. Full Refund, no questions asked. Still need a table though. I'll keep you all posted.
Rick

 

[RickP330]

Guys, I still have to replace the table, are there any other manufacturers out there other then Black and Decker and Craftsman to consider?
many thanks,
Rick

 

[amwalker]

Rick,
My Dad has B&D model, can't remember which one for the life of me, but it has always worked fine as long as I didn't overload it. I'd try for one of those, but since I'm slightly cheap and diy, I'll probably build one.

Adam

 

[RickP330]

I can't believe it. I think I'm going back to Sears to pick up another one of these tables.

I've been Searching clamping tables over the past week and all I could really find was the B&D Workmate series. Based on the reviews on Amazon It looked like the 425 was the most common one with best reviews. The biggest complaint on nearly every one is that they were damaged in shipping when ordered on line. So Okay, I'll pick one up local.

These things are impossible to find locally, I finally found a 225 at a lowes way out of the way and holy cow it was a POS. I said, Naaa the 425 MUST be better - it's rated another 100# right? I got home and took a close look on line, The only difference is the wood on top and a fancy clutch to turn both handles at the same time. IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME FRAME. I would be super pissed if I spent 30 dollars more for that.

The sears frame is superior in every way. It looks like I'll need to make my own crank levers and top and repurchase the Sears table. Can you believe it? I should have done all of this up front. I feel bad for returning that other one, but compared to what is out there it's the better of the two.

One last ditch effort tonight to find a compeating brand and if I don't it's back to Sears.
Regards,
Rick

 

[dxdexter]

I can't believe it. I think I'm going back to Sears to pick up another one of these tables.

I've been Searching clamping tables over the past week and all I could really find was the B&D Workmate series. Based on the reviews on Amazon It looked like the 425 was the most common one with best reviews. The biggest complaint on nearly every one is that they were damaged in shipping when ordered on line. So Okay, I'll pick one up local.

These things are impossible to find locally, I finally found a 225 at a lowes way out of the way and holy cow it was a POS. I said, Naaa the 425 MUST be better - it's rated another 100# right? I got home and took a close look on line, The only difference is the wood on top and a fancy clutch to turn both handles at the same time. IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME FRAME. I would be super pissed if I spent 30 dollars more for that.

Rick,
Its really hard to compare the newer B&D models with the older stuff. The old Workmates (approx 15 years +) are extremely well built and some of the really old original ones have even more robust frames with cast parts rather than stamped. I would really suggest you look for a older used unit. I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[RickP330]

Thanks Dex,
I'll check Ebay and Craigs list...
RP

 

[MAD]

Stanley makes some. Have not looked at any out of the box though.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=ZAG+SAW+AND+WORK&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=93-292&SDesc=FatMax%26%23174%3B+Mobile+Project+Center

I got a no name one from Harbor Frieght that was OK (pretty good for the ten bucks it cost me) I ordered another one later and it was a P.O.S. I did not even finish putting it together.

 

[RickP330]

Hey all,
Well I went back and bought another. With the exception of the plastic handles and MDF top I have to reverse my previous assesment of this tool. It's actually not too bad considering the others I looked at. What I really like about this is the the whole top angle is adjustable and the hieght is adjustable. The frame is welded tubular steel and pretty robust. It is not wobbly at all. If you look at the Handle pic you will see the offending sheet metal screw that will strip out the first time you crank on something good. At that point I will have to get some aluminum crank handles from McMaster and mod them to fit them on I am sure. Plus this MDF top is already cracked too. Package was not even damaged, so I don't know how it could have happend, but I resigned myself to making a new top for it out of ply when I get a chance anyway. Once done I'm sure it will be a rocking tool.

I looked at the B&D workmates and Stanley FatMax. This one when folded has a nice handle in the middle where it is balanced nicely and when folded up stands up by itself well. here are some pics I took tonight.

I got the first job loaded on it. It's a customers airplane shown in the pic. The job that beat up the first work stand was mounting a 95 Caravan 3rd row removable seat (I made my own sockets). in the back of an F-150 van.
Regards,
Rick

 

[RickP330]

Here are two more pictures. I'll be sure to follow up with a few more when I make the modifications.
Rick