What is the best mobile folding workbench?
This article is going to compare the Stanley FatMax and Toughbuilt Quickset mobile folding workbenches and ultimately decide… what is the best mobile folding workbench? It will cover the following:
- History of Folding Workbenches
- The Latest Portable Mobile Workbenches
- Features and Benefits of Folding Workbenches
- Stanley FatMax versus Toughbuilt Quickset Folding Workbenches
- Verdict: Which is the best Mobile Folding Workbench?
History of Folding Workbenches 
We all remember the Black & Decker Workmate portable workbench. The Workmate was originally invented by Ron Hickman in the 1960’s, after he inadvertently cut the leg off an expensive Swedish chair he was using as a sawhorse, whilst building a wardrobe in his home. This was the inspiration to the original Workmate multifunctional bench – a sawhorse and vice combination on a foldable frame.
Hickman struggled to convince anyone to market the Workmate for him, so he originally sold them himself at trade shows and by mail order. In 1971, Black & Decker recognised there was an opportunity, and opened negotiations for the rights to manufacture the Workmate. After six months of toing and froing, Black & Decker finally secured exclusivity, with Hickman receiving a 3% royalty for every unit sold. It is estimated that Black & Decker have sold over 100 million Workmates to date.
The Latest Portable Mobile Workbenches
Forward-wind to 2024… mobile workbenches have come on a long way with most professional users wanting sturdier benches with a larger working surface area, more effective clamping facilities and the ability to rapidly set the bench up within seconds.
Festool launched their MFT Multifunction Table over two decades ago, with aluminium side profiles and a perforated top that accept various clamps for workpieces that are large or small, angular or round, and horizontal or vertical! Angle stops and guide rail supports can be added for precision and convenience, and this particular mobile workbench is specifically designed for Festool users that buy into a complete system.
Metabo have recently launched their own MDF-topped MWB100 Multifunction Workbench, which has a similar design to the original Festool MFT table. The workbench features height adjustable legs and is supplied with clamps, bench hooks and corner connectors so it can be used straight out the box.
I’ve touched on the MDF-topped worktables, but the purpose of this article is to compare two other folding workbenches, that on the face of it look very similar… Stanley FatMax FMST1-75672 Express Folding Workbench versus Toughbuilt TB-WB700 Quickset Workbench.
Features and Benefits of Folding Workbenches
Before directly comparing the Stanley FatMax and Toughbuilt Quickset; what are the features and benefits of the two folding mobile workbenches?
Compared to the MDF-topped Festool MFT Multifunction Table and Metabo MWB100 Multifunction Workbench, the Stanley FatMax and Toughbuilt Quickset both boast a loading capacity that is nearly four times greater… approaching a massive ½ tonne. If you are using your workbench to support heavy materials, this is a significant benefit – and highlights a heavy-duty and robust build quality. They both also feature various holes and slots on the tabletop, for inserting clamps or bench dogs to hold and support workpieces.
Both the Stanley FatMax and Toughbuilt Quickset can be set-up and collapsed in seconds, hence the reference to ‘Express’ and ‘Quickset’ in their product names. When the legs are folded away, the two workbenches are very compact for convenient storage when not in use. Recessed carry handles also ensure easy transportation of the workbenches to, from and around the work site.
We’ve covered various features and benefits of the two mobile folding workbenches, but what are the fundamental differences between the Stanley FatMax FMST1-75672 Express Folding Workbench and the Toughbuilt TB-WB700 Quickset Workbench?
Stanley FatMax versus Toughbuilt Quickset Folding Workbenches
The table below gives an overview of the major differences between the Stanley FatMax and Toughbuilt Quickset mobile workbenches.
You can see that many of the features are the same for both, with the Stanley FatMax having a marginally wider work surface – by 0.7cm – and the Toughbuilt Quickset having a slightly better load capacity – by 5.0kg. The Toughbuilt Quickset also features measuring and protractor markings on the table surface. I doubt they’d be used for optimum precision work, but they certainly have an added feature that might come in useful.
When physically comparing the two models, I also noticed that when the legs were folded out – the end-bar on the Stanley FatMax protruded out, whereas it
could be stowed away on the Toughbuilt Quickset version. I found that the ‘sticky out’ end-bar on the Stanley FatMax got in the way and couldn’t even be used as a side support, as it was lower than the table height.
The Toughbuilt Quickset really comes into its own with the ClipTech system compatibility. A single ClipTech Hub is supplied with the workbench, allowing users to attach any Cliptech pouch or tool holder to the side of the workbench. Additional ClipTech Hubs can be purchased separately to fix to all four corners of the workbench, allowing up to four pouches or tool holders to be attached. This is a fabulous system for ultimate tool organisation.
Verdict: Which is the best Mobile Folding Workbench?
There’s a clear winner when comparing the Stanley FatMax FMST1-75672 Express Folding Workbench and the Toughbuilt TB-WB700 Quickset Workbench. I mentioned above the additional features and benefits the Toughbuilt model offers, but the build quality and sturdiness of the Toughbuilt Quickset Workbench feels so much better. When you compare the weight of the two units – 10.5kg versus 13.4kg – the Toughbuilt is nearly 30% heavier, which confirms thicker and more robust materials have been used to produce a workbench of almost identical size and dimensions. When you also compare the maximum guarantee period – 1 year versus 25 years – it’s fair to say my money would categorically go on buying the Toughbuilt TB-WB700 Quickset Workbench.
Related Articles
Joint Managing Director, Protrade
Craig has over 30 years of experience at Protrade, working in various departments including sales, procurement, and marketing, and ultimately becoming Managing Director in 2008. Following the merger of Protrade and Joinery Fit-Out Supplies in 2018, Craig is now the joint MD of the company.
