Product Review - Harbor Freight Windsor Design 60" Workbench

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Photo 1 Copyright 2020 Nicholas Kalis
My first Windsor Design Workbench used as a shop tool stand
Holds five shop tools on top - the tool at the left is an electric paint shaker
Photo 2 Copyright 2020 Nicholas Kalis
My third Windsor Design is a cheerful place to work. Note the extra electrical outlets to the right.
Photo 3 Copyright 2020 Nicholas Kalis
The bottom shelf on my third Windsor Design provides handy storage. Cubbies can be purchased at the Container Store

Product Review

If you want the ultimate, order the Sjoberg Elite Workbench 2000 with Cabinet SM04 form Rockler for $ 3,030 with $ 200 shipping and handling charge. If you are like the rest of us, A Harbor Freight workbench might do. A check of the internet will also reveal that many wooden workbenches sell for about $ 400 to $ 1,000 - I suspect they are of a better quality than the Harbor Freight workbench under review here. But look at these three photos and you will see that this is a good-looking workbench at any price - yes, I know appearance is not the first thing one seeks in a workbench, but it does not hurt that one need not sacrifice appearance in search of a low-ticket price.

I own three (3) Windsor Design 60 inch (five foot long) four-drawer work benches from Harbor Freight. Thier list price is $ 149.99 but 20 percent off coupons can often be found to bring the price lower to about $120. Don't forget you will be paying shipping and handling on top of this. You can also see the workbench at their stores. I simply ordered all three of mine online sight unseen - each time using a discount coupon.
As I detail below, the felt-lined drawers leave a bit to be desired. But think of it this way - for this price, you probably can discard the drawers and still feel you got a great deal.

Positives
  •  Wooden Vise included
  •  Compact - this can also be a negative for those wanting a larger workbench
  •  Sturdy overall
  •  Bottom shelf can be filled with organizers to store supplies
  •  Ninety-day guarantee
Negatives
  •  Arrives disassembled
  •  Wood is fingered
  •  Top board is not as thick as it appears in photos
  •  Drawers do not install easily
  •  Drawers do not glide smoothly
  •  Drawers only pull out about 1/2 way
  •  Bottom shelf is a bit fiddly - don't try storing very heavy items there
  •  Only 90-day guarantee

Conclusion
I sense many modelers don't have a decent workbench to build their models on or if they have one it is some jerry-rigged piece of scrap wood on saw-horses or some other make do solution. Here is your solution. This workbench can also serve as an inexpensive sturdy stand for your shop equipment. (See Photo 1)

If you have a handyman you use, you can give him the chore of assembling this and you still will come out ahead. In any case, most other workbenches will arrive at your home disassembled so then you will still face the choice of doing it yourself or hiring someone.

I put together one of my three workbenches and then had Carl Newberry assemble the other two - boy, it was sweet having someone else put it together - and giving him the nasty job of making the drawers operate properly. Thank you Carl!

 My conclusion - if you don't have a decent stand-up workbench now and you are a penny pincher - or even not - treat yourself to one or even three, as I have, of these Harbor Freight workbenches. Just be gentle with the drawers. Oh, and I have no financial or employment stake in Harbor Freight.

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