I was watching a rerun of the 2008 Hardware show on the DIY channel last night. One of the things that caught my eye was this workbench by VIKA. Retails somewhere between $130-150 depending upon vendor on line. Has anyone out there actually used this thing? it looks very interesting, but looks CAN be deceiving. I’d be interested in any feedback. Thanks.
At its most basic level, capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do … the dignity that comes with profiting from their talent and hard work. … The free-market system also provides the incentives that lead to prosperity — the incentive to work, to innovate, to save and invest wisely, and to create jobs for others.†-President George W. Bush In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.
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I bought one several months ago, and I love it. I'm not a professional, at least not anymore. I spent a few years doing remodeling during and after college. I'm now a serious DIY'er, currently in the process of remodeling a kitchen. The thing is built like a tank! It's fairly heavy, but the flip side is that it is also very sturdy and stable. I have used it as a scaffold for painting, and have no complaints there. I use it quite a bit as a stand for my portable table saw, and even when ripping a full sheet of plywood it stays put. I may actually get a second one, as I like having one set to the lower setting for stacking things on or using as a tools stand for my saw or planer, and one as an extra portable workbench in my limited workshop space. A couple of things I would do to improve it if I were the manufacturer, though. The worktop should have been drilled with 3/4" holes, or whatever size Festool uses on its MFT, for use with accessories. Also, the brace that stiffens the legs are a little finnicky. I would like to see a better solution there. You hardly need them though, except when used as a scaffold. One final note. On the QVC presentation you can find on YouTube, they indicate that it can be used as a scaffold at both the high and low setting. The manual states it can only be used as such in the lower setting. I feel comfortable using it in the higher setting, but I know that if I fall, it's my fault! I got mine from Woodcraft for $149 with free shipping.
thanks for the feedback!! a friend of mine who is a buyer for a lumber co. is going to look into it at a show next week.
At its most basic level, capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do … the dignity that comes with profiting from their talent and hard work. … The free-market system also provides the incentives that lead to prosperity -- the incentive to work, to innovate, to save and invest wisely, and to create jobs for others.†-President George W. Bush
In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.
How thick is the MDF workbench surface. It looks interesting, but I think I would like to mount a plywood surface to replace the MDF, so I could screw jigs, fixtures, and stuff to it directly.
It looks to be about 1/2", which I agree is a little thinner than I would like. I have been considering replacing it with 3/4" MDF or MDO. The one issue I see is that the legs fold in that direction, so I don't know if that would cause any issues. It might not make a difference. It may be possible to reverse it, and put the plastic grate on that side adn the work top on the other side so it won't interfere. I will have to check that.
OK, you've got me all worked up now.
So how about a picture or a link?
AitchKay
Here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOys7oVGIzg
http://www.vikausa.com
how old is that YouTube? It is not showing up for less than 139.00 at this point. $108??? Wow. That must have been a while ago.
At its most basic level, capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do … the dignity that comes with profiting from their talent and hard work. … The free-market system also provides the incentives that lead to prosperity -- the incentive to work, to innovate, to save and invest wisely, and to create jobs for others.†-President George W. Bush
In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.
I have no idea. I bought mine at Woodcraft. I have heard that some Costco's have had it in stock, though not online. $99 from what I recall hearing from others. I sure couldn't find any. For that price, I would have bought three!
I would buy 2 folding scaffolding at 39$ each and make my own table that could sit on top with runners underneath to lock into the slots.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
My Costco store's have them at $99.I've checked them out and must not have been overly impressed, cause I haven't bought one yet...But, maybe I need to give it another look from the standpoint of a portable workbench.JT