I saw an old 225 my neighbor had. Said he got it used, but did not know how old it was. It was stout and stable. I was impressed!
Later, I check out reviews and it appears that the quality of the bench has plummeted since manufacturing moved to China. Then again, about everything similar is made there. I don't mind Chinese-made items. I'm hoping that there is a bench-from someone somewhere-that is tougher and of a little higher quality?
At any given time, there are a half dozen or so listed on CL in my area… not the 225 specifically, but mostly the older sturdy models, and usually in the $20-$60 price range. You may want to look around to see what might pop up in your area. I'm sure with enough patience, a nice 225 will show up, if that is the particular one you are looking for.
I purchased a Keter Folding Bench. It's pretty stable and the built in clamp system is pretty useful. Easy to fold and unfold and it's flat when folded up. Used it for my miter saw and outfeed for the TS before I made a saw station and purchased a cabinet saw. Now it's relegated to a finishing station when needed for that. Only issue is it's not height adjustable.
B&D quality control has become a joke, i have European and Chinese models and would have neither if not given free.
Make a portable bench - this is for sale on British eBay, with enough pictures to make construction do-able.
not fold-able but portable
While the old one ones were quite useful (I have 2, a 225 and a 425) the new ones seem to be nothing but junk. I'd look for used ones on CL or where ever if I needed another.
Patent protection expired, B&D stripped the design to lower construction and material costs, and so it goes. Toss in corporate greed (it's the drum everyone's beating these days, right?) and you're left with an unusable product. I'm with Harvey; I bought an aluminum H-Frame for $30.
I did what was recommended. I got on Craigslist and found a B&D Workmate, in my case a 79-001, Type 1. I did some research and it appears to be made in the mid-70s. The top-finished orange wood-needs some TLC, but it's all there and the vise seems to work fine. Gonna start cleaning it up tomorrow. I spent $40 for it. Thanks for the help, guys!
Okay-finally done. There was some rust and pitting, but a brush and elbow grease took care of that. Paint and a new top. Not a museum quality resto, but not bad I reckon for a 45 year old workbench. I plan on using it for another 45.
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