When converting the KBZ into a TBZ, I realised that I needed more trestles. A wobbly wooden folding stand costs just under EUR 10 at Toom. Two metal folding trestles, the better choice, cost just under 40 EUR. So one costs 20 EUR. Action beats that hands down.

Action?

I don’t get any money from Action when I mention them here. They don’t have an affiliate programme. Nevertheless, I have labelled the links as advertising as a precaution, there are many bad lawyers out there who have to keep their heads above water with warning letters. Better safe than sorry.

When I’m back in a house renovation phase or tinkering with my car, I’m in Action at least once a week. Many people don’t know Action or think it’s a cheap shop like Tedi. Action is cheap, but not cheap, if you know what I mean. It’s more like a Lidl or Aldi for non-food products. That’s not quite true, because they also have long-life food.

In any case, Action is one of the biggest players in Europe and is constantly growing. Before I order anything or go to the DIY store, I first check what Action has.

Examples?

• Dulux Premium acrylic paint, silk matt white, scratch-resistant.
  Amazon: 23,72 EUR
  Action: 11,99 EUR
• Pattex polymer adhesive, 350 kg adhesion, 460 g cartridge
  Amazon: 10.45 EUR(370 g) (460 g = 12.99 EUR)
  Action: 5,99 EUR

So we save at least 50% each time in comparison. This is normal with Action.

Workbench from Ferm

I didn’t make it to the Action.market the last few days, but I knew that the Ferm work bench was on special offer for 14.99 EUR. The regular price is 19.99 EUR. When I finally made it, there were only two left and I bought them both. Cheaper and more versatile than the metal blocks from Toom, which I also own.

Okay, the metal blocks can be folded up much smaller so that only the support surfaces remain as a „bar“ in the corner. The workbench is somewhat bulkier due to its design.

I was amazed at the work surface. At first I thought it was coated plywood with a fancy decor. But it felt too hard for that. Lo and behold, I could see from the drill holes that it was cleanly varnished bamboo wood. Great! It’s very hard and more water-resistant than the usual wood on my previous workbenches.

Technical data

• Footprint: 52 x 63.5 x 77.5 cm (WxDxH)
• Working area: 60.5 x 24 to 32 cm (WxD)
• Folded: 60.5 x 15 x 92 cm (WxDxH)
• Weight: 4.8 kg
• Load capacity: 150 kg
• Bamboo wood work surface
• 4 clamping jaws
• two tool holders
• imprinted protractor and centimetre ruler
• 3-year guarantee

Construction

As the instructions are really tiny, I will describe here how to assemble the workbench.

Worktops

We place the two wooden boards on the table with the underside in front of us. The two notches point towards the centre.

We place the two parts with the cranks towards us on the timbers and fasten them with the small wood screws. Attention! The wood is hard. It is best to use a cordless screwdriver! Make sure that all the screws are tight.

Legs

The legs are attached using the thicker and longer M8 bolts and the self-locking nuts. Two sheet metal spanners are included. It is more convenient to use a small ratchet and a 13 mm spanner.

The angled sides of the locking struts point sideways outwards, the acute angle they form points towards us. The legs are angled outwards at the sides so that the bench can stand securely.

Place the washers on each side. Make sure that the screws are not overtightened. They must still be easy to turn. If we tighten them too much, the workbench will end up being crooked!

Tool holder

The two tool holders stabilise the table. We fasten them with the small M6 screws and nuts. The washers only go on the side with the nuts. We can and should tighten these as firmly as possible.

We need the enclosed spanner and a screwdriver for this.

Rubber feet

The rubber feet always come with the tips pointing outwards towards the corners of the table. You can’t see it in the pictures, but one corner of the feet is higher than the others.

We simply stick the rubber feet on.

Modding

To make it easier for me to sand and paint the Ivar boards, I glued small furniture protection nupsis onto the clip-on clamping jaws. That way the boards don’t touch the workbench, it stays clean – and the boards no longer slip away.

Please? But of course these Gumminupsis are also from the Action. Where else would they come from?

Conclusion

I used the workbenches directly as a replacement for my trestles. Everything worked to my complete satisfaction. The work surface was very easy to crank. The workbenches are very easy to fold up, nothing jams. They stand firmly and securely on a flat surface. Of course, I had to hunt down a straight spot on the lawn. :-)

For 20 EUR each, you can’t complain. For 15 EUR, the foldable workbenches are an absolute no-brainer. :-)