How To Put Together A Black+Decker WorkMate 125 Portable Workbench

If you are trying to figure out how to build a BLACK+DECKER WorkMate 125 Portable Workbench ( amzn.to/3pRQQHv ) this is the video for you. The included instructions aren't super clear on a few steps but this video will help explain everything. With this video you should get the build done in just about 20 minutes.
This video will also help with putting together a number of other portable workbenches, including:
BLACK+DECKER WM225 ( amzn.to/3ww3ZZq )
US GENERAL Folding Clamping Workbench sold on Harbor Freight
POWERTEC MT4006 ( amzn.to/3wtzNxK )
Performance Tool W54025 ( amzn.to/35kvglp )
since they all basically using the same top parts and clamping / vice mechanism.
Read the instructions: helpatmyhome.c...
Read are review or fine great garage articles at helpatmyhome.com .
#BLACK+DECKER #garage #howto
note: as an amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Read our WorkMate 125 (WM125) instructions: helpatmyhome.com/how-to-build-a-blackdecker-workmate-125-portable-workbench/

[@lucky0n3]

Hi... this is my first time using a channel lock; I can't seem to figure out how to get this pin pushed in using it. Do I need to turn into The Hulk or something? Seriously.. pls help me!!

[@joannpaul7090]

This video is a godsend. Not only are the instructions terrible, other videos are similarly useless. I didn't find this video right away. It should be the first people find. This is the ONLY helpful video for this product. Tremendous! Thank you!!!!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped! Thanks for the kind words.

[@joshlfrench]

Thankfully this is the first I found 🙌 thank you very much!!

[@sparkleblue13]

I’m so glad I didn’t click on the 14 minute video after reading your comment 😂

[@lucky0n3]

This video helped me IMMENSELY... Thank you × a million!!!

[@brucesi]

Glad this was the first video to pop up for me... Super helpful

[@glenomenon]

THANK YOU! Black and Decker should pay you for this video, it's probably saved them god knows how many returns. I got to the exact same spot everybody else did and thought I was going insane. I can't believe this video has been out for over two years and they still haven't fixed the instructions.

[@mikenichols7085]

I'm a member of the 4H club! (step 4 part H!!!). I read those instructions and was like some dude on youtube must have this figured out. Your video was clear and concise and had some great tips! Bravo!

[@lenamerica1652]

Thank you for making this video ! I was going crazy with the instructions that came with the workmate ! You just made an old man very happy !

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@lenamerica1652]

@@HelpAtMyHome Yes it sure helped !

[@thurgoodstubbs9670]

Yep I started with the guys quick video that’s about 7:36 long and it was wrong on the very first step. He put the washer in the wrong place. So I stopped and found another video and that one was wrong too. Grateful that it frozen half way through and I stooped and found this video which got me done. Thank you for the help!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@zivzulander]

Thank you for this video! It was extremely helpful. It's amazing that a company this large can't at least slap labels on the boxes saying "read our updated instructions online!" with a URL and QR code, let alone the fact that they left out some key steps in the manual in the first place.

[@ColetteFu]

Thank you! I never got those pins fully in but it seems to work anyway. I can't believe how difficult it was to snap the handles together.

[@Alanoursl]

I put it under my heel and applied weight until it snapped. Pinched my fingers holding them the first time.

[@karenklhrentals5929]

THANK YOU! You are amazing. I am a 72 year old woman and because of you I was able to assemble it perfectly. Now on to learn my Jigsaw.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad to help!

[@oldgoat50]

Did you really have 4 inch channellocks laying around? I am a 74 year oldgoat and I am not giving up yet.🥴

[@SK-vl7dv]

Very helpful (essential) instructions! 1:45 is the point where the written instructions became useless and your video saved the day. Thank you!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Awesome that it helped! Enjoy the bench

[@NicoleHam]

Sir. You saved my life IN FULL. Thank you SO MUCH. I feel like the only murky step in here was putting on the vice screw, you cover it up a bit so I couldnt see where it needed to line up.. i hopped to another video for that part.. i just needed to see another angle. Otherwise flawless, chill, and goes at the perfect pace. Tysm. Also if anyone is having issues with the “friction pin” thing, i took a set of very strong grip wire pliers and squeezed the pin just enough so itd line up with the hole (the most annoying part). Lightly tapped it with a rubber mallet then pushed it in with the spaced pliers like in the video. Worked great. Also if you cant find those pieces, just be sure not to prematurely toss out the screw/washer bags like I did- they were buried pretty snug in there.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Amazing tip!

[@jackw9920]

I’ve Seen some useless instructions provided with things before but these black and decker ones really were something else! Just wish I had just looked on KZbin for an instruction video straight away and saved 15 minutes of my life. Clear concise instructions, much appreciated.

[@shawnan9937]

Black+Decker needs to cut you a check! After a solid half hour of frustration with the provided Black+Decker instructions followed by the official Black+Decker assembly youtube video THANK THE MAKER I FOUND YOUR VIDEO! Thanks for taking the time to show the poor souls that have tried and failed with the official instructions... Your a beast

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Thanks for your kind words! Enjoy the bench.

[@timconnors3211]

Thank you!!!!! The 2nd pin slipped the force i was applying with my channelocks and went flying into my neighbors pool... I bent a common nail in the hole MUCH more easily!!! God sent me your/this video!!!

[@cassiescheide7599]

Your my hero! My husband was about to lose his mind trying to figure out those stupid instructions. Thank you so much for the video! 👍

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad I could help!

[@RussHatfield]

Saved me from an hour of frustration and probably from chucking this damn thing through the window! I had to use a rubber mallet to get the turning knobs together. Your tip to use Channellocks (pipe/slip joint pliers) for the pins was an absolute life-saver! Thanks!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad to hear it! Those big channels come in handy more than id like to admit

[@Brenda2955]

Thank you!! The rubber mallet worked for me and my dainty hands.

[@figlio6287]

I came that close to chucking the whole project in the trash and regret not checking out this video first. Worthless #$$^& instructions!

[@timmorgan1866]

Thank you...my fingers were actually bleeding trying to get this together with the lousy instructions. Your video got me through!

[@floridatransproud7767]

THANK YOU! The instruction sheet is WORTHLESS! With your video I had this together in minutes! Your tip on putting the handle retaining pins in with the channel lock pliers was a LIFESAVER, THANK YOU!

[@cyndireeder8100]

Thank you so much for this video! I have put many pieces of furniture together by myself and I'm so happy to find out that I am not the only one who thought the instructions were as clear as mud.

[@dekenned8]

Just got this a few days ago. Very much appreciated your video and instructions. Clear, understandable and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@mattargo5979]

This instructional video is very clear and accurate. I just put mine together using the paper manual that came with the kit. Both the text and the diagrams were certainly inadequate and misleading in a couple of key areas. I would have liked to have seen this video before I assembled the WM125. The sequence of assembly in this video is much better than what the manual directs. Thank you to the fellow who made the video. I should add that the online user manual is much better than the paper manual that comes with the kit.

[@Martianpoonunter69]

Thank you man! I was lost with the instructions. I knew there’d be a hero on KZbin

[@raspyni]

Thank you! Mine came without instructions which, based on the comments and your commentary, probably save me a lot of frustration. Went together easily in about 15 minutes. Good tip on the adjustable wrench to insert the pins. Worked perfectly.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

15 minutes! You are a pro. Perhaps the instruction manual actually does make the experience worse

[@TomKleen]

You were MUCH better off WITHOUT the instructions.

[@thetruthno1]

I’m reading the comments and haven’t found this one yet. After struggling to put the handle together for about an hour, I finally squeezed the ends of the orange part together with pliers, and that seems to have made enough of a difference that I could pop the black and orange pieces together by bracing them against the floor. I saw down below that someone put the in pins to attach the handle to the bench with a C-clamp, I’m going to try that tomorrow because I only got it about 3/4 of the way in. Thanks for the vid!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Makes sense. You just don’t want to compromise that plastic if you don’t have to. Sounds like you got the right amount of pressure though.

[@thetruthno1]

@@HelpAtMyHome Absolutely. Just want to “gently squeeze”

[@debratraylor2230]

Thank... With your help this lil' 66 yr old lady got this done... Instructions provided were useless. Only one mashed knuckle 😁

[@byronw6606]

Another thank you for making this video. I was Dazed and Confused at step 4 ! This helped tremendously.

[@charliesmith7091]

Thank you so very much. Your instructions KZbin should be mentioned in the printed assembly instructions. I could not have completed it without your video.

[@vickygrimaud7169]

I could have never done this without your video. A BIG THANK YOU!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@joanburke5188]

Thank you 😭🙏🏻I still can’t get the handles in or the pins but I’ll try again later 😅

[@danikollin]

I got this workbench at such a great deal I couldn't say no but when I read the reviews about how difficult it was to put it together I approached the task with a certain amount of dread. Your video, however, made the whole process practically effortless. Much appreciated!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad I could help!

[@danielhodgman5013]

So helpful! Thank you! Got a good chuckle when you said “these should just slide on” and it cuts to the hammer going BANG BANG BANG BANG 😂

[@JASinIL2006]

Thank you for this video! The assembly instructions are difficult to read and, even worse, inaccurate. Your video is clear, concise and actually shows the correct way to assemble the Workmate. Thanks for making this incredibly helpful video!

[@jebicmedia]

Like a lot of folks I want to thank you for making this video because the instructions were truly lacking.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad the video helped!

[@huiyu7354]

Thank you so much for the video! I read Amazon review about how difficult to put this together, someone referred your video. I made the purchase decision after watching your video, now watch again after receiving my workmate, you made this so much easy, thank you again!

[@anthonyv8190]

Thank you! THANK you!! THANK YOU!!! I was right next to taking apart what little I was able to assemble, returning this table, and ordering a different Brand! Your video, as others have correctly called it, IS a Godsend, AND is the best one available for assembling this table. In my 3-Star Amazon Review of the Workbench, I specifically referred to, and highly recommended, your Channel's Assembly Video as being "compassionate, step-by-step assembly instructions." Because of those "instructions" from Hell, I could not with a clear conscience give it more than 3 Stars. Thanks, again, for taking the time to make this very helpful Video!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Thanks for the shout out! Good luck with the bench

[@torywentland1008]

Thank you! I was stumped by the directions for the blocks and how to put them on. You solved my problems!

[@TheNervousnation]

I was beginning to think i may have bumped my head while trying to assemble this damn thing. The product is fine. Thanks for the help, brother.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad this helped!

[@CabbageSwag]

I have put together complex pieces of furniture and toys before and somehow this was the only thing that I couldn't do. Ty for the video.

[@joev5336]

Thank you for the video. Instructions were became useless halfway through and your video guided me the rest of the way. The pin insertion is a test in patience and trial and error.

[@codefrite]

I have been struggling with it for an hour. Watched your video and ... DONE ... THX MATE

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@m.b.boyack2228]

Great video. 1:07 Hint: The supplied plastic Nut Driver has a small and large Hex opening at either end respectively, the small hex end is designed to hold the 4 small nuts while screwing in the Phillips Head bolts used on the 2 cross member brackets (Z & Y). No fingers, pliers or wrench required.

[@pambrittingham1237]

Thank you! Never would have figured the directions without you!

[@jamiebibbs190]

Thanks for making this video. Helped me figure out that confusing bit in the instructions. Cheers!

[@lucydurham1403]

Thank you so much for this! I don't know what I would've done without your help just using the garbage instructions that came with the product. Fantastic work on this video!

[@bilalnomad247]

BRO I was going crazy on making this but when i saw your video i got it through in no time!!

[@sparkleblue13]

Wow, thank you so much for this!! I was able to build the frame but when I got to the handles (where you basically said the instructions say this, but don’t 😂). I kept thinking ‘as pictured? I don’t see any of those 4 steps in this one illustration.’ This video is one of the kindest things I’ve seen on KZbin!!! Lol, thank you so much!!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@christinahaber5027]

Thank you so much for this video! I was absolutely lost without instruction manual once I got to step four

[@johntakach5791]

Well done. I agree B and D the instructions were useless. Very helpful video which doesn’t run through a break-neck speed . Thank you.

[@justforyou3846]

I had to pause and replay quite a few times but only because your video was so straightforward and you would’ve taken over an hour hour to do this just like it took me (after time wasted on some other guy half explained video) 😩😂 Thank you so much for you very accurate and detailed instructions I could not have put this together without it!!!!

[@exchequerguy4037]

Very helpful, particularly the part about installing the long screw and planks. Thanks for posting!

[@kenrogers4186]

This video was very helpful! I think mine might have gotten bent in shipping but with the knowledge from this video and with a bit of my sons help I should be able to slap this together hehe

[@cindybreeland9956]

Thanks!

[@Ironman_L.E.S]

Sir you are gentleman and a scholar. Much gratitude and thanks to you for making this instructional video.

[@psychodad4634]

Thank you for this helpful video! The paper instructions were garbage and it took me hours and I just looked at this video that made more sense. Thank you so much! 👍🏾

[@mikethelma]

Very nicely done. Thanks. I have three of these to put together and was dreading it.

[@ViXtOwN]

Great tips, thank you! I figured out that if you flip the tightening tool you can tighten the nuts that are on the front & rear brackets. It has a smaller hex shape

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Oh yes good call

[@andrey.slivin]

Thanks man, helped a ton!!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Awesome. Enjoy the bench

[@williambenn4857]

Thanks. Your instructions are better than Black and Decker's

[@daveinnc874]

This video was perfect. After a lot of frustration I turned to trusty KZbin and there this was. Perfect. Cheers

[@carollabedz1554]

So thankful that I found this video first! Still had problems with the friction pin, so I have to go buy channel locks. But at least it is together, no thanks to B&D...

[@benjamingruder4875]

Thank you!! I only bought this because you have provided intelligible instructions on assembly.

[@charlessmith7911]

Thanks, you saved the day, got to that last step and had no idea! Well done!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Great to hear!

[@daniellechard4111]

OMG thanks dude! I consider myself a bit of a flatpack pro, but the directions were sooooo bad! Can't wait to finish with your instructions.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Hope these helped. Thanks for the kind words.

[@kathypeterson6849]

Thanks! We were having SO much trouble following those directions that came with it.

[@PandaMan21086]

You my dude. Just thanks. I bought this for my DYI jazz and was completely boggled at the directions not to mention they sent me extra screws and other accessories. I'm happy to say thanks to you it's completed.

[@blueriver58]

Thank you, most helpful…wouldn’t have been able to do the last bit without your help.

[@joseanaya9613]

Thank you so much for this video the pins were a pain an using the player was so good. I would also like to add that if hammering or using the players isn’t working I used a little lubricant. The second one I assembled took me literally five minutes thanks to your video

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Great tip!

[@joeyprince2910]

Thank you so very much for posting this video, it saved me so much time. God bless you 😊

[@jessicakochanowski13]

So glad I wasn’t the only one who didn’t understand the instructions!

[@arthurneilledock4783]

Like so many projects that come with dozens of parts and incomplete or poor instructions so was my B&D Workmate 125. Normally, I struggle thru, with many curse words, but I figure it out. When this handyman guy hits a point where he says the instructions are useless... they are. Within a minute or two I was unstuck and rapidly completed assembly. Thanks for a great video that was on point with no useless chatter.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@DavidScovil]

Thanks for the video! It help me put the one I just bought for $15 together! Wish I had this when I was doing molding after putting down new flooring in the whole house!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Nice work!

[@heat1259]

Excellent video my friend. You saved me so much time and frustration Thanks

[@markwhitaker7887]

At least you received instructions. I'm here because none were included in mine. I bought this with leftover credit card points. I would never buy B&D products under normal circumstances. Besides of their low cost junk, they design for obsolescence like changing battery designs frequently so that when the battery goes out in your year old drill, you can't get a replacement. Judging by its quality, it will probably be out in bilk trash in a couple weeks.

[@tallgrass9366]

You saved me a lot of time in assembly. Thank you.

[@mdillian5438]

Thank you thank you thank you. This is my second day working on this thing and you help me put it together. I think it would have been easier to put the titanic together.

[@rotfan77]

Thanks so much for doing this, the directions were terrible. Was great with your help. The only part I wasn’t 100% sure on was what was the front in the beginning I figured out later that is the part of the frame that has the endcap on it made of metal, that the vice screw goes through. Thanks again

[@adam_roman]

Thank you so much for this. When I got to step 4 in the instruction book I thought I was having a stroke or something, good to know it wasn't just me haha

[@JesseReinosa]

Thanks man! You are a life saver. Like the other replies the H block part was insane

[@pierrejean-noel1568]

Thanks a lot for the video. The instructions in the manual were not helpful. I was going nuts trying to figure out their Step 4. You save me from a trip to the psychiatrist. Thank you

[@jbtestchannel1]

THIS VIDEO IS A LIFESAVER! The manufacturer's "Instructions" are WORSE than useless. Possibly the worst I've ever encountered. (Maybe that's why I got it from Home Depot for $16?) TIP: I used vice grips to squeeze the barrels of the two small friction pins together (making them narrower) before hammering them in.

[@youssbouss]

You saved my day! Thank you so much and amazing pedagogy and video skills btw 👍🏻😊

[@katherineclyne7329]

Thanks for this video!! I was getting so frustrated with this bench. Luckily I was able to figure out how the pieces went together despite the terrible directions. But I started feeling pretty pathetic and weak when I had trouble snapping the handle together and hammering the friction pin in. The channel locks are a great solution and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who had trouble!!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad to hear it worked out!

[@PeaceLoveVolvo]

Thank you so much for this video! Incredibly helpful and very clear instructions. I was struggling with the incomprehensible instructions for about 30 minutes until I threw in the towel and was saved by your video 😂

[@DoctorX2]

I wish I'd watched this yesterday when I bought one of these. I'm off to sweep my hair off the floor of my garage.

[@rodsmolter5046]

Handle pieces won't go together on mine (5:05). May have to file the hole bigger. Anyone else have this issue?

[@liquidsteel8131]

I came here to learn about the friction Pin and learned how to put this together properly. The instructions suck. Your video made this go fast and easy.✌️

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad this helped!

[@mmerriman4995]

Thanks for this video, 12 years later! The manual is tough to read and see the illustrations. This video made it straightforward and fun to assemble. Nice quality table.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it help!

[@AlissaHayes-l1l]

You did a fantastic job explaining. I ran into an issue of my bolt not lining up w the hole on the front board on the right side

[@louiselynch3147]

Saved our marriage! Thanks for your help!

[@LeoNS9321]

This video saved 30 minutes of my life.

[@andrewstout863]

Thank you for this video! I was about ready to return the whole thing. The included instructions are horrible. I gave up on the friction pin. Instead I used an M3 screw and nut to secure the handle

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Good call!

[@spotdogit]

I’m with everyone else here, I sat there pondering and then actually READING the instructions multiple times before I thought, Nope you’re not looking at it wrong, these directions are missing an entire section. THANK YOU for showing us all that crazy missing step!! I have lil T Rex hands so those pins like to kill me. I finally had to squeeze one end to narrow the channel a hair and then still nearly gave myself an aneurysm applying the channel locks. There’s no way you’re getting those pins in without channel locks.

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it worked out!

[@rachelsoland419]

This video single-handedly saved my life. 🙏

[@windykana647]

Thank you! Purchased mine on Amazon. I was stuck on step 4 and I kept going back and forth, clearly I missed something. Nope, horrible instructions. You are a life saver!!

[@daunvick105]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this most helpful video!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Glad it helped!

[@jls2345]

This video saved me much aggravation. The part "H" missing instructions are inexcusable as they are critical to the assembly. I imagine I would have figured it out eventually but that would have been hours of cursing and screaming on my part. Thank You!

[@HelpAtMyHome]

Exactly right. Felt the same when making the video!

[@smgillen]

How do I buy this guy a beer? This video was a Godsend!

[@donnagriffin1463]

This is the best video. I have been trying to put this thing together for a week on and off…ready to send it back! The directions are awful! Thanks!

[@rapture9764]

Thank you Sir !!! You made all the difference in my assembly of this work bench

[@markmatulis6878]

Black and Decker used to be a good company back in the day - NO MORE - THANKS FOR THE VIDEO