Craftsman Professional  5ft. Workbench - Black

I just recently got around to assembling this workbench, and I am extremely pleased with the finished product.

The quality of the packaging was top notch. Lots of styrofoam padding and protective sheathing surround all the major components, and all necessary hardware was accounted for. I've read comments by others who found dents and scratches on their parts, but I have no complaints in that area. The bottom side of the work surface did have a couple scuffs on it, but they were very minor in severity, and pretty much inconsequential considering they are completely hidden from plain sight. Perhaps the packaging and/or transport process has been improved as a result of past complaints, or maybe I just got lucky.

Assembly was very straight forward. I put it together by myself in about 3 hours, though I highly recommend getting a second person to help. There are very few parts to put together, but it does requires making some measurements and drilling some holes, so the quality of the assembled product is highly influenced by the amount of care and precision put forth by the builder(s). Just take it slow, triple check all measurements and alignment, and savor the results.

This bench is rock solid, and I believe it definitely meets or exceeds the needs of the vast majority of home garage setups. I was somewhat worried that the black coating would scratch and chip easily, but after banging it good a few times during assembly when a wrench or ratchet slipped with no blemishes resulting, my fears have been alleviated. Let's face it, any workbench that sees some serious work is inevitably going to get some cuts and bruises over time, but I now know it will take some hard shots to make that happen.

Both the metal and wooden surfaces clean off very easily, and you can really make the metal shine by using some car wax on it. I realize that aesthetics may not be as high a priority for a piece destined to see some punishing work performed on and around it, but the instructions say waxing it will help fend off scratches, and the bonus of looking great can't hurt!

The slots and holes in the backsplash for holding various items are great, as are the pegboard holes in both legs. I find the height of the work surface to be very comfortable, though if you happen to be on the shorter side, it may be kind of high up. I also purchased the backwall for this bench, though I haven't taken it out of the box yet. I plan to do so shortly, and will put up a review on that as well.

I highly recommend considering this workbench if you are seeking a tough and solid, yet very attractive product. I cannot stress this enough though: take your time putting it together and ensure the accuracy of your measurements and how everything lines up before drilling and fastening! Some people may not be thrilled by the extra work of having to drill the holes, but I actually see this as a good thing since it gives you the ability to make the fitment as precise as possible. It's a double-edged sword though, so if you decide you just want to get it done and over with and throw it together haphazardly, you can expect commensurate results.

Unless you are running some kind of insane industrial grade operation out in your garage, this bench will not let you down.