Lee Unlimited Power Bench
This stand won a Editors' Choice Award from Tools of the Trade magazine in 2002 because it unfolded in a minute to become a long and sturdy 18-inch-wide stand, and it had an adjustable deck height to accommodate almost any saw. In addition it sported adjustable legs for working on uneven ground or for customizing the working height, offered extra extension tables and a stop rail, and was manufactured by a South Dakota carpenter. But I had forgotten all about it until Tom Harrington, co-owner of Premium Decks,in Fargo, N.D., recently praised it on Professional Deck Builder magazine's Facebook page.
Following up, I spoke with Zach Fluto, co-owner of Harrington's deck company, who told me that they bought a Complete Power Bench six years ago and have added a few more since. He says that most saw stands are too light-duty for deck builders, while the 125-pound steel Power Bench is exceptionally stable and can easily support wet treated lumber and the heaviest composite decking. "We use them every day, never a problem, and I don't foresee one," Fluto says. The large table also allows carpenters to stack cut lumber on it as they work.
The Complete Power Bench includes two wings that create a 9-foot-long bench, plus a 56-inch extension table that can attach to either side. It also includes a stop rail for making repetitive cuts. Saws normally bolt or clamp to the stand and must be removed before you can fold and roll. The stand folds to about the thickness of a stepladder and tilts up for compact storage and transport. As for the setup, Fluto compares it to a Little Giant ladder infomercial: "Click, click, click, and it's up."
The Power Bench can also serve as a table-saw stand, a welding table, and so on. It accepts various extensions, and a dolly attachment allows you to tote your saw and other tools along with the stand like a hand truck.
Lee Unlimited Complete Power Bench / $790 / 866.299.2371 /powerbench.com
