Skil 3100-12 X-Bench Workstation

by Skil

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

When tackling home improvement projects, having the proper work environment is critical. SKIL's X-Bench gives do-it-yourselfers the work surface and features they need to get their projects done, even when space is at a premium. Easy to store and transport, the X-Bench moves from the garage to the workroom and back with ease, and it is always ready to handle a wide variety of projects.

The X-Bench Work Station folds in half for easy storage and portability.

An integrated cross-cut channel provides support on both sides of cut material. View larger.

Independently adjustable steel legs make the X-Bench great for users of varying heights.

Innovative cross-cut channel, located in the center of the bench, makes cutting materials quick and easy The 53" x 23" tabletop is constructed from a tough MDF (medium-density fiberboard) material 25" ruler markings are provided on the MDF surface for accurate measurements Power outlet with a bump-off power switch provides added convenience Folds in half for easy storage and portability Steel legs independently adjust from 24" to 34" The Universal Insert Plate system allows the user to customize the bench into a scroll saw, router table, sanding table, or drill press station (insert plates sold separately) Skid-resistant rubber feet

Innovative Features and Benefits
The SKIL X-Bench was designed with the homeowner in mind. The workstation comes folded for easy storage in tight spaces. It folds out, creating a working surface that measures 53 x 23 inches. The steel legs are independently adjustable, allowing users to set the table at the height that best suits their needs, from 24 inches up to 34 inches.

The SKIL X-Bench is loaded with features. The new and innovative cut channel, the first cutting solution of this kind in the industry, is located in the center of the bench. Two sections of the tabletop can be pulled apart, exposing the cut channel, which can accommodate SKILsaws up to 7-1/4 inch. The tabletop is constructed from a tough MDF (medium density fiberboard) material and features peg holes that accept the wedge dog clamps (two included with table), allowing users to secure materials to the table when using the cut channel. Ruler markings are provided on the MDF wood surface for accurate measurements. Additional features include a miter- gauge slot and a bump-off power switch.

When you've wrapped up a project or you're ready to take the X-Bench on the go, portability is a snap. The steel legs fold up and the table folds in half. Just grab a hold of the carrying handle and you're ready to go.

X-Bench Accessories
3100-04 Tail Vise	3100-05	3100-04 Tail Vise
3100-04 Tail Vise	3100-04 Tail Vise	3100-04 Tail Vise
3100-04 Tail Vise	3100-04 Tail Vise	3100-04 Tail Vise

SKIL Heritage
SKIL Power Tools is a leader in portable electric power tools and accessories that serves the consumer do-it-yourself and professional construction markets. Founded in 1924 with the invention of the SKILSAW Worm Drive, SKIL now delivers a complete line of power tools designed and engineered to help do-it-yourselfers achieve home project success, while providing professionals durable, cost-conscience tools for the jobsite.

What's in the Box
3100-12 X-Bench Workstation, universal insert plate, two wedge dogs, and power switch.

Product Specifications Dimensions: Work surface is 53" x 23" when open Height: Adjustable 24"-34" Length: 53" when open Material: MDF with adjustable steel legs Weight: 48 lbs

Product Description

The X Bench offers an innovative cut channel that allows quick and easy cutting of material. The table collapses and folds in half for ease of transportation and storage. The extruded aluminum legs independently adjust from 24 to 34-inches.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 57.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0010ODQ1U
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 3100-12
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,214 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #47 in Home Improvement > Building Supplies > Material Handling > Workbenches
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Work Bench, November 25, 2008

By 

JDP - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skil 3100-12 X-Bench Workstation (Tools & Home Improvement)

Being that Craftsman no longer knows how to make a quality portable work bench, I recently purchased the Skil Model 3100-12 X Bench Workstation. I have never been a big fan of MDF (medium density fiberboard) fabricated table tops, but it seems every manufacturer is on the band wagon now. That includes Skil. Of all the benches that I have encountered the Skil X Bench is the most impressive.

Durable and weighing in at almost 45 lbs its not for the Wheaties deficient. Working surface measures 53" x 23". The aluminum legs adjust in height from 24"to 34". The table folds in half for great portability and storage. One of its sweeter features is the cutting channel located dead center of the bench. The universal insert plate can be quickly customized to fit almost every kind of power tool from drill press station to scroll saw. Installation is simple. Just attach the tool to the insert plate, insert back in slot, securely lock it in and you're in business. A great safety and convenience feature is the power outlet with the bump off switch. Accessories include (2) wedge dogs, clamp kit, insert plate and a hanging bag for storage.

Of all the imitators out there, the Skil 3100-12 X Bench by far stands above the rest. If its a combination of durability, features and portability one is looking for, look no further. This is the one.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy- Man-Heavy, May 16, 2008

By 

L. Lilly - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skil 3100-12 X-Bench Workstation (Tools & Home Improvement)

Just received my table. It appears to be well built and I believe it will serve the purpose of my purchase. I have what I call my "portable wood working shop". I have the Ridgid portable table saw (great saw) and a portable router table. One of the main reasons for purchasing this table is to sit my Bosch router table on it. I have a garage with enough room to store all my wood working equipment but not enough room to use it in the garage.(Can't stand the dust either) When I'm ready to do wood working I move the equipment to the asphalt driveway in front of the garage. The table will be used for various projects. The table is heavy or I would give it 5 stars. Maybe more aluminum could have been used in its design. The legs are easily adjustable and very sturdy. Also a negative is the fact that the table got cheaper before it was delivered.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Purely as a folding workbench 2 1/2 stars, April 22, 2010

By 

G. Robinson "Extensive reader" (CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skil 3100-12 X-Bench Workstation (Tools & Home Improvement)

To get a common gripe out of the way; the packaging was adequate but pretty dinged up, the table was just fine. UPS pretty much cuts out at around 35lbs (16KG) yes they will accept up to 50lbs (70lbs?) but with one person on the truck these heavy packages are problematic. The heaver packages should really go UPS or FedEx freight (up to 10,000lbs).

Having got that out of the way. This is a very flexible workbench that is easy to collapse and set up. Height is up to 34" so it is just fine with my Festool MFT800 (now discontinued and on blow out) and is about .6" lower than my band saw table. If this proves a problem I can block up the legs. The leg adjustment is very easy per leg (just unclamp adjust then reclamp [clamp holes are about every 2-3" and you can't clamp in between]) and one leg has a screw type leveler. The table is heavy and very well made. The weight is an advantage unless you plan to move it round a lot. If that is the case a good set of wheels might be worth the money. (addendum, a friend took an old dolly and made a bracket to hold the folded table on edge, easy to make that kind of bracket and relatively cheap.)

I got it because of the flexibility with the insert plates and because of the split design that allows sawing or plunging a domino into a gap.

REVISION:

I down rated this because there aren't many holes in the bench top and they are ill placed. The manual says that they are specific sizes of wood, but regardless they are just plain inadequate in numbers.

The supplied switch was very stiff and the plastic broke at about the 6 or 7th use.

The adapters are ill designed. The jig saw adapter is not worth the money as there is no way to set up a fence except with Bora 540950 Clamp Edge Tool Guide, 50-Inch and I don't need a jig saw table insert to use that! Separate review under Skil 3100-09 X-Bench Jigsaw Insert Plate.

The router table is schizophrenic. It fits my ancient skill plunge router perfectly. Just screw 3 screws into the base plate. But the accompanying fence is almost well designed. e.g. you can't remove the router plate without removing the fence and that is a major pain. The miter gauge and track are sloppy with about .2" 5mm of slop. Not usable for precision woodwork. Separate review under Skil 3100-11 X-Bench Router Kit Insert Plate.

END REVISION

REVISION 1

I wound up buying an Incra LS25WFNCSYS 25-inch Range Positioner with Split Router Table Fence Super System as the fence provided was pretty useless. This is putting a $100 saddle on a $5 horse as the fence was $400. But IMHO something like it is necessary to get a really useful router table.

END REVISION

Addendum--the insert plates would be a lot more useful if they were square and could be used with different aspects, towards the short end of the table, along the length or towards the long end of the table; depending on the work piece.

Conclusion--a nice folding workbench marred by less than well thought out features. The holes for bench dogs and clamps are small,few and far between. But still a roomy and not horrid portable table and a good value. IMHO the Stanley Fatmax work bench (now discontinued) is a better buy if you don't need a lot of working room.