Walko Portable Bench

[Frank Pellow]

There have been discussions of the "made in the Netherlands" bench in other threads but no thread that is actually labelled as Walco.  So, I thought I would start one here. 

Unlike the "What else do you have in your shop" title would imply, I don't have one.  But I can't find another place to discuss the tools produced by other companies.  Matthew, should we change the title to "What Else is in Your Shop or would you like in Your Shop"?

Here is a link to an English langauage site that has a demo, a catalogue, and a price list in Euros:http://www.walko.nl/EngTmp.htm

In other threads there have been some rumours about someone startin to sell these in the USA, but I have seen no more than rumours.

To me, this looks like a much improved Workmate, and I would certainly be able to make good use of one (or two).

 

[Matrix]

Hello Frank,

That is one really outstanding work bench.
As you know, Kevin (Lost in the Woods) has been thinking about a panel saw for his workshop.
It looks to me that if he combined the Walko with a TS 55 would make an excellent and low cost panel saw.
One more tool to add to the Christmas list.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Hi Don, it's good to see you here.  I think that you will learn a lot here about the benefits of Festool tools.  And, since you are someone who is just making his first purchase, you will probably find that you need a LOT more of them.

 

[Matrix]

Hello Frank,

Sadly (for the budget) and happily for me the first purchases have arrived.
Received the RO 150 and CT 22 yesterday.
The MFT 3 & TS55 are to follow.

A special thanks to you for the introduction to Festool products. You are a great ambasador for the product and I wish you could represent them in Canada.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hmm, I think I might be getting one of them Walko benches - looks like just the ticket for a guy with limited space!

Thanks for the link! 

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Wow, very interesting! I've been looking for a portable workstation/assembly area, and it's really nice to have something to compare the MFT/3 with. I especially like how it lays out flat for processing sheet goods, it seems like you would need multiple MFT/3's for full 4x8 sheets..... Any idea on price?

 

[ccmviking]

I sent an email to McFeelys a while back and have never received a response from them.  Not a shove it up your butt, we'll look into it, nothing.  I get very irritated not receiving a response on something (even just a thanks for your inquiry, and we'll contact you if needed).

Chris...

 

[ccmviking]

Exactly Nick... In today's computerized world a one week turnaround was not good enough.  I didn't really mention it and though it would be obvious but I was wanting them to check into the distributorship of the Walko.  Sometimes you have to have a margarita or two so that you're on level ground with me.  You can ask Ned about that.   

Chris...

 

[ccmviking]

Nick,

I use a homebuilt cutting table on site that latches on to my Dewalt DW723 stand.  The Walko really looks interesting to me.  Of course I need to get my hands on one before I can be sure.  Commercials always look better than reality.  Well the U.S. has tremendous buying power if the company can actually tap into the market.  We'll see if they follow through with what people say their plans are.  If not I'd welcome someone coming up with something similar without the patent infringements and we can go from there.

Chris...

 

[ericbuggeln]

How much do you think those would go for? 

 

[Michael Kellough]

How much do you think those would go for? 

At the top of the thread Frank provided links, one of which is the price list.
The bigger WALKO-4 Professional version is 499 Euros which currently is about $775.

 

[ericbuggeln]

thank you and Frank, I saw the video a couple of months ago on this site in German? maybe.  That thing looks like it would be a joy to use and if it were $775.00, I bet it would give the MFT/3 a run for its money.

 

[Fred West]

Eric, I agree that the Walko would give the MFT/3 a run for it's money and would love to see it introduced over here in the states. Fred

 

[robtonya]

Nick,

I use a homebuilt cutting table on site that latches on to my Dewalt DW723 stand.  The Walko really looks interesting to me.  Of course I need to get my hands on one before I can be sure.  Commercials always look better than reality.  Well the U.S. has tremendous buying power if the company can actually tap into the market.  We'll see if they follow through with what people say their plans are.  If not I'd welcome someone coming up with something similar without the patent infringements and we can go from there.

Chris...

I would like to see what you put on your Dewalt stand. I have that stand too, and have clamped some plywood to it for a quick work surface, but it really wasn't that good.

 

[ccmviking]

Rob,

I just went out and took these real quick for you in the garage.  You should be able to tell how it works but it slides onto some metal pins on the interior of my trailer door (you can see two large holes in one of the rails).  I bought an extra set of the yellow clamps and bolted the table to them.  You can just snap it on and off the stand.  It is very stable (although it's pretty cut up and old now, but easily repair/replaceable) and I've cut many a sheets of 3/4" MDF and the like on it.  I generally only need one finished surface on a piece so I don't carry foam around with me but I have needed a two sided clean cut before so I align the cut on one of the rails. 

Chris...

 

[robtonya]

I like it. I don't have any work surface, because of the lack of space, but that would be perfect. I remember I bought my dad the stand for Christmas, and he bought the extra clamps, and mounted a small bandsaw, and something else too. I wil give that a try. It looks like I could even build that. Thanks again.

 

[ccmviking]

Rob,

One thing you might do although it will add some weight.  Add a 6-8" wide piece of 3/4" MDF on one end as a cutting surface / work table. 

Chris...

 

[ericbuggeln]

Fred, Timmy c is probably on a conference call with the Netherlands as we speak.

Chris, I have one of those that I have actually stopped using for my miter station and gone with a homemade version with Kreg extension wings thats almost done.  That would be a great, easy, and inexpensive way to not let it rot in my attic.  Thanks

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Since I am located on the right side of the puddle I emailed Walko and might be seeing a bench coming my way the next week or so, we are just working on the transportation issue.
I am contemplating the compact size one, slightly smaller but for me more convenient and with the same versatility, plus some add ons of my choice.  8)

I have no trouble reading dutch so I managed to retrieve the essential info on their website.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Since I am located on the right side of the puddle I emailed Walko and might be seeing a bench coming my way the next week or so, we are just working on the transportation issue.

Guess that means we're on the wrong side of the puddle  :-\