There are two main types of portable workbenches, those with casters or wheels and those that fold or collapse. Casters and wheels attached to the base or legs of a mobile workstation allows that station to be easily slid from one area to the next without disrupting the state of the work in progress on the desk or the order of equipment.

Portable Workbenches – RDM Industrial Products, Inc.

Rolling benches, however, cannot be easily transported over rough terrain or stairs. Folding or collapsible workbenches are built with hinges and removable apparatus that allow the sturdy structure to be slightly disassembled in order to move it. While these can be transferred across any surface since they are carried, the tools and supplies must be carefully stowed to avoid damage.

Additionally, these folded workstations must be made of light materials as heavy stations would be very difficult to move. Though some steel, hardwood or aluminum may be used as support or framing, common materials needed for portability include polymers, plastics, plywood and melamine.

Rolling workbenches are often made of these same light-weight materials, though they have the option of heavier elements as they need not be lifted. Metal and plastic components are formed through extrusion, die-cutting, injection molding and other such processes while wooden elements are sawed and sanded. The many components are nailed, bolted, screwed, and welded together with hinges and casters carefully placed to ensure the ease of transport.