Black & Decker Workmate

[Koje]

I inherited mine from my grandad many many years ago. Still going strong and very useful. I have been on the look out for another the same.

 

[Beatbox]

My only issues with adding extra pieces to the base, is that it takes away one of the benefits of the Workmate, that being an all in 1 package.

Yeah, this is not a permanent solution. I will just use these when I have an all day project like this one requiring a lot of sawing. I think this is much easier than the spacers--less than a minute to set up or take down....and at the end of the day it goes back to being itself.

I do find that little bit of height makes it more comfortable.

 

[McBrownie]

I inherited mine from my grandad many many years ago. Still going strong and very useful. I have been on the look out for another the same.

A blue frame TV tray type! Very nice and the family history makes it extra special. I was lucky enough to find a couple of almost matching blue frame aluminum 29" models. Action photo time:

View media item 62193

 

[Pathfinders]

Damn you guys. I have gone without a workmate for the last 50 years. Now i have been checking Craigslist for the last 2 months looking for a good deal on one.

 

[McBrownie]

This post may be more appropriate in the WTF thread.

This is the craigslist ad:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/5692429937.html


Custom made black and decker Workmate table with
formica top, TV stand, bar, you'll never see another like it...
Perfect man cave, girl cave , or garage table
what a gift!!!!!!
Base is 26" by 26", top is 32" by 17", 28" tall
Legs and top fold for easy transport or storage...
call mike at



137638

Now that is just not right. Or is it?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

No pictures as of now but I scored a FREE Workmate 550 from Craigslist yesterday minus the wooden jaws. Guessing I'll either make some or try to find replacement ones from eBay or somewhere.

It looks all there and only slight dirty. Doesnt even have a bunch of paint splattered on it. I'm happy.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dan, get some of the good plywood (marine?) they use with more plys, and double the lip of the jaws, and never look back at the original ones available now...

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan, get some of the good plywood (marine?) they use with more plys, and double the lip of the jaws, and never look back at the original ones available now...

Excellent idea, I just prefer not to have to buy a full sheet to get the jaws out of it.

 

[SH7mi]

I did not read the majority of these posts so forgive me if someone mentioned this but I bet Stanley is still kicking themselves for not backing the Workmate. He brought the idea to them first.

 

[Outlawmws]

Dan, you should be able to get a 1/4 sheet. (24 X48)

 

[Andy Griffith]

Increase working height of Workmate 400?

I rarely use my 400 anymore because it is too painful to do so with my height and back issues these days.

I need to increase the working height to 36-37” if possible, hopefully without sacrificing the ‘portability’ too much.

This is a very handy tool in the shop so I hope I can make it work.

I can’t leave it set-up in the shop and I don’t want to mess with separate blocks to increase the height each time I use it.

I’d like to keep some sort of ‘foldability’ so I can continue to keep it behind one of the tool boxes out of the way until it is needed for a task.

I haven’t checked google, google images or maybe printerest on this issue but thought some of you guys would have some ideas on increasing the work height?

Maybe elevate the work surfaces up off the frame? Or modify the folding legs with a second extension that folds out to increase the overall height? I’d be a bit concerned with this approach for fear that it would make the unit more wobbly.

Thanks

 

[Corndoggeh]

Dan, get some of the good plywood (marine?) they use with more plys, and double the lip of the jaws, and never look back at the original ones available now...

Forget the plywood, get your hands on some hickory planks, about $10 of wood if you have a woodworkers source in your area. I used my workmate as an impromptu stand to hammer out a motor shaft that was frozen with rust out of a squirrel cage and both the planks and workmate took it without a problem.

 

[Outlawmws]

Andy, I'd go with 2 4X4's long enough to span the legs front to rear, and counter-bore them say 1/2" deep for the feet/ if you want it to be "one piece" and more stable, add two 1X3's near the legs to the inside, and lag bolt then with one bolt at each end (centered) almost tight, with fender washers under the heads. This allows you to store the "stand: in one piece, and folded near flat.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Andy, I'd go with 2 4X4's long enough to span the legs front to rear, and counter-bore them say 1/2" deep for the feet

Thanks for the reply, Outlaw. Sounds like a good, realistic idea. I got the above part but I am a bit confused about the 1x3's and how they would be mounted?

if you want it to be "one piece" and more stable, add two 1X3's near the legs to the inside, and lag bolt then with one bolt at each end (centered) almost tight, with fender washers under the heads. This allows you to store the "stand: in one piece, and folded near flat.

 

[Outlawmws]

seen from the top, if your 4Xs' are going from to back, the 1X3's would go side to side near the leg holes but not blocking them.

Drill a "tap hole", centered in both pieces where the 1X3's overlap the 4X's, centered on both pieces.

Clearance drill the 1X3 for the shank of the lag bolt.

Repeat 3 more times and assemble with the lag bolts, but not tight enough to "lock" the boards together.

In use it looks like a square or rectangular shape.

Now move one of the 4X's and you get a trapezoid until the 4X's are against each other. that is the storage position.

 

[Andy Griffith]

seen from the top, if your 4Xs' are goingt from to back, the 1X3's would go side to sidem ner the leg holes but not blocking them.

Drill a "tap hole", centered in both pieces where the 1X3's overlap the 4X's, centered on both pieces.

Clearance drill the 1X3 for the shank of the lag bolt.

Repeat 3 more times and assemble with the lag bolts, but not tight enough to "lock" the boards together.

In use it looks like a square or rectangular shape.

Now move one of the 4X's and you get a trapezoid until the 4X's are against each other. that is the storage position.

Got it. Thanks for the help!

 

[jimreed2160]

Andy--sorry to hear you are having trouble using your workmate. I have another suggestion for you to consider. Build a 6" box using 3/4" plywood and make cleats in the corners to hold the feet of your Workmate. Attach one of those cheap HF furniture dollys to the side and strap your WM to the bottom/dolly when not in use. Now you have your mobility with the added feature of wheels. And you have an additional 6" of sturdy height when needed.

 

[SchwansManDan]

I love my Workmate! I've had it for probably 20 years, and it shows ... paint spatters, solder drips, and other assorted evidence of regular use.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Andy--sorry to hear you are having trouble using your workmate. I have another suggestion for you to consider. Build a 6" box using 3/4" plywood and make cleats in the corners to hold the feet of your Workmate. Attach one of those cheap HF furniture dollys to the side and strap your WM to the bottom/dolly when not in use. Now you have your mobility with the added feature of wheels. And you have an additional 6" of sturdy height when needed.

Thanks Jim.

 

[Indexmill]

Aluminum Workmate $25.00!!

Denton, NC. Near Asheboro between Raleigh and Charllotte.

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/tls/5767077313.html

 

[Outlawmws]

You don't own it already?

 

[Outlawmws]

Andy, did you come up with a solution for raising your Workmate?

 

[Indexmill]

You don't own it already?

Yea, I know, right???

Well, I already have 2 workmates thanks to this damn thread, and I have no place to store them

I have one aluminum and one gorgeous steel one.

I thought about buying this one and reselling it at a profit; but decided just to pass the deal along...

Indexmill.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I got my dad's workmate, which he probably bought sometime in the early 80's. Very sturdy nice unit. I hear the newer ones are flimsier so I feel like I lucked out.

If I had to buy a new one I'd buy a bunch of the HF ones at $20 each. I've heard mixed reviews on them but at $20 it'd at least make a cheap table.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yea, I know, right???

Well, I already have 2 workmates thanks to this damn thread, and I have no place to store them

I have one aluminum and one gorgeous steel one.

I thought about buying this one and reselling it at a profit; but decided just to pass the deal along...

Indexmill.

Having two that match, particularly for height, can be extremely useful...

 

[Andy Griffith]

Andy, did you come up with a solution for raising your Workmate?

Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I think your idea is probably the most realistic way to accomplish some extra height.

 

[Weekend_warrior]

Man, if I could find an aluminum one I snap it up. Love mine and it has sentimental value. I use it a lot, but the aluminum one would be lighter. I store mine on the wall.

 

[rexer]

I have a workmate #79-008 27" bought for my father back in the early 80's, when he passed on my mother ask me if I wanted it, well of course. Still in great shape and use it all the time.

Also just found a #79-001 29" deluxe on the way home from work today, in good condition. I will clean it up . Someone moving and was throwing out a bunch of stuff.

 

[TractorJeff]

Bought one in 96 when I lived in an apartment. It was used for Handyman work, Reloading Bench, Building Hobby stuff and of course remodeling projects. I don't have the little plastic wedges anymore. But do have a clamping plywood top for it still!
It is still a handy tool!

 

[driftpin]

I have I think 4 different ones, but no cast aluminum one. I like to use mine, we just did a big remodel where we hired a GC for the bulk of the work, but I used my Workmates for what I did. They are very easy to move, they're stable, lightweight, and they don't need water, meal or toilet breaks. All mine have been yard sale, hab. for Humanity, or yes, trashpile sales/scavenges.

The links to the inventor, his story, a good read. I had a couple opportunities to buy Lotuses from friends over the years, I never did. I think I figured it would be another money pit, despite my personal opinion of the design being one of my favorites, ever. The Elan, that is. One of my friends had a Europa, I always liked the style, it reminded me of the Ford GT-40 'Breadbox.' He also bought new a '68 Shelby Mustang 500 convertible, a gorgeous car.

I've been meaning to do an ereplacementparts.com order for the plastic stays that keep the legs retracted, and some 'shoes' for the leg feet.

Florida has an issue with termites and I've had to replace the platform boards due to them on a couple of my outside-stored (covered porch, CBS & concrete) porch Workmates. I did lengthen the ends so they will support better a door positioned upright.

 

[McBrownie]

Time for another action photo. Two blue aluminum-frame work mates kicking *** in my brother-in-laws basement over the holidays. Building out a bar and storage units.

View media item 66726

 

[bubinga]

I have the cheaper one without the "step"
I drag it outside as a tool/work platform when I'm working on the car or bike.
very handy.

 

[IPACA9]

Used three of my four Workmates to help host our scouts Pinewood Derby Workshop this weekend. I clamped a board to them to fasten the scroll saws and belt sander to.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[wkearney99]

Used three of my four Workmates to help host our scouts Pinewood Derby Workshop this weekend. I clamped a board to them to fasten the scroll saws and belt sander to.

Nice setup! Sure wish we had someone doing that when I was a Scout.

My boy's starting to get interested in the idea of Scouting. If he joins then I'll have to consider something like this for when it's his turn at the Derby.

 

[Terranova]

I ordered a replacement piece for my B&D workmate 425 because one of the leg clips broke.

The piece that broke on mine must be the piece that breaks on everyone's because it was the first thing to show in Google when I googled "workmate 425 parts".
It's the plastic part that holds the leg extended out and/or folded in.
A good one looks like this.
View media item 68005
Without it, the leg just kinda flops around wounded and makes set up and takedown a general PITA.

Here's a pic of the pieces involved

The new piece, what's left of the old, the leg and axle/pin the leg rotates on.

View media item 68010


Because the amount of damage to the old piece, I was able to disassemble the parts with broken part still pressed on the axle. This led to an error in thinking and I took the new part and pressed it onto the axle thinking I'd be able to get everything put back together with it preassembled like that.

View media item 68008
NOT THE CASE.
About 30 seconds of fumbling around (not pictured here) I got my thinking strait and pulled the piece off the axle.

The piece indexes to the frame with a pin in a hole.

View media item 68009
So I put it in place

View media item 68006

Placed the leg in the correct alighnement so the frame tabs capture the leg tabs.
View media item 68004
And used my hard rubber mallet to drive the axle through everything.
View media item 68007
Since the replacement pieces were so inexpensive ($5 each) I bought four, thinking that I'll probably eventually break the other ones due to use, age and plastic growing old and ridgid. Now I just have to put them away somewhere I'll be able to find them next time!

 

[Outlawmws]

If you get a tube/dispenser of "Door-Eze" (any parts store, very similar to beeswax) and coat the rubbing surface it will cut the breakage to almost nothing.

What happens is the surface gets rough and if it sticks, it breaks...

You wil tell instantly that the issue is much less likely after trying it.

 

[Terranova]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll see if I can find some.

T

 

[captain14]

How about in your assorted screw, nut and bolt small drawers.

Keep one designated for parts like this?

 

[Outlawmws]

How about keep them with the plastic dogs?

If you only have one workmate, put them in a baggie and tape the baggie to the underside of the footrest.

 

[Outlawmws]

BTW TN, I want those cars in your Avatar!