Outlawmws
Well-known member
That one is a strange little beast McB...
Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
HoosierMark
Well-known member
Probably a dumb question but is there a way to tell if a unit is aluminum.
Are the ones that are grey aluminum? The ones that are black steel? I have been looking for a second one on CL and figure if I can find an aluminum one, why not. So school me is there an easy way to quickly see it in a picture?
Are the ones that are grey aluminum? The ones that are black steel? I have been looking for a second one on CL and figure if I can find an aluminum one, why not. So school me is there an easy way to quickly see it in a picture?
taumac
Well-known member
I couldnt save pic bit if look at post 185 and look at uprights that's where you tell the difference.
Have a good one Gerard
Have a good one Gerard
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Pretty much this ^^^
And this vvv
the folding uprights are cast aluminum and un finished. the steel are painted.
The older ones (Including early steel frame) also have marine grade ply (Not particle board) for the jaws, & the business edge is doubled.
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HoosierMark
Well-known member
Thanks, now I know what to look for. I gave my Dad one of these when they first came out and he used it often. I now have it. I also had one that was just 4 legs you pushed in and turned if I remember correctly. More of a saw horse type. I still have it if I can remember where it is. I never throw much away but I sure lose a lot of things in storage.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
The 425 is a decent WM. just keep away from the "TV trays" 
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Also, one weakness all the larger workmates with the folding legs has is the plastic "retainer" for the legs break. They will live much longer if you put something on the friction surface to lube it. even "door-ease" (beeswax) will make them less likely to hang and break, than using them dry...
Does anyone know where one might find replacement "folding leg retainers" or have a solution for the broken ones? I love my steel version but the legs flop around making unfolding and setting up a pain. I've considered attaching overcenter springs in a manner like folding rifle bipods but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Also all that pastic hardware under the deck have long been gone. I have 2 long hardware screws with crank handles underneath now.
Amazon sells the replacement leg catches (along with a lot of other workmate parts) but they are pricey at $8 apiece. My workmate had 2 broken catches but I was able to find another one with 2 broken catches at a garage sale for $2. I swapped the 2 good catches onto my first workmate and now I have one with latching legs and one with floppy legs. I just leave the floppy-legged one set up all the time so I don't have to fight with it. If you smear a little grease on the catches they work easier and don't tend to break as quickly.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Here is one source:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/leg-catch-p-95601.html
and another:
http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/bd-242416-00-catch-leg.html
Thanks you for the links. There are other parts for this table I need, I've decided to restore it. The faded label on the front of my table says Workmate 550. The highest model number I've seen in my search is that of the WM 425. What's the difference? Do they share common parts. Is the 550 essentially the same as the 425 parts on http://www.ereplacementparts.com/bl...project-center-parts-c-4167_4340_431176.html? I uncertain because I've long ago replaced he tabletop with a one piece plywood because the original once got weathered and destroyed. I'd like to gain the functionality back. Thanks.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Does anyone know if there was a cross reference of model numbers and features? I have a 350 and it has the ability to let the "dynamic jaw" flip up to be 90 degrees to the static. I don't think the 200 series Workmates do this. Do the 400 series Workmates and above have this feature?
View media item 48111
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I think the 550 had the large table extension/leaf making it a much larger portable work surface. You can also get the B&D parts direct from B&D off their website.
Does the 550 have the hinged jaw so you can clamp down on the work surface>? The 400 series does.
A word of warning: I've habitually said the 3 digit models are decent: Mostly the 3 digit model No's are good tools, i last night saw an all plastic "WorkMate" (more of a toy than anything else) with a 3 digit model No...
Does the 550 have the hinged jaw so you can clamp down on the work surface>? The 400 series does.
A word of warning: I've habitually said the 3 digit models are decent: Mostly the 3 digit model No's are good tools, i last night saw an all plastic "WorkMate" (more of a toy than anything else) with a 3 digit model No...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Ha! typing at the same time! yes the 400, and I'm certain the 425's both do that.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
And I think B&D has .pdf "manuals" for these...
y'sguy
Well-known member
I'm glad this thread is still showing life. I am eager to get mine delivered from an out of town buddy. He already has picked it up for me but he isn't due to visit till April.
GreyOwl
Well-known member
I'm also glad I subscribed to this thread after seeing it. I have an old 79-001 type 7 and my son has his Grandpa's but I don't know the model number. Both are in fantastic shape for their age.
Edit: My son has a 79-003 type 1
Edit: My son has a 79-003 type 1
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Thanks Outlawmws. I found some info here: http://service.blackanddecker.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs//docpdf/wm550_eur.pdf.
elronin
Well-known member
taumac
Well-known member
I have the same one and the thing is a beast. Only downfall I don't like is that it heavy.
redintex
Well-known member
I acquired a 225 steel WM as a teenager in the 80's. It is one of the few things that has made through all of the moves throughout my life. Beat all to you-know-what but is still functional. Need to show it a little TLC - it has definitely earned it!!!
schor
Well-known member
I use my 2 workmates quite a bit. One is newer with the plastic leg stays the grey one has the metal stays.
Here they are stacked with hundreds of lbs of walnut and cherry.
Here they are stacked with hundreds of lbs of walnut and cherry.
McBrownie
Well-known member
nonhog
Well-known member
Just this fall I traded some labor for my Dads new in the box. WM.
I thought it might just get in the way. Then I used it to hold some exhaust I was welding. Pretty handy. Been thinking about making a metal version.
Redoing the original would be a snowball of modifications.
I'm in no rush.
I thought it might just get in the way. Then I used it to hold some exhaust I was welding. Pretty handy. Been thinking about making a metal version.
Redoing the original would be a snowball of modifications.
I'm in no rush.
WM is handy. Not always 'perfect', but quite often very handy.
But welding on a wooden-topped table/bench? Umm, not for me.
For that, barring making or using an 'actual' welding table, I'd go for a Stonghand Nomad welding table or a clone (like from H-F).
http://www.stronghandtools.com/stronghandtools/products/nomad.php
http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html
It's sort of like a WM, but with a metal top and made for light/medium duty welding use.
nonhog
Well-known member
Not my first choice "welding on wooden topped" hence the "Been thinking about making a metal version."
Maybe the HF table would be like the Work Mate, seeing it does little to inspire confidence, but using it you find its handy. I passed after seeing the
HF welding table. I have a metal topped work bench but having the clamping options the WM does I couldn't pass up using it. Was perfect for the pipe I was welding. It might get marred but wont burst into flames so I'm good for occasional use. Maybe regular use after some mods? Still thinking..........
Attachments
taumac
Well-known member
Only thing you have to do is go down to the hardware store by a couple pieces of hardy backer board which is basically cement board and attach it to the workmate top. Then you'll be able to weld on top of it
spectralen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2015
- Messages
- 10
I have about 6. When I see them in garage sales and can pick them up at 5 to 7 bucks, no brainer. They are awsome.
captain14
Well-known member
One video on YouTube shows a guy that took a piece of sheeting from a large appliance to top the wooden boards with. I do not weld so not sure how heavy the metal should be.
taumac
Well-known member
When it comes to welding I guess you're just looking for a material your welding on not to burn.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Just covering the wood tops is usually sufficient for most arc/mig/tig spatter, as long as the part you are welding is not smack against it. Cutting is more of an issue, unless you keep things a reasonable distance from the cutting torch...
IPACA9
Well-known member
Sadly my father passed in Dec last year. He was a TOOL GUY! Now I have more tools that I can deal with right now. I myself already had too many, if you can really say that. I brought a workmate and some other tools back home from my parents so that I could work on my son's pinewood derby cars in the drive. Didn't feel like sweeping up all the saw dust plus my bike was tore apart in the garage. Figured I'd let the wind take care of it. I had never used the workmate before and honestly I felt silly trying to figure out how it unfolded. Eventually I got it done and it was perfect to mount the drill press on it to use the forester bit or barrel sander with. After that I clamped a larger piece of wood on it to make a table out of it. Very surprised how sturdy it is. I see myself using it quite a bit in the future.
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10375016_10203683999321945_6085296954975263762_n.jpg?oh=3f7e148a06bd7f388ad2c4a23fcdb781&oe=5578DE8C
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1982356_10203683998601927_2643954275671225990_n.jpg?oh=bd693618bca9b12208df09804e096871&oe=557F3CD1
I know you want to see the final results
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1979479_10203758605747059_2019991517751220115_n.jpg?oh=6b83eefe12d4dca4ee071ac7d092660f&oe=5590C29B
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/960289_10203758607667107_2646772094796340751_n.jpg?oh=7e5c1b70761993ac156b03b3a85b782f&oe=5589DC90
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10375016_10203683999321945_6085296954975263762_n.jpg?oh=3f7e148a06bd7f388ad2c4a23fcdb781&oe=5578DE8C
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1982356_10203683998601927_2643954275671225990_n.jpg?oh=bd693618bca9b12208df09804e096871&oe=557F3CD1
I know you want to see the final results
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1979479_10203758605747059_2019991517751220115_n.jpg?oh=6b83eefe12d4dca4ee071ac7d092660f&oe=5590C29B
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/960289_10203758607667107_2646772094796340751_n.jpg?oh=7e5c1b70761993ac156b03b3a85b782f&oe=5589DC90
IPACA9;4688256 [IMG said:https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10375016_10203683999321945_6085296954975263762_n.jpg?oh=3f7e148a06bd7f388ad2c4a23fcdb781&oe=5578DE8C[/IMG]
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1982356_10203683998601927_2643954275671225990_n.jpg?oh=bd693618bca9b12208df09804e096871&oe=557F3CD1
I know you want to see the final results
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1979479_10203758605747059_2019991517751220115_n.jpg?oh=6b83eefe12d4dca4ee071ac7d092660f&oe=5590C29B
https://scontent-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/960289_10203758607667107_2646772094796340751_n.jpg?oh=7e5c1b70761993ac156b03b3a85b782f&oe=5589DC90
Wow! Your little cub scouts have amazing fine motor skills! My two sons always looked like little kids did it. But they are Eagle and Life Scouts now. They sure grew up fast. Scouts sure teaches good lessons about doing your best and ethics.
IPACA9
Well-known member
They did a little bit of sanding and some of the tooling. At 8 and 5 they still scare the hell out of ya...lol I really screwed up on those cars though. Although they looked great they were very slow. I totally didn't think about how the side fender pieces were narrower than the wheels were. The whole time down the track they rubbed the raised rail and slowed them down. They were lucky to get third and fourth in each race out of our six lane track. At least they lost in style. Next year will be different. We learn each year.
Here's last years cars.
And the year before. This one was the 2nd fastest.
Here's last years cars.
And the year before. This one was the 2nd fastest.
HoosierMark
Well-known member
Found an aluminum frame one on CL and bought it today for $25. Seller says it was his Dad's and he used it a lot. It shows it was well loved. I am pleased, it gives it character! Now it is time to try and mount the chop saw and miter saw on a wood plate so I can mount them on the table as needed.
altersaddle
Well-known member
I just got a Type 1 (the first version) which needs some attention:
Can someone with one in good shape measure the spring clip that retains the leg? I don't think the available plastic ones will work, and all four of mine are either broken or mashed.
I could probably figure out the radiuses by trial and error, but I'd rather not spend a ton of time futzing around if I can avoid it.
Can someone with one in good shape measure the spring clip that retains the leg? I don't think the available plastic ones will work, and all four of mine are either broken or mashed.
I could probably figure out the radiuses by trial and error, but I'd rather not spend a ton of time futzing around if I can avoid it.