Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
TomC750
Well-known member
Don't remember what became of my Workmate, Have had a Jawhorse for years now. I clamp a tabletop on it frequently, works well.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
The jaw horse is a useful tool too Tom. I had one before I had the Workmates. A table top is a good addition but for the most part my WM's just get used as portable tool tables without an extra top. I've been adding an alcove for a wood stove to the shop the last couple weeks and snapped a few pics of the Workmates collecting a variety of tools. Even the H frame cross bars make a handy place to hang clamps and other stuff. The WM's help me stay a little organized through the day. Ed.
Attachments
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
Thank you for the picture evh. That clears it up for me.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Sorry for the week long delay, Wolf, weather and work made it not fun to get to some of these - Three of four type E's checked and none had a clock mark where yours shows or anywhere else. 2 of those were the original aluminum leg models. The last one is buried too deep just now.
Outlaw,
I think I didn't describe the location of this mark well enough. See the circled area at the very bottom of the attached photo. The mold number, the part number (994662) and the clock face with the year number in the center are all cast right into the aluminum of the dual-rear-leg assembly, so they're found only on the Type E, not on the stamped-steel Workmates.
I think I didn't describe the location of this mark well enough. See the circled area at the very bottom of the attached photo. The mold number, the part number (994662) and the clock face with the year number in the center are all cast right into the aluminum of the dual-rear-leg assembly, so they're found only on the Type E, not on the stamped-steel Workmates.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Got it - Both of mine are FB4 and 74 on the clock
There's a pretty good-looking 79-001 Type E for auction in Pennsylvania right now, ending March 3. If you're not near PA, they say shipping is available.
https://hibid.com/lot/147857309/workmate
https://hibid.com/lot/147857309/workmate
My newest Workmate may look like a pretty ordinary, heavily used one, but it's actually quite special. Based on my research, this is the most rare Workmate ever made. This is a 79-001 Type 5, which I have been trying to find for three years.
How rare is it? I have looked at literally thousands of Workmates online in my search, and the only 79-001 Type 5 I have ever positively identified before this is the one owned by McBrownie and posted in this forum. I am hugely indebted to him for his help in 2020 in documenting the finest details about the Type 5. It was only because of his help that I was able to fully document the Type 5 without ever having seen one except in the photos he provided.
I found this on Facebook in New Jersey and the seller agreed to ship it to me in Michigan. You can just barely see a little inventory sticker on the front edge of the footrest. It says "ENERGY LABORATORY" "PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS CO." which is the major utility company in New Jersey.
How rare is it? I have looked at literally thousands of Workmates online in my search, and the only 79-001 Type 5 I have ever positively identified before this is the one owned by McBrownie and posted in this forum. I am hugely indebted to him for his help in 2020 in documenting the finest details about the Type 5. It was only because of his help that I was able to fully document the Type 5 without ever having seen one except in the photos he provided.
I found this on Facebook in New Jersey and the seller agreed to ship it to me in Michigan. You can just barely see a little inventory sticker on the front edge of the footrest. It says "ENERGY LABORATORY" "PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS CO." which is the major utility company in New Jersey.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice find Wolf; when was it made?
Like the 79-001 Type 3, the Type 5 was made in Ireland, not in Brockville, Ontario, so it doesn't have a date code. I can only estimate that it was sold in the 1977-78 time frame, supplementing sale of the Type 4. I am completely astonished that these have their own Type number and their own part diagram from Black & Decker, considering how few of them are around. The Type E, Type 3, and Type 9 are quite rare, but the Type 5 makes those three seem commonplace.
McBrownie
Well-known member
Wolf,
Glad you found another Type 5. Just curious if yours has a date stamp/clock in the cast aluminum. Mine does not, btw.
Glad you found another Type 5. Just curious if yours has a date stamp/clock in the cast aluminum. Mine does not, btw.
No, that mark only appears on the all-aluminum Workmates made in Spennymoor, England. The mark is on the fold-out dual-rear-leg assembly that was a component only of the all-aluminum 79-001 Type E, and, for the UK, the WM325.
Last edited:
Hi, I only joined the group today.
I resurrected my old Workmate that has been hidden away for perhaps 20 years. I needed support to hone a mower blade with an angle grinder and this seemed just the job. After dusting the cobwebs off it, I was surprised how well it performed , but. The plastic clips which keep the legs open all snapped off but one. Not too surprised as it was the only part which would suffer the test of time.
Any of you guys have any suggestions as to what I can use to a) lock them open, and b) keep them retracted , when not in use.
I cannot find any model number anywhere, but can tell you it was purchased in the UK in the late 1970's
I resurrected my old Workmate that has been hidden away for perhaps 20 years. I needed support to hone a mower blade with an angle grinder and this seemed just the job. After dusting the cobwebs off it, I was surprised how well it performed , but. The plastic clips which keep the legs open all snapped off but one. Not too surprised as it was the only part which would suffer the test of time.
Any of you guys have any suggestions as to what I can use to a) lock them open, and b) keep them retracted , when not in use.
I cannot find any model number anywhere, but can tell you it was purchased in the UK in the late 1970's
Attachments
Last edited:
I think you can still buy replacement clips. I don't have time to figure out the model right this minute, but from what I can see quickly in the photo it is from the time period of the original WM536 and WM626. What are the dimensions of the top?
It's hard to tell from a single photo, but I'm pretty sure you have a relatively early WM536. That is the smaller floor-standing model, as indicated by the 24" jaws. Here is an example that sold on eBay UK recently.
If you search for Workmate wm536 parts, you should be able to find the leg clips. In a quick search, I find it to be part no. 374985-49, but you should do your own checking. They made the WM536 for many years, going through many "Type" numbers, and if you search for that model you will find newer ones that don't quite look like yours. Nevertheless, it looks to me as though that same part number for the leg clip applies over most, if not all, of the different Types, and in fact to many other models than just the WM536.
It's also possible yours is marked somewhere. I would suggest you get yours in a very well-lit spot, turn it over and examine every surface, especially the bottom of the wooden jaws, and the bottom of the step, to find an ink stamp or other marking of a Type number.
You didn't say where you are located now. The WM536 was never sold in the U.S., so you may have to order from the UK. Or maybe not.
If you search for Workmate wm536 parts, you should be able to find the leg clips. In a quick search, I find it to be part no. 374985-49, but you should do your own checking. They made the WM536 for many years, going through many "Type" numbers, and if you search for that model you will find newer ones that don't quite look like yours. Nevertheless, it looks to me as though that same part number for the leg clip applies over most, if not all, of the different Types, and in fact to many other models than just the WM536.
It's also possible yours is marked somewhere. I would suggest you get yours in a very well-lit spot, turn it over and examine every surface, especially the bottom of the wooden jaws, and the bottom of the step, to find an ink stamp or other marking of a Type number.
You didn't say where you are located now. The WM536 was never sold in the U.S., so you may have to order from the UK. Or maybe not.
Anything is possible but not always probable.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I passed an an overworked type 2 Series at an Estate sale today. I thought it was a type E in the pics, but no luck...
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
Neat thread!
I got an 80’s (?) Workmate 300 last year when my uncle turned 101 and moved away so his son could take care of him.
I had never heard of a Workmate before then, and now I see an entire thread dedicated to it here in Garage Journal!
The top was a little beaten up, but it functions just fine. Here are a couple of Wilton’s I’ve been cleaning up and a 2’x3’ birch plywood and 2x4 top I put together last summer.
It’s a great addition to my small work space.
I got an 80’s (?) Workmate 300 last year when my uncle turned 101 and moved away so his son could take care of him.
I had never heard of a Workmate before then, and now I see an entire thread dedicated to it here in Garage Journal!
The top was a little beaten up, but it functions just fine. Here are a couple of Wilton’s I’ve been cleaning up and a 2’x3’ birch plywood and 2x4 top I put together last summer.
It’s a great addition to my small work space.
MattGarage
Well-known member
Neat thread!
I got an 80’s (?) Workmate 300 last year when my uncle turned 101 and moved away so his son could take care of him.
I had never heard of a Workmate before then, and now I see an entire thread dedicated to it here in Garage Journal!
The top was a little beaten up, but it functions just fine. Here are a couple of Wilton’s I’ve been cleaning up and a 2’x3’ birch plywood and 2x4 top I put together last summer.
It’s a great addition to my small work space.
Very cool. Is it the 30 inch wide one? I have the 300 and it's just about 30 inches wide. I've made a table top for it with dog holes, a mini workbench, a bench grinder base so far. Will add a bandsaw base, table saw outfeed and more soon. Had a big payout the other day with the table top as I was working on windows. Very handy to have.
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
I just measured and the stock planks are 29” wide.
Would you mind sharing pictures of your mini workbench top and grinder base? I’d like to see that.
Thanks!
Last edited:
MattGarage
Well-known member
I had a leftover piece of 2x10 pressure treated wood and wanted to try out an idea of a mini workbench that I'd seen on Youtube. It actually looked quite decent when I planed it down but it got very dark with my usual BLO/Paraffin/Mineral Spirit treatment. Hopefully it lightens up. The wood of course is not high quality but the bench itself is incredibly useful. Raises to a very comfortable height. Can clamp various pieces at various angles. It's very stable. With the Workmate holding it in place plus two little 6 inch clamps at the feet - it is not going anywhere unless one is an absolute silverback gorilla. Will be adding a roubo-like vise but still trying to figure out how.
The vises are incredibly useful - especially for metal related stuff.
The table has received plenty of use and will get a lot more. Roundover edges and BLO protected and it is ready for anything.
Attachments
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
Clever! My next tool will be a bench grinder. That’s a great way to mount it. Is there more wood under the vise and grinder 2x8’s that the WM is clamping down, or is it the bench dogs that are doing the clamping?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I have several things mounted on plates for use on a WM - I do an upside down "T" cleat, so it cant come out, and the plate. Most of them, are the same width and the tools are racked in a "book shelf" with adjustable shelf clips. (so its not rocking on the cleat)
Since the very beginning of the Workmate, Black & Decker has suggested that owners make auxiliary tool holders/tables/accessories to fit into the jaws, with illustrations of how to do it in the owner's manuals. You can find the owner's manual for your model 300 (also known as the 79-033) at my web site under the heading "Other U.S. Workmate manuals" on the Documents page: https://h-frame.weebly.com/documents.html
Last edited:
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
Thanks! Great tip and I appreciate the picture!I have several things mounted on plates for use on a WM - I do an upside down "T" cleat, so it cant come out, and the plate. Most of them, are the same width and the tools are racked in a "book shelf" with adjustable shelf clips. (so its not rocking on the cleat)
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
Thank you!
FullRaceMerc
Well-known member
Here are my old Workmates. Dug out recently to go to work up at our retirement place. My old phone was failing, so apologies for the washed out pics.
Dual height. Bought new in the late 70s or early 80s. Used at jobsites for several years. Lubed up before going back to work.
I replaced the wood top many years ago. Doubled up to provide out of the way storage for the dogs.
Little old saw screwed to a plywood base & clamped down. The 2x2s are wide enough to clear the Workmate top. The lower height is comfortable for the table saw.
Plywood table saw base. 2x4s for clamping into the Workmate. 2x2s on the edges so the base is stable when stored or used without the Workmate. Hole in the center to let sawdust fall thru. All figured out a piece at a time 40 years ago.
My 3 main uses for the Workmate were the table saw, holding a door on the floor layed on edge for mortising or planing, & holding a 7" angle grinder with a wood piece bolted into the handle mount for clamping. The angle grinder made for a handy portable disk sander. That was great for coping moulding quickly.
My 2nd Workmate is a bench top. I never used this one much.
Dual height. Bought new in the late 70s or early 80s. Used at jobsites for several years. Lubed up before going back to work.
I replaced the wood top many years ago. Doubled up to provide out of the way storage for the dogs.
Little old saw screwed to a plywood base & clamped down. The 2x2s are wide enough to clear the Workmate top. The lower height is comfortable for the table saw.
Plywood table saw base. 2x4s for clamping into the Workmate. 2x2s on the edges so the base is stable when stored or used without the Workmate. Hole in the center to let sawdust fall thru. All figured out a piece at a time 40 years ago.
My 3 main uses for the Workmate were the table saw, holding a door on the floor layed on edge for mortising or planing, & holding a 7" angle grinder with a wood piece bolted into the handle mount for clamping. The angle grinder made for a handy portable disk sander. That was great for coping moulding quickly.
My 2nd Workmate is a bench top. I never used this one much.
Attachments
Last edited:
MattGarage
Well-known member
Edit - Woops I misunderstood and went straight to the vise. The grinder does not have any vertical clamping - I've found it to be very stable with the grinding I do and since I do it outside - so much easier to clean up. So it's two 3/4 boards glued and screwed and then held in place by dogs.
This one is subject to a lot more forces and it's also used in my carpenter vise for normal use. I've bent dozens of feet of rebar with it so it's pretty solid but not bombproof. It's screw and glue with dado so it has at least 4 forces holding it in place.
Last edited:
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I have one of those bench models. I'm saving it got a future bench as an "insert", flush with the top for doing the bench tool and from the racked tools.
I'm thinking if I do it right, I can also slide it out, angle it, and reverse it for that type of use.
I'm thinking if I do it right, I can also slide it out, angle it, and reverse it for that type of use.
MattGarage
Well-known member
I want one of those - plus the one you mount on a wall!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'm missing the wall mount version. that's the other option for the bench tools. unload adn fold down, and out of the way...
Here's a great example I just ran across that illustrates the widespread recognition that the Workmate name has, especially in England. Since I'm a big music fan, I'm surprised I had not heard of this before.
It turns out that David Gilmour of Pink Floyd has a vintage Fender guitar that he has nicknamed the Workmate! This article quotes Gilmour about his guitar "This is my old Fender Esquire – horribly abused by a previous owner – which I have loved for nearly 40 years and nicknamed the Workmate" and further explains that "The unique body damage - saw marks, scratches, and dents that resembled a Black & Decker Workmate workbench - was already there when David acquired the guitar, thus it was nicknamed it the the Workmate."
http://www.kitrae.net/music/David_Gilmour_Tone_Building_Workmate_Esquire.html
It turns out that David Gilmour of Pink Floyd has a vintage Fender guitar that he has nicknamed the Workmate! This article quotes Gilmour about his guitar "This is my old Fender Esquire – horribly abused by a previous owner – which I have loved for nearly 40 years and nicknamed the Workmate" and further explains that "The unique body damage - saw marks, scratches, and dents that resembled a Black & Decker Workmate workbench - was already there when David acquired the guitar, thus it was nicknamed it the the Workmate."
http://www.kitrae.net/music/David_Gilmour_Tone_Building_Workmate_Esquire.html