Black & Decker Workmate

[Rick_Br]

I have a workmate 79-002 type 1. I need a couple of parts - the rubber feet that slip over the steel legs and the table crank handle. With all of the different models and revised designs/over the years how do I tell if parts I found will fit?

Thanks
Rick

 

[wolfcj]

I have a workmate 79-002 type 1. I need a couple of parts - the rubber feet that slip over the steel legs and the table crank handle.

One of the reviews here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1046547217/black-and-decker-workmate-handle
says:
"I have one of the original workmate models (79-002 Type 1) 45 years old. One handle finally broke off. This is the only handle that I could find that matches my broken handle. Plus many colors to choose from - I bought the bright red color. The quality is excellent and the pieces are solid plastic - better than the original! Leo was also great in answering questions. Make sure to match your old handle with this handle since the newer workmate models have a different handle. You will not be disappointed with this handle!"

I have no connection with this Etsy seller or any knowledge about the parts; I just found it doing a search for you. Further searching on your part may find replacement feet. The originals are not available.

 

[wolfcj]

I have a workmate 79-002 type 1. I need a couple of parts - the rubber feet that slip over the steel legs and the table crank handle.

For the feet, you might try messaging Jonathan Kamm. He has several 79-002s.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/members/jonathankamm.409819/

 

[Rick_Br]

Thanks for those leads


Rick

 

[thr3squared]

I went to get in my truck today and the neighbor across the street put this on the sidewalk. Needs a little cleaning but the cranks work and its solid! Free is always a great price!

 

[Outlawmws]

Free is always a great price! A 200 was my first WM. I was up to three 200's when I sold all three plus my 400. I have 2 each of the older aluminum frame type E's and Type 2's, so am set for when I need 2 the same height for larger work. I have a 550 I got off Freecycle if I need the verticla clamping, but thats rare.

 

[wolfcj]

I have recently expanded my coverage of the early Black & Decker Workmates from just my website, by adding a YouTube channel:
H-frame — Vintage Workmates

The channel now includes 10 videos. Seven of them have detailed looks at the 10 different Types of the original North American model, the 79-001. Another is an introduction to the early history of the Workmate in the UK and the U.S., 1968 to 1982. It starts with Ron Hickman's original Workmate and continues through to the 79-001. Another is a type-identification guide to the 79-001, to help owners (or prospective owners) identify the different Types. The tenth is my first video from 2022 showing my unboxing of a new 79-001 Type 9.

As you can probably tell, I make these all by myself. No one will confuse them with professional work, but I think they mostly accomplish what I wanted to do. My favorite is probably the one about the Type 3 and Type 5, because I tell the stories of how I acquired them.

 

[andyvh1959]

One of the best Christmas gifts I ever got, aside from the Erector Set, was a Workmate I got back in 1980. Through the decades I have used and abused it and it still works great for a motorcycle engine stand, or a stand to assemble a set of kitchen cabinets I made, setting hinge notches on doors. Just a great device. So great that now I have three of them.

 

[RTM]

While writing this I looked on those sources, none listed locally in a metro region of over 2 million. It's at my rural property 25 miles away, the next time I am there I'll check for any ID on the underside of the wood.

Funny timing I guess on this. November 2022 I was in Cincy visiting a friend. I always check CL when I travel, and I swear I saw close to a dozen for sale, including one aluminum frame one. Since they weren’t suitcase sized, I had to pass. I tried to convince my friend he needed one or more, but he wasn’t biting, or buying.

Looking today, 4 full size, 2 benchtop

cincinnati tools - by owner "workmate" - craigslist

cincinnati tools - by owner "workmate" - craigslist

cincinnati.craigslist.org

Gotta keep looking. The show up when you aren’t expecting them, like thr3squared above.

 

[gleman]

I needed a bike stand and didn't want to store a full sized one in the garage just to use it a few times a year.

Workmate to the rescue!







I took a piece of 2x6 and a 2x4 that looked to have a bad case of Peyronie's and now I have a dual height bike stand.

 

[wolfcj]

I needed a bike stand and didn't want to store a full sized one in the garage just to use it a few times a year.

Workmate to the rescue!

I took a piece of 2x6 and a 2x4 that looked to have a bad case of Peyronie's and now I have a dual height bike stand.

That's both very simple and clever. A use for a Workmate that I haven't seen before.

 

[captain14]

gleman,

Looks like you have your first customer for the bike stand in the background.

I might even steal that idea!

 

[RTM]

That's both very simple and clever. A use for a Workmate that I haven't seen before.

First one I've seen with a real bike clamp in it.

Seen a wooden series of clamps made from 2x4s. This is much cleaner.

 

[gleman]

gleman,

Looks like you have your first customer for the bike stand in the background.

I might even steal that idea!

I found a 90s Trek in the thrift store and decided to fix it up and ride after not being on a bike in 30 years! I'm getting too old to work on the floor.

 

[gleman]

First one I've seen with a real bike clamp in it.

Seen a wooden series of clamps made from 2x4s. This is much cleaner.

I would have just screwed it to my out feed table but I thought I needed more height.

 

[wolfcj]

First one I've seen with a real bike clamp in it.

Yes, exactly that.

 

[king nero]

Scored an older Workmate this weekend. The one with the cast H-braces.
Bottom of the tabletop is marked WM 625.
Price was 10 EUR, so 9 USD or so.

Works fine, just have to replace the plastic clips that keep the feet in place.

Couldn't pass up on it, even though I already have quite a few of 'em. But this one was cheaper than my last pair of trestles, so...

 

[wolfcj]

Scored an older Workmate this weekend. The one with the cast H-braces.
Bottom of the tabletop is marked WM 625.

Great find! You can read about the WM625 in all its varieties, including the E06, at my website:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/workmate-wm625.html

 

[king nero]

Thx! Looks like there's a wealth of information. I'll have a browse tomorrow!

 

[4xdog]

Spotted an old Workmate in the garage of a friend's-friend in the Netherlands a couple of weeks ago. WM625, yes?

 

[wolfcj]

Spotted an old Workmate in the garage of a friend's-friend in the Netherlands a couple of weeks ago. WM625, yes?

Yes, based on the bits that are visible it appears to be a WM625 E03 or E04.

 

[RTM]

Spotted an old Workmate in the garage of a friend's-friend in the Netherlands a couple of weeks ago. WM625, yes?

SmurfMate

 

[wolfcj]

SmurfMate

Or to our friends in the UK and Europe, simply a Workmate.

It does look a little offbeat to U.S. owners who aren't accustomed to the blue color, but that was the color that Ron Hickman chose for the original Workmate from his company Mate Tools in 1968, and Black & Decker stuck with that tradition for many years of production in the UK. Among North American models, only the Workmate 400 was produced in blue, for a few years.
https://h-frame.weebly.com/mate-tools-workmate.html

 

[wolfcj]

My latest Workmate blog posting features a prototype version of the original 79-001 that never made it to market, but has been hiding in plain sight in multiple publications since the Workmate was introduced. Can you see what is odd in the two highlighted areas in the image of a 79-001 Type 1 below (from a 1975 Black &Decker catalog)? Read about it at:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/blog/two-workmate-prototypes-that-never-made-it-to-production

 

[gleman]

I had to pass on this today. Looks to be an unused 79-35 with all its parts. I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild.

 

[Outlawmws]

Is that the one that hangs on a wall?

 

[RTM]

Is that the one that hangs on a wall?

Nope the big monster


From here

Black & Decker Workmate Complete Model History

A visual guide to the history of all models of the Black & Decker Workmate

h-frame.weebly.com

 

[wolfcj]

There were three models of this size altogether. In the UK the similar "XXL" model was called the 1000. (There was also a more standard-sized model for the U.S. called the 1000, but it had no relationship to the UK model 1000.) In the U.S. the XXL-sized model made a comeback in 1991 as the 79-039, also called the 2000.

 

[wolfcj]

I have an odd question. I just got a free Workmate 79-041, made in 1993, like the one below. I have owned 25 or more Workmates, but this is the first one I've had that was made after 1982. This is one of the larger models with the repositionable rear jaw, and the moving front jaw that also swivels for vertical clamping.

When I fold this one up and stand it on the rear end of the lower frame to store it, it falls over immediately because it isn't balanced when in that position. If I remove the rear jaw, it will stand that way without falling, but that's a nuisance. I have always stored my older Workmates in that standing position, so I figured the newer ones would balance that way also. Was that a false assumption?

 

[Jgaz]

Cleaning my gear after a dirty week working at the Grand Canyon.

This is why I absolutely love the starboard top and galvanized sheet metal shelf on my Workmate.
The Workmate is set up year round on the pad beside my garage.

 

[Shootinok]

My latest… contraption
Found a type 4 - $20
old table saw top - free

portable welding top and a very usable vise stand in one.
The workmate is in sound shape but the clamping sides are burned pretty bad. Looks like the p.o. used it to braze or torch something.
The top cleaned up very nicely. I put four 3/8-16 studs in the top and drilled holes in the wood to hold it on.
Nothing that permanently damages the old Workmate.

 

[wolfcj]

I came across this 79-001 Type 6 for sale with interesting auxiliary jaws, apparently for clamping wider items. I don't see any sign that these jaws are actually attached; they may just be held in place by closing the original jaws. It looks as though it would gain a few inches of width over using swivel pegs. The ad doesn't mention the mod.

 

[Zivetifino]

There were three models of this size altogether. In the UK the similar "XXL" model was called the 1000. (There was also a more standard-sized model for the U.S. called the 1000, but it had no relationship to the UK model 1000.) In the U.S. the XXL-sized model made a comeback in 1991 as the 79-039, also called the 2000.

 

[Zivetifino]

Workmate 2000

 

[wolfcj]

I asked this question a month ago, but got no answer, yet I'm sure there must be some owners here who have experience with this. I recently bought a 79-041, one of the larger models with the front jaw that swivels to the vertical position. I discovered that when I stand it up on its back end for storage it isn't balanced, so it falls over. This photo shows how a 79-001 stands up in this position, while the 79-041 falls over. Is this normal for these larger models, such as the 400 and 425? Thanks.

 

[gleman]

I asked this question a month ago, but got no answer, yet I'm sure there must be some owners here who have experience with this. I recently bought a 79-041, one of the larger models with the front jaw that swivels to the vertical position. I discovered that when I stand it up on its back end for storage it isn't balanced, so it falls over. This photo shows how a 79-001 stands up in this position, while the 79-041 falls over. Is this normal for these larger models, such as the 400 and 425? Thanks.

I scored this one a few years ago and have the same problem. It fell over the first night and scared the **** out of me.

I don't' know if its me being a dummy but this one seems like a pain in the *** to setup and I'm not sure how the third board even works.

I ended up putting ladder hooks on the wall to keep from tripping over it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I only have one left that new and its not the same (and its buried) I don't remember if my 400 was off balance as it spent much of its life with me holding up my DP. I sold it with the 3 200's in the switch to the aluminum framed workmates.

 

[mikegt4]

I know it's not a Workmate but I found this knock-off at the curb and after a quick look I threw it into my truck and took it home. The only thing wrong with it is a missing handle. The plastic removable lugs fit my type 3 perfectly. The adjustment rod where the handle fits on is about 10.5mm in diameter, will a Workmate replacement handle fit? If I could get replacement parts for this I could get some more of the lugs for my type 3 which has none.

Most likely made in China, no ID, numbers or brand on it anywhere.

 

[JABgj]

I have the same knock off style WM bought new at what used to be Pick and Save for about 20 bucks. Has been miss treated for years and replaced the top boards with some oak. Other than that, I will continue to abuse it until it poops out, then break out the real Workmate stored in the shed.

 

[ChrisLF]

Just having used mine for a couple of days altering a kitchen unit for my son and reminding myself what a great tool it is I thought I'd do a search for B&D Workmate appreciation and this thread came up and I've found it really interesting.

My father had one of the early H frame versions and it got a lot of use/abuse - I don't know what happened to it, perhaps one of my brothers has it?

Got mine in the early 80s soon after getting married to do some work on the house so it's over 40 years old now. Can't see a model no. on it but it's all steel, says Workmate Plus and has the vertical clamping which I've never used along with the clamping dowels. Looks like yours Wolfcj and whilst it will stand on end it's unstable so lean it against the wall or tie it to something at the top.

Until this week I haven't used it for years (more on that in a bit) but it's had a lot of use over the years including for cutting ceramic floor and wall tiles so it's got covered in tile dust and water on occasions including rain! But its been kept in a dry garage and is in remarkably good condition with only two minor saw nicks on the edge of the top.

More recently (but still some years ago!) I needed more support for a door I was planing and so bought one of the lightweight and simpler 300s which I find really good as well. Infact it is my goto one as it is much easier to move around, especially getting up and down stairs (I'm knocking on a bit now!), and as well as DIY it's been great for building my model boats on. Still in good condition but the tops have a bit of damage including a cut from an errant jig saw. This one's at my sons as I'm laying laminate floors (first time for me) and hence why I've had to get the big one out for the kitchen unit alteration - probably a good idea anyway as I'm using a router, albeit only 1/4 inch, with the extra weight and stability.

Once finished with I shall give it a well deserved clean to get rid of the cobwebs, saw dust and remnants of tile dust before it goes back in the garage.

Chris