Outlawmws
Well-known member
Makes you wonder if B&D paid for product placement?
Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
The Workmate appears for the second time in that episode at about 28:55. I'm now pretty sure it's a Workmate 200, which would have been new that year. That could support the idea that this appearance was product placement.
Here is probably the best view of the Workmate in that episode "Breaking Point".
Attachments
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 750
Today, I put a couple coats of water based polyurethane on a birch plywood table top. When I need a flat workspace, I sometimes clamp it in a Capri Tools 6” vise that sits on top of my Workmate 300.
Normally, this table top sits out of the way, leaned against a cabinet. During a recent vise restoration, I dripped acetone on it and got paint on it.
Even with a few dings and stains, it’s nice to have a nice clean surface. While it’s really not a big deal, even after sanding with 320 grit sandpaper, I can never put down a coat without bubbles that make the surface slightly rough to the touch.
Normally, this table top sits out of the way, leaned against a cabinet. During a recent vise restoration, I dripped acetone on it and got paint on it.
Even with a few dings and stains, it’s nice to have a nice clean surface. While it’s really not a big deal, even after sanding with 320 grit sandpaper, I can never put down a coat without bubbles that make the surface slightly rough to the touch.
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
I picked up this workmate today for $5. It’s marked type E on the bottom of the wood. If I understand correctly these were made for a few months in 1974? Any other significance to these? It’s very nice and seems complete. It’s a little nicer than the pictures make it seem. Do these have any collector value?
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
Your new E type looks good. I think they are very cool and collectable, but I never have heard of one commanding much of a collectable price. Even at that $5 is a steal...
Yes, there are would-be owners who would pay much more than $5 for it. The trick is finding them. The only flaw I see in the photo is that it's missing one of the eight rubber feet it should have. You can read about the 79-001 Type E at my web site:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-type-e.html
Congrats @Mr. Wonderful, that's a ****-worthy price!
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
Very interesting read, thank you! I checked out a couple of your YouTube videos too. Honestly I was looking for one of the type with the aluminum center section and steel base so it would be lighter than my 400. This one wasn’t familiar to me. After reading I thought it might be more for a collector. It’s so damn cool I’m going to keep it and use it. Thanks again!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This is why I have 2 of the type E's - sometimes I need 2 the same height!
j p smith
Well-known member
I was lucky to get my second Workmate this morning, first guy was supposed to be there at a certain time, he did a no show. They texted me and I was on the way. My first one I use for a Corn Sheller/Corn Grinder display at the Hit & Miss Engine & Tractor shows. I know I have seen where to look for the snap in blocks for holding work, but I did not find it, would someone point me in the right direction? Thanks
Attachments
RTM
Well-known member
Just Google
Black & Decker Stanley workmate parts
Lots of choices
Our local guy Chris has some more specifics here
Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 Parts & Repairs
Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 Parts and Repairs
h-frame.weebly.com
There's a pair of early Workmate "swivel grips" in unopened packaging on eBay right now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/317345443859
Your second Workmate is of particularly interest to me. Yours was made in the spring of 1977 and it might help me narrow down further the date of a change they made in the leg clips around that time. Would you mind checking the bottom surface of the wooden jaws for an ink stamp of a five-digit number similar to "719 33", and let me know what you find? Thanks.
j p smith
Well-known member
will do tomorrow, thanks
j p smith
Well-known member
Here are the pictures Wolf
Attachments
Thanks, that makes yours the earliest one I have documented with the revised leg clip, manufactured May 11, 1977.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
That's a really nice clean Type E Two Sheds. Even the stickers are in great shape. Very nice. Ed.
gleman
Well-known member
That's your inner Fred Sanford calling you a big dummy!
Next time jump out and grab it!
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Probably many on this thread would line up to kick you as well!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
You have two sheds you need two WorkMates.
j p smith
Well-known member
Thanks Wolf I ordered to sets
I just came across what is now the earliest North American Workmate made at Brockville, Ontario that I have found. It's a 79-001 Type 1 (of course) for sale on Kijiji, located in Ontario. Its date code is 440 4, which translates to October 3, 1974. This makes it about 10 days earlier than the previous earliest one. That one had been at the top of my list for about 5 years. This is out of close to 800 79-001's I have documented. Wish I knew the date that manufacturing actually started...
In case anyone in the Toronto area is interested:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1728442493
In case anyone in the Toronto area is interested:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1728442493
Last edited:
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Picked up my third Type 2 WM at an estate sale for $15. its complete, (all feet present, and all 4 dogs) in good shape, used, but not abused.
Looked for the date code under the jaws, but all I saw was a "type 2" stamp? Am I looking in the wrong place?
Looked for the date code under the jaws, but all I saw was a "type 2" stamp? Am I looking in the wrong place?
andyvh1959
Well-known member
Got my 1st Workmate as a Christmas gift way back in 1980, model 79-001 Type A. One of the best gifts ever, still using that same Workmate to this day. Just last week it was the base for my 12" Delta compound chop saw as I built new framing for windows and a door I installed on my house. This winter it'll be the engine stand for the 1600 V-twin out of my Vulcan cruiser, so I can repair 2nd gear and make a bunch of engine upgrades.
My Workmate is obviously very worn, used. abused and looking it. Maybe someday I'll restore it. I do have two other Workmates I've acquired over the years. Plus I have the model 79-020 Benchtop Workmate.
My Workmate is obviously very worn, used. abused and looking it. Maybe someday I'll restore it. I do have two other Workmates I've acquired over the years. Plus I have the model 79-020 Benchtop Workmate.
Last edited:
driftpin
Well-known member
I moved a couple of WM's today, emptying out a single bay storage space I've had for awhile. I'm not sure but I believe the count is 4 WM's in my possession now. None are the early aluminum ones. I find them useful for all-sorts of projects. I didn't take any pics, but I hope that family duties allow me to go back to where they are, and if I do, I'll get a couple of pics. On one I have, I replaced the OEM wood vise pieces w/ones I made, which turned out OK. I laminated two pieces of plywood together to get the thickness I wanted w/o having to buy any plywood.
I've bought misc. pieces from the B&D replacement business, things aren't inexpensive.
I've bought misc. pieces from the B&D replacement business, things aren't inexpensive.
afinepoint
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2024
- Messages
- 197
Mine is in its 30s. Missing part of a handle, has plenty of kerf marks and creaks and groans like me in the morning. But it stands and clamps like day one. While in the garage yesterday I thought "I should replace that". But we've both been through many house and car projects and seen two kids school project years.
So it's a little rusty and not quite the looker anymore. So am I. I gently lifted it, slid it out of harms way, sat back down and smiled. Memories.
So it's a little rusty and not quite the looker anymore. So am I. I gently lifted it, slid it out of harms way, sat back down and smiled. Memories.
Bottlecapdigger
Well-known member
I think I have 6 or 7 workmates, I really like the 300 and 300 deluxe, I have 3-4 of them . Then I picked up a 400 at the habit for 30$ like new condition, it has the flip up top which I use the very first day I got it. It got to be my favourite. Them this weekend at an estate sale they had a 550 which I never heard of before. I didn’t buy it , figured I had enough of them. Now I’m wishing I would have bought it, dam. Now lm going to kick myself for the next 5 yrs. Haha. BCD.
Bottlecapdigger
Well-known member
Some don't have a date stamp for reasons I have never figured out. I show that you reported the dates for your other two, made within 4 days of each other in January 1977 (702 23 and 702 62—a rare Saturday one).
From the components I can see on your latest, it was made between September 1975 (start of the painted lower frame and legs) and February 1976 (switch to the zig-zag dog-hole pattern). See the dates of the changes for the Type 2 here:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-type-2.html
Outlawmws
Well-known member
OK, I'm seeing a slightly different cutoff the rubber foot pad change was the last mine displays:
- September 1975 - Production of the Type 2 resumed, but the finish on the legs and lower frame was changed from plating to gray paint. This was the first use of paint on a 79-001. The scratch guards on the upper frame were introduced at the same time, to protect the paint on the lower frame. This is the configuration seen in my Workmate on the left in the opening photo.
- October 1975 - The conical rubber foot pads from the Type 1 were replaced with squat cylindrical ones.
February 1976 - The holes at the corners of the jaws where their edges meet were moved a few inches toward the center, creating the 9-hole zigzag pattern that was used for all of the following 79-001's that were manufactured in Canada. (The Irish imports that were badged as 79-001 Type 3 and 5 continued to use the 10-hole jaw.)June 23, 1976 - The aluminum core in the center of the plastic vise handles was changed to plastic.October 1976 - Not a change in the Workmate itself, but the style of the swivel grips changed. The posts were shortened and the tabs were moved to the sides instead of the front and back
That's why I was careful to say "From the components I can see", and to include the link for your information. I didn't think the feet on yours were visible in the photos you posted. Checking again and enlarging the photo, I can make them out in the shadow.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
No complaints! You did remarkably well for two very basic photos!
Very cool photo!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Looks first gen to me.
The wood will likely be toast, but the rest should be salvageable.
I have a real thing for the first gen workmates after seeing them on this thread, managed to buy one earlier in the year to restore, but have just ended up using it because it’s much nicer than my 10yo one.
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
I've got 3 older Workmates. This afternoon I was using all three in the driveway to cut some 12' 2x4s down for a project my wife wanted. After cross-cutting one of the 2x4s in half it slipped off and snapped the right handle off on my Type 7 Workmate. I'm hoping some of the experts here know a quality source for a replacement handle. I'd appreciate any help you can share.
Edit: My bad...it's the crank arm that broke not the handle.
Thanks!
Edit: My bad...it's the crank arm that broke not the handle.
Thanks!
Last edited: