Black & Decker Workmate

[Too_Many_Tools]

This site is pretty good on the older ones:
http://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Workmate-Type-Study/5539701_TNtt7z#!i=1009291940&k=Spf8NSq

Spreadsheet:
https://www.box.com/shared/hchozbe4d7

Anyone know where the specific differences for the different Workmates is discussed?

As in what differences so one can determine what Workmates are which on CL and Ebay?

Thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

I love the fact that there is a product, a single item, that can link people across the world.

You guys in the US, thousands of miles away from me, have the exact same product that I do.

Brilliant..

We call our Ford Mondeaos, Ford Fusions.

Your steering wheel is on the wrong side !

 

[Nozzlejocky]

Got one years ago as a gift and will never give it up. Was my "bench" for many years. Even now that I have a true work bench, the workmate still gets called into duty, especially when I'm doing projects and need some workspace away from the bench.

 

[darkk]

Mine is the second series made. I litterally wore the top out so I made new larger tops for it. I use this thing for everything. Great portable table, rugged and takes a lot of abuse.

 

[lnp00]

I picked up my Workmate 350 a few years ago at a garage sale along with a bunch of other items, so I don't really know what I paid for it, LOL!

I find it sturdy enough for things I do.

Among other ways, here's how I put my 350 to good use...

Cheers,
Len

 

[MN4x4]

My wife bought me one for Christmas back in the 70's. I still have and use it today.

I never realized that parts were still available, so I might have to get some of the plastic 'dogs' that fit on the top as I mine got stolen by bigfoot. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

 

[rvmeush]

looking for user manual for Workmate 225 Type 2

I have been looking for an online manual for a Workmate that I got from a craigslist ad, but haven't been able to find one. Does anyone have a copy of this manual or a link to one? Thanks.

 

[Outlawmws]

What is it you are trying to figure out? These are not complicated tools... (Not sure I ever saw one on my new WM's much less the used ones...)

 

[rvmeush]

the Workmate is for my son. I would just like to have something to explain the overall operation of the device. I looked for a good operation video on youtube but didn't see anything good and comprehensive.

 

[Dave in Mass]

Old thread I see but anyways... My brother bought me one when I got my first house in 1986. It seems to be in the middle of most of the versions I see here. It has a solid wood top but no step in the front. I use it all the time for clamping work when another set of hands is needed. I have also drilled a few customized holes in it and bring it with me when I go to other people's places to hold my chop saw and small table saw. Use a couple of long bolts and wing nuts to hold saws in place.

Very handy tool.....

 

[bazzateer]

the Workmate is for my son. I would just like to have something to explain the overall operation of the device. I looked for a good operation video on youtube but didn't see anything good and comprehensive.

This link may have what you want

http://service.blackanddecker.co.uk/Products/CatalogBDK.aspx?CatalogID=172

 

[Banjorear]

Have had the same one for 20 plus years. It has been used and abused and still is going strong.

Same here. I love mine.

 

[cagullett1]

Picked up an olde WM 400 on craigslist for $40 a few weeks ago. Looks BRAND NEW, the guy still had the original manual and all of the pegs in their original packaging! I feel like I got a steel. My dad has a few of the old ones and he couldn't believe I found one in such good shape.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

I have been looking for an online manual for a Workmate that I got from a craigslist ad, but haven't been able to find one. Does anyone have a copy of this manual or a link to one? Thanks.

rvmeush;

Try this:
http://servicenet.blackanddecker.com/Products/Detail?isId=true&productNumber=79-001&selectedType=17999

 

[A29]

picked this up a while back. box has never been opened.

 

[rvmeush]

Thanks. That was very useful.

 

[rvmeush]

rvmeush;

Try this:
http://servicenet.blackanddecker.com/Products/Detail?isId=true&productNumber=79-001&selectedType=17999

Thanks. That was very useful.

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

A29;

Wow, haven't seen one of those in a long time other than mine. I still use it on the bench, or the shopsmith when drilling odd shaped stock.

Nice find!

 

[Gentleman Adventurer]

rvmeush;

You're welcome. You can select which version you have on the page, depending on how new or old yours is.

Have fun.

 

[jim2664258]

LOL at this thread popping up for me just now. Today I bought a WM400 off CL *new in box* that was made in 1991. Person's Dad died, he never opened the box. Talk about new old stock! All-steel construction with particle-board tops. Looks exactly like the really old 400's except for the tops. Very sturdy. Box was still glued shut, it truly was never opened. Must have sat for over 20 years.

Now I can sell the Craftsman Professional WM ripoff that I've owned for several years I bought off CL too. Thing is as strong as the WM but it is SUCH a pita to open and close sometimes. Now I can sell it for the same amount I got the brand-new WM.

I absolutely love the 2x4 with attached board idea to make a bigger work surface - that is a keeper!

 

[B17E1943]

^ Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Iconel]

I picked up an older, vintage "non standard" workmate on Craigslist that I thought I'd share with the forum. I could not find too much information on this model on the Internet so I took some pictures for future reference in case anyone else was searching for it.

It is a model 79-035-04. I don't know when it was made but does not seem to be part of the mainstream workmate models. It is very well made and the frame is not folded sheet steel like the current generation of workmates. The working surface is 3/4" baltic birch plywood. I don't have a scale handy, but I estimate its weight to be about 45lbs.

I included some pictures of the box that it came in.

It has been a very handy foldable workbench for me because of my limited storage and space for a workshop. Using this and an old Xyliss Z-vise portable vice, I find that it has been an excellent work platform for projects around the house.

Hope this helps somebody.

 

[carbon]

That table is neato!

 

[nine4gmc]

Awesome, looks sturdy too!

 

[McBrownie]

I was looking for ideas for new tops for my Workmate 350 and came across this thread. Here is what did about a month ago and I'm really liking it. It's a dolly with 4" casters that I can sit my Workmate in. That lets me roll it around the garage. If I need to, I can lift it out, extend the legs and it's a regular Workmate again. The pictures aren't the best, but the Workmate dolly is Dachshund approved.

View media item 45138
View media item 45139
By the way, I think I will go the Baltic Birch route for the replacements tops and I'm going to double up the front edge to 1.5" thickness like the older models.

 

[Outlawmws]

Timely resurrection McB! I was using a couple of mine this weekend, and had a couple of tools that were mounted on the plates in use and had a spare plate to show as an example!

The first tool I setup for the WM: an old (even older than me) miter saw. Uses a cast steel Disston back saw. I've been using this puppy for > 25 years line this. It got the full treatment; an oak base, I even routed the edges with a Roman Ogee.

More prosaic, but this one is stored in the shelf unit, so had to be dimensional right, and rigid enough to not sag.

And the bar plate for how its constructed. The upside down "T" is why just sitting these on a shelf isn't great, as it would teeter totter on the grab bar.

 

[McBrownie]

And the bar plate for how its constructed. The upside down "T" is why just sitting these on a shelf isn't great, as it would teeter totter on the grab bar.

That is one strange miter saw. I remember someone on another thread talking about using two cleats on the edges that you would slip over the jaws instead of one in the middle that you put between the jaws. Then you would open the jaws to hold the jig instead of closing the jaws. The good part being that the jig won't teeter when it's put back on the shelf.

In other words, this:
=====
|| ||

Instead of this:
=====
||

What do you think?

 

[Outlawmws]

It would work but you better make those cleats a stronger attachment to the base, as now they are getting cantilevered pressure. with one in the middle, you can squeeze as hard as you want.

It would also have to be wider front to back, and may not fit on the average shelf.

 

[taumac]

I think that the jig would depend on the tool your using. That bigger jig where you would open to clap down would work better if clappig down a small table saw or chop saw where you would need a bigger board to mount the tool to. Then again nothing saying if had a saw bolted to a piece of plywood you couldn't drill some holes to line up with the holes in the top drop a peg or bolt through then open or close to keep it from moving.

Have a good one, Gerard

 

[Majordisorder]

This thread reminded me of something that happened back about 1980. I was doing some general carpentry for a guy and he just wasnt comfortable with me cutting 2x4's like many do, elevated slightly by my foot, and letting the worm drive just sort of hang while cutting.

About the time I was breaking down some plywood he brought out what I remember was a brand new workmate. He said something while I was cutting plywood on the ground so I grabbed the piece I was working on and put it on the workmate. The piece was about 2 x 4' and needed broke down further so without clamping it down at all I started cutting. The piece must have rotated slightly and I proceeded to make an angled kerf across one of the tops.

The owner didn't seem to mind and I couldn't apologize enough. That was my first experience with a workmate.

 

[ZRX61]

When I was over at Lenos place a while back I suggested they put a workmate behind his Elan & see if anyone made the connection.

 

[y'sguy]

ok, enough is enough. This thread an some snooping around has caused me to seek an early model B&D workmate. Just missed one locally here. Found another and got it on the way from out a town.
FWI when these came out I always scoffed at them as too gimmicky. Times change. Oh, and if they say they are hard to find anymore-well that's all I need to hear. !! Now I just need a new project to use it on.
Saw an original on EBAY in the box for about 350. Not that obsessed. yet.
damn you guys! her's the one I got for 50 bucks

 

[taumac]

I see them roughly about $25 - $50 on CL, GS, etc. I saw one of the original ones on CL but didn't want to drive the distance to go get. You'll find one when you least expect it.
Hell I found my 79-001 at curb when someone tossed it and another 250 literally down the block when walking the dog.

 

[southalabama]

I remember when my grandmother gave dad his workmate well over 30 years ago. We all laughed because granny was known for giving and buying gadgets. Well. Granny knew best on this one. Over thirty years and we are still finding new uses for it. I've been searching craigslist for my own. Those keeter plastic types are tempting but I like the traditional look of a 1980s workmate

 

[Bigbandguy]

I a newbie here and really appreciate that this thread has been brought to the top again. I have learned SO much about this versatile device. I have two of the stamped steel models and two of the HF knockoffs that I use for more damaging tasks. The idea about the 2x4 cleat under a piece of plywood for an instant table or a smaller plywood for an instant base for various tools is one of those ideas that I am amazed that I didn't think of. I will sure be using them. Thanks guys! What an informative place.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, so I'd never seen this thread before and realized my Workmate disappeared somehow inmy divorce of now 15 years ago.

I'll be searching Craigslist now - thanks guys! Lol.

It won't be long before the "Official Workmate Restoration Thread" shows up!

 

[Flange]

I picked up an older, vintage "non standard" workmate on Craigslist that I thought I'd share with the forum. I could not find too much information on this model on the Internet so I took some pictures for future reference in case anyone else was searching for it.

I have one of those and in the UK it is called a "Workmate 2000". Lots of pictures on Google if you use that search term.

I agree that it is a very handy aditional bench that is portable and can be stowed away when not needed.

 

[McBrownie]

This picture showed up over on the Craftsman Block Grinder thread, but really belongs here.

View media item 46175

 

[Will S.]

Late to the party, but what a great thread. And McB, thanks for posting that pic. I'll be using that design for tool bases, for a mitre saw, bending brake, small router table, etc.

I have 2 of them. One is a #200; not sure the model of the other. It is similar, but slightly different.Bought both of them new; one back in 1980/81, and I don't remember if I got the other one before or after that. They are both in use right now, supporting a temporary work-table, out in my barn. Now I have to go out there and check out the model numbers.

 

[Old Moparz]

This picture showed up over on the Craftsman Block Grinder thread, but really belongs here.

View media item 46175

This is one of the better ideas I've seen in some time.

Looks like I have a new winter project for my Work-Mate-Miter-Saw.