Firebird 1
Well-known member
I have one of the originals if I can figure out where it is I will measure for you. I got a new one about a year ago to use as a base for my small blasting cabinet, boy is it a pos compared to the old ones.
Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
Dennis Leigh Henry
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.
If that bench could talk.. I'll bet it would tell some tales... really neat patina.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I don't think your reservation will work but it's an excellent idea. You CAN'T edit posts after...what is it? 30 minutes or so?
McBrownie
Well-known member
Dan, I think it will work. I've added pictures days later.
Co, I keep looking for one of those old originals, but no luck yet. I can't wait to see it cleaned up.
Co, I keep looking for one of those old originals, but no luck yet. I can't wait to see it cleaned up.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Sure you can; I've done it years later. My Garage Sale thread in For Sale is based on that.
EDIT: And to be sure it hadn't changed; I just updated a page of it...
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taumac
Well-known member
+2 I've gone back and edited some of my beginning garage thread posts with no issues.
I think if anything it's probably best to quote your original post then restoration finished. If you edit it's most likely the people that follow thread won't see your edited post.
Honest Bob
Well-known member
I love my workmate. Hell I almost use it more than my bench. Its a miter stand, paint booth, sanding, cleaning, and a bike stand (upsideown and situate the seat inbetween the jaws).
I got it for $10 at a yard sale. I'll be picking up another when the chance arrives.
Just clamp those curtain rods in there!
I got it for $10 at a yard sale. I'll be picking up another when the chance arrives.
Just clamp those curtain rods in there!
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altersaddle
Well-known member
Haha, wow! At first I thought you had an unusual model, and couldn't figure out how it actually worked.
Then I saw the actual WorkMate underneath, working. Makes a lot more sense now...
I might rig up something like that for painting bicycle frames. Great work!
Then I saw the actual WorkMate underneath, working. Makes a lot more sense now...
I might rig up something like that for painting bicycle frames. Great work!
Honest Bob
Well-known member
Its not the best pic. I dont know if it would be sturdy enough for a bike frame but its worth a shot!
John Bender
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2015
- Messages
- 12
I made some "folding leg retainers" out of plywood.
My thought was that the metal tab on the leg would provide enough flex to move across the rigid retainer 'hump'...
Works pretty good.
Took some tweaking to make it hold...but none have broken yet...
My thought was that the metal tab on the leg would provide enough flex to move across the rigid retainer 'hump'...
Works pretty good.
Took some tweaking to make it hold...but none have broken yet...
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Bike frame should be no problem, I had a full sized heavy drill press on one for several years without issue. I also put a table extender on another, and my 12" RAS was on that for several years.
TractorJeff
Well-known member
Didn't have time to read them all, but my Workmate is(??????). How does 20 years old sound? I bought it when I was apartment living and never let it go. It has the particle board tops but that's OK. I use it in the house still all the time!
kbeefy
Well-known member
I picked up an old school workmate for $20 at an estate sale, already used it many times.
Theres one at a local thrift shop for $5 missing a folding leg. Any source or anyone have parts?
Theres one at a local thrift shop for $5 missing a folding leg. Any source or anyone have parts?
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/black-and-decker-workmate-parts-c-4167_4340.html?source=gaws&gclid=CMv9k7HEucUCFdQRHwodFlIAxA
Kbeefy, check the link above ^^^^ You need the model number. A new leg for the 20 year old model I have is $7. I've ordered parts for my air compressor from this company and service was fast.
Kbeefy, check the link above ^^^^ You need the model number. A new leg for the 20 year old model I have is $7. I've ordered parts for my air compressor from this company and service was fast.
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Moose02
Well-known member
what is a b&d 400 worth
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Depends on condition and how bad you need one. Compare to a new 425 and go from there...
McBrownie
Well-known member
Outlaw
Funny, but I never looked at new one. $110 from Amazon? Suddenly my $10 garage sale find that needed new feet and tops doesn't seem like such a good deal. Leaving the cast aluminum models out of the discussion, any idea how the new ones compare to models from the '80's or '90's?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Again it depends: What model? What did you replace the jaw/tops with? The current (back to the 80s/90s all steel workmates at least) have particle board and it doesn't take much to damage it. Definitely don't get it wet! And they don't hold a candle to the marine ply the old ones had...
Feet are cheap enough, and the plastic leg catches aren't expensive.
BTW, HD has the 425 under 100: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Workmate-425-Portable-Project-Center-and-Vise-WM425/202516382?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cTools&gclid=CjwKEAjwpsGqBRCioKet--bp_QcSJADCtbsbujdQ5HsrkDm6luLZOaJB1xNokq9DmQ5Q2D_42bbYABoCh0Pw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The TV tray models I wouldn't keep for free. A proper WM is a stable work base...
Feet are cheap enough, and the plastic leg catches aren't expensive.
BTW, HD has the 425 under 100: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Workmate-425-Portable-Project-Center-and-Vise-WM425/202516382?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cG%7cBase%7cPLA%7cD25T%7cTools&gclid=CjwKEAjwpsGqBRCioKet--bp_QcSJADCtbsbujdQ5HsrkDm6luLZOaJB1xNokq9DmQ5Q2D_42bbYABoCh0Pw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The TV tray models I wouldn't keep for free. A proper WM is a stable work base...
41ratrod
Well-known member
I got a early 80's one ,and still use it .Put it to work last week while sanding some cabinet doors and painting them. Saw one on CL $40 just like mine.
I don't need another one but if I did I would get it.
I don't need another one but if I did I would get it.
McBrownie
Well-known member
I put on "apple ply" tops, which are pretty nice. Doesn't delaminate like the big box store plywood and can put up with moisture. Mine is a 350 and probably 20 years old. I'm glad I got one.
I have almost bought a B&D workmate for years. I remember having one in my cart once when my wife asked what would I use it for? I couldn't come up with a good answer, since I already have a Jawhorse, so I put it back. This Christmas Menards had some non B&D imitation workmates for $7. I was about to make some stands for some of my shop machines a scroll saw & drill press and thought these would make great stands so I bought 4. Two I use as stands and the other two are in my garage & workshop. I am surprised how much I use them. I should have bought a workmate years ago.
McBrownie
Well-known member
First of all, $15 gets you a "You ****". But wow, what a transformation! Very nice work and I would say that it is definitely ready for another 40 years.
OP
abstamaria
Well-known member
Wonderful job, Copilot.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
senlow
Well-known member
Hey Copilot. Your Workmate looks great.
easyrider13
Well-known member
I screwed up and left my workmate outside over the winter ruining the wood jaws.
On a B&D parts site the cost of the replacements was very high.
Is there a site (or other seller) you can recommend to buy these for a more affordable price?
On a B&D parts site the cost of the replacements was very high.
Is there a site (or other seller) you can recommend to buy these for a more affordable price?
y'sguy
Well-known member
I didn't think you could buy the replacement jaws? But certainly you could make up some new ones. Seems pretty easy to me. And you could use a better quality of plywood possibly. And don't leave it outside! 
Blue Frog
Well-known member
I picked up a very nice, but dusty one, off C/L today - it's a type 4 with the original label on top. I'll post pictures tonight.
Blue
Blue
taumac
Well-known member
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
This thread made me want one of these and I picked one up today for $25!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
These are the older jaws the Aluminum frame model has; Note it's hi-grade ply and they added a secondary piece to make the jaw face thicker. I like this feature, adn recoment better materials for the jaw...
If you can source it, I bet bamboo would make killer WM jaws...
Attachments
McBrownie
Well-known member
This is what I used. It's a 13-ply no-void plywood. Get a 24" x 24" piece and have some leftover. A 20mm Forster bit is needed if you are going to use the original dogs. Or, buy 3/4" ones from Rockler and drill 3/4 holes.
http://www.appleply.com/
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Is it laminated? I would expect so...
IPACA9
Well-known member
I found a local guy that has a pair of these that he will sell for 70 bucks. They are the workmate 425s. I already have one that I think is an original. Very heavy. Is there any special site that tells about the differences of these?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That would be a good choice! did you double the faces?
Not sure what I'm going to do when I weed down to fewer WM's.. I have a bunch of tools setup for clamping in the single thickness jaws. Maybe I keep one of the three 200's for a dedicated power tool stand...
If I suddenly had unlimited space I'd make a bigger bench and embed the hobby or table top model into the bench top to do the job...
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
I found a local guy that has a pair of these that he will sell for 70 bucks. They are the workmate 425s. I already have one that I think is an original. Very heavy. Is there any special site that tells about the differences of these?
425 should be current production I think
IIR, that has a 3 piece top and you can get a wider opening by removing the middle one, and the clamping jaw should have the "til up" feature so you can clamp down on the top. nice to have.
for $70 in that condition that's a deal!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
It pretty much is! Not much of a story: I was at an estate sale, it was actually sitting outside the garage in the entry area before the front door. I happened to step outside the side garage door, saw it, and asked if it was for sale. "Sure, hows $5 sound?" 
Needless to say, I simply picked it up and set it in my pile.
It's missing the screw-on feet for the "short" stance, but those are just fairly std screw in feet available at any hardware store. Or maybe you are expected to use the ones on the extendable legs...
Other than that, it's complete and really doesn't look like it's ever been used. 
Not much of a story: I was at an estate sale, it was actually sitting outside the garage in the entry area before the front door. I happened to step outside the side garage door, saw it, and asked if it was for sale. "Sure, hows $5 sound?" Needless to say, I simply picked it up and set it in my pile.
It's missing the screw-on feet for the "short" stance, but those are just fairly std screw in feet available at any hardware store. Or maybe you are expected to use the ones on the extendable legs...
Other than that, it's complete and really doesn't look like it's ever been used. 