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Black & Decker Workmate

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y'sguy

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May 1, 2010
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Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma
y'sguy said:
bought this one on C-list a couple a weeks ago. 50$
I used to think these things were a joke when they first came out. But now I find them real handy. And of course thanks to GJ I became instantly obsessed to try to find what I couldn't.
I can't be cured!
workmate.jpg
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I posted this back in Jan. I think when I made the deal. I got it delivered from a good friend who was coming to see me anywa, in April.
I love this thing!
I am in the middle of a DIY bathroom remodel and it has been used a lot! Great Too. Of course I was a sucker for the aluminum version and still on the lookout for another at a reasonable price. However as most things gradually get back in demand and other tool geeks like try to find this stuff it seems like the price is going up. That is if you pay attenton on EBAY. And now I notice the real killer-diassembling one and selling off the parts one by one!
My first thoughs before this one arrived was how I would faithfully restore it. But hey, she looked good and went right to work. I am going to just use it and enjoy it's very light patina. It clearly didn't get much use at all and was even hard to open up.The stamp #'s under read type4? ithink and 734-12. It has the fibreboard jaws not the plywood.

bdworkmate.JPG
 
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straightcut

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Jan 24, 2013
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340
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Outlawmws said:
First let's get this out of the way (obligatory) "Without those feet and handles, that thing is incredibly dangerous; I like to help fellow GJ members out, so since I have several more than I need at this point, I'll trade you straight across and make sure that ever so dangerous unit stays safely away from careless fingers; PM me for the shipping address..." :evil:


The feet may be similar to the other early units, which used fairly std. screw-in feet. What thread are they?

I'd need to see closeups of the handles and have you measure the hole diameter and arm thickness, but it's possible the current handles may fit.
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I'm sorry for the delay; it's been busy at work and I don't have my tap & die set anywhere near. The crank portion of the handles look the same as the early Workmates with cast aluminum upper bracket models. I'd hate to go to the later all plastic cranks. Instead, I'd prefer to try to find two knobs that I can attach to the cast aluminum cranks. Thanks for the tip on the feet. Would I try McMaster Carr for those?

Maybe I'll check out eBay for some cast aluminum knobs. If I can't get these parts, I expect it's just best that I box this up and ship it off to you, Outlaw! :lol:

Edit to add: Look what I just turned up at McMaster Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-component-knobs/=xrulf2 The threaded oval knob looks pretty decent.
 
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Jagmandave

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Nov 6, 2011
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Location
Overland Park, Ks.
One thing to be aware of if you're planning on getting a pair of these, different generations were different heights....

I had one I got new in the early 70's and later I bought another so I could use them like saw horses - the one I bought recently was an earlier generation with the aluminum structure and it was taller than my original one.

So I gave my original all steel one to my son and found another early one that like the one I recently bought, so now I have a matched set.
 
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McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
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Location
Cleveland, OH
Jagmandave said:
One thing to be aware of if you're planning on getting a pair of these, different generations were different heights....

I had one I got new in the early 70's and later I bought another so I could use them like saw horses - the one I bought recently was an earlier generation with the aluminum structure and it was taller than my original one.

So I gave my original all steel one to my son and found another early one that like the one I recently bought, so now I have a matched set.
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Thanks for the info. I was looking at picking up a second one and wondered if this might be the case. There is a exact match for mine on CL for $25, but it's a 5 hour drive away. :willy_nil
 
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Outlawmws

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It gets more convoluted even for WorkMates of the same basic design and era: the 200 is a different height than the 400. and probably the 300, and definitely than the aluminum frame units...

I'm sure its the same for the 225, 425 etc...

Jaw widths also differ, as does the use of an added strip underneath for making a deeper jaw face, The "modem" units dropped the thicker jaw face...
 
Y

y'sguy

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May 1, 2010
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Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Copilot said:
That is a very nice Workmate! It's got the three raised ribs on the footrest just like the one I just restored for my father-in-law (see post #313 of this thread). To the best of my understanding based on looking at a lot of photos, these "3-rib" varieties came just after the "4-rib" varieties. Most of the "3-rib" Workmates with cast aluminum risers have had black plastic end-caps on the crank handles. Many of the "4-rib" varieties have metal end-caps on the crank handles. Needless to say Black & Decker made a number of changes to various components of the Workmate and trying to figure out where they fit into the chronology is very challenging.
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Thanks CoPilot! I just missed another like it last week for 25 but it was just far enough away I couldn't get to it.:(
I am for sure an aluminum workmate snob now. Thanks to you GJ'ers.
Like I mentioned before keep on the lookout I feel the demand may make the price creep up.
 
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GardenaD

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Jan 4, 2015
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3
txusa03 said:
pic...and it is a Dual 27" 79-009

How sturdy are these as the base (foot print) is not as wide as some of the one seen here. Anyone own one or has iny input on this model? Might use it as a miter saw stand or a small dewalt jobsite table saw stand.
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I have one just like that. I use it for my miter saw mostly. I use it on the lawn or driveway anywhere I need it. Have not found it to be unstable. Flip the legs up and clamp a door in it for planning. I got mine in about 1980 and it came with a 5.5 inch circular saw that I still have. I would buy another just like it in a heartbeat if ever found one.
 
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straightcut

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Jan 24, 2013
Messages
340
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Outlawmws said:
The feet may be similar to the other early units, which used fairly std. screw-in feet. What thread are they?

I'd need to see closeups of the handles and have you measure the hole diameter and arm thickness, but it's possible the current handles may fit.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I found the threaded holes where the feet were missing have had their threads pulled out. Strangely, the three feet that remained are 8mm X 1.25. Perhaps at some point, someone ran a metric tap through, which weakened the threads. I'll need to heli-coil them if I would like to install feet.

I purchased some Dimco-Gray black phenolic oval tapered knobs with brass insert to replace the missing knobs. I'll post a picture when they arrive and I get them installed. I wanted to retain the aluminum arms instead of replacing with the current plastic version.
 
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McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
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Cleveland, OH
straightcut said:
Unfortunately, I found the threaded holes where the feet were missing have had their threads pulled out. Strangely, the three feet that remained are 8mm X 1.25. Perhaps at some point, someone ran a metric tap through, which weakened the threads. I'll need to heli-coil them if I would like to install feet.

I purchased some Dimco-Gray black phenolic oval tapered knobs with brass insert to replace the missing knobs. I'll post a picture when they arrive and I get them installed. I wanted to retain the aluminum arms instead of replacing with the current plastic version.
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I bet those threads are original. Workmates seem to be metric beasts. For example the dog holes in the tops are 20mm, not 3/4".
 
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BajaScout

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San Diego, CA
CNGsaves said:
Wow . . . Baja . . . go snag ALL the stuff that guy is selling. Might be able to bargain him down to $35 for the whole lot . . . Workmate, 4 ft level & ax !! :D

I'd be jumping on that if I had the chance as all the Workmates that pop up on CL around here are the new style. :sad:
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I already have a workmate, but could use a good hatcher or small ax for chopping wood that I use in my smoker. Interested in this hatchet but he wants to much for it:

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/5048734574.html

It is a cool hatchet though. I offered him $20 for it. Probably more than it is worth, but it is cool looking.
 
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CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
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KS and OK
^ ^ ^ If I were to guess . . . . he's saying it's a 400 series model Workmate.

I'm not exactly sure as I don't have an older model yet. My highest model number is 525 which is newer style but it has built in hand truck.

Those older style Workmates with the wide legs and better construction are the cat's meow. I'd snag every one at garage or estate sale if I get chance in future.
 
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Blue Frog

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Jun 22, 2014
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363
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Lynn Haven, FL
Well, here's my pick up for today - same vintage as one that I bought originally in 1976. It's still in the back of my A3, but the pictures show a pretty good description of it's condition. The wood looks to be in good condition, though I will be removing all the black paint.





The step has four ribs just as my other one has.





One of hand cranks is broken, so if anyone knows where I can get one, please reply.





With this one, I now have three - one too many - so if any GJ member is in the Columbus, OH area and is interested in a Black and Decker Workmate, type 4, in very good condition, let me know. I'll not place it up for sale anywhere else.


Blue
 
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Outlawmws

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BajaScout said:
I already have a workmate, but could use a good hatcher or small ax for chopping wood that I use in my smoker. Interested in this hatchet but he wants to much for it:

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/5048734574.html

It is a cool hatchet though. I offered him $20 for it. Probably more than it is worth, but it is cool looking.
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That is likely a Bridgeport steel haft hatchet. they come with nicely fitted wood scales. It looks like that one was "redone" :dunno:
 
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Gfercaks33

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Oklahoma City
I have a 225 work mate and the particle board tops have lived out their life any suggestions on a decent wood to replace them with? Also any way to upgrade the little plastic locks that go into the frame as they are super loose and move around like carzy.
 
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Outlawmws

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Gfercaks33 said:
I have a 225 work mate and the particle board tops have lived out their life any suggestions on a decent wood to replace them with? Also any way to upgrade the little plastic locks that go into the frame as they are super loose and move around like carzy.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I'm not following what you are talking about? :dunno:
 
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ScottsGT

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Jan 1, 2014
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Lake Wateree, SC
I was driving through the neighborhood heading up to Lowes last weekend and a neighbor had thrown one out on the curb. Didn't take long for it to register in my brain what that pile of metal was on the curb. Did a 180 and picked it up!
It's an older all steel model that two of the rubber feet came off of and it rocks around terribly and the wood tops don't come off and fit in other slots like my other one does.
A little work and a few parts and it will be like new again.
 
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valentine

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Oct 27, 2008
Messages
239
I have to say that my 25 year old Workmate is old and tired but it still functions well. It's been used for everything from auto repair to carpentry jobs to being used as a kids lemonade stand. Even used it as a podium at a scouting event. Wish it had a more substantial build but I have to admit the cheap sheet metal has really held up. i really had no idea how useful my Workmate would be when i bought it. Its saved my bacon many times.
-Valentine
 
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McBrownie

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Mar 27, 2014
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Cleveland, OH
Gfercaks33 said:
I found replacement parts but I think I would wind up in the same predicament I'm in shortly because they didn't last very long.


http://www.ereplacementparts.com/slide-index-bkt-p-95715.html?osCsid=cbgfpqugoesepbb6vau2sk0fo3
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How many "cycles" are you putting your jaws through? I would think it would take a lot of back and forth to wear those out.

What I wish I could find are the metal nuts that go into the slots in the frame. If I could find those, then I could make the middle jaw like the model 425 has.
 
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CTyankee

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Jan 13, 2013
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CT
I picked up a Workmate 300 a few weeks ago. It would kind to say it's had a rough life., but I did only pay a dollar for it.:)

Today I picked up a Type 2 79-001 off CL. It was about 40 miles away, but I really wasn't doing much and it was a nice scenic ride to where it was located.

For as bad as my 300 is....this one is that good. I doubt I'll ever come across one again in this condition. The guy was the second owner, who never really used it. About the worst I can say about it is it's a little dusty. :D Even the rubber feet are like new.

He was asking 40 or BO. I told him it was well worth the 40, but it would be nice if he'd take 5 dollars off for my gas. He laughed and took the 35.

The first pic is the 300.....and the rest are today's pickup.
 

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McBrownie

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