Black & Decker Workmate

[straightcut]

The Copilot - PM sent!

Thanks for the kind words - my very first GJ "You ****"!

 

[McBrownie]

I blame Garage Journal for this Workmate affliction! I spotted this on craigslist and immediately reached for my phone. Never mind that I have four already...

I do need to buy a Powerball ticket today!

Rare and in great shape. A museum piece! I see the label is printed in England. Is anything stamped into the step like my old one that is a generation or two newer than yours?

View media item 53169

 

[straightcut]

Hi McBrownie,

I've looked pretty closely at it and do not see any stamps where it was manufactured. However, on the label directly beneath "Black & Decker" is "Made in England". It's hard to see due to glare from the flash, but it's directly left of "Printed in England".

You're right about museum piece. What do you do with a tool that's too nice to use? Maybe I can put a table cloth on it and use it as a TV tray!

I like your new avatar!

 

[McBrownie]

Hi McBrownie,

I've looked pretty closely at it and do not see any stamps where it was manufactured. However, on the label directly beneath "Black & Decker" is "Made in England". It's hard to see due to glare from the flash, but it's directly left of "Printed in England".

You're right about museum piece. What do you do with a tool that's too nice to use? Maybe I can put a table cloth on it and use it as a TV tray!

I like your new avatar!

So the offshoring sequence was England to Ireland, Ireland to Canada, and then Canada to...... China?

On the avatar, that's my "miniature" dachshund who is quickly moving up a weight class or two. His nickname is "The Chunk" and he's great at being a couch potato. We have two and the other one has trouble keeping on weight. Hmmm. Might be time for separate feedings.

 

[straightcut]

I wonder if the designer, Ron Hickman living near England had anything to do with it's initial production in England?

Thanks for the back story on "The Chunk"!

 

[McBrownie]

It was cold in the garage today, but a good day to do a little straightening up. Got the workmates up and out of the way:

View media item 56242

 

[Outlawmws]

Good way to store them; out of the way but very handy, and its pretty much dead space anyway!

 

[Blue Frog]

I picked up a bench top model from an on-line auction - based solely on the picture of the box.





It turned out to be unused, and with all the small parts present.





Blue

 

[wu6fiend]

Interesting thread. I've owned a WM 425 for years, and never given it much thought, I never knew the history behind this ubiquitous tool. Mine was a gift (I think, I cannot recall buying it), and has served many purposes, last of which is a nearly permanent stand for my compound mitre saw. Before that, I've used it for painting projects, and lots of sawing (fixing our deck, doing trim around the house etc.) Its never broken or had any problems.

After reading through this thread, I'm going to go out and get a second 425 this morning!

 

[rmalkow2]

I picked up a bench top model from an on-line auction - based solely on the picture of the box.

It turned out to be unused, and with all the small parts present.

Blue

I've had one of those on my one workbench permanently for many years and use it constantly. I've found it to be a very handy extra set of hands for smaller jobs from cutting to just holding something and right there at bench height. Hope you enjoy it. You got a nice one NIB like that.

 

[Blue Frog]

Picked up a nice blue one today - first one I've seen other than picture posted on this forum. Except for being coated with layers of dust, it's in fine condition - no rust, excellent wood, and no broken parts.











I spotted this one at a viewing for an on-line auction and asked why it wasn't listed. Their response - "We just overlooked it - wanna make an offer?" I offered $20.00 and they accepted. I now have a blue Workmate to go with my other blue tools!


Blue

 

[Allgonquin]

Just finished a resto on my newly acquired Series 1. $20 on CL - wood was shot and it needed some TLC, a paint job and new feet, but I'm really pleased with it.

 

[McBrownie]

Picked up a nice blue one today - first one I've seen other than picture posted on this forum. Except for being coated with layers of dust, it's in fine condition - no rust, excellent wood, and no broken parts.

I spotted this one at a viewing for an on-line auction and asked why it wasn't listed. Their response - "We just overlooked it - wanna make an offer?" I offered $20.00 and they accepted. I now have a blue Workmate to go with my other blue tools!

Blue

Blue, Nice find! And for $20, you should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[McBrownie]

Just finished a resto on my newly acquired Series 1. $20 on CL - wood was shot and it needed some TLC, a paint job and new feet, but I'm really pleased with it.

All,

Really nice job with the tops and the paint. I would like to know more about the feet. I seem to have trouble finding replacement feet (M8x1.25?) for a reasonable price. Where did you get yours?

 

[jimgood]

I finished rebuilding mine a few months ago. Forgot to post a finished pic:

View media item 54590

 

[elguappo]

You went with the serious wood top. Nice.
I have 4 total workmates and all need some level of work, but in the mean time I just use them.

 

[McBrownie]

You went with the serious wood top. Nice.
I have 4 total workmates and all need some level of work, but in the mean time I just use them.

Serious tops is right. It will be hard to accidentally cut those in half.

 

[Allgonquin]

I used these feet from Grainger. Mine were 5/16" - 18.

https://e.grainger.com/pub/cc?_ri_=...xTLACnWrSxUfs6pQPn3QzJQdfItmQmPxgEOzESRxmJZzM.

Part # 4TPY4

 

[jimgood]

You went with the serious wood top. Nice.
I have 4 total workmates and all need some level of work, but in the mean time I just use them.

Serious tops is right. It will be hard to accidentally cut those in half.

It was reclaimed barn wood that I've had laying around for years.

 

[IPACA9]

Serious tops is right. It will be hard to accidentally cut those in half.

Are you telling on yourself? I laugh because I almost, just almost cut into one of mine a few days ago.

 

[McBrownie]

Are you telling on yourself? I laugh because I almost, just almost cut into one of mine a few days ago.

Well....... kind of. On my 350 with the flip jaw, I almost cut through one of the metal frame supports with a circular saw. I thought I had a really dull blade. It sure was dull when I was done.

I gave that one to a neighbor and he uses it constantly. It's still going strong.

 

[IPACA9]

Yeah I was just trying to do a quick cut on a 2x8 and wasn't even thinking about the table under it. I caught myself just as I was about to hit it.

 

[Kpaige]

I have had mine since I was 16 so 29 years! Love it. It's ugly and beat up and would not trade it for nothin

 

[Outlawmws]

One of my 200's has one saw cut from the PO. Right into one of the dog holes... Think I should demand my money... Wait, that one was free...

 

[Blue Frog]

Though not a Workmate, this item is made by Black & Decker, and I thought it better to show it in this forum than in the Vises of Garage Journal.

B & D Quick Vise - swivel base - dynamic jaw and shaft can be rotated 90 degrees - dynamic jaw can swivel by using the two threaded clamps. Very unusual - I've never seen one like it.

BTW, it came in a box of five vises from an on-line auction.














Blue

 

[Johnny Generic]

Deal or Not? Purchased a B&D WORKMATE 200 Looks brand new. $20.

 

[Outlawmws]

Very good deal IMO!

But...

 

[oldmxracer]

Just discovered this thread Today while on Google, trying to find what type this old Workmate might be.

Just bought it Yesterday did a small adjustment to the locking tabs and the darn old thing functions like new.

Did not get the deal others have. I paid $40 for it and have already ordered some orange pegs form eBay.

 

[elguappo]

Very nice.
I think these tools have been seriously under rated by tool snobs, probably because B&D is now associated with junk.
You can easily make these the basis of your workshop, by making bases for your portable power tools, like grinders, sanders, planer, miter saw etc. Flat base wtih a 2x2 or 2x3 on the bottom to clamp between the jaws.
OR even better you can have 2 of these with a workbench top across both workmates.

 

[McBrownie]

Just discovered this thread Today while on Google, trying to find what type this old Workmate might be.

Just bought it Yesterday did a small adjustment to the locking tabs and the darn old thing functions like new.

Did not get the deal others have. I paid $40 for it and have already ordered some orange pegs form eBay.

I think you did well. $40 for an old one that clean is more than fair.

 

[Nowater]

Just discovered this thread Today while on Google, trying to find what type this old Workmate might be.

Just bought it Yesterday did a small adjustment to the locking tabs and the darn old thing functions like new.

Did not get the deal others have. I paid $40 for it and have already ordered some orange pegs form eBay.

It looks identical to mine. A 3/4" dowel should fit in the holes, try it. One can glue the dowels to a small square piece of wood if you need to make more "square pegs"

 

[spark146]

I picked up an old single-level Workmate recently (Type 1, I guess?) and I need to replace one of the handles (i.e. one of the cranks). Sorry for the stupid question: how do I remove the old broken crank? I see that there must be a pin holding it in, but I can't get it to budge with a punch. Am I missing something?

 

[Outlawmws]

You mean the ones with an aluminum frame? Mine looks to be a roll pin; is it rusted in place?

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have an OLD Workmate 400 (Prolly from the middle to late 1980's), I need to replace the top, once restored, I'll post pictures

 

[McBrownie]

I have an OLD Workmate 400 (Prolly from the middle to late 1980's), I need to replace the top, once restored, I'll post pictures

I used "apple ply" on an older 350 and it worked well. The 350 has a 24" top, so that made it easier to source. Can't wait to see your pics.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

So I have a chance to pick up a good condition Workmate 400 for $40. Only thing is it's missing the orange pieces. Found on amazon for $8.

But appears to be in good condition: See pictures.
Says Type 4 on it which I don't know what that means or if that is good/bad?

My neighbor has a Workmate 425... how does the 400 differ from the 425? Is one better than the other?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[Outlawmws]

The 400 has the 2 clamping jaws, the 425 has a third section to make it a "work bench" both have the ability to swing the dynamic jaw to clamp vertically.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Would you say the 425 is better then in terms of overall use? I already have work benches so I only was entertaining the idea of picking up the workmate 400 because it's cheap at 40 bucks and appears to be in very good condition.

Can one add that section that the 425 has to the 400 to make it a workbench? Seems like it's just the center section when comparing the two online via the pictures.

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[Outlawmws]

I doubt there is any significant difference other than the added section, and yes I'd say you could either make an add on, or simply clamp on a larger work surface (Cleat on a larger surface, I've done that with all my WM's)

 

[FigureItOut]

On the 400, is the static section supposed to move freely within the notches if not clamped by the dynamic section, or is mine missing something?

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