Black & Decker Workmate

[Outlawmws]

No,your not missing anything; that is setup for multiple positions. It can only go so far back, then hits the stops. Its to allow for a much broader range of clamping sizes.

 

[FigureItOut]

No,your not missing anything; that is setup for multiple positions. It can only go so far back, then hits the stops. Its to allow for a much broader range of clamping sizes.

I thought so, but wasn't certain. Thank you.

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[FigureItOut]

I had my 400 out today to do some sewing on and thought I'd post my workmates. The 79-020 lives on the side shelf of my cart and I use it all the time. The 400 lives against the wall and makes things easier every time I use it.

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[stimpy]

I bought my 425 in the late 80s when I lived in a apartment when my wife complained about me building carbs on the kitchen table , so I got the Workmate , I still have it , its covered with paint , and also drilled for my reloading equipment so I can reload at the range ( and I use a RCBS rockchucker ) , its a sturdy little device , I have abused it ( held a pontiac 400 block when my engine stand was borrowed ,) it was worth the 80 bucks the wife complained about , and by the way , its still around shes not ...and it was more usefull

 

[NewShockerGuy]

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Excellent! Glad to see you have the middle piece.

I picked up the 400 from craigslist yesterday and it was just dirty.. Cleaned it up and it's in excellent condition.

I found a 425 middle section that you have on your 400, but the preson told me it's bamboo where the rest of my boards appear to be pressed particle board.... He's willing to sell me all the 425 panels and I am thinking of switching out what I have for the solid wood ones of the 425... he's willing to sell all 3 pieces for 20 bucks, you think that is worth it?

-Nigel

 

[Outlawmws]

for a bamboo top? I'd say yes.

 

[mmb617]

Some of you have workmates that are in such good condition I'd be afraid to use them for fear of getting a scratch on them. Mine is really, really beat up but it still works great. Most often it's used as a portable stand for my chop saw but it's done quite a variety of jobs in it's life.

I have no idea what model number it is. My dad gave it to me before he died 18 years ago.

 

[FigureItOut]

Some of you have workmates that are in such good condition I'd be afraid to use them for fear of getting a scratch on them. Mine is really, really beat up but it still works great. Most often it's used as a portable stand for my chop saw but it's done quite a variety of jobs in it's life.

I have no idea what model number it is. My dad gave it to me before he died 18 years ago.

I got my tabletop model still in the box, and the big one in great condition, but they're for use. I've already cut notches in and marked on my tabletop one, and I'll probably end up doing little mods to the 400. It's a WORKmate.

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[taumac]

I got my tabletop model still in the box, and the big one in great condition, but they're for use. I've already cut notches in and marked on my tabletop one, and I'll probably end up doing little mods to the 400. It's a WORKmate.

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+1. I found my 79-001 at curb that someone tossed away cause top was shot. I brought it home made top with some plywood and put it to work. Some restore them and some use the hell out of them.

 

[StormcrowAz]

I guess I’ll add my voice to “the Garage Journal made me do it” chorus. Found on Craigslist and picked it up last night. Very gently used, all parts there and nothing broken.







Came with 8 of the swivel grips and 4 of these clamps, which I’m not yet sure how they work. More time on Google…



I need to build a shed to support my workshop habit...

 

[McBrownie]

I guess I’ll add my voice to “the Garage Journal made me do it” chorus. Found on Craigslist and picked it up last night. Very gently used, all parts there and nothing broken

Came with 8 of the swivel grips and 4 of these clamps, which I’m not yet sure how they work. More time on Google…

I need to build a shed to support my workshop habit...

Holy smokes! 4 grip mates. I think I paid $20 for one. They are pretty handy hold down clamps. Nice find!

 

[taumac]

Black & Decker Workmate

Holy smokes! 4 grip mates. I think I paid $20 for one. They are pretty handy hold down clamps. Nice find!

Never seen those before. How do they work? I see that swivel pad for work piece but don't see what secures them into hole in top. Are there special slots to use them?My 79.001 I replaced top so idk.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Picked up the 425 table tops all 3 pieces. They are in brand new like never used condition. The guy gave me the plastic inserts that go on the bottom and the bolts too. My gripe with it on just a couple things. On my 400 I noticed that the bottom pieces that go into the wood actually have a metal peg/screw type of bolt that locks it into the workmate. On the 425 wood pieces these plastic pieces are just that, plastic. Which makes me wonder how long they would last before they snap?

If I could find a couple older workmate 400's that were junk I would buy them just to get the bottom plastic pieces with the metal stud in them so I could attach them to the 425's wood tops.

I didn't realize how thick the 400's table was until putting it beside the 425's wood top. My 400 is compressed wood but damn is it thick and heavy. The 425 pieces are at least half the thickness of the 400's. I think I would like the clamping of the 400 but the overall table workspace of the 425's extra pieces.

Right now I put the 425's wood on my 400, but will play around with the different options to see which works best.

I found a really cool guy on youtube that has many videos on how to maximize the workmate. I even asked him a couple questions and he made complete videos for me explaining some of the functions and differences, really went above and beyond my expectations! Think he has 29 videos just on the workmate.

Couple differences I looked at when viewing my neighbors true 425 compared to my hybrid 400/425 is that he has that center bar that can raise the one part of the work mate to clamp down vertically. This is nice if one hand isn't free, but I can't see clamping things down a lot like that so having the to side buttons to unlock isn't a big deal to me.

Next thing I like was that his has a small belt on the gears so that when you turn one handle the entire bench top slides instead of having to turn both handles at the same time. Again not a huge issue but one could probably adapt that to the older 400's except where his little support bar is, it's an upside down U so the belt can go under, where on mine it's a reversed U and acts as a small accessory/parts shelf. (which I actually prefer)

I noticed that his was a tiny bit wobblier and when looking at this support U bar, it was thinner gauge metal. Who knows if they are all like that buy the thickness of the metal on my U bar mini narrow shelf was about double the thickness.

Other than that, mine has what appears to be a cardboard type insert that is that the bottom of the workmate past the foot rest, and his doesn't. Mine fits in his work mate so one can easily make said shelf. I can't imagine that hold anything heavy with out it deforming or bending in half. One could probably get some thin ply wood and make their own and actually have it hold weight, but would also add weight to the workmate.

Overall I think the differences between his and mine are very small but noticeable and not a huge deal changer. I like the bigger work surface now of the 425 of mine, but don't like that the wood top is half the thickness... I guess give and take. If all three pieces were as thick as my compressed 400 top then it would be even heavier.

-Nigel

 

[McBrownie]

Re: Black & Decker Workmate

Never seen those before. How do they work? I see that swivel pad for work piece but don't see what secures them into hole in top. Are there special slots to use them?My 79.001 I replaced top so idk.

Taumac,

Now that you mention it, there are plastic sleeves for those clamps that fit in the dog holes. I'm not sure how they would work without them.

 

[StormcrowAz]

Taumac,
Now that you mention it, there are plastic sleeves for those clamps that fit in the dog holes. I'm not sure how they would work without them.

I don’t know a whole lot, Google however…


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299162

and

Neat article from when they came out


Also found these pics, might come in handy. Especially considering those nifty clamps won’t do much without something to retain them.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nigel, if you look at many of the older work mates, you will see the clamping face of the jaws have an extra piece glued to the underside to double the thickness. the Bamboo is so much stronger than most woods, much less particle board that even without that, you won't be missing much if any. Many of the older tops are also marine type plywood with lots of laminations.

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: Black & Decker Workmate

Taumac,

Now that you mention it, there are plastic sleeves for those clamps that fit in the dog holes. I'm not sure how they would work without them.

Those missing sleeves may still be available as replacement parts from B&D.

 

[taumac]

Very cool. I'm gonna keep eye open those clamps now.

 

[WoodNut]

This weekend I picked up another 79-001 Workmate. So I have 2 now.
I don't really know which type either of them are, but the first one I have has a marine plywood top and the newer one has an MDF core laminated with plywood on top and bottom. That makes them different in heighth by a 1/4".
I was hoping that they woud be exactly the same so I could put a top between the two of them. No problem though, as I can use a plywood shim on one of them if necessary.
The new purchase also included a set of 2 clamps, a Router and Shape guide and a Miter & Saw Guide.
I have Googled for the manual of the Miter and Saw Guide. Model 79-012. I've not been able to find it anywhere. It's probably pretty simple, but I would like to find it somewhere. Maybe someone knows where to find one?
Also, I have been a long time lurker of the GJ and this is my first post.
So, Howdy all! I'm glad to be a part of this group as I spend a good part of my time out in my garage.

C

 

[LS6 Tommy]

How do you guys keep stumbling across these things? The only ones I find are on ebay for too much money...

 

[FigureItOut]

How do you guys keep stumbling across these things? The only ones I find are on ebay for too much money...

I found both of mine on Craigslist. I check the tool section everyday, but if you live in a larger area that might not be feasible. If you're looking for something in particular, you can always set a search for a certain term, within a certain section, and you'll get an automated email whenever a new ad is placed that meets your search.

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[taumac]

Black & Decker Workmate

How do you guys keep stumbling across these things? The only ones I find are on ebay for too much money...

Craigslist, flea market, garage sales, and every once in a while someone throws one out because the top is shot.The way my luck is finding stuff is it always shows up when I'm not looking for it but when I need to find it they're nowhere to be found.

 

[FigureItOut]

Re: Black & Decker Workmate

I discovered something annoying about my 400 the other day. The 3 sets of slots for the rear top piece are spaced father apart than the travel of the moving top piece. This means there are intermediary ranges that you cannot clamp. If I recall, I discovered that there's no position that will clamp two pieces of 2"X lumber.

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[bates2090]

My son bought me a Workmate that attaches to a wall or workbench. I have used it many times in the last 40 years. Just recently I found a stand alone Workmate in a dumpster, just a couple of bolts and oil and it was good as new, what luck.

 

[LuvAZ]

I got one of the earlier ones new for my 15th BDay in 1978 from my sister & brother.

Several moves cross-country, four houses later and I still have it & use it like any other tool in the garage!

Thanks,
Will

 

[Beenman]

After years of searching I finally stumbled upon one for around $20. Very good nick, all the rubbers are still present on the feet and corners etc. Unfortunately missing the plastic "locks" that insert on top.

 

[Weekend_warrior]

You can get the locks for the top on Ebay or amazon IIRC. I have one that was my dads from when I was a kid. Mid to late 70's. I still bust it out every now and then for projects.

 

[Beenman]

You can get the locks for the top on Ebay or amazon IIRC.

Thanks, saw a few links here and there to WM parts on ebay. Is very expensive to ship to SA though, so might just make up something myself down the line.

 

[RonnieC]

I have had a Workmate 225 for about 25 years. Bought it when I was single and an apartment dweller. Always thought I'd get rid of it once I had a "real" bench. I still find reasons to drag that thing around! Still works great- only issue is one of the plastic locks to hold the swing-out legs is broken.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Re: Black & Decker Workmate

I found both of mine on Craigslist. I check the tool section everyday, but if you live in a larger area that might not be feasible. If you're looking for something in particular, you can always set a search for a certain term, within a certain section, and you'll get an automated email whenever a new ad is placed that meets your search.

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Craigslist, flea market, garage sales, and every once in a while someone throws one out because the top is shot.The way my luck is finding stuff is it always shows up when I'm not looking for it but when I need to find it they're nowhere to be found.

For some reason Craigslist is usually a total bust for me, no matter what I'm looking for...

Tommy

 

[Outlawmws]

After years of searching I finally stumbled upon one for around $20. Very good nick, all the rubbers are still present on the feet and corners etc. Unfortunately missing the plastic "locks" that insert on top.

You can get the locks for the top on Ebay or amazon IIRC. I have one that was my dads from when I was a kid. Mid to late 70's. I still bust it out every now and then for projects.

Thanks, saw a few links here and there to WM parts on ebay. Is very expensive to ship to SA though, so might just make up something myself down the line.

You can also get them directly from B&D, so see if you have a B&D parts distribution for South Africa.

 

[Beenman]

You can also get them directly from B&D, so see if you have a B&D parts distribution for South Africa.

I checked the local B&D website which listed no spares. But maybe I'll shoot down to the local hardware this weekend as they stock B&D power-tools, so might be able to order them in for me from B&D HQ.

Thanks.

 

[GTO]

After years of searching I finally stumbled upon one for around $20. Very good nick, all the rubbers are still present on the feet and corners etc. Unfortunately missing the plastic "locks" that insert on top.

Nice score for $20...

 

[Blue Frog]

They're handy when planning for a garage sale.





Add a couple of wide boards and you're set to go. BTW, the WM under the band saw is promised to another GJ member.





Blue Frog

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I picked up a basically new but dusty "Desktop" Workmate a while ago - at the curb for free of course . . .

2 weeks ago my son spotted another one - this one is streaked with what looks like tar and one of the handles is damaged.

If any GJ folks in NJ are interested - let me know! I'm looking to clear them out to an interested party for FREE. I'm in 07946 - Morris County.

Cheers

Jim

PS - that's not mine in the pic - just there for a reference

 

[fartymarty]

Re: Black & Decker Workmate

I discovered something annoying about my 400 the other day. The 3 sets of slots for the rear top piece are spaced father apart than the travel of the moving top piece. This means there are intermediary ranges that you cannot clamp. If I recall, I discovered that there's no position that will clamp two pieces of 2"X lumber.

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Hmmmm..are you sure your front jaw is mounted correctly? That seems like something that would be widely known and criticized on the ol' www.

Excerpt from the Owner's manual:

Withe the rear vise jaw in the front set of holes (those closest to the front vise jaw) the vise opens from zero (jaw touching) to 2-5/8" maximum.
With the rear jaw in the middle set of holes the opening ranges from 2-3/8" minimum to 5-5/8 maximum.
With the rear vise jaw in the rear set of holes, the vise opening ranges from 5-1/2" minimum to 8-3/8" maximum.

 

[Outlawmws]

Jim, That is a good one to build into a work bench and use for mounting bench tools as a "Bench Tool Station". If it will tilt a full 90 deg. you could also mount it to a wall (on studs of course)

If it will

I picked up a basically new but dusty "Desktop" Workmate a while ago - at the curb for free of course . . .

2 weeks ago my son spotted another one - this one is streaked with what looks like tar and one of the handles is damaged.

If any GJ folks in NJ are interested - let me know! I'm looking to clear them out to an interested party for FREE. I'm in 07946 - Morris County.

Cheers

Jim

PS - that's not mine in the pic - just there for a reference

Jim, That is a good one to build into a work bench and use for mounting bench tools as a "bench tool Station"

 

[Blue Frog]

There's a lot of rust on this old Type 7, but I couldn't leave it behind for $5.00. It'll be good for parts.








Blue Frog

 

[captain14]

Parts? That's your outside and dirty Workmate!

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ +1 . . . that baby's a BEAUTY !!

Heck for $5 that is lifetime keeper . . . . AND . . . YOU **** !!!