SilverDeck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2016
- Messages
- 481
Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
They sold them here too, and I'm not a fan. Too unstable compared to the real deal... Better that the "X frame TV tray style legs, but only barely.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
thool
Well-known member
I have a 200 that was gifted to me about 28 years ago as a housewarming gift. I used it maybe once a year for a while, but then once I moved it from the basement to the garage, I use it a few times a month. It has been used to mount a B&D chop saw, sharpen mower blades, cut all kinds of wood, grip tubes for cutting/painted/grinded...a great "must have" tool.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
I started with a 200, got a 400, then a second 200 so I had 2 the same height. Later a third 200 followed me home. Once I got up to 3 of the aluminum units I sold all 4 last summer. Nothing wrong with them, I just didn't need 7 Workmates! (I have since picked up another 550 for the oversize top...)
rmalkow2
Well-known member
WooHoo!!
I think my Workmate collection is now complete. I found another aluminum X frame model. Not as old at the previous one but still this one is in solid working condition. Just needs a good cleaning, lubrication and maybe a new coat of paint on the steel parts. Now I can get rid of my lesser quality all steel versions and have one of these two in each shop area. Got it for an $11 bid. About $13 all total with tax and bidder fee.
I think my Workmate collection is now complete. I found another aluminum X frame model. Not as old at the previous one but still this one is in solid working condition. Just needs a good cleaning, lubrication and maybe a new coat of paint on the steel parts. Now I can get rid of my lesser quality all steel versions and have one of these two in each shop area. Got it for an $11 bid. About $13 all total with tax and bidder fee.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice! It's also great to have 2 the same height for when you have a long hing to hold!
whackywaxer
Well-known member
I have had mine since about 1985 ......use it all the time great value and design ...I even use it for waxing my skis in the winter.
SGHinds
Member
I was given a Workmate to use as a reloading bench. I have since upgraded but kept the Workmate handy. I recommend them whenever someone needs a good work table that can be packed away when needed.
trijeff
Well-known member
Nice, I also have two aluminum x-frames and it makes for a really great set.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
$5 and $13? Now those are great prices!
I don't suppose there's any chance of getting a scan of the manual is there? I would love to have that. I have a scan of the manual for the British B&D WM325, which was the home market designation for what we got in the U.S. as the type E. Does the Type E manual show workers sitting, kneeling, and even standing on their Workmates in various ways while they work? I thought those were pretty amusing, and I doubt they made it into the U.S. manual.
I see that neither one has all eight original feet, but that's almost a universal problem. I had to buy two Type E's to assemble one complete set of feet. (I think I wound up with ten feet all together.) I also see that both have the typical rust problem inside the steel sleeves for the dog holes, a real pain to clean up.
Jim_No_Garage
Well-known member
Folks - it's time to thin the herd a little bit.
I have 2 steel framed B&D Workmate 300's that I'm willing to give to GJ Members (someone can have both - I don't care) to get them out of my garage.
I've had them since the ealry 90's. One was given to me by a friend - it was given to him by his FIL but he couldn't bring it onto the job site because of the the abuse he would take from others. The other was given to me when my FIL moved away to Florida.
I have accumulated 4 aluminum framed WM's so the "steel sisters" must go. I will scare up some "dogs" for each WM.
These would be pickup in zip 07946 - Millington NJ. I'd like to get them out of the garage this weekend if possible - but I'm willing to hold onto them if you can't get here that quickly.
Cheers
Jim
PS:Kill this post if not appropriate in this thread.
I have 2 steel framed B&D Workmate 300's that I'm willing to give to GJ Members (someone can have both - I don't care) to get them out of my garage.
I've had them since the ealry 90's. One was given to me by a friend - it was given to him by his FIL but he couldn't bring it onto the job site because of the the abuse he would take from others. The other was given to me when my FIL moved away to Florida.
I have accumulated 4 aluminum framed WM's so the "steel sisters" must go. I will scare up some "dogs" for each WM.
These would be pickup in zip 07946 - Millington NJ. I'd like to get them out of the garage this weekend if possible - but I'm willing to hold onto them if you can't get here that quickly.
Cheers
Jim
PS:Kill this post if not appropriate in this thread.
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LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I'd take one in a heartbeat if I Pelican Pines didn't already put one aside for me. You're making an excellent offer for some lucky people! 
Tommy
Tommy
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I know how you feel Jim; I had 7 full size, and sold 2 200's and a 400. That left me with 2 aluminum (One pristine, and one well worked) and one "first get" steel with the good marine ply jaws with the laminated thick jaw face. I could not justify keeping 7 full size workmates around...
I was later given a big #550 with the extended top (nice to have for some jobs...), But that's enough. I'll buy another only to upgrade or flip...
I was later given a big #550 with the extended top (nice to have for some jobs...), But that's enough. I'll buy another only to upgrade or flip...
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'd take one in a heartbeat if I Pelican Pines didn't already put one aside for me. You're making an excellent offer for some lucky people!
Tommy
My wife keeps looking at it... I put it on her side of the garage... I told her that's Tommy's... see … it's got a label on it...
She rolled her eyes...
She also wants me to get rid of the "triple bagger lawn tractor attachment"... NOS (in box)
If people don't come to take this stuff... she may throw ~me~ away... to make room.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
I'll see if I can get the manual scanned over the weekend and PM you when it's ready. No problem at all.
Bob
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
American Iron
Well-known member
Unfortunately I didn't get a manual with mine. It does have a sticker on it from The Desk Center London. Hard to read but it looks to say that. Maybe mine was purchased in England and brought over? Can't see why a Desk Center sticker would be on a US retail product.
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The sticker says it was selected for The Design Center in London. It was an honor in recognition of superior industrial design. I believe it's now known as the Design Museum. This might very well have been used as a selling point in the U.S. as well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, what was sold as the 79-001 Type E in the U.S. was the WM325 in the UK, so it's unlikely yours was purchased in the UK.
Motown
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
It's the first gen and that has been posted (not being coy, I don't have them memorized)
Just a little nudge to remind you about the manual...
Shootinok
Well-known member
This could also probably go in the “what did you buy because of garage journal”string.
I had a cheapo stamped steel workmate years ago that was given to me. I thought it was hobbyists quality, cheap, unnecessary sawhorse, and never used it. After sitting in a shed for about 10 years I gave it away too.
Then you guys start posting the old ones here and they sparked my interest (a little)
I saw a saw advertised on CL sitting on an old workmate and offered the seller to buy just the base. He gladly sold it for $30 and I entered the realm understanding of what a REAL workmate is. Got to admit - this things pretty cool.
I cleaned it up and hopefully didn’t commit too bad of a misdeed when I painted the base with hammerite.
Before:
After
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
I had a cheapo stamped steel workmate years ago that was given to me. I thought it was hobbyists quality, cheap, unnecessary sawhorse, and never used it. After sitting in a shed for about 10 years I gave it away too.
Then you guys start posting the old ones here and they sparked my interest (a little)
I saw a saw advertised on CL sitting on an old workmate and offered the seller to buy just the base. He gladly sold it for $30 and I entered the realm understanding of what a REAL workmate is. Got to admit - this things pretty cool.
I cleaned it up and hopefully didn’t commit too bad of a misdeed when I painted the base with hammerite.
Before:
After
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
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driftpin
Well-known member
I have probably 4 different ones but haven't scored an aluminum one yet. That one cleaned up well. I find them very useful.
You can still buy the plastic leg friction clips and the foot coaster pieces, if yours are broken/missing.
It's been a long time since I read the history. I see even the steel and aluminum ones are selling for hundreds of dollars on ebay.
I discovered termites in my boards on one and made some new ones.
You can still buy the plastic leg friction clips and the foot coaster pieces, if yours are broken/missing.
It's been a long time since I read the history. I see even the steel and aluminum ones are selling for hundreds of dollars on ebay.
I discovered termites in my boards on one and made some new ones.
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DanZ3
Active member
Fast forward several years later, I came across a set of Skil fold saw horse/work table. While not a B&D Workmate, they should serve the purpose for their $0 cost.
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Met with Tommy and his lovely wife... handed off my dust covered workmate 400. I am sure it will now be used as intended. As rare as it is my wife was also home and got to say hi...
First time I have met a GJ member in real life... fellow New Jersey'an...
First time I have met a GJ member in real life... fellow New Jersey'an...
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
It was the first time I've met a fellow GJ member, too. Mr. and Mrs. Pines were incredibly good to us. They gave me the WM 400 and an empty Feintool case that will be reused for a freebie Bosch 1590EVS jigsaw I got recently, and gave Mrs. LS6 four Ball jars of home made iced coffee.
We gave them a little gift box assortment from one of the board walk candy companies. I feel like I gave them the short end of the stick...
Now the search starts for a set of workmate #79-016 clamps...
Mrs. LS6 had a phone interview at 1:00, so we really couldn't stick around. I have a feeling I could spend hours just talking with them. They're both extremely nice people. I'm hoping we can make a little time to stop by in October when we go back down to Wildwood for the condo owner's meeting.
Thanks again, guys!!
Tommy
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That little gift box caused my wife and I to jump up and down with joy... extreme happiness... we got stuff out of our crowded space... AND got something sweet!!!! Win Win.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Sorry this has taken so long. Went on a long vacation and then came home and got caught back up in life and forgetting to scan the document. The .pdf file is too big to upload here directly. PM me with an email address and I'll send the file directly to you.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Someone needs to go get this! it's a steal!
https://www.used.forsale/r/Details/black-decker-workmate/black decker workmate_craigslist_6705112506
Tommy
https://www.used.forsale/r/Details/black-decker-workmate/black decker workmate_craigslist_6705112506
Tommy
Glassman66
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2015
- Messages
- 7
It appears to be a Type 2. The type should be stamped in ink on the lower surface of the wooden jaws.
Found a rare Workmate 79-001 Type 1 at an estate sale this weekend, but left it because of its bad condition.
The Type 1 is very much like the more common Type 2, but with a few readily visible differences. 1) the steel frame is unpainted, being galvanized or with some other light plating. 2) the small risers that support the jaws are solid pieces of aluminum (2nd photo). 3) the rubber feet have a cone shape, like the Type E, rather than a cylinder shape (photo 3). 4) The jaws have five holes along their mating edge, like the Type E, rather than four (photo 4).
I've been hoping to find a Type 1 to fill the gap between my Type E and Type 2, but this would have been too much of a project for me these days. It looks better in the photos than it actually is.
The Type 1 is very much like the more common Type 2, but with a few readily visible differences. 1) the steel frame is unpainted, being galvanized or with some other light plating. 2) the small risers that support the jaws are solid pieces of aluminum (2nd photo). 3) the rubber feet have a cone shape, like the Type E, rather than a cylinder shape (photo 3). 4) The jaws have five holes along their mating edge, like the Type E, rather than four (photo 4).
I've been hoping to find a Type 1 to fill the gap between my Type E and Type 2, but this would have been too much of a project for me these days. It looks better in the photos than it actually is.
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What's the common wisdom regarding replacing the wooden jaws on the Workmate? Over the years I've collected five different WM's with various stages of disintegration and abuse. Most have a serviceable mechanical stage, but all save one, the jaws are either bad or really bad! Any advice on fabricating new jaws? I have seen some WM replacement jaws being marketed on the Web, but usually, they are somewhat expensive and then who knows what the delivered product will be, or whether the "fitting" is good. What with all the different model/types over the years, and B&D's casual identification methods, it's a bit confusing when selecting a replacement! Of course, by spending the time and effort fabricating a new top I could eliminate the fitting problem - but at the cost of quality perhaps...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Marine ply and use the older design with the doubled strip on the jaw face. The holes for the dogs are metric however....
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I was down in Wildwood Crest over the weekend and I stopped at a local garage sale on the way to a distillery in Rio Grande with Mrs. LS6. I got a double score. I found a set of the hold down clamps I was looking for in the original box and also a small fold down wall/bench mount version of the workmate. Both look almost brand new, have all the parts and instructions. I'll post pics as soon as I get everything set up.
Tommy
Tommy
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Going to Wildwood has been beneficial to your Workmate quests.
Congrats.
Still sick as a dog or I would have invited you over for "Coffee" on the way back.
Here's an interesting mod for a Workmate. These photos are from an online ad for an estate sale, so I haven't seen it in person.
Someone has removed the upper vise assembly of a standard Workmate from its base and added some wooden runners or risers in place of the base. They've sort of turned it into a XXL-sized benchtop workmate. It would be interesting to see what they used it for.
Someone has removed the upper vise assembly of a standard Workmate from its base and added some wooden runners or risers in place of the base. They've sort of turned it into a XXL-sized benchtop workmate. It would be interesting to see what they used it for.
