Black & Decker Workmate
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txlonghorn1989
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Outlaw,
Can you post a pic of these doubled and grooved jaw faces on the older WMs please? Don't believe I've ever seen one of the older ones. I've got 2 of the 79-001 WMs, all steel, don't recall the type but not aluminum. Still looking for my first aluminum WM.
Thanks!
Tex
Both of your 79-001 all-steel Workmates should have the double layer jaws. If you examine the jaw carefully, you'll see that the edge you can see while you're standing in front of the Workmate is about 5/8" thick. Then look at the edge where the jaws meet each other. You'll see they added another layer, a second strip of plywood below the top, making it about 1-1/4" thick at the clamping edge.
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txlonghorn1989
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Here are my WMs. Both are 79-001. Neither of these has double layer jaws. The tops are the same thickness front to back. They both do have a v-groove in the jaw faces though. For what it's worth, both tops are appx 15/16" thick.
I spotted a tag on the WM with the lighter colored top indicating it is a Type 7. Not sure what type the WM with the darker colored top is. Anyone know?
I love them and they get quite a bit of use more often than not both at the same time for initial breakdown of sheets goods and longer lumber before it gets to the table saw.
Thanks!
I spotted a tag on the WM with the lighter colored top indicating it is a Type 7. Not sure what type the WM with the darker colored top is. Anyone know?
I love them and they get quite a bit of use more often than not both at the same time for initial breakdown of sheets goods and longer lumber before it gets to the table saw.
Thanks!
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Wow, I'm glad you jumped in here! I've owned eleven 79-00x Workmates, and seen many more, but this is the first Type 7 I've heard of. Other than the color of the top, can you spot other differences between the two you have? What can you tell us about ownership? Are you the original owner of both? When did you get them?
txlonghorn1989
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I bought one through a CL ad from a young guy for $20. I got the other at an estate sale for $10. I've had them probably going on about 2 years IIRC.I don't know any history on them. They were both in outstanding condition and look like they'd never been used much at all. Hardly even any scratches on the tops, only a very little spots of rust on the legs/feet. You can see the difference in the painted "Workmate" crossbars that face the front. Other than that I haven't noticed any difference in the two WMs.
Did you look at the bottom surface of the jaws? For the 79-00x models, the model and type are often stamped in ink there.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wolf got you covered for the pics...
I just noticed a distinctive feature of yours, which was limited to the type 6 and type 7. Near the top of each folding leg is what looks like a rubber bumper. When the leg is folded under the Workmate, the bumper becomes the foot for use in the lower height setting.
For other Workmates, the feet for the lower height mount onto the bottom corners of the main frame.
For other Workmates, the feet for the lower height mount onto the bottom corners of the main frame.
txlonghorn1989
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The lighter colored top/jaws had a stamp but I'm not getting type 7 out of that stamp which clearly stated "Type 7". Is it coded or does the stamp refer to something else? The darker set of jaws had nothing.
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Just had one of my best Workmate finds ever on Sunday. It was on Craigslist for $75, but 100 miles away. Fortunately, it turned out to be one of the best-preserved 79-001 type 3's I have ever seen, so it was well worth the drive! This is the blue Irish-made model that is also known as the WM625 type E 02.
The owner had it for about 8 years, after getting it from the estate of his uncle, who had it since new. He said the uncle had a TV repair business and just used the Workmate as a stand, not doing anything rough with it. The owner is a woodworker, but said he hardly used it while he had it.
The photos show some of the distinctive features of the type 3, as well as the markings.
The owner had it for about 8 years, after getting it from the estate of his uncle, who had it since new. He said the uncle had a TV repair business and just used the Workmate as a stand, not doing anything rough with it. The owner is a woodworker, but said he hardly used it while he had it.
The photos show some of the distinctive features of the type 3, as well as the markings.
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I forgot to mention a maybe-not-so-obvious quirk that is unique to the type 3.
Looking at the Workmate from the front or back, the H-frame that is closer to you says "Workmate", and the one that is farther away says "Black & Decker". On all other models (that I have seen) it's the other way around.
Looking at the Workmate from the front or back, the H-frame that is closer to you says "Workmate", and the one that is farther away says "Black & Decker". On all other models (that I have seen) it's the other way around.
Your second one is a type 6. I found a type 6 to compare it to on eBay. Notice that it has the type number on the bottom surface of the jaw.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BLACK-DECKER-WORKMATE-W-FOLDING-LEGS-WORKING-CONDITION/192788532136?hash=item2ce3178ba8:g:6aEAAOSwO7dcOTWe
Yours has the single layer jaws, the dark orange top, the rubber-bumper secondary feet, the all-plastic handles, and the label on the crossbar matches. The one on eBay has a plywood top, but it's hard to tell from the picture what yours is made of.
McBrownie
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Wolf,
Nice find on the "Republic of Ireland" workmate. I have one (maybe two?) and never thought to look under the jaws for markings. So, here they are.
The WM625 Type E02 (repainted) on the right and the other one (all original and messy) on the left. I've since upgraded the feet to more modern ones on both and put the originals in the frame (like in Wolf's picture):
View media item 55103
Here is the stamp under the jaw on the WM625 Type E02. 624 79-001 Typ 3? or Typ 8?:
View media item 92762
And under the "other one" on the left. Does it say "WM 79 001 E05 Made in something of something?"
View media item 92763
Do I have two Irish Workmates?
Nice find on the "Republic of Ireland" workmate. I have one (maybe two?) and never thought to look under the jaws for markings. So, here they are.
The WM625 Type E02 (repainted) on the right and the other one (all original and messy) on the left. I've since upgraded the feet to more modern ones on both and put the originals in the frame (like in Wolf's picture):
View media item 55103
Here is the stamp under the jaw on the WM625 Type E02. 624 79-001 Typ 3? or Typ 8?:
View media item 92762
And under the "other one" on the left. Does it say "WM 79 001 E05 Made in something of something?"
View media item 92763
Do I have two Irish Workmates?
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y'sguy
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Glad to see the updates on this thread! The Irish ones are cool. I haven't tried to find any more workmates altho I did see one the other day for 20. I refrained!. I must be cured.
But I do use my two aluminum workmates all the time.
But I do use my two aluminum workmates all the time.
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It was my understanding that all of the blue ones were made in Ireland. And, it does look as though it probably says "Republic of Ireland".
Other than the markings, what differences can you find between them? In the photos, all I can spot is the different rib pattern on the footplate.
SGKent
Banned
56 pages - wow
Never knew the Workmate had such a following. I got for Christmas in 1978 I believe. Just looked up the instruction manual and found the bottom half of the registration card. The card has this on it:
Division 1 Catalog Number 79001 Product Code 679001 Mfg Week 190 Lot Number 87 Type Code 6
Don't know what any of this means maybe someone hear does.
Division 1 Catalog Number 79001 Product Code 679001 Mfg Week 190 Lot Number 87 Type Code 6
Don't know what any of this means maybe someone hear does.
McBrownie
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Different rib pattern, different casting numbers on the H frames (although they are very similar in appearance) and different weight. The WM625 is heavier at 32lbs and the “other one” which is 27lbs. The steel is a little heavier gauge on the WM625. Other than that, almost identical.
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Dumber than lumber
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This is quite fascinating. Unknown to me until now - my Workmate is a 79-001. I likely still have the original brochure and owner's stuff.
And I also have a 79-020 tilt top model.
Sure learn a lot here on GJ.
trijeff
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captain14
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I've had one for years, and didn't even realize it until I saw this thread...
That was my first workmate. Black & Decker would have a drawing in local stores for a tool package. I won the package which included upgraded corded drill, circular saw, sander, jig saw, electric dust collector, workmate 85, and assorted bits, blades, sandpaper,etc. for the tools. That would be late 80s?
TheShrine
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Inherited from F-I-L.......use it ALL the time! In use too much to have the time to re-paint!
Probably a 79-001 type 8, from 1980-81.
McBrownie
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Wolf,
Any idea what years workmates were made in Ireland?
Any idea what years workmates were made in Ireland?
I have never seen that style ... it must have been a cost saving model ?
The all cast or cast and steel lower leg model was the best IMO --
Only that the Ireland-made one sold in the U.S. as the 79-001 type 3 was discontinued May 1, 1977.
Take a careful look at the aluminum riser blocks that connect the wooden jaws to the top of the frame. Are they different between the two?
I didn't realize these things had such a following. I remember my dad receiving one for Xmas when they first came out, but he never used it (too gimicky for him). Now I wish he gave it to me. I bought generic branded one at a traveling tool sale 20+ years ago. Not the greatest quality, but I've used and abused the thing hundreds of times.
Oregon rock crusher
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I remember when these were getting common back in the 70's. I figured they were kind of light looking at the time but the TV commercials had a really catchy jingle. When one of my friends Dad bought one I was kind of surprised as I looked at him as a pretty accomplished mechanic and the workmate didn't seem professional enough to me. Anyway I got through 60 years without one but this week I've ended up with two. The first one, a 79-003 type 1 was in an open barn I helped clean out. It was really rickety and I almost threw it in the burn pile. I had a little room left on top of the save load so I brought it home and put a few screws back in the base. That tightened it right up and it isn't that bad. The top barely looks used.
The 2nd one was on C/L cheap so I bought it today. I saw it while searching info on the first one. It is a 79-004 type 1 with dual height feature and aluminum cross frame. It even had the original box with it which I thought was kind of cool. Also still has the short electric outlet intact. Anyway it was $25 so that's what I've got in the pair....I can envision several uses around the shop for these now so I guess I've finally come around. About time. Ed.
The 2nd one was on C/L cheap so I bought it today. I saw it while searching info on the first one. It is a 79-004 type 1 with dual height feature and aluminum cross frame. It even had the original box with it which I thought was kind of cool. Also still has the short electric outlet intact. Anyway it was $25 so that's what I've got in the pair....I can envision several uses around the shop for these now so I guess I've finally come around. About time. Ed.
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This is cool, because it documents an example of Black & Decker making a change in a product without changing the model number!
When I looked at the first photo, I immediately noticed that it shows a single-layer top. I was surprised by this, because I have owned a couple of 79-004 type 1 Workmates, and they all had the double-layer jaws. Sure enough, when I got to the photo of the carton, the list of product features has been altered with a stick-on label about the "new stronger single piece vise jaws".
Here is a photo of the original carton for a 79-004 type 1, so you can see what they covered up with that sticker, and another photo of the original jaw design. Notice that the double-layer jaws are made of plywood, whereas your single-layer jaws appear to have an MDF-like core.
Can you examine the bottom surface of the jaws, and see if there are also some markings there that indicate the model and/or type number, similar to the third photo below?
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Oregon rock crusher
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Thanks for the info wolf. The box in your pic is in terrific shape and it even has the owners manual. When I saw the C/L add all it showed was the box and I was really hoping for a NIB workmate....not to be but still pretty good. Here area a few pics of the jaws as well as leg with pads shot. The jaw marks are faint but readable. It appears to have thin veneers on bot sides of either a soft wood or mdf type core. From the end pic it almost looks like a circular grain pattern but I think it may just be the saw marks. Ed.
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txlonghorn1989
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Wolf,
Took a while but I took pics of the wood on my two workmates. The darker one (type 6 per the expert - you!) is plywood while the lighter one (type 7) appears to be MDF (?) sandwiched between some veneer? Would love to know what you think.
Thanks!
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McBrownie
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Wolf,
The risers look exactly the same to me. Cast aluminum held on by one bolt to the aluminum adjuster screw housing and two bolts to the top. Really appreciate your insight into the history of these tools.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
I guess when it rains it pours. I picked up two workmates last week and two more this week....so far anyway. It must be a sickness. After reading more of this thread I realized the all aluminum Type E would be neat to have. I didn't have to look far because there was one on the local C/L so I decided to have a look. It was kind of a package deal with a chopsaw and a couple of support rollers. Anyway after I bought the Type E I told him that it was what I really was after and he said he had another workmate out back. We bundled and he ended up throwing it in for another $15. No type E but still in pretty good shape. A few pics.
The type E has blue handles and two blue dogs, also the lettering is blue. You can make out on the tag that it was made in England. It sure is light compared to the all steel workmate. I think I'm done looking now....for a while anyway. Ed.
The type E has blue handles and two blue dogs, also the lettering is blue. You can make out on the tag that it was made in England. It sure is light compared to the all steel workmate. I think I'm done looking now....for a while anyway. Ed.
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Outlawmws
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OCR - you snagged the Elusive first gen design! and for definite USUCK price! WELL DONE!
Did you get all 4 blue bench dogs?
Looks like you need some feet...
I got mine last year with 4 blues!
Did you get all 4 blue bench dogs?
Looks like you need some feet...
I got mine last year with 4 blues!