For a little fun, I nominate this Workmate 79-001 Type 6 for a "Most-creative damage to the jaws" award. Each of its jaws has its own unique damage, either of which by itself is unusual enough to earn the nomination. With the two combined on a single Workmate, could there possibly be a more-deserving winner? Let's see some more candidates!
Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
y'sguy
Well-known member
Well, I would have to say the user of this WM definitely considered the jaws to "sacrificial" but at least the user didn't saw all the way into the metal frame!
This is one of the craziest pictures I've ever seen of a Workmate, and it comes directly from a 1989 Sears Power & Hand Tools Catalog! I didn't get this off the web; I have the actual 130-page paper catalog.
A question for those who own a Workmate 400 - Is it possible to install the jaw assembly backwards and still have the Workmate be usable?
A question for those who own a Workmate 400 - Is it possible to install the jaw assembly backwards and still have the Workmate be usable?
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fullthrottle24
Well-known member
I own a 400 but never assembled it, not sure why you would want to use it like that.
On subject of Sears, how about this version of a workmate
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fullthrottle24
Well-known member
No, too rich for me. Besides I already own Two aluminum type 4’s one with particle board one with plywood tops, a 200 and 400.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
They came assembled, other than the particle board jaws, and my 400 certainly never was like that. I sold it a few years back but I don't think that's possible - certainly not without it doing strange things...
Has anybody had success straightening a bent aluminum Workmate casting?
I picked one up for $10 recently. It's a pretty sad case and I need to make a new top for it. Only after I bought it did I notice that one of the aluminum castings has a pretty good bend in it, like somone dropped a tree on that corner.
I picked one up for $10 recently. It's a pretty sad case and I need to make a new top for it. Only after I bought it did I notice that one of the aluminum castings has a pretty good bend in it, like somone dropped a tree on that corner.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Pics? Bent cast aluminum has a bad habit of breaking...
Well, I flipped it on its side to take a pic and realized the casting was already cracked on one side, as you can see. The bend is about 1" over the length of the straightedge.
I think I'll just wrap the crack with some fiberglass cloth and epoxy. And when I put a new top on I'll add a spacer to bring that corner up level with the others.
This is my 4th Workmate, and I have another with the cast aluminum legs that is like new, so I'm not complaining too much. I bought this one knowing it was a beater; just didn't realize it was the artistic version with a graceful bend.
I think I'll just wrap the crack with some fiberglass cloth and epoxy. And when I put a new top on I'll add a spacer to bring that corner up level with the others.
This is my 4th Workmate, and I have another with the cast aluminum legs that is like new, so I'm not complaining too much. I bought this one knowing it was a beater; just didn't realize it was the artistic version with a graceful bend.
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Wow. That price. I thought I paid about $50 in 1986 for what appears to me to be the same model. My brother got one for Christmas in 1979. I remember they were sold on an infomercial. How much were they then?
The price in 1975 for the aluminum H-frame model was $89, but they were commonly available for $10-20 less.
Black & Decker made a huge decision to promote the Workmate with the first ever television ads for the company. It was a massive success. You can find some of the ads on YouTube. However, I'm pretty sure they never actually sold Workmates direct on television; Black & Decker was committed to their dealer network.
By the mid-80's, they had reduced cost by replacing the original models with new ones that used cheaper construction, and they also moved production from Canada to Brazil about that time, so it makes sense that the price went down.
Black & Decker made a huge decision to promote the Workmate with the first ever television ads for the company. It was a massive success. You can find some of the ads on YouTube. However, I'm pretty sure they never actually sold Workmates direct on television; Black & Decker was committed to their dealer network.
By the mid-80's, they had reduced cost by replacing the original models with new ones that used cheaper construction, and they also moved production from Canada to Brazil about that time, so it makes sense that the price went down.
DaveT
Well-known member
I just can’t say enough how great these Workmates are. It’s only been a few months since I found the first one and now have two. Here are a couple more pictures of how I’ve used them in the last couple weeks as I’m building a workbench top for my basement shop. I have found that the versatility of these as work stands to be so much better than the portable roller stands, for a couple reasons: 1. They are way sturdier 2. They are much more adjustable when trying to setup on an un level surface.
When you need to adjust not only the height of a work stand but also the side to side needs to be adjusted to be parallel to the table top. You can clamp a board in the jaws and adjust the height on ether side until it lines up perfectly level with your table top.
I also used this same setup when I needed a work stand for the planer. These slabs of wood weighed 75lbs and was no problem for the workmate.
When you need to adjust not only the height of a work stand but also the side to side needs to be adjusted to be parallel to the table top. You can clamp a board in the jaws and adjust the height on ether side until it lines up perfectly level with your table top.
I also used this same setup when I needed a work stand for the planer. These slabs of wood weighed 75lbs and was no problem for the workmate.
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My workmate finally got some use; it held up the countertops we needed to fit for the kitchen remodel.
I've got a line on a second matching model, but I need to buy a new one to swap for the old one so that the old one isn't missed.
I've got a line on a second matching model, but I need to buy a new one to swap for the old one so that the old one isn't missed.
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Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and found it by searching for information about the Workmate. I have 3, of which 2 are the 79-001 Type 2, I believe. They are both in used condition with much paint splatter and de-laminated tops. Of issue to me are the metal leg-catches. I am able to adjust the springs such that they stay open easily, however in the stow position, those parts of the metal springs are sort of squashed. Does anyone of a profile image or photo that shows how the spring looks, in working condition, for the legs to be able to fold in the "stow" position? I have a set of plastic clips, but would rather adjust the existing ones to work properly.
Thanks in advance, Sean
I'm new to the forum and found it by searching for information about the Workmate. I have 3, of which 2 are the 79-001 Type 2, I believe. They are both in used condition with much paint splatter and de-laminated tops. Of issue to me are the metal leg-catches. I am able to adjust the springs such that they stay open easily, however in the stow position, those parts of the metal springs are sort of squashed. Does anyone of a profile image or photo that shows how the spring looks, in working condition, for the legs to be able to fold in the "stow" position? I have a set of plastic clips, but would rather adjust the existing ones to work properly.
Thanks in advance, Sean
Here you go, one of the clips on a Type 2 that holds the legs folded. It shows the opening to be almost exactly 1 inch and the shape is quite close to a half circle. The leg doesn't engage with the clip until the leg has passed about 1/4-3/8" of the tip of the clip, so the leg is at that point moving downwards as it slides onto the clip. (That's with the Workmate upside down; in the normal upright position, the leg is moving upwards against the clip.)
The clip that holds the leg open is a very different shape, with two somewhat angular bends in it, and a smaller overall opening.
The clip that holds the leg open is a very different shape, with two somewhat angular bends in it, and a smaller overall opening.
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captain14
Well-known member
Picked up a used Workmate 200 off of CL for $20. I asked how much interest he received from the ad. I was the first email after a couple Of weeks Being posted.
I was down there the next morning with my $20. It’s not my first, but I was looking for one for a specific purpose. The price was right and doings it’s new job.
I was down there the next morning with my $20. It’s not my first, but I was looking for one for a specific purpose. The price was right and doings it’s new job.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
On those leg retention springs, both metal and the newer plastic versions, its essential that the rubbing surface get some Lube, I like "Door-Eze" which is a Beeswax-like thing for car door hinges and striking plates...
bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
Black & Decker Workmate
Before the covid lockdown I had picked up this Aluminum Workmate with steel base for $10 at my local Habitat. The steel had plenty of rust so I cleaned it up, Evaporusted it, and primered it.
It’s next to my first workmate which is a 200 model, which I had bought for $5 at the ReStore and added a fresh pair of wooden jaws.
I like the aluminum one for its bigger size and more metal parts. It’s much heavier/beefier. The Workmate 200 is lighter/more portable. It’s nice to have the versatility of the two depending on the project.
This is what it looked like in the store:
Before the covid lockdown I had picked up this Aluminum Workmate with steel base for $10 at my local Habitat. The steel had plenty of rust so I cleaned it up, Evaporusted it, and primered it.
It’s next to my first workmate which is a 200 model, which I had bought for $5 at the ReStore and added a fresh pair of wooden jaws.
I like the aluminum one for its bigger size and more metal parts. It’s much heavier/beefier. The Workmate 200 is lighter/more portable. It’s nice to have the versatility of the two depending on the project.
This is what it looked like in the store:
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bargainhuntingking
Well-known member
Black & Decker Workmate
Like this:
I unbolted the steel base and put it in a tub with all the Evaporust that I had and just rotated it occasionally and draped the exposed sections with paper towels soaked in the Evaporust.
I’ve been able to Evaporust some big items this way. Here are 3 Jerry cans getting the same treatment. I’d just submerge a section at a time and rotate them. When it’s cold I put the whole Rubbermaid tub on a roaster (which is basically like a large crock pot) filled with water and turn the temp up to ~100F to speed up the process. You can barely see it in the pic below. I bought a roaster for ~$35 just for garage de-rusting projects.
Like this:
I unbolted the steel base and put it in a tub with all the Evaporust that I had and just rotated it occasionally and draped the exposed sections with paper towels soaked in the Evaporust.
I’ve been able to Evaporust some big items this way. Here are 3 Jerry cans getting the same treatment. I’d just submerge a section at a time and rotate them. When it’s cold I put the whole Rubbermaid tub on a roaster (which is basically like a large crock pot) filled with water and turn the temp up to ~100F to speed up the process. You can barely see it in the pic below. I bought a roaster for ~$35 just for garage de-rusting projects.
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andyvh1959
Well-known member
Is the Workmate 550 the same height as the Workmate 425 when fully opened?
Do you already own one of them, so you can measure its height?
Pucman1
Well-known member
So here it is one of two....the older one with a portable vise stand to be able to throw sparks out in the driveway rather than in the garage by the door to the house. It serves a purpose.
I just have to make sure I tell the neighbors kids not to look at the bright light when i am tacking stuff together
[url=https://imgur.com/XDMjdWO]
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I just have to make sure I tell the neighbors kids not to look at the bright light when i am tacking stuff together
[url=https://imgur.com/XDMjdWO]
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DaveT
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I would say yes.
A nice Type E would easily be worth $75 to a Workmate fan. For someone with no special attachment to the Workmate just looking for any small workbench to use, no. That one is missing at least one foot, but has all four of the distinctive blue dogs. I'd be a little worried about what looks like a piece of tape running from the front jaw to the H-frame. Or is it just hanging down?
For perspective, here are the other extremes:
1) There is currently a Type E on Marketplace for $440. It's also missing one foot.
2) Tomorrow I'm going to pick up a Type E I found on Marketplace for $15. (It also has all its dogs, also with one foot missing.) I offered the seller $25 to hold it for a few weeks until I could make the drive to pick it up.
So
For perspective, here are the other extremes:
1) There is currently a Type E on Marketplace for $440. It's also missing one foot.
2) Tomorrow I'm going to pick up a Type E I found on Marketplace for $15. (It also has all its dogs, also with one foot missing.) I offered the seller $25 to hold it for a few weeks until I could make the drive to pick it up.
So
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DaveT
Well-known member
Thanks Outlaw and Wolf: I offered $50 and they said yes so I will check it out tomorrow. I will see what the tape is about. I didn’t even notice it.
Wolf: With the one missing foot have you found it still to be functional? Or have you found solutions to fix them?
I currently have two of the 79-004 Type 1’s and love them. It’s has been great having two the exact same height.
Wolf: With the one missing foot have you found it still to be functional? Or have you found solutions to fix them?
I currently have two of the 79-004 Type 1’s and love them. It’s has been great having two the exact same height.
The foot I see missing is for the sawhorse height. Many owners never use their Workmate at that height. It also has a replacement foot on the left front for the regular height. That one looks as though it might be an original back foot that was moved to the front when the front got lost. Several of the feet aren't visible.
I'm working on a page for my H-frame site about replacement feet. I hope to have the first draft of it up this week.
I'm working on a page for my H-frame site about replacement feet. I hope to have the first draft of it up this week.
Actually, I should have mentioned a more positive possibility for the missing foot issue.
As long as it has at least two of the front feet (of the original two upper, two lower) you can get by. On the Type E, the front feet just push in, and they are interchangeable between all four front positions, so you can always move them pretty quickly to whichever position you need them.
As long as it has at least two of the front feet (of the original two upper, two lower) you can get by. On the Type E, the front feet just push in, and they are interchangeable between all four front positions, so you can always move them pretty quickly to whichever position you need them.
DaveT
Well-known member
I am now a member of the Workmate 79-001 Type E club. Well assuming there is such a club! Picket up this gem tonight off of Facebook Marketplace
Wolf: Thank you so much for all of your amazing information on the subject of Workmates. Your H-Frame site is so well done it’s incredible. Yep I see what your talking about with the feet. So I picked it up tonight and gave it a little clean up with some simple green and lubed up all the pivot points with some TriFlow. It does have 4 feet and they are all on the legs. There are 3 of the adjustable feet with the bolt attached and only 1 of the all rubber pop in feet, so at some point someone lost 3 of the pop in feet and 1 of the adjustable feet. Well at least I have 4 feet! One thing that I have noticed is that it is pretty hard to pull the workbench up from its lowered position. I have to put one foot on one of the legs and pull pretty hard to get it to come up, and it’s kind of an awkward position when your lifting it. Does that sound normal?
Here are some pics:
Wolf: Thank you so much for all of your amazing information on the subject of Workmates. Your H-Frame site is so well done it’s incredible. Yep I see what your talking about with the feet. So I picked it up tonight and gave it a little clean up with some simple green and lubed up all the pivot points with some TriFlow. It does have 4 feet and they are all on the legs. There are 3 of the adjustable feet with the bolt attached and only 1 of the all rubber pop in feet, so at some point someone lost 3 of the pop in feet and 1 of the adjustable feet. Well at least I have 4 feet! One thing that I have noticed is that it is pretty hard to pull the workbench up from its lowered position. I have to put one foot on one of the legs and pull pretty hard to get it to come up, and it’s kind of an awkward position when your lifting it. Does that sound normal?
Here are some pics:
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A well-functioning Type E is a little harder to raise than a well-functioning steel Workmate. I think there are two reasons. First is that the joints on the Type E are designed and constructed with tighter tolerances, so there's more friction. The all-steel Types have slightly looser joints, so they have a loosey-goosey feel in comparison. Second, is the lighter weight of the Type E. When you start to raise the top of an all-steel one, the weight of the lower frame assembly tends to keep the base on the ground. On the Type E, there's not as much weight there, so the whole bottom just lifts off the ground unless you press it down. This is as designed.
The secret to this is in the owner's manual for the Type E, which you can find on the Documents page on my site. Have you wondered about the little tab of metal, unique to the Type E, attached to the front center of the footrest? That's called the "baseboard boss" and its sole purpose is to help you raise the top. With the front legs still folded under, you actually lift the entire front of the Workmate, with the footrest and folded front legs coming off the ground. Then while holding that up, you put your foot on the boss and push the lower frame down to the ground. The manual has a drawing of how this works.
The secret to this is in the owner's manual for the Type E, which you can find on the Documents page on my site. Have you wondered about the little tab of metal, unique to the Type E, attached to the front center of the footrest? That's called the "baseboard boss" and its sole purpose is to help you raise the top. With the front legs still folded under, you actually lift the entire front of the Workmate, with the footrest and folded front legs coming off the ground. Then while holding that up, you put your foot on the boss and push the lower frame down to the ground. The manual has a drawing of how this works.
honcho
Well-known member
I sold two workmate type E to a Garage Journal member in Tupelo Mississippi a few years back for $100 for the pair. Heck, I even delivered from 700 miles away (although I was headed his direction regardless). I still have two all-steel Workmates and find them to be useful tools in the arsenal. My brother alternates between his workmate and Jawhorse https://www.rockwelltools.com/index.php/product/jawhorse-sheetmaster-portable-work-support-station/ which is probably the best modern day alternative to the workmate but something of a difference beast.
DaveT
Well-known member
Wolf: Thanks for the info. I did see the metal tab there and wondered what it was for. Funny thing I also wondered if it was easier to lift somehow with the legs still folded up so I did try that blindly yesterday without knowing about the tab! I will download and read the manual.
Honcho: That was nice of you to deliver those even if you were already going that way. The good thing about having two identical workmates is being able to use both of them at the exact same height to hold long pieces.
Honcho: That was nice of you to deliver those even if you were already going that way. The good thing about having two identical workmates is being able to use both of them at the exact same height to hold long pieces.
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MrDayne
Well-known member
Some differences between my type E and my type 2.
The screw has a dust shield built into the nut on the type E. Not there on the type 2. Also the type E has gradations, I’m guessing centimeters.
The latches on the type 2 only allow for one height, 31”. The type E seems to have two heights, one at 31” (middle slot) and full height a few inches taller.
I enjoy using them both, each of them are well designed tools.
The screw has a dust shield built into the nut on the type E. Not there on the type 2. Also the type E has gradations, I’m guessing centimeters.
The latches on the type 2 only allow for one height, 31”. The type E seems to have two heights, one at 31” (middle slot) and full height a few inches taller.
I enjoy using them both, each of them are well designed tools.
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The Type E latch has stops at three different heights. The manual calls the two lower ones "intermediate safety positions" and includes a diagram that marks those as "Wrong" and the highest position as "Correct". There's no further explanation of the design.
Bigbandguy
Well-known member
I have a question for the experts. I recently picked up a 300 at the Habitat. It is complete except for one thing. There are three spacers between the jaws and the frame but the fourth spacer is missing. I sure would like to know what to be looking for, a source or a part number. See pics for detail and thanks!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Don't you have the spacer from the other end? I'm pretty sure they are the same part.
You can probably fab one from wood in the meantime.
You can probably fab one from wood in the meantime.
Bigbandguy
Well-known member
I could certainly fab one as you say. I just wondered what the part is called and how to order it if available. I have a spacer on the other 3 corners. It looks strange with the one corner flat on the frame with no spacer.