Black & Decker Workmate
- Thread starter abstamaria
- Start date
Thanks again!
I know this is probably a "it is what it looks like it is" question, but regardless I'm wondering why they put a step on the workmate? I wouldn't dare stand on mine because it looks like it would collapse the step or the entire unit under my weight (330lbs+/-).
I saw a version that had tool holder holes in it...that one makes sense.
I actually used mine the other day to hold a shop stool upside down while I worked on the legs. Very handy! I might drag it up and outside in the near future to hold some 2x's for sawing since the pickup is hooked up to the horse trailer now and for the foreseeable future. That's my normal outdoors sawhorse/tool carrier/scaffold surface/and all around workbench. It's just the right height for me to work off of since the truck sits pretty high.
I saw a version that had tool holder holes in it...that one makes sense.
I actually used mine the other day to hold a shop stool upside down while I worked on the legs. Very handy! I might drag it up and outside in the near future to hold some 2x's for sawing since the pickup is hooked up to the horse trailer now and for the foreseeable future. That's my normal outdoors sawhorse/tool carrier/scaffold surface/and all around workbench. It's just the right height for me to work off of since the truck sits pretty high.
Jonathankamm
Well-known member
The early 79-001 workmates are plenty strong enough to use as a step. But it is also there for putting your foot on to hold it down when opening it up.
Black & Decker were not entirely sure what it is either, as you can read at my web site:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/blog/one-workmate-two-different-cultures
I and others have mentioned Scott Landis' 1987 book "The Workbench Book" for its excellent chapter about Ron Hickman and the invention of the Workmate. I recently tracked him down (it wasn't real hard) and emailed him to see if he had any more info that didn't go into the book regarding the events and dates around the introduction of the Workmate to the U.S.
He responded within a day with an interesting message reflecting on his interview with Ron Hickman and more. He included photos of a Workmate WM325 Type 3 that Ron autographed and sent to him in 1987. This is the identical model that we know as the Type E, except without the blue trim and pegs. This would have been a 13- or 14-year-old model when he got it, and he has kept it pristine since then, never used!
He said my timing was good because he has been going through his archives of material for a new project that will be public in a few months. He had already unearthed a trove of photos including "outtakes" from his visit with Ron Hickman, including a large number of different versions of prototypes and manufactured models of the Workmate. He is a little skeptical that he will find the kind of specific detail I'm interested in about events and dates, but he is going to be on the lookout for it.
He responded within a day with an interesting message reflecting on his interview with Ron Hickman and more. He included photos of a Workmate WM325 Type 3 that Ron autographed and sent to him in 1987. This is the identical model that we know as the Type E, except without the blue trim and pegs. This would have been a 13- or 14-year-old model when he got it, and he has kept it pristine since then, never used!
He said my timing was good because he has been going through his archives of material for a new project that will be public in a few months. He had already unearthed a trove of photos including "outtakes" from his visit with Ron Hickman, including a large number of different versions of prototypes and manufactured models of the Workmate. He is a little skeptical that he will find the kind of specific detail I'm interested in about events and dates, but he is going to be on the lookout for it.
By calling it a 'foot board' they are still implying that the top might be useful as a seat where one would use the 'foot board' to rest ones feet on.
The term 'baseboard' doesn't fit any etymology associated with that word. A baseboard is nearly always described as a vertical piece covering a joint between a vertical wall and a horizontal surface.
'Lower platform' implies that it's convenient to use as a work space... but also that it's a load-bearing part of the unit...a step as it were.
It's funny (in a very bad way) that company's have come to the point that they need to use caution against really ignorant people. What's worse is that people have no clue that there's danger everywhere and common sense is a must have, but which many folks seem to lack entirely.
Yeah, it's amusing to see them stumble over their own feet in trying to name the "step".
But whatever we call it, the main function for it that no one has mentioned yet, the reason it's part of the design, is so you can stabilize the Workmate with your body weight by putting a foot on it while using it. Every version of the owner's manual for the 79-001 specifically recommended this technique. That's the answer to your original question.
But whatever we call it, the main function for it that no one has mentioned yet, the reason it's part of the design, is so you can stabilize the Workmate with your body weight by putting a foot on it while using it. Every version of the owner's manual for the 79-001 specifically recommended this technique. That's the answer to your original question.
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Techdog1
Member
There seems to be quite a few Workmates on Facebook Marketplace today in the Northeast. There are several H frames including a type 3 in Connecticut.
Techdog1
Member
Sorry, I tried. I haven’t posted enough for the moderator to let me post links.
Techdog1
Member
Workmate. Someone is selling a Ryobi table saw and has the Type 3 as an add on to the deal.
Techdog1
Member
Chris, I sent it to your email.
Techdog1
Member
Has any one shipped a Workmate? UPS wanted $105 from PA to MA.
I have shipped two or three that I sold on eBay several years ago, and the FedEx rate was $30-40 with me doing the packing. The FedEx rates charged to eBay sellers are about the lowest shipping rates around. I had to purchase a carton for $10-15, adding to the cost. I've also had five or six shipped to me over the years. Three of those were this year. Two of those were eBay purchases, shipped via FedEx for $30-35, packed by the seller. I don't remember the distance involved for any of the above. I negotiated with another seller for a while over another one on eBay, where he wanted about $80-100 for packing and shipping via UPS from Chicago. I didn't buy that one. I also bought one this year from an online auction in New Jersey and paid $102 for packing and shipping by UPS. Retail UPS rates are about the most expensive choice.
Techdog1
Member
Chris, Thanks for the information. I’ll try again with the seller.
Techdog1
Member
AceofSpad3s, I picked up that Type E in Westford that you passed on. Not in bad shape. I was concerned by the pictures but thought I'd give it a go. My first Type E.
Saw a couple of Workmates on a local estate web site. I don’t know if they are the desired models or what they are priced at.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
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Techdog1
Member
I've started a Workmate fan page on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/Black-and-Decker-Workmate-Fans-112780943953491
https://www.facebook.com/Black-and-Decker-Workmate-Fans-112780943953491
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Sorry, I don't do FB.
My father was an engineer for Boeing. He worked with weights and CG. His first job out of college was a plane they were building for an Arab monarch. The buyer insisted on having a Black and Decker Workmate on the plane. My father actually had to go to a store and weigh one as part of his job. He never understood why a Workmate was so important to a guy who could afford a Boeing jumbo jet.
stokefire7
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Found this in the corner of the garage (has the dogs) , it's been pretty useful.
Hmm. Can't seem to post a pic. Anyway, it's a light blue 400.
Hmm. Can't seem to post a pic. Anyway, it's a light blue 400.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
pic must be < 146KB, you need to be in advanced message tools, follow the below, and use the ""postcard"" Image tool when you paste it, and get the image loaded to the site as below before copy paste of the image location into the ""postcard tool"":
stokefire7
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stokefire7
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pic must be < 146KB, you need to be in advanced message tools, follow the below, and use the ""postcard"" Image tool when you paste it, and get the image loaded to the site as below before copy paste of the image location into the ""postcard tool"":
Thanks
stokefire7
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MrDayne
Well-known member
Found a fairly decent H-frame here locally on marketplace, $20. Plywood tops are in great shape. Gonna have to source a new handle, left crank is a Mickey Mouse deal.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wow! Except for the crank, that one is in great shape!
MrDayne
Well-known member
It sure is, couldn’t pass on it. I have a fairly well abused 300 over at my folks place that I may be able to rob the crank from.
madison069
Well-known member
So, im curious how people are storing their workmates?
I currently have three and im looking to hang it off the wall. But figured I'd see how folks here are storing them.
I will be placing them in different area of the garage.
I currently have three and im looking to hang it off the wall. But figured I'd see how folks here are storing them.
I will be placing them in different area of the garage.
madison069
Well-known member
I currently have two of them folder up leaning against the wall, while one is being used as a table while I'm doing body work.
I was going to do just a basic hook on the wall setup but figured others might have a more creative solution.
fartymarty
Well-known member
Seems like it's either hang on hooks:
View media item 56242
put them on a dolly:
or just leave them out as movable benches:
I guess you could hang them from the ceiling in the folded flat against the ceiling way if you don't use it much. Kind of a pain to get it down though.
"Someday" I plan on making a rolling holder that will store two workmates and a Keter folding bench and perhaps even a folding welding table. It'll also have a drawer for all the accesories. The design keeps getting bigger in my head, probably why it isn't built yet.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Mine just leans against whatever is convenient until it's in the way, then it leans against something else for a while.
Tommy
Off-topic but...
In the 1990's worked on King Fahd of Saudi Arabia's royal Douglas DC8 while it was having its avionics maintained at Rockwell International hangar at Dallas Love Field. It was a long-range airplane built like a Quantas jet, big engines and big fuel tanks. Besides EVERYTHING the King touches being solid gold, you would be amused at some of the things on that aircraft.
Back on topic.
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Cool. I haven't heard the story from my father in over 20 years. I do know it was a jumbo jet perhaps a 747 but not sure. I also don't remember the name of the owner. I'll have to ask him to tell me the story again one of these days. It would have been around 1968-69 so probably not King Fahd. What amusing things did you see?
Picked up my first workmate today, a 300, always thought of them as a toy growing up and passed but I am surprised how solid it is! I can see the love.
Pics incoming.