Black & Decker Workmate

[wolfcj]

I measured these on two Type 2's and a Type 4 that were handy. They were all the same (as expected).

For the short vertically oriented notches, a brass setup bar nestles perfectly into the notch, so it's 90 degrees. This is confirmed by a width of 15/32" and depth of 15/64". A V-groove router bit will do that.

The long grooves are a shallower shape. I get a width of 1/2" and depth of 5/32" which calculates to an angle of 116 degrees. I'm sure 108 would work also. 90 degrees might be fine too.

The way to get the 116 degree angle is to bevel each of the two pieces of the jaw on edge with the blade tilted 32 degrees before assembling them. Did you glue the pieces as well as screwing them?

 

[Outlawmws]

Wolf, have you simply closed the jaws and looked to see if they are a diamond shape or square? Mine look pretty darn square (90 degrees)

Wear and all makes measuring anything except maybe a fresh cut pretty iffy.

I can't see them spending on special tooling to make a simple notch.

 

[segundo]

I have a WorkMate 425 Type 2, and need a replacement belt. The part number I see listed online is 242821-00, shown as discontinued, with no replacement.

The 242821-01 belt is listed as a replacement for 425 Types 1, 3, & 5.

Anyone know if that will fit my Type 2?

I haven't found any info on how the types (or belts) differ.

 

[wolfcj]

For completeness, I went through my twelve current Workmates and checked the vertical notches and horizontal grooves. My conclusion is that you can do whatever you want.

The vertical notches on nine Workmates from Type E through Type 7 are 90 degrees. Two Type 8's and a Type 9 have notches that are less than 90! They are all very similar in size, about 1/2" in width.

The grooves are all over the place.

The Type E and Type 1 are two-layer with 90 degree grooves.

An early Type 2 with two-layer is 90 degrees.

A later Type 2 and two Type 4's are two-layer with ~110 degree grooves.

A Type 3 is single-layer with ~110 degree groove.

A Type 6 and Type 7 are single layer and have grooves that are extremely shallow and appear to be ~110 degrees.

Two Type 8's are single layer and have grooves that are extremely shallow and appear to be 90 degrees.

A Type 9 is single-layer with ~110 degree groove.

 

[wolfcj]

Wolf, have you simply closed the jaws and looked to see if they are a diamond shape or square? Mine look pretty darn square (90 degrees)

Wear and all makes measuring anything except maybe a fresh cut pretty iffy.

I can't see them spending on special tooling to make a simple notch.

As I mentioned, my reference was a brass setup bar fitted into the groove, so I didn't have to guess at 90 degrees. I made some approximate measurements only to confirm what I saw with the bar and to give Jeff some guidance.

All of my Workmates have nice crisp jaws, so they are a consistent sample (with a little variation in condition) for checking this.

On the two-layer jaws, no special tooling would be required for the ~110 degree angle. All they would have to do is rip the bevel on each board separately.

On the single-layer jaws with ~110 degree grooves, it would be no big deal to have a cutter of any profile they wanted for machining hundreds or thousands of these per day.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have a WorkMate 425 Type 2, and need a replacement belt. The part number I see listed online is 242821-00, shown as discontinued, with no replacement.

The 242821-01 belt is listed as a replacement for 425 Types 1, 3, & 5.

Anyone know if that will fit my Type 2?

I haven't found any info on how the types (or belts) differ.

Measure the belt width, length and pitch, and go to a toothed belt co. or search the size. Once you find a match do a search for whoever has the best price on that size/Part number. I replaced a drive belt on a slow speed grinder from Sears (who know's who actually made it..) for just a few dollars.

 

[wolfcj]

Wolf, have you simply closed the jaws and looked to see if they are a diamond shape or square? Mine look pretty darn square (90 degrees)

What Type of Workmate 79-001 were you checking the groove on? If you look at my list, was yours one of them that I also found to have a 90-degree groove?

 

[wolfcj]

This unexpected discussion of the grooves and notches in the jaws turns out to be quite helpful to me.

I concluded some time ago that the jaws for the 79-001 were one major component, possibly the only one, that Black & Decker never manufactured, but instead purchased from multiple outside suppliers. I've been planning to write a blog post for my site about this subject, but never quite got started on it.

The grooves and notches never even crossed my mind as having any significance but now I think they are yet one more factor supporting the idea that there were multiple suppliers.

 

[Outlawmws]

It was a type E - Both of them

 

[wolfcj]

Good, that means your Type E's match mine in that respect.

 

[segundo]

Measure the belt width, length and pitch, and go to a toothed belt co. or search the size. Once you find a match do a search for whoever has the best price on that size/Part number. I replaced a drive belt on a slow speed grinder from Sears (who know's who actually made it..) for just a few dollars.

Thanks, I'll do that if I have to. I was just hoping someone might tell me that they know the other belt will fit.

Nice to see another fan of Woodrow Wilson Long.

 

[wolfcj]

I ran across an interesting Workmate artifact on eBay today. It's a "collector" coin, part of the Tool Hall of Fame series from the Handyman Club of America. I was able to find some others from the series, including a Stanley Bailey plane, a Skilsaw, a Starrett combination square, and a Quick-Grip clamp. I've been aware of the Handyman Club from their ads, but don't remember their Hall of Fame.

I might have been tempted to buy the coin except that they made a big mistake—using a picture of a steel H-frame!

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I measured these on two Type 2's and a Type 4 that were handy. They were all the same (as expected).

For the short vertically oriented notches, a brass setup bar nestles perfectly into the notch, so it's 90 degrees. This is confirmed by a width of 15/32" and depth of 15/64". A V-groove router bit will do that.

The long grooves are a shallower shape. I get a width of 1/2" and depth of 5/32" which calculates to an angle of 116 degrees. I'm sure 108 would work also. 90 degrees might be fine too.

The way to get the 116 degree angle is to bevel each of the two pieces of the jaw on edge with the blade tilted 32 degrees before assembling them. Did you glue the pieces as well as screwing them?

Yes, already glued.

For completeness, I went through my twelve current Workmates and checked the vertical notches and horizontal grooves. My conclusion is that you can do whatever you want.

The vertical notches on nine Workmates from Type E through Type 7 are 90 degrees. Two Type 8's and a Type 9 have notches that are less than 90! They are all very similar in size, about 1/2" in width.

The grooves are all over the place.

The Type E and Type 1 are two-layer with 90 degree grooves.

An early Type 2 with two-layer is 90 degrees.

A later Type 2 and two Type 4's are two-layer with ~110 degree grooves.

A Type 3 is single-layer with ~110 degree groove.

A Type 6 and Type 7 are single layer and have grooves that are extremely shallow and appear to be ~110 degrees.

Two Type 8's are single layer and have grooves that are extremely shallow and appear to be 90 degrees.

A Type 9 is single-layer with ~110 degree groove.

Thank you for the research and reply.

Here is a pic of the groove on my type 2 with a 1/2 inch wide V router bit in the opening. Notice the groove is not pointed at the bottom, but rather flat.
The vertical notch is pointed and when I did additional measurements, I discovered this V bit is a bit less than 90 degrees.

 

[wolfcj]

Here is a pic of the groove on my type 2 with a 1/2 inch wide V router bit in the opening. Notice the groove is not pointed at the bottom, but rather flat.
The vertical notch is pointed and when I did additional measurements, I discovered this V bit is a bit less than 90 degrees.

The first groove I measured on my Type 2 appears slightly shallower for its width than the one you show, which would explain why I came up with 116 degrees vs. your 108 degrees.

 

[captain14]

Here’s a couple of workmates listed on CL. The wood worktop does not have any labels identifying them as B&D Workmates but they appear similar to my WM Type 85 circa 1986-88. My type 85 has all the WM labels ,etc on the work surface.

I am not affiliated with the seller in any way but I have enjoy this model as easy
To move around during projects. It’s much lighter than my other WM.

Any thoughts/comments?

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/d/chantilly-workmate-clamping-tables/7298235478.html

 

[wolfcj]

They both appear to be the 79-003 Type 2, confirmed by the little white-on-black sticker on one of them. At least one of them has the B&D Workmate label on its front lower tubular crossbar. Lots of old Workmates have lost the labels from the top of the jaws.

The 79-003 predates the 85, being from the late 1970's. You can find an owner's manual for it on the Documents page on my website. It's in the second section of manuals, under the heading "Other U.S. Workmates from the period".

 

[Outlawmws]

Personally not a fan of the "TV Tray" workmates. YMMV

 

[wolfcj]

Further info: B&D specs show that the 79-003 weighs 22 pounds vs. 18 pounds for your 85, so the 79-003 may be sturdier and more stable than the 85.

 

[captain14]

Further info: B&D specs show that the 79-003 weighs 22 pounds vs. 18 pounds for your 85, so the 79-003 may be sturdier and more stable than the 85.

Thanks. It was in a B&D “win a workshop package” I entered I won at the time. Great package and I guesstimated the price was about $500 in the late 80’s.
Pro level VSR drill, circular saw, orbital sander, jig saw, WM, assorted drill bits and blades and a corded DustBuster. Just starting out as a homeowner it was a winner in my book.

I think it was an annual promotion they held annually and it was featured at the local big box chain and department stores that carried their merchandise.

 

[wolfcj]

The Workmate 85 was introduced in 1985 at $35. I believe it fit in the Workmate lineup just below the Workmate 100, which had replaced the 79-003 two years earlier in 1983. See this from Popular Mechanics:
https://books.google.com/books?id=Z...AEwF3oECBQQAw#v=onepage&q=workmate 85&f=false

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Just a quick update on the making of replacement jaws for my type 2.
After much research, I found a bit that matched the profile on the delaminated jaws very closely

This shows the groove cut in the replacement jaw (left) compared to the original.

The bit is designed to use on composite materials that are to be folded. Then angle between the sides is 108 degrees. The blunt tip measures .09 inches and the bit is 1/2 inch diameter.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks good from here!

 

[wolfcj]

There's an eBay listing right now for a single aluminum H-frame, in case anyone needs a replacement. The ad also says the seller has other vintage Workmate parts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164847530159

 

[cruzer75]

Using the Workmate 550 I got out of the swap shop at the transfer station with a 24x30x1/2in steel plate from an old weld fixture at work. Building forks for the tractor loader.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I use mine all the time. I just had to remove our air circ system to fix a leak above it. It's a 3x2 insulated steel box with a substantial motor and blower, so not light. I was bale to plop it onto the workmate and then get a better handle on it and move to garage.

Then a fan went on the workmate in an open door to remove fumes from soldering water pipes.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Today, I was able to wrap up the restoration of my estate find from this:

To this:

 

[Outlawmws]

Laminate flooring jaws, or solid wood? They look nice.

 

[wolfcj]

Also, what brand and color of paint did you use? It looks like a good match to "Workmate gray".

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Laminate flooring jaws, or solid wood? They look nice.

Thank you, Outlawmws. I had some 3/8 inch thick 5-ply laminated Oak wood flooring that I glued up back-to-back with all joints staggered to end up with 10-ply, 3/4" stock. I had made replacement jaws for another WM several years ago and they have held up well. I' don't particularly like having the visible joints, but it was nice to finally use up all that flooring scrap. With an exxtra set of type 2 jaws for a potential future WM find.

Also, what brand and color of paint did you use? It looks like a good match to "Workmate gray".

I am a big fan of Rustoleum spray paint. This is Gloss Charcoal Gray. If paint tends to get a bit lighter as it ages, this is probably a very good match for the original.

 

[y'sguy]

Jeff Ivers, Nice work on the WM restore! One of these days we may run into each other, You are just down the road from me.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Jeff Ivers, Nice work on the WM restore! One of these days we may run into each other, You are just down the road from me.

Thank you y'sguy. Hopefully we do not meet trying to acquire the same estate find WM!

 

[y'sguy]

HaHa, exactly!, altho I'm content with the two WM that I have. Heck, I'm almost to the point of giving one up in pursuit of other stuff. Apparently the obsession problem passed pretty quickly. Whew.

 

[wolfcj]

I hope you will excuse a little self-promotion.

Last September I reported that I had cracked the code for dating early Workmates and that I was embarking on a project to collect as many examples as I could of the model 79-001 with photos and date codes. The goal was to supplement my Workmate 79-001 Type Study with a detailed timeline documenting the production period of each of the ten Types of the 79-001 as well as when individual component changes occurred.

I've been slogging away at this for almost eight months now and I'm ready to declare success. It's hard to believe but my database of dated Workmates now numbers over 400! I also have useful photos of another 100 or so Workmates without date codes, for a total of about 3,600 photos of over 500 Workmates.

As a result we now know when Black & Decker's Workmate factory in Brockville, Ontario made each of the Type changeovers from 1974 to 1982, with a precision of about a week. The most precise is the changeover from the Type 2 to the Type 4, which we now know occurred between the second and third shifts on June 21, 1977!

I've also been able to document the dates for over forty different individual changes in components and labels, most of which happened not at a Type changeover but during the production run of one of the Types. (And these forty-plus changes do not even include the many different materials and finishes that were used for the vise jaws, which changed back and forth dozens of times over the eight-year span, sometimes changing more than once in a single week.) Probably the best known of the component changes occurred between December 2 and December 9, 1977, when the cast aluminum H-frame was replaced with stamped steel just over five months into production of the Type 4. For a more precisely dated example, the 7" deep 4-rib step was reduced to 6" with three ribs on October 28, 1976 during production of the Type 2.

You can read about the timeline of the ten Types at https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-timeline.html, while the changes made within each Type are documented on the page devoted to that Type, such as https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-type-2.html

I'm not ending the dating project but I'm going to de-emphasize it and turn my efforts to continued work on other parts of my web site that I have neglected.

I'll also add that my web site is now the number 1 Google result for "workmate 79-001", "vintage black & decker workmate", "workmate type study", as well as "workmate Type 1" or any of the other Type numbers. It is in the top five or so results for many other Workmate-related searches.

 

[fartymarty]

I'll also add that my web site is now the number 1 Google result for "workmate 79-001", "vintage black & decker workmate", "workmate type study", as well as "workmate Type 1" or any of the other Type numbers. It is in the top five or so results for many other Workmate-related searches.

Congratulations!

Now if only we can get B&D to send you some promotion money for all your work.

(yes, I can dream can't I?)

 

[Outlawmws]

Well Done Wolf!

 

[dngrmse]

I found an pretty nice example yeterday at an estate sale. I've only been to maybe two estate sales this year, and none last year because of the whole covid mess. Anyway, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the box which I had passed by 3 times already and had not noticed. They wanted $20, but the box being the shape it was in, I offered 15 which they accepted.

 

[dngrmse]

Not sure why its posting the pics twice, sorry.

 

[ChefRex]

That deserves a "You ****" award! Nice.

 

[IBEME]

I have a model 550 that I just used today as a stand for my chop saw. I've been using it for the past 20 years. It has been very handy as a portable work station as I used it to help me to build sheds and my deck.

 

[DaveT]

I found an pretty nice example yeterday at an estate sale. I've only been to maybe two estate sales this, and none last year because of the whole covid mess. Anyway, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the box which I had passed by 3 times already and had not noticed. They wanted $20, but the box being the shape it was in, I offered 15 which they accepted.

WOW!!! You definitely ****
That is incredible