Black & Decker Workmate

[wolfcj]

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, that is an outstanding find! Thanks for posting! Of course I have questions.

That is the first confirmed box for a Type 2 that I have seen. May I use the photos of the box on my web site?
(Here: https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-type-2.html)
I do have photos of that same box confirmed for an aluminum-H-frame Type 4, and I will point out that the Workmate pictured on it is a Type 1, so it appears that they used that box for all of the aluminum-H-frame 79-001s made at Brockville, i.e. the Type 1, Type 2, and Type 4. The earlier Type E had a different box, as did the later steel-H-frame Type 4.

Can you provide a photo of the other side of the warranty card, where the codes are?

Can you find the production code (the 651 12) stamped on the box anywhere? It would usually be on the top, but I can't see it there in the photos. It would be small and faded so require careful scrutiny.

Does the Workmate have scratch guards on the upper frame pieces? Your photos don't include a view of where they would be.

The least known feature of the Black & Decker Workmate 79-001

Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 scratch guards protect the paint

h-frame.weebly.com

My observations show that the scratch guards were probably discontinued a few weeks prior to your production date, but that's only approximate.

All of the features I can see are standard for that production period, with a minor exception being the 9-ply plywood. My other observations for three weeks before and after yours all have 13-ply, but B&D changed the top material so often that variations in that are never surprising.

 

[wolfcj]

Not sure why its posting the pics twice, sorry.

I think if you go back to that message and click "Edit" you will see the duplicate photos and can delete them, leaving the one set that you intended.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I spotted this early B&D Workmate on CL this afternoon. Someone was ahead of me but if I could pick it up today the other fellow couldn't get it until tomorrow and the seller wanted it gone today. Sometimes you're in the right place at the right time. :0) Also came with a pair of plastic sawhorses for $15. I didn't spot a minor issue until I got it home but it wouldn't have mattered. Otherwise, it's in very good condition. It's missing one of the rubber feet that come into play when the workmate is folded and laying flat. It is one of the unthreaded feet. I wasn't sure I'd ever get one of these so absolutely no complaints!

There are a couple of screws underneath that are questionable. They are both near the screws that attach the top to the base. I can't really tell what purpose either of these two screws is serving. Thoughts?

Also, is there any chance I can locate a replacement foot for the base? How about replacing all the feet?

 

[wolfcj]

A great find—congratulations!

Those extra screws are the stops to keep the jaws from coming off if you open them too far. The second one you show is original; the first one is a fix when the original was broken. You can read about and see these and much more at my web page about the Type E.

The press-in feet for the Type E are hard to replace. You can see my suggestions for replacement feet here: https://h-frame.weebly.com/feet.html

I would suggest moving one of the press-in feet from the ends of the front legs to the position for the missing sawhorse-height foot. Then you can replace it with a screw-in foot, for which there are a number of options.

 

[DaveT]

I spotted this early B&D Workmate on CL this afternoon. Someone was ahead of me but if I could pick it up today the other fellow couldn't get it until tomorrow and the seller wanted it gone today. Sometimes you're in the right place at the right time. :0) Also came with a pair of plastic sawhorses for $15. I didn't spot a minor issue until I got it home but it wouldn't have mattered. Otherwise, it's in very good condition. It's missing one of the rubber feet that come into play when the workmate is folded and laying flat. It is one of the unthreaded feet. I wasn't sure I'd ever get one of these so absolutely no complaints!

There are a couple of screws underneath that are questionable. They are both near the screws that attach the top to the base. I can't really tell what purpose either of these two screws is serving. Thoughts?

Also, is there any chance I can locate a replacement foot for the base? How about replacing all the feet?

Congrats that is a great find for sure!

 

[dngrmse]

Wow, that is an outstanding find! Thanks for posting! Of course I have questions.

That is the first confirmed box for a Type 2 that I have seen. May I use the photos of the box on my web site?
(Here: https://h-frame.weebly.com/79-001-type-2.html)
I do have photos of that same box confirmed for an aluminum-H-frame Type 4, and I will point out that the Workmate pictured on it is a Type 1, so it appears that they used that box for all of the aluminum-H-frame 79-001s made at Brockville, i.e. the Type 1, Type 2, and Type 4. The earlier Type E had a different box, as did the later steel-H-frame Type 4.

Can you provide a photo of the other side of the warranty card, where the codes are?

Can you find the production code (the 651 12) stamped on the box anywhere? It would usually be on the top, but I can't see it there in the photos. It would be small and faded so require careful scrutiny.

Does the Workmate have scratch guards on the upper frame pieces? Your photos don't include a view of where they would be.

The least known feature of the Black & Decker Workmate 79-001

Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 scratch guards protect the paint

h-frame.weebly.com

My observations show that the scratch guards were probably discontinued a few weeks prior to your production date, but that's only approximate.

All of the features I can see are standard for that production period, with a minor exception being the 9-ply plywood. My other observations for three weeks before and after yours all have 13-ply, but B&D changed the top material so often that variations in that are never surprising.

Love your website. As requested, below are pics of the date printed on the box and the flip side of the warranty card. You are welcome to use the photos for your site. There are no scratch guards, and no marks where they should have been.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

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.

I'l give you $20.50 and pick it up...

Tommy

 

[wolfcj]

There are a couple of screws underneath that are questionable. They are both near the screws that attach the top to the base. I can't really tell what purpose either of these two screws is serving. Thoughts?

Having answered that, I have a similar question for Type E owners (or anyone else). Why is there an unused screw hole near the back end of the lower frame pieces on the Type E?

 

[wolfcj]

Love your website. As requested, below are pics of the date printed on the box and the flip side of the warranty card. You are welcome to use the photos for your site. There are no scratch guards, and no marks where they should have been.

Thanks. One more question—What are the bushings at the pivot points of the H-frames made of, steel or white plastic? I can't tell from the photograph.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Today, I walked to HF for some work gloves and on the return trip picked up from the side of the road a free type 6.






It came with 2 of these items that I do not recognize. Are these a Workmate accessory, and if so, what is their purpose?

 

[wolfcj]

It amazes me that these turn up for free on the road. And why haven't I ever found one?

I have never seen plastic inserts like those, so I'm pretty sure they're not from Black & Decker, at least not from the 1970s-80s period. It looks as though something else is supposed to snap into them. Do they fit the holes in the jaws securely, or are they a little loose? The Workmate holes are 20mm, larger than the more standard (for the U.S.) 3/4" dog size that I would expect from another manufacturer.

 

[Raineman]

I got mine for free a little over a year ago. Neighbor retired, was downsizing and heading south. He would set all kinds of things out for free. First thing I saw was the Workmate and I couldn't load it fast enough. I ended up getting a bunch of things from him over the several weeks he was cleaning out. Its amazing how much I use it, and I'm not gentle with it either. Not sure how I survived this long without one.

 

[captain14]

It’s just like the small Gorilla folding work platform l. Once you get one and use it, you tend to bring it out for everything.

I have more than one WM....

 

[Jeff Ivers]

It amazes me that these turn up for free on the road. And why haven't I ever found one?

I have never seen plastic inserts like those, so I'm pretty sure they're not from Black & Decker, at least not from the 1970s-80s period. It looks as though something else is supposed to snap into them. Do they fit the holes in the jaws securely, or are they a little loose? The Workmate holes are 20mm, larger than the more standard (for the U.S.) 3/4" dog size that I would expect from another manufacturer.

They fit snug like they were designed for the WM. Top is an unusual shape that seems like it is designed to hold something vertical.

As to why you have never found one on the road, perhaps you need to go for more walks? Just kidding. Really appreciate all the research you have done and the info available on your web site.

 

[wolfcj]

If you're looking for a historic vintage Workmate that's not even a Black & Decker, this eBay listing is for you.

Workmate Mark 1 MK1 Hoddesdon Herts Rare Early Aluminum H frame MateTools Ltd | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Workmate Mark 1 MK1 Hoddesdon Herts Rare Early Aluminum H frame MateTools Ltd at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

It's the Workmate Mk 1 from Ron Hickman's original company, Mate Tools. It's probably from the late 1960's. It has been listed since February, not surprising at the asking price. What surprises me is that it somehow made its way to Tucson, Arizona.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Sometimes when it rains it pours. After finding my first early B&D aluminum workmate last week I thought I had found another today on CL. This afternoon I checked the estate/garage sales on CL and saw one that had started at 8am. Headed that way hoping the B&D Workmate they were using to hold their coffee and money box might still be there and for sale. It was still there upon my arrival but the woman said she didn't think her husband wanted sell it. He came out and said he'd sell it. We agree on $20. First, one I've seen that the upper half of the base is aluminum and the lower half is steel. Seems like this is a transitional Workmate. It is marked as a Type 4. It is in pretty good shape but the clips that hold the top and bottom together when it is folded up are bent inward (or backward) such that only one of them will hold and that one is 50-50 at best. Would like to know more about the Type 4 and how to "repair" the clips so it might work again. I'm concerned about the spot weld breaking or the clip snapping off in the middle. Thoughts?

 

[wolfcj]

That's definitely a good deal you got. Both the upper and lower parts of the frame on this are steel; only the two H-frames linking them together are cast aluminum. This is true of the 79-001 Type 1 through Type 5. Of all the 79-001's produced, the Type 4 appears to be the second most common, behind the Type 2.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

That's definitely a good deal you got. Both the upper and lower parts of the frame on this are steel; only the two H-frames linking them together are cast aluminum. This is true of the 79-001 Type 1 through Type 5. Of all the 79-001's produced, the Type 4 appears to be the second most common, behind the Type 2.

Good to know wolf. Thanks! Any thoughts on bending the clips to make them once again work? They are riveted like you mention elsewhere.

I also had a question about the Type E I got last week. It has black handles and black plastic spacers. Reading your Type E website you say they are blue. Why are mine not blue?

 

[wolfcj]

I also had a question about the Type E I got last week. It has black handles and black plastic spacers. Reading your Type E website you say they are blue. Why are mine not blue?

It also has black lettering instead of blue on the H-frames and the rear legs. I've seen perhaps 40 Type E's and that's the first one trimmed out in black.

 

[wolfcj]

Good to know wolf. Thanks! Any thoughts on bending the clips to make them once again work? They are riveted like you mention elsewhere.

Well it's usually not hard to bend the clips inward, the direction yours are bent, if you apply enough force. Of course that's exactly why they get bent that way. When you try to correct that the obvious way, by bending in the opposite direction, they hit the frame before your bending can accomplish anything.

One approach would be to drill or grind away the peened end of the rivet holding the hooked piece on. With the hook removed it should be possible to bend the remaining piece back to where it should be. Then you would have to rivet the two pieces together again. I would think the two rivets holding that piece to the frame would be strong enough to stand up to that bend.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

It also has black lettering instead of blue on the H-frames and the rear legs. I've seen perhaps 40 Type E's and that's the first one trimmed out in black.

So you're saying I may have the ONLY 79-001 Type E in the known universe with black versus blue trim? Sweet Jesus I'm RICH!!!! Thanks!

 

[Outlawmws]

DNG most definitely *****! Wow! and for only $15!

 

[DGersic]

Sold off a bunch a while ago, my x frame, brazilian 200 and the two bench top units. A few weeks ago I found another type 7 like the one I found on the side of the road last year, I was debating on whether to get it or not, but since I got it down to $10 I did because I will finally have two of the same height to use as saw horses. I found some saw horse brackets at a yardsale last year, but I really hate them since since they take up so much space, so I just took them apart for the wood and will probably just throw them for free on the curb with some other stuff.
It had no bench dogs (never really use them anyway) some top delamination and is missing the rubber feet when the legs are folded. I wasn't planning on it but yesterday I took the top off, cut lines where the lamination was still good, then pried off the 2 layers that were loose and reglued them. I tried pulling the rubber pieces off the one I found in the trash, but since there is just a screw going into thin sheet metal, it wouldn't hold on the new one, maybe I should get some leveling feet and try to make that work? It's not a big deal, but having both at the same height while the legs are folded would be useful. I've been meaning to do it for probably years, but since I've sorted things out I am going to make some bottom shelves for all of them and some hardware to mount bench cookies on top.

I wish I could find a broken one for free, I was thinking of making a dedicated one for welding instead of just putting a 1/4 steel plate on a piece of plywood. I've seen some where people still use the jaws and just cover them with metal, but I was thinking of pulling everything off and mounting a plate directly to the top of the section of the frame where the screws are, removing the work surface, mounts for it, jaw screws etc to get it as thin as possible since it's already getting a bit of a challenge to store the 3 full size ones I have already.

I recently finished building a “WeldMate” from a cheap 200 I found locally.

 

[wolfcj]

So you're saying I may have the ONLY 79-001 Type E in the known universe with black versus blue trim? Sweet Jesus I'm RICH!!!! Thanks!

Wow, as soon as I say that I find another! This one is for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Virginia right now. You can see one black handle and the black bushing behind it, as well as the black lettering. However, it doesn't appear to have the steel liners for the dog holes. It also doesn't have any of the labels that a 79-001 Type E would have had, so perhaps it's a WM325 of a different Type for the UK market.

 

[wolfcj]

I contacted the seller of this one in Virginia who tells me that there are no model or Type number markings on it, such as the under-jaw ink stamp the 79-001 Type E typically has. It's obviously closely related, but I would guess that it's a UK model that made it to the U.S. An interesting discovery.

 

[wolfcj]

If anyone is interested in this all-aluminum Workmate for sale in Norfolk, Virginia for $25, here's the link:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

You probably won't find another with the black trim that this one has.

 

[rlitman]

I’m the proud new owner of this Workmate currently sitting in my car.

Picked it up for $10 on OfferUp this morning.

More pictures to follow.

 

[rlitman]

I’m the proud new owner of this Workmate currently sitting in my car.

Picked it up for $10 on OfferUp this morning.

More pictures to follow.

Well, it’s functional. It came with three screw in “suction cup” feet, and is missing a crank handle, plus has a weird set of paint colors, but otherwise is rather solid.

They don’t make them like they used to.

 

[Outlawmws]

Good deal for 10 bucks!

 

[rlitman]

Good deal for 10 bucks!

Thanks. I'm pretty happy with here I am, after having gone over everything. One deficiency I missed is that the leaf spring from the left finger lever is missing. I'll need to make one...

The grey paint was slopped over everything. What a mess. I had to pull out my thread restoring file to clean out the exposed thread tails of the feet in order to remove them. But that also confirmed that I have the M8x1.25 feet mentioned in the Type E webpage above.

Now for a question regarding the feet. I have three original "suction cup" M8 feet, but that's clearly not enough. I'm considering installing four casters in the lower legs (higher position), and four swivel pad feet in the lower position. Any thoughts on locking casters on one of these?

 

[wolfcj]

I haven't really been interested in casters for my own Workmates, but if you look at my page about replacement feet you'll find some casters that were installed and recommended by a member here.

 

[rlitman]

I haven't really been interested in casters for my own Workmates, but if you look at my page about replacement feet you'll find some casters that were installed and recommended by a member here.

Thanks. I had already found your page was an outstanding reference


Looking closer, casters seemed like they would annoy me, and serve no real purpose. It was a solution (because I saw casters with M8 stems existed) in search of a problem.

Since I have no desire to maintain the bench’s authenticity (mine just isn’t in that kind of show quality condition), I ended up buying these feet:

Eyech 6pc M8 Swivel & Adjustable Furniture Leg Leveler, Leveling Feet Glide for Tables Chairs Cabinets Furniture Workbench https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CHB7V43/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My plan was to cut down the threads on two of them, and insert them with a little hot glue into the two fixed foot holes.

The factory feet had flexibility to adjust to angled surfaces, so I chose a swiveling foot that can compensate in the same way.

So, now I have three original type E feet that maybe I can sell to someone who wants to restore their better bench.

 

[wolfcj]

The factory feet had flexibility to adjust to angled surfaces, so I chose a swiveling foot that can compensate in the same way.

This surprises me. You said that what came on yours were three of the screw-in feet. All of the screw-in feet I have seen on the Type E have been quite rigid, no real flexibility at all. On the other hand, the press-in front feet that were missing on yours were all rubber and could bend a little. All of the feet on later 79-001's were rigid.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm, now we get into feet differences - Wolf, My recent Gem has very rigid screw in feet on the back swing out leg, and somewhat flexible push in feet everywhere else. the flex is in a a disc, part that's about a quarter inch thick or so, and above the cone shaped foot. Its NOT a mechanical pivot though; just that disk is somewhat flexible.

 

[wolfcj]

Yes, that's exactly what I just described—the screw-in feet are rigid and the press-in feet can flex a little.

I just looked at your photos from April 5, and it sure looks as though all four of the rear feet on yours (not just the two on the swing-out leg) are screw-in type. That's the way the Type E came from the factory.

 

[Outlawmws]

Your right; I didn't look close enough.

 

[rlitman]

This surprises me. You said that what came on yours were three of the screw-in feet. All of the screw-in feet I have seen on the Type E have been quite rigid, no real flexibility at all. On the other hand, the press-in front feet that were missing on yours were all rubber and could bend a little. All of the feet on later 79-001's were rigid.

I think this illustrates the squishiness of my screw in feet.

 

[wolfcj]

Thanks. I went and looked at mine and I see that the screw-in feet on the Type E do have somewhat more flex to them than I remembered. However they are still relatively rigid when compared to the flexibility of the press-in feet. If you flex the pad on a Type E screw-in foot too much or too often, it can pop right off its stud. (I've had this happen.)

 

[wolfcj]

The 79-020 Benchtop Workmate has been mentioned and pictured here a number of times. I own a Type 1 and I've seen many photos of them elsewhere. I just bought a batch of three more vintage B&D catalogs today, and I was quite startled to see a 79-020 in drastically different colors. Has anyone ever seen a 79-020 that looks like the one below, which is shown on the back cover of the catalog? The catalog is marked "second half 1978" and the 79-020 is marked "NEW" which is consistent with other evidence I have for the introduction of the 79-020 in fall 1978. However it has a printing date of 4/78, so I wonder if the one in the picture was a prototype that was changed before production. There are two more photos of the same 79-020 inside the catalog. Another oddity is that the metal jaw covers that were included with the 79-020 are not shown, but it says they are available separately as an accessory, no. 79-090.

 

[Outlawmws]

I haven't seen those colors for sure. I like that better than the ones I have seen.

On the metal jaws, I have a couple of the small 79-025 Hobby Crafter 8" bench top units, those came with both aluminum and vinyl/rubber jaw faces (I have the box and owners manual for one)