Black & Decker Workmate

[Jeff Ivers]

I posted about finding a type 6 on a walk. I finished the restoration on it. Going from this:

To this:


I wanted to salvage the original jaws, but one looked like this (notice lower left corner):

So, I ran it thru the planer until I could add some 1/4" plywood as a patch. Of course, I did not have a 5x29 inch piece, so used 2 2.5x29 inch pieces of oak plywood. Since I was eliminating all the original markings, I made and attached a label with that info.

 

[wolfcj]

A resourceful solution, letting you keep what was still good and keeping the repair pretty much hidden. That method wouldn't have worked for the two-layer jaws. Did you match the 20mm holes exactly or just approximate them?

 

[Jeff Ivers]

A resourceful solution, letting you keep what was still good and keeping the repair pretty much hidden. That method wouldn't have worked for the two-layer jaws. Did you match the 20mm holes exactly or just approximate them?

I matched the 20 mm holes exactly. I purchased a 20 mm forstner bit and then had to grind the edges of the cutters to get it to the correct size, as it came oversize. In the pics, it appears the sizes for the repaired jaw are different than the un-repaired jaw. This is because I did not run a bit through the holes to clean up the fuzz that developed over the years.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

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

Very cool modification! I might want to do something like that with the rusty old unit I inherited from my father, the tops have long since reverted to oatmeal.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Comedic pricing at the local pawn shop. I know you can't self-award a "you ****", but this one is directed at the pawn shop.

 

[Outlawmws]

I found one in better condition on the curb, and had much better given to me... (Not a "Present" gift, From a total stranger...)

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I found one in better condition on the curb, and had much better given to me... (Not a "Present" gift, Form a total stranger...)

Yeah, I picked one up at another shop in this chain for $12 last year and gave it to a friend

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'm sure you guys already know this but I discovered yesterday that the Type E Workmate I recently picked up and posted about above is taller than my other three Workmates. I don't have room in my shop to crosscut long lumber and break down sheet goods on my table saw so I typically use two Workmates for that. I needed to crosscut a 10' piece of yellow pine so I grabbed by two most recent Workmate acquisitions the Type E and the Type 4. They were different heights with the Type 4 being close to 2" shorter than the Type E. Pulled out my Type 6 and it was close but still about 1/2" shorter than the Type E. My Type 6 and Type 7 are the same height. So I've got 4 different Workmate types with original tops that have 3 different heights of the worktop. Interesting.

 

[MrDayne]

I'm sure you guys already know this but I discovered yesterday that the Type E Workmate I recently picked up and posted about above is taller than my other three Workmates. I don't have room in my shop to crosscut long lumber and break down sheet goods on my table saw so I typically use two Workmates for that. I needed to crosscut a 10' piece of yellow pine so I grabbed by two most recent Workmate acquisitions the Type E and the Type 4. They were different heights with the Type 4 being close to 2" shorter than the Type E. Pulled out my Type 6 and it was close but still about 1/2" shorter than the Type E. My Type 6 and Type 7 are the same height. So I've got 4 different Workmate types with original tops that have 3 different heights of the worktop. Interesting.

Your type E should have 2 usable heights. Mine has a slightly lower height that locks and puts it just about 1/8-1/4” higher than my type2.

 

[MrDayne]

Found items at the local thrift store this past month. Brand new grip mates, never thought I would find a set locally. Also a new in the box “shopbox”. Gave that one to my mom. She loves it, it’s like a big pocketknife she says. It’s in her SUV’s trunk area holding her straps, duct tape and everything else that was loose back there.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Gripmates are great! I have a complete set with paperwork, too. I was also lucky enough to have found it locally like you did.

Tommy

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Found items at the local thrift store this past month. Brand new grip mates, never thought I would find a set locally. Also a new in the box “shopbox”. Gave that one to my mom. She loves it, it’s like a big pocketknife she says. It’s in her SUV’s trunk area holding her straps, duct tape and everything else that was loose back there.

Congrats on finding the gripmates! I was also lucky to find a pair at an estate sale locally last year or the year before. I haven't used them yet. I don't think that's because I never think of them though. IIRC I paid something like $5 or less.

 

[wolfcj]

I'm sure you guys already know this but I discovered yesterday that the Type E Workmate I recently picked up and posted about above is taller than my other three Workmates.

I have measured the heights of all ten Types of the 79-001 and listed them in my Type Study spreadsheet, linked at the top of this page:
https://h-frame.weebly.com/workmate-79-001-type-study.html

If we're talking about the workbench-height position, the Type 1, 2, 4, and 9 are indeed the shortest, at 31-1/4". Next are the Type 3 and 8 at 31-3/4". The Type 6 and 7 are 31-7/8". The Type E and 5 are tallest at 32-1/2". Of course, the Type 1, 2, 3, and 5 all have four adjustable feet, so their height can vary somewhat.

On the other hand, in the sawhorse-height position, the Type E is the shortest of the ten Types.

 

[wolfcj]

Here's an absolutely outstanding Type E that I came across on Facebook Marketplace. The rear leg assembly must have broken and the owner came up with a clever way to repair it with two triangles of plywood and a 2x4. I love the photographs in the ad too—they almost look like paintings. The text of the ad was intriguing too—it was very brief, with no mention of "Workmate". The full description was

"Unique saw horse
Believe it was hand crafted ".

 

[wolfcj]

And, do you remember the question I posed about the Type E just about a month ago?

If you look carefully at how those plywood triangles are attached, you'll see that one of the four screws holding each of them to the frame goes through the hole I asked about! (The other three screws on each side appear to go through newly drilled holes.)

 

[Jeff Ivers]

With my type 2 and type 6 restored, I was looking at my WM 300 and decided it is looking a bit dingy. I am thinking about taking it apart to refresh it. But, it has those plastic bits that act as the catches for the folding legs. Do the hinge pins slide through those easily or am I likely to destroy them when I try to drive the pins out? Any special techniques needed? Or, should I just leave well enough alone?

 

[wolfcj]

I've only owned 79-001's and I've never examined a Workmate 300 (79-033), but since no one else has answered yet, I will.

I know the leg latches are user-replaceable, because members here have reported doing it. Look at Amazon's page for the latches and scroll down to "Customer Questions and Answers". You'll see "How do you replace leg catch" with seven answers that may help you.

 

[LazKat]

Just found this thread and I had no idea Workmates were such a thing. Looking at the spreadsheet and comparing to what I have in the workshop, I guess my original WM200 is a Type E as it was made in England. Still in great shape and used regularly. I've hauled it around most of my adult life. The WM 225 was acquired when I assisted a neighbor in preparing her house for sale after her husband was sent off to prison. No label on that one, but it's in pretty good shape and the price was right (free) so I cleaned it up and it's hanging behind my 200.

I also have the Gripmate accessories which don't get used often but are great when I need them.

 

[wolfcj]

Are you the first owner of the WM 200? If so, do you remember when and where you got it? I've come across a few of those before and I've been curious where they fall in the Workmate timeline. There was a Workmate 200 (with no "WM" as part of the number) sold in the U.S. starting in 1983, but it was made in Brockville, Ontario, was labelled differently, and looks different than your WM 200.

Being made in England doesn't mean it's a Type E; that designation was used only on the very first Workmate that was imported from England to be sold in the U.S. during 1974 as the 79-001 Type E. It's a completely different design than your later WM 200. You can see what the 79-001 Type E looks like at

Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 Type E - Type Study

Black & Decker Workmate 79-001 Type E Workbench and Vise - Type Study

h-frame.weebly.com

 

[LazKat]

I'm the original owner of that WM200 but don't really remember where or when I bought it? Late 70s / very early 80s maybe? I can provide more pictures and other details if you'd like.

 

[Jgaz]

I’ve had my Workmate since the 90’s? Used it pretty hard but kept it indoors.
When lived in Michigan it was usually in my basement, or my garage, when it wasn’t at a worksite, or racetrack.

This pic is sometime around 2006 or so shows it being used as a buffer stand.


After moving to AZ. in 2015 I decided it would live outside and be used for cutting, routing, etc. when I want to keep the mess outdoors.

After a few years, the weather, mostly the sun, started to wear on it even though I usually store it hung up under the shed overhang.

I decided to replace the jaws with something way more weather resistant. I found an eBay seller that had offcuts of Starboard.
Made new jaws, kept the same hole pattern but enlarged the dog holes to 3/4” ID in order to be able to use the same dogs, clamps, etc as my woodworking bench.

I also replaced the bottom fiberboard shelf with a piece of galvanized sheet metal.


Can‘t really reef on the vise but it holds fine for cutting metal with a cutoff wheel.

And once again a buffing stand. No grass this time.


Hope this is an acceptable post in this thread.
It isn’t a restoration as much as an environmental adaption.

 

[fartymarty]

Hope this is an acceptable post in this thread.
It isn’t a restoration as much as an environmental adaption.

It's the kind I prefer really, thanks!

It looks like the buffer has held up as well as the Workmate over the years.
Your jaws look good, nice job!

 

[y'sguy]

Smart choice with the STARBOARD, good idea.

 

[wolfcj]

I decided to replace the jaws with something way more weather resistant. I found an eBay seller that had offcuts of Starboard.
Made new jaws, kept the same hole pattern but enlarged the dog holes to 3/4” ID in order to be able to use the same dogs, clamps, etc as my woodworking bench.

I learned something new here—I never heard of the Starboard material before, so I had to look it up. Do you notice any disadvantages to it? I would expect it to be heavier.

By going to 3/4" for the dog holes, you reduced the size of them rather than enlarging them. The standard hole size on all Workmates is 20mm, or .79 inches. I suppose back in the early 70's there were not so many workbenches that had already standardized on 3/4" or Black & Decker would have stuck to that.

 

[wolfcj]

I'm the original owner of that WM200 but don't really remember where or when I bought it? Late 70s / very early 80s maybe? I can provide more pictures and other details if you'd like.

Yes, a few photos would be great.

 

[rlitman]

I learned something new here—I never heard of the Starboard material before, so I had to look it up. Do you notice any disadvantages to it? I would expect it to be heavier...

Starboard is slippery stuff. I cut strips of it to make parting rails for my wooden windows as I've been refurbishing them.

 

[Jgaz]

I learned something new here—I never heard of the Starboard material before, so I had to look it up. Do you notice any disadvantages to it? I would expect it to be heavier.

By going to 3/4" for the dog holes, you reduced the size of them rather than enlarging them. The standard hole size on all Workmates is 20mm, or .79 inches. I suppose back in the early 70's there were not so many workbenches that had already standardized on 3/4" or Black & Decker would have stuck to that.

No disadvantages to it that I can see. It probably is heavier but I don’t notice a big difference.

Thanks for pointing out the decrease, not increase, in the dog holes. I knew I wanted it common with my woodwork bench and forgot what the original was.

As I’m sure you now know. Starboard is popular with the boat crowd for cabinets etc.
It machines very nicely with common woodworking tools

 

[wolfcj]

I found some specs on weights of 4x8 sheets of 3/4" material—120 lbs. for Starboard vs. 72 lbs. for Baltic Birch plywood, a common high-quality choice for replacement jaws. I don't know the size of the jaws on a Workmate 400 but, for a 79-001 Type 2 with the doubled edge Starboard would increase the weight by about 3.9 pounds, from 5.9 to 9.8.

 

[Outlawmws]

The Doubled Jaws may be an issue as well? HDPE doesn't glue well, Not sure how well it might take threads for being screwed together.

 

[wolfcj]

Take a look at the interesting replacement jaws on this Workmate 79-001 Type 2 that just sold on eBay. The jaws are several inches wider than stock, making the overall area of the top larger. The extra overhang of the front jaw would interfere with the vise handles, except that the jaws have been raised by adding 3/4" plywood spacers on top of the U-brackets. The jaws have three rows of dog holes rather than the usual two.

I wonder about the size of the dog holes. Notice that none of the swivel pegs are fully inserted. Do you suppose the maker drilled 3/4" holes and then found out that the pegs didn't fit?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1649551315...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[4xdog]

I inherited my brother's late-1980s Workmate 200 about ten years ago, and I've used it a lot. Never bought one of these myself, but it's turned out to be a lot more useful and higher quality than I realized back then.

My brother kept it in his (damp) garage, so the original finish was rusting in a number of places. I took it apart expecting to rattlecan it back to gloss black, but as I got into it the idea to powder coat it in my current-favorite-machine-finish RAL 7006 beige-grey took hold, and as I was having some other stuff coated, this went into the mix. I'm happy with it -- and it's got a lot of working years ahead of it.

 

[pb014]

Nice work.

 

[wolfcj]

A quiz—Can you spot what is wrong with this Workmate 79-001 Type 1 that sold today on Facebook Marketplace?

And how the heck did it get that way? And why? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Outlawmws]

Top is bassakwards to the base.

Maybe the foot rest came loose and just landed at the other end?

 

[nashbalto]

Picked up my second WM today, a 79-001 type 6 or 7 (judging by wolfcj's excellent research) for $25.

It has the three boot feet, and 1 leveling foot.

Needs some spray paint clean-up, and general cleaning and lube. But it opened easily, and the jawz are in pretty good shape. One hit on the outside of the back jaw with a circular saw.

Outlaws, how you useful do you find the hobby workmates?

Pics in morning.

Cheers,
Nashbalto

 

[Outlawmws]

I almost never use them. I don't do much of the type of work they are best suited for, adn I will generally use a bench vise for smaller things.

 

[4xdog]

…Maybe the foot rest came loose and just landed at the other end?

Many of the fasteners on a 79-001 are removable crosshead machine screws, not rivets. It would likely be possible to reverse the top on a Type 1, if for some unknown reason someone wanted to.

 

[wolfcj]

Top is bassakwards to the base.

Maybe the foot rest came loose and just landed at the other end?

If you look at it carefully again you'll see that the top is mounted normally to the base. You're right that the metal plate that is the footrest or step has been detached from the front part of the base frame and moved to the back.

Many of the fasteners on a 79-001 are removable crosshead machine screws, not rivets. It would likely be possible to reverse the top on a Type 1, if for some unknown reason someone wanted to.

Because of the geometry of the linkage between the upper frame and lower frame, I'm pretty sure they could not be reversed relative to each other without at the very least drilling some new holes for the side struts. Even that would require some careful planning to allow it to still fold. Just unscrewing the top and reversing it wouldn't work. And as said above, they are are not reversed on this one.

The footrest is not attached with screws, so moving it would not be easy to do. And if it broke loose accidentally, why would someone remount it at the back?

 

[nashbalto]

Picked up my second WM today, a 79-001 type 6 or 7 (judging by wolfcj's excellent research) for $25.

It has the three boot feet, and 1 leveling foot.

Needs some spray paint clean-up, and general cleaning and lube. But it opened easily, and the jawz are in pretty good shape. One hit on the outside of the back jaw with a circular saw.

Outlaws, how you useful do you find the hobby workmates?

Pics in morning.

Cheers,
Nashbalto

Pics of 79-001, Type 7 picked up yesterday:

Note on Pic #4, the three boot feet, and in the right rear, the leveling foot as predicted by wolfcj's compilation of WM research!

 

[wolfcj]

Attach your circular saw to the underside of the Workmate top and you have a table saw for some freehand sawing. I wouldn't want to get my fingers near that!