Hanging up the old workmate

Rennie Heuer

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A short time back we had a quick discussion on the venerable Black & Decker Workmate. Many of us have had these in our shops for a long time. I know mine dates back to what I believe was the first incarnation over 40 years ago.

One issue I have always had with mine is where to store it. It took up valuable floor space for a tool that I used only a couple of times a year. I played around with a few ideas and came up with this solution.

Simplicity is what I was going for. Two pieces of plywood scrap and a couple of bits of hardboard. Sandwich it all together with a few screws from the back side, locate the studs, screw it in with 4 3 1/2" screws, a coat of paint to match the wall and it's up off the floor and using space that was otherwise useless. It now hides behind the rolling clamp rack, easily accessible for those times when its unique abilities are in need.

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What a neat solution you have there, Now, all I need is some wall space and I might just borrow your idea. They come in handy like you said a couple of times a year. I brought mine out a few weeks ago and have been dreading trying to put it back where I had it stored. Thanks for the Tip[
:thumb:
 
Thanks Rennie. Wow they sure got pricey and seems new ones are not same quality.
Man why they do this all the time. Take a good product and value engineer the good out of it.
Will look around here for an old one. Wish i had taken my Dads when he offered me pick of anything in the workshop before we left SA.
 
I didn't know anyone else had their old Workmate. I bought one in 1974 and it has almost been in continuous use ever since. Today it's primary job is as a support for my miter saws.

My miter saws hang from a French cleat on the wall. The saws are mounted to a piece of plywood with the male part of the cleat underneath. When I want to use one I take it down and mount it in my trusty Workmate. With a couple of sawhorses on either side I can cut to length virtually any piece of wood.

I never considered storing my Workmate with a French cleat but what a great idea.
 
My motther gave us a Workmate almost 40 years ago, and I used it frequently. This was just after we were married. I also got myself a Mitremate, which I used to this day. I don't know what happened to the workmate. It probably disappeared in one of the several moves we made. However, Canadian Tire sells a similar vice table, sometimes on sale for less than $20. The quality isn't the same, but it works and it still fits the Mitremate. I do wish I had the Workmate still. Your solution is a good one,better than leaning it against the wall.
 
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