Thread: I can't do without my ........?

Hi BitingMidge

My old B&D workmate is still "intact", albeit in the same sort of condition described.

Is yours one of the "originals" with the die cast frame? Mine is

I am going through the process of deciding whether to make a new set of jaws, replace a couple of bolts, and replace the broken winder handle, or just spend $20.00 on a new facsimile from a cheap shop.

I'd take the "repair" option based on the cheapie "workmates". The units I have seen are made of very thin sheetmetal.

Is yours one of the "originals" with the die cast frame?

Yep, with the fold out step, and the thicker bit on the leading edge of the timber jaws......I also have two sets of hold-fast clamps and a whole heap of custom dogs made from plastic fizzy wine corks.

As a back-up I have one of the first metal tube ones...also folds out to two different levels, but no step.

I think all of this makes me something of a workmate connosewer!!

Cheers,

P

Tape measure? Nah, get an electronic caliper. It makes a huge difference to be able to measure really accurately.

Rocker

Haven't you heard of a hammer to fit things together?

Regards from Perth

Derek

theres a whole pile of things I couldn't do without.

but

if I could only have one tool it would be a sharp axe.

the best survival tool.

many of the pioneers made a whole life with little more then an axe.

and the previous owners made that out of a rock & a stick.

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

My old B&D workmate is still "intact", albeit in the same sort of condition described.

I am going through the process of deciding whether to make a new set of jaws, replace a couple of bolts, and replace the broken winder handle, or just spend $20.00 on a new facsimile from a cheap shop.

P

BM

Don't buy a cheapie! Repair your old mate. It was far better built than the $20 sheet metal knock-offs. I bought a couple of cheapies to use in conjunction with an old door as an assembly table (see this thread:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ead.php?t=6855

To which, I've just noticed, you also contributed. I've also just noticed that my Workmate is visible in the background to the photo of the assembly table.)

The cheap ones do an adequate job for that purpose (ie, as end vices for the assembly table) but they don't compare to the Workmate.

Col

My intent, when I opened this thread, was to help newbies prioritise tool purchases. However I realise that it could also refer to the most important tool/item in the workshop. In regard to the latter - after this past weekend - I decided that my most important item (or should that read "most used"?) in the workshop is the box of bandaids I keep in a drawer. Don't try and catch a Japanese saw by the business end!! Ouch

Regards from Perth

Derek

My most important tool is my workbench. Without that, I'd be finished.

After a weekend buy & machining hardwoods, I definitely couldn't do without a nice sharp knife & pair of tweezers - hands are full of small cuts & splinters

Yes splinters are a pain (pun)

I use the little splinter removers that most chemists sell they are like a short flat needle in a small plastic cover with handle.

They are without equal when getting splinters out, a hypodermic also works well but people look at you funny when you have those laying around.

Dave

This maybe cheating but I can't get by without my 1960's shopsmith - it's a combo tablesaw, drill press, lathe, disc sander, jointer and probably does a few other things if I could find the bits. I mostly use it as a tablesaw and disc sander though

Band aids are great Its surprising what you can patch up with a few band aids. The extra wide ones are handy.

The realy sharp, curved surgical tweesers are great. the curve means you can see what you are doing & they are strong. Havn't missed a splinter yet.

they are also the only thing that gets the smallest scrub ticks.