Thread: B&D Workmate style Benches

My B&D workmate serves me well. I haven't used the kincrome version, but like others here, I find you have to put your weight onto the step when planing/sawing. The kincrome doesn't have a step, so I can't see how you would hold it still.

I bought mine about 4 years ago - and it has a laminated bamboo top - sounds odd, but I've found it to be very durable.

They are very versatile - you can clamp between the two top pieces - or use the supplied plastic dogs. I've seen pictures of shop made out riggers that allow it to hold much larger pieces horizonhtally, too. The 3/4" holes allow you to also use normal bench dogs and veritas wonder pups/dogs.

It's also the right height for me for planing/sawing- I'm going to make sure my workbench is the same height.The B&D version can actually be used in three height poisitions. I've used mine it by folding it up and clamping it to the top of my (temporary) workbench to give a much higher configuration - which is somethimes handy.

... Highly recommended.

Well thanks very much Guys,

Sounds unanimous - the workmate hasn't received a bad word yet and from what you guys say, may be a little more versatile than the Kincrome version. Looks like I'll be off to Bunnies soon.

Regards

Coxy

Did you find it at Bunnies then? The only B&D stuff I could find was a weird looking plastic thing.

Like the other guys, my Workmate is pretty old. The first generation ones were a bit better, maybe you can find one on eBay?

I added a pair of Oregon planks instead of the particleboard top, and they have a larger jaw area too, something that came in handy when it was my only bench. Make the new jaws longer so that you can use the bench to hold things like doors on edge...really handy on a building project.

The biggest improvement was getting some melamine covered particleboard offcuts, scribing them to fit the sheet metal legs. You then just bang them into the channels of the legs, (and the bottom shelf area, too) and use a couple of sheet metal screws to fix them. They add a lot of rigidity to the bench, and you can bore a couple of holes to hold the bench dogs.

My Workmate is the shop hack...every sharpening job, painting project, car repair job or coffee roasting session somehow ends up on it. Proof positive that every once in awhile you can bend $1.80 worth of sheet metal into something useful

The wear items are the threaded plastic blocks that allow the rear jaw to move...I ordered some new ones, and a set of dogs, from Mitre10, they cost less than $10.00 a few years ago.

Have fun...

Speaking of welding and Workmate's I used mine a while back to weld up quite a few bracket thingo's.

Trouble is the spatter found it's way onto the leadscrews and has made things a trifle difficult when adjusting the clamps.

Can you still get these parts (leadscrew and nut bizzo) ?

Otherwise, it is always the thing I reach for when you need an extra hand or two, very versatile piece of kit.
Likewise mine must be almost 20 years old and well used (abused?)

Looks good, gregoryq, I'll copy those ideas. I"m hoping to pick up an old one sometime soon, but most people who though it was worth spending the money on back when they were well made, still think they're worth hanging on to, so they seem to be fairly rare

The B&D workmate is a good bit of gear at least the old ones were.
Any ridgid flat surface will do for a bench like an old table or office desk. I use an old solid core door on two trestles as a stand by bench and can set it up anywhare.

Regards
John

Like most others here
I have a Workmate as well

BUT!!!!!

What about the old Timber SawHorse

I'm using the ones my 'KIDDLETTE' made at school,
together with a few 75 x 38 Studs

The thing is;
as I use the Studs,
my Bench size decreases

HI again
pls read the attached..........as you all can see there is a place for a foot to be placed to aid in stabilazion.
Metal and wood and allum will always beat plastic,,,,, beware

Originally Posted by L R P

HI again
pls read the attached..........as you all can see there is a place for a foot to be placed to aid in stabilazion.
Metal and wood and allum will always beat plastic,,,,, beware

Lindz,

The brochure print is far too small to read.

Hi HB
Yep I see wot u mean, any clues on how to enlarge

Me Again
Try this one

Originally Posted by L R P

Me Again
Try this one

No luck. But if you have a link to the PDF (I assume it's a PDF) just post the link and we'll be good to go.

Kincrome workbench:
http://tinyurl.com/3yonkz