B&D Workmate Improvements

[@w0lfy651]

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks .......... you just did ! Well done and thank you.

[@andylucas1175]

I've had my workmate since the mid 1970s and it's been used and abused, yet it's still going strong. I've had more than my money's worth out of it and it's proved to be one of the best bits of kit I've ever owned: Interesting vid', with some great tips, thank you.

[@davidhill7914]

Hi from North Yorkshire, England. I bought my Workmate 57 years ago, one of the early all cast aluminium ones. A brilliant invention. Still as good as new with the original plywood top and blue grips. I have lost count of how many things I have made using it but I recall making my daughters push along truck as she learned to walk and her beautiful dolls house and furniture. I also made my granddaughter her push along truck. It’s still sits in my workshop getting used regularly for my hobby making shepherds crooks.

[@nickdawson9270]

Totally agree, I think I bought mine at about the same time and is cast aluminium, not the press steel version that I guess came later after B&D took the product over from the inventor, Ron Hickman, whose "day job" was designing automobiles for Lotus and Ford. I think it might have been the first B&D product that did not have an electric motor!

[@wombat3024]

@@nickdawson9270 I had an early aluminium framed one, and stupidly gave it to a friend when I treated myself to a "new, improved" version many years later. More years later, and the original one is still going strong, but after repeated repairs the much heavier improved version has practically fallen apart, and is almost unusable. A dreadful reduction in quality, and the "enhancements" just ruined its rigidity. I've made my own folding workbench now.

[@fourtwo7612]

Yes, I’ve got one of those too. Inherited from my father. Didn’t realise it could be 57 years old 😮

[@jayminor9757]

Hello Mark Thanks for the Workmate tips. I too, have a small shop that gets a lot of different types of jobs done in it both in wood and metal. Three Workmates grace one wall of my shop on French cleat type hangers and one of them is slated to get a steel top on it for welding on. They hold wood, bend sheet metal, act as in and out feed tables, saw horses and even bar stools at shop social gatherings. One, I inherited from my dad, one got given to me by my brother in law and one was bought from the Re-Store for 15 bucks. I love them.

[@markbenson4218]

Your experience is much like mine. I also have a Workmate with a steel top for welding. Can you please stay tuned for an upcoming video on it.

[@MrTapanes]

What a great video! I still have my mom's WorkMate from the 70's. For the longest time it was the core of my workshop. LOL Would bolt all my tools (grinders, drill press, chop saw, etc.) to a thick piece of ply and then screw a 2x4 to it as a gripping point for the WM table to hold on to. Your system is great and well thought out. Cheers!

[@timniven9461]

Brilliant idea! I was thinking of making a flat work-surface for one of my Workmates, but the shelf and wheeled-base idea. is the cherry on the cake. Thank you!

[@stevenfaulkner2880]

I bought mine brand new( 1977) as a 13 year old in a promo with a circular saw and drill to make a skateboard ramp. I still own it!!

[@chrisjmiller6]

I still remember my dad opening one on Christmas morning around 1980 or so. I think I'll dig it out and make some improvements

[@marthacampbell1939]

I like his calm and relaxing way he speaks

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

* the calm and relaxing way

[@domciancibelli]

Kinda puts you to sleep…zzzzzzzz!

[@Voongi]

Great video. Brilliant ideas I like the mobile base it also raises it up a little higher which is nice. I bought my father a workmate over forty years ago. He has passed now it's in my workshop now. It always brings back memories of him whenever I use it. Thank you.

[@markbenson4218]

@@Voongi same with me…my Dad passed years ago and I have his Workmate.

[@richardkawucha1232]

My wife bought me a B&D Workmate over 45 years ago. It came with a B&D 5" corded, circular saw, which still works. Mine does have some paint on it, because I use it a lot. I have a newer one (with the plastic leg locks) that I bought about 20 years ago but I still prefer the older one. Both came in handy when, after my brother passed, I had to redo his house before selling it. My old one is in my basement where I'm using it as a base for refinishing/reupholstering a 70 year old chair. My only issue with the older unit are the bent metal release clips, for opening it up. I'm 73 and it takes a lot of finger pressure to press them in.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Love the Ideas We have had woodmate in our shop for 50 years !

[@tobymcnicol922]

made a worktop for mine with a small bench vice attached which i thought was pretty clever..... and then i found this video!

[@georges8348]

One of the many reasons I love my Workmate is, I've never been able to hurt it or damage it in a way that would incapacitate it. It just keeps working year after year. I got mine from Sears & Roebuck in 1973.

[@markbenson4218]

@@georges8348 “Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin’”. Like the Energizer bunny.

[@917Stefano]

Excellent video! I sort of inherited my Workmate from a family member almost 40 years ago. It was indispensable when I was living in an apartment, and I needed a way to build some sort of project. It still comes in handy.

[@totallyunmemorable]

I've had mine for about 40 years. I don't have room to use it currently, but one thing I used to do with it is to collapse the legs on one side but not the other, so that the table was angled. Then I would clamp a simple jig into it that allowed me to carve guitar necks much more easily than would have been the case with all four workmate legs extended. I also made my own round dogs out of appropriately sized dowels and rubber tubing (to hold them in the table and to cushion the workpiece). That thing was a big player in my old shop.

[@markbenson4218]

That is an ingenious adaptation of a Workmate to suit your unique needs. Thanks for your support.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Nice one, Mark. I love mine (a 536?). My table saw normally sits on on a phenol ply board on it. I'm planning to extend the table saw with a router table. I have a lower shelf. The Workmate sits on furniture rollers but your solution is better. I have extra dogs to fit in the 20mm holes. I would dearly love a second Workmate, to behave as an outfeed table. One wall in my small shop has a kitchen worktop. All the best, Rob in Switzerland

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks for sharing your own setup Rob.

[@davidfriedman3962]

Love your resourcefulness! Would like to see a tour of workshop? Thank you so much

[@markbenson4218]

I will do that in a future video.

[@danielbowman4819]

I use mine as a router table. Works great for that. And I also use it as a reloading table where I can mount my reloading press to it.

[@bigbawls81]

Great ideas. I have 4 myself that I have restored. I especially like your mobile base. Thank you for sharing.

[@philsmith6165]

I've had mine for over 50 years. Best thing for the workshop I've ever bought. I'll add the shelf and the mobile base. I've used the enlarged work surface idea for several years. As well as the benefits of a larger work area, it stops me beating up the plywood jaws.

[@markbenson4218]

The Workmate was a great invention and they are still relevant after all these years. I can’t say that for any power tool I own!

[@kstewart3657]

Well done. Excellent adaptations. 👏

[@markbenson4218]

Thank you very much!

[@ppeterson9359]

Great ideas! I did something similar w/ a work surface (screwed a 2x2 cleat to the bottom of a piece of ply. Since I also use it for car projects, I sized it for a big metal drip pan to protect the ply from grease, etc.

[@Bettys_Eldest]

Mine was a Christmas gift from my dad in 1980. I have a shelf to fit and I made a top out of an offcut of kitchen worktop, which clamps in like yours, mine has a small engineers vice bolted to one edge, and a hole which fits a cobblers last on the opposite side. The wheeled base is a good idea, I could fit it out with storage suited to whatever project was being undertaken at the time.

[@markbenson4218]

Thank you for your time to comment and share your own uses for your classic Workmate.

[@thomask4836]

Hi Mark! Hey! Thanks for sharing your ideas! My older brother bought me a Workmate brand-new when they first came out 40 or so years ago as a Christmas present. He's gone now but when I see it, I often think of him. I use it mostly as a router table base and adapted an existing router table to it. It works great for that. I appreciate seeing your creativity! Thank You Sir, for taking the time and putting the effort into sharing your ideas. Best Wishes, Tom

[@markbenson4218]

Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your experience.

[@just_another_Joe]

I was given a new Workmate as a gift over 30 years ago and I still use it fairly frequently. I still have all the parts to it, and it’s in great shape, thought the top wood surfaces are all painted over from numerous paint jobs. Mine is slightly different than the one you showed, in that it has a small parts tray that runs the full width just below the clamp’s crank handles. I like the rolling base you made, but unfortunately, I don’t have the room in my garage to store something as bulky. Most of the time, my Workmate is folded up and hanging on a wall. I may design something in the future with the same idea in mind, but something much more low-profile that utilizes the legs to take up much of that height. That, I could probably find a reasonable way to store. The moment you started introducing the larger table-top, I knew what it was immediately. I did the exact same thing with mine a while back and it’s greatly improved its usefulness. I even drilled holes in it to be able to mount a vise or a bench grinder with quick attach/release levered bolts. I store those separately and it only takes a minute to attach either when I need them. But rather than fastening an additional screw through it, for added security, I attached a broader board under the piece that gets clamped by the table and laps under the table’s wood top pieces by an inch or so. That way, if the clamp ever comes loose, the overlapped board below will prevent it from coming out. Regarding that plywood piece you put in the bottom: mine came with a ¼ inch pressboard that fit in that same spot. It’s held up surprisingly well over the years, but I may consider replacing it with plywood for a sturdier surface and fastening it in place.

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks for letting all the viewers learn of your own improvements. They are very good.

[@laurenbenson4176]

This inspires me to take my workmate to the next level like yours!

[@maxoutput317]

Couple of the hacks are great such as the wheeled base I would put a draw in it and the wood shelf but surly if you put a top on it you turn it into a wheeled workbench and loose the use of the vice and folding for storage

[@JG-rj4ly]

I added a similar base and castors to mine because the leg clips are broken. I also put a drawer in the base as well as a worktop. Very useful little workbench.

[@tomt9543]

Leg clips are readily available! In fact, most all parts for these things are still produced!

[@markbenson4218]

The drawer in the base is a great idea. Thanks. Mark

[@joer5627]

My clips finally broke as well. Had it 35 years(?). Time to make these improvements.

[@Pocketfarmer1]

In the mid 80’s in NYC, I did a lot of side handy man work . I used a foot locker on end with casters as a tool box saws router etc . I hung a workmate 350 on it and would roll my portable shop through the subway system to jobs. I can’t find a 350 like the one I still have, proper work mate not the modern scissor type. The only improvement I made was t thirds panel to increase the work area.

[@jamesyee4143]

Nice tips on the Work mate!Thanks!😊

[@georgekeilman1225]

As I recall, the Workmate was invented in the UK by an engineer after sawing into his kitchen table while working on a project! British houses are small, hence the unit folds for storage. I have two, they are great.

[@mariorojas3325]

Who can help me please to find one for me i'm good conditión?

[@bobellingson4025]

But tell the rest of the story! The engineer that designed it was Ron Hickman, who was previously an engineer working for Lotus Cars! He was instrumental in the design of the original Lotus Elan and Lotus Europa. Look at that aluminum casting in the folding structure (where it says Workmate), and appreciate the elegant, minimalist shape, achieving lightness and economy of materials, while retaining strength where it's needed. It even has holes for further lightening, familiar to any racecar or aircraft designer. That shows definite Lotus DNA! I think of this heritage every time I set mine up and unfold those clever, sturdy legs. Lately, I've been using mine (that I inherited from my dad... I bought it for him for Fathers Day several decades ago) every day lately as I work on my car in the driveway.

[@georgekeilman1225]

@ I worked with an engineer in London that knew Ron Hickman. I recall he lived in the same neighborhood, and his dad was good friends with Ron. I had forgotten Ron’s name but I remember some connection to Lotus now that you mention it. Apparently, he was always building things. I have one of the original die-cast models as well as a later “value-engineered” steel one. They should have stuck with the die cast.

[@philtucker1224]

Nearly right George as I think it was actually his son that invented the workmate following his father’s death after his wife stabbed him with a carving knife for ruining their kitchen table.

[@redplague76]

Great minds think alike. Did the same things to mine a few years ago, which I inherited from my grandfather who passed. Makes a handy workbench even more handy. 👍🏻

[@jakeg1342]

I have 2 of these. They are heavy so they sit against the wall with stuff piled up on them. Except for when I cut pipe, they are very handy for clamping down on that. I like your ideas to possibly make them more useful for me.

[@normancoutts]

Spot on ideas. All the best.

[@unwired1281]

Great modifications ‼️

[@ihrescue]

I like all those improvements. Nice work.

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks!

[@davidcooke8825]

I agree. They are under rated. I’ve got a couple that I found.

[@hilbert551]

MWGA - Make Workmate Great Again!

[@markbenson4218]

@@hilbert551 That’s hilarious!

[@Jackstraw911]

Very nice! I may steal some of your ideas😊 I use my workmate all of the time.

[@mode1charlie170]

I have one that i have been using since i was a kid. Think ill upgrade it with some of these ideas.

[@larrystevens6247]

Great improvement for the workmate. That has to be the nicest layout for a shop I have ever seen. Great job 👏

[@markbenson4218]

Thank you very much!

[@MarkY-lh6wv]

This is a great video for me. I just inherited my father’s workmate I found. Was not sure what I could do to make it work better for me.

[@markbenson4218]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HSkraekelig]

Did you happen to get the little black "dogs" that go in the holes? Those can make it even more versatile. I also have a set of clamps that fit in orange dogs as well. Have a look out for those as well. You might be able to find some 3D printed dogs if you don't find them. Amazon has some dogs as well. The ones from Power Tec are much like the originals.

[@Edgardelan]

Thank you very much for your video. I’ll start improving my Workmate right away.

[@beulahalestick8297]

They make great shooting bench’s. I use a top of 3/4 inch plywood with a 4x4 screwed in the center that I clamp in the workmate to provide a very stable base. It breaks down to 2 pieces that fit in the bed of the truck easily. A metal folding chair completes the setup.

[@JayWye52]

I would make new top jaw boards,longer than the originals,to allow use of clamps at the ends On mine I installed a small wood block on the front crossbar,drilled with 3/4 holes to hold the bench dogs when not in use. I cut a piece of 1/8" fiberboard to fit in the bottom to catch dust and shavings. your roller base is a great idea.

[@misterm7086]

Rollimg base idea...Brilliant!

[@garypautard1069]

Wow ! that base is such a good idea and by raising the workmate height it's easier to use power tools on. Great tips thank you.

[@markbenson4218]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimmarshall1708]

Fantastic, wish I knew about some of these ideas year’s ago.

[@dtanner7]

I hadn't heard of these until recently (believe it or not - somewhat of a newbie here) stumbling upon one on marketplace. Might pick one (or two) up soon.

[@timothyrose4052]

Cool ideas. Never thought about putting one on a mobile base like that and to now do extra duty as an outfeed table, well that's genius. Thanks for the tips!

[@garylatture8948]

Great ideas

[@dennisseemann571]

I love it, have a 30 year old one given to me that I have refurbished, and have been looking for a way to use it strategically in my small woodshop. Thanks for the great ideas, I think I'll add a drawer to the base you designed for a little power tool storage. while were discussing mobility would you make a video on your unique mobile base for your post drill press, looks a lot simpler than the one I have designed but never made.

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks for taking the time to write. Your idea for a drawer in the base is really good. I’d be happy to share my mobile base for the drill press in a future episode. Glad you asked. Mark

[@jwrobinson2626]

Nice additions to make the WM more versatile. Thanks!

[@fredhinck9685]

I have a couple of the classic original ones with the aluminum frames.

[@markbenson4218]

Those aluminum ones are very cool. I like them too. In fact I have one as well. It’s rough and needs some TLC.

[@douglasfeilen4344]

I've had mine for about 30 years. Made a larger removable top for my mitre saw when using it away from my work shop. Only use it occasionally, but wouldn't be without it😊.

[@mariorojas3325]

May I bid for hours when available? the reaso. Is It is not available in México..

[@jt9498]

I have 4 myself that I have restored. I like your mobile base idea. I, also, have limited space in my basement shop. I keep 2 of them in my garage shop.

[@randaljacobs833]

Love the design I also have two of them and wounder if a small drawer could be add into the base that you designed?

[@markbenson4218]

Yes, a drawer could be added in the bottom. Maybe I will go back and add one.

[@guyh.4553]

I have 2, and yes, they are indispensable. Especially for small shops. One was my dad's that I inherited, & the other is a knock off brand, still the same as a B & D one. You have a great idea for the shelf. I've built 2 surfaces for mine. I would like to get one or two more. I don't know what I'd do without them.

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks for your comment. It seems the Workmate is beloved by thousands or maybe even millions of owners!

[@OldJoe212]

Since they are made with "C Channel", I wedged a 1" by in the back( opposite the cranks) with holes to hold the plastic bench dogs. I have an expanded top like yours. I just tighten the cranks to hold it in place.

[@allanfischer9417]

Nice tips & tricks for small shops needing versatile utility tables and outfeeds for a table saw.

[@michaelpack1198]

I own 2 along with numerous other permanent and folding shop tables. I notice the panel you lay in the bottom of the WM has a finger hole, so I was surprised you hadn’t put a bottom in your rolling base (yet) to pick up a few free cubic feet of storage space.

[@markbenson4218]

Great idea Michael. Maybe I will do that. Thanks.

[@RandyZimmerman-pp5wj]

Smart way to maximize your space in the shop

[@rollingthunder4599]

I need the rolling base. If I need to move my workmate work bench I need to take everything off it. I wish you hah showed how to build the base.

[@UncleMatt08]

Great stuff. Definitely going to make mine mobile

[@john.robertson9545]

I have two, one is a b&d 1000 yet to see anyone else who has one, they are both some 50 years old and still being used

[@John-NeverStopLearning]

Great idea. You should upgrade your base and put a drawer in it.

[@markbenson4218]

A few viewers suggest that. It’s a good idea for sure. Maybe I will.

[@CathyDenyer]

Those are great ideas Mark.

[@tomhart837]

I made a work surface with a 4x4 piece of i/2 plywood with a 2 ft. piece of 2x4 flush screwed on the bottom to clamp onto.

[@lesthiele4921]

I have had a B&D Workmate since 1980 I think it is a series 600, and it is one tool item I will NEVER get rid of it.

[@alastairchestnutt6416]

A helpful video. Have got one from my Mother in Law.

[@tertessa]

I like your ideas...thanks

[@maryellenfortenberry4709]

New to DYI would you save your plans this is an excellent idea! I do have the workmate

[@drivesalot0063]

Excellent information! Your ideas are very useful! Just saw your site. You have a new subscriber. Many thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@markbenson4218]

Welcome aboard!

[@deeshrier7444]

I have 2 Workmates. I really like your enhancements. Since you mention you have a very small shop space, would it be feasible to add a drawer to your rolling base for extra storage? I also noticed in the background of your shop you have similar rolling bases for other tools that may also benefit having drawers built into them.

[@ERone43]

Nice. Thanks for the reminder to use it as an outfeed table. Just bought my second one yesterday for $23. Needs new wood but thats easy Cheers

[@markbenson4218]

That’s a good buy. Congratulations!

[@SteveZodiac777]

Very good!

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks!

[@richt.4900]

It’s so nice to see you improving the design, use and practicability of an already multi-award winning piece of equipment. Maybe you could consider using a different screw for extra security, when holding the worktop in place. One that only requires a ninety degrees rotation. Well done. 👏🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😇

[@bobmatuzak2263]

I’m upgrading mine soon

[@chillywilly3397]

Great ideas. Thank you for sharing!

[@Quince828]

I like your table top idea but the shelf and base rather undermine the real virtue of the workmate in that it’s portable and easy to store. It seems the additions will add to the clutter in the shop when not in use.

[@rogergaborski]

Nice video, you present your ideas well, but maybe I’m missing something? What the actual purpose of the Workmate in your setup. Why not simply construct a 36’ workbench with wheels?

[@markbenson4218]

@@rogergaborski Rodger, I have wondered the same thing! At this point maybe I should make such a bench. Like many others I grew up with Workmates, so perhaps I just like the vintage vibe.

[@rogergaborski]

@ understand, I still have mine in the workshop. Keep up the videos.

[@barrysherwin3297]

The mobile base needs a bottom to it , extra rigidity and storage space, alternatively , install a drawer there. Either way, a small workshop should use all available space.

[@markbenson4218]

Those are good ideas. Thanks

[@markbenson4218]

Those are good ideas. Thanks

[@kodak_jack]

Very good ideas. Don’t rely on the camera’s microphone. Use a wireless one.

[@markbenson4218]

As you can see I’m new to all this! I’ll look into a wireless mic. Thanks for the tip.

[@kodak_jack]

@ Most guys do the same thing. It only works if you’re close to the camera.

[@psjkst]

Getting my used tomorrow for 15€. Great ideas, that i'm going to use!

[@philtucker1224]

Nice ideas. Also, if you fit a base into your mobile plinth and a finger hole in your mid plate you could use it to store things in. Kind regards for 2025 👌

[@bigfella1952]

Great useful ideas, easily made,and improvements so much. Luckily found a closing down sale and managed to get 4 new workmates @ £15 (12$) .... each.I Will be modernising mine to.suit Just found your Channel, and subscibed. x The Bigfella x

[@terryroberts3897]

I have an older workmates 150. I purchased it at a garage sale. It's missing one of the rubber feet. I've tried to order a new boot three times and it's always the wrong size. I don't have any paperwork showing parts. I'd like to replace the rubber feet. Any ideas?

[@JennaNLane]

Be right back… running to make these hacks for my Black+Decker Workmate!

[@falkescheibe2835]

Nice Vid good Ideas. Tip don't turn your Back on the Camera.

[@markbenson4218]

Thanks for the tip. M.

[@rickt.1720]

I got my first WM thirty some years ago. I got my second one about twenty years ago for 10$ because the guy hated it. I got the table top thing going pretty fast. I also made a holder for the dogs. So I had them where ever I took the WM. These tools have become in dispensable for all the things I have done remodeling and building things for mine and other homes. My biggest complaint is finding parts to keep them operating once found it cost more to ship the part than the parts. Second is the plastic tension parts for the legs break too easily. I have yet to make any sort of replacement. Because these WM have to be portable these parts are sadly needed. Like most things B&D made or make is short term money makers then forgotten. IMO

[@cletusrobinson]

Idea!

[@Blindmans_challenge]

B&D concert staff

[@ColineRusselle]

Why not have storage in base box? You can never have enough storage...

[@markbenson4218]

You’re right. I should have done that. It’s not too late to do that, and it’s a great idea for a subsequent video. Thanks for your feedback.

[@philtucker1224]

My wife bought one for me when we got our second house in 1979. So far I estimate we’ve saved about £20,000 in carpentry and builders fees just by having it! Women aren’t stupid ….😂🤣

[@thomasbroker69]

Get yourself a clip on remote mic, it’ll make a world of difference to the sound, you voice is too,distant & hard to understand & hear.

[@nickdawson9270]

The whole point of a Workmate is that you take it to the job, not the work piece to it. It is not intended for workshop use.

[@Bitnixer]

I was shocked to discover that Workmate’s are blowing up among millennials in the S&M scene….

[@domciancibelli]

You’ve just negated everything the Workmate was designed to accomplish. Much like making a table saw into a chess board.

[@917Stefano]

Please keep in mind that each of these modifications is easily installed or removed, as needed. The original Workmate is still there. This is all about flexibility.

[@barney2633]

These so called "improvements " defeat the whole object of the original concept. The Workmate was designed to be light and portable, easy to move around constricted areas through doorways etc. and yet be sturdy enough to to take hard work. It was also intended for use by people who did not have sufficient space for a permanent workbench. In my opinion a completely pointless video.

[@davedave6404]

BUT................These improvements are quickly undone should you want to use with the original concept as you call it. This is an excellent video, no way "pointless". I have made a temporary top this way to stand on, giving me about 9 ft reach, never thought about the lower shelf.

[@barney2633]

@@davedave6404 You obviously don't understand the meaning of"Original concept" but don't worry, we all can't have a good grasp of the English language. Google Ron Hickman and you might just understand. If you find that too difficult, get someone to help you.

[@barney2633]

@@davedave6404 You obviously do not understand the term"Original concept" Don't worry,we all can't have a good grasp of the English language. Google Ron Hickman, that may explain. If you find that difficult, get someone to help you.