How I Upgraded My Black And Decker Workmate - Visionless Designs

Today, Damien shows how he made his Black & Decker WM825 Workmate more suitable for his needs in the workshop. The WM825 is a good workmate, but it's a little on the small size for his liking.
Afiliate links for products mentioned in this video -
Black & Decker Workmate 825: amzn.to/3evp4uW
Bosch professional 13 piece speed cut drill bit set: amzn.to/3etQCRC
Festool lever clamps: amzn.to/3gAotuE
www.visionlessdesigns.com
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#WoodDIY #woodworking #blindcarpenter #workshoptools #diycreationwoodworking #woodcraft #sightimpaired #disabled #smallbusiness #smallyoutuber #workshop

[@trep53]

That is a nicely done upgrade. I’ve a very old WorkMate 300 that I made a 3/4”x4’x2’ light duty top with a 2x4 spanning the center section that the WorkMate clamped in place. These tool aide are able to accommodate many enhancements.

[@nemoignorat2443]

nice rework, interesting suggestions

[@rickclink9196]

You are amazing. I didn’t notice till you said you can’t see where you are going. Wow talent!

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Cheers for the comment. Comments like these help keep the motivation going.

[@alekc6998]

It's incredible what you do...I'm in awe Damien!!!

[@stinkzoid]

You're an inspiration. I'm fully-sighted and fully able for my age (I wear glasses and also ache after a hard day's woodworking) but I get frustrated when I can't get something right. I can't imagine how you do so well and also cope with the frustration. I'm trying to find words to praise and encourage you without making it sound like you're "lucky" to be blind. I envy your mindset, but not your condition!

[@pathardage1880]

Thank you. I appreciate your upgrade idea.

[@paulaj2829]

I must say that I think you are pretty amazing to do what you do & your explanation of this first video is second to none & I will definitely be watching more of your videos for when I want to learn how to make things.

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

Have just bought one. Your vid was a decent introduction. Thank you.

[@uktony1525]

Thanks for some great ideas !

[@agaragar21]

Lovely

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

nice job learned a lot, thanks

[@vinua10]

Damien, you are an inspiration! i was just browsing through reviews for B+D work benches as i was planning to buy one. and stumbled upon this video. and honestly I was feeling strange why are you no looking into the camera while you are speaking. Fooling of me not to realize until you said or not reading the name of your channel. I am beginner to wood working and you have made a great impression on me. Please keep up the good work and keep posting more videos. BTW this is a great idea and i am going to do the same on my new WB. cheers!

[@wilkbor]

Great video.

[@rickpetryk2658]

Wow simply ingenious thank you!

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Glad you found it interesting.

[@heatherkingston1445]

I use mine for my mitre saw. A regular mitre saw stand is too long for my work area. Works like a charm!

[@tylerbennetts8079]

Great idea especially for a larger work in area. I use one of my workmates as a stand for other tools. I bolted my polisher/grinder/pillar drill onto a piece of plywood with another piece of 4"×2" screwed on the base. I can then clamp each tool into my workmate and use as I need to. Thanks for the idea I'm going to do this to my other battered old workmate in the near future.

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Thanks for the comment. The workmates make great bases for doing multiple things with, aside from their orignal intended use. You've proven that with what you've done with your workmate as well.

[@bazajow]

Thanks for the video clip. I also have the 825 workmate but hardly used it as I found it awkward at times. I rather work outside rather than create the mess in my garage. I may have seen someone put a piece of timber batten screwed to a worktop length. The pattern is clamped with the workmate section tops. I did that today and like you can use my clamps with ease. The top timber worktop sheet can be removed for storage and no lifting issues.

[@lennycruz4558]

Great video, subbed

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

[@igitahimsa5871]

A new sub to your channel because I think you are an astonishing fellow :-)! How cool to work wood with senses other than sight! What a great inspiration you must be, to many other than myself! I am using the low end Workmate WM125 as a simple adjustable table to raise up my garden salad bed boxes, because I am not physically able to work at ground level right now, plus raising the beds keeps the possibilities of plant pests far lower. Cheers, Many Blessings and Great Success to you!

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Cheers for the comment, I actually made some raised beds at home on stilts. I made a storage area for bikes and garden equipment below and had the beds for a roof. This helped to keep the dogs away from the plants as well as being able to grow things without losing space for storage.

[@patrickhayes3099]

I had to look at your home page to realize I was not listening to your audio with my whole brain. I would not have guessed you were visually impaired. I had already subscribed, though today, I visited your ETSY store and saved it to my favorites. You go bro!

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Cheers. I've been thinking maybe I should start wearing sunglasses when I get back to the videos, to help people notice i'm blind as not everyone knows what the white cane is. It will either help or make me look cooler.

[@patrickhayes3099]

@@VisionlessDesigns there is something about us not realizing you are blind until well into video. It says we were here for the quality & not because of your lack of sight. I would like to see a video series on how you have adapted your shop and relearned to use the shop. Explain how you use tools like a tape measure & do layout. It's inspiring to know you are still doing things you love.

[@patrickhayes3099]

Your cane is not obvious & your hints were too subtle. Instead of sun glasses, maybe a hat/cap with humorous hints, borderline inside jokes, "I'm with Stevie!" or "Friend of the Mice!"

[@marksleeper9385]

nice

[@geoffreycasey875]

Great video. Subscribed..👍☘️🇮🇪

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you found it useful.

[@rolandorfortunato456]

Just came across your channel awesome video good ideas on how to upgrade your workmate I was fortunate to get a free workmate that a lady was getting rid off it's a vintage black and decker workmate 79-0001 type 7 so be watching your channel for ideas.

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Thank you, glad you liked the video. Contemplating whether or not to do a small video on minor upgrades ie making your own work dogs cheaply.

[@mickmcish]

Nice modifications mate. When you had it folded up and was saying about how awkward it was to move, I wonder if it would be possible to add small wheels somehow to help transport it?

[@VisionlessDesigns]

It's not a bad idea. As soon as I have time, I'll look into this.

[@Blastfence1]

Did you get a permit to modify that workbench!

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Nope...I guess I better prepare for the court case. Wonder how many years in prison I'll get.

[@andreazelkys1023]

Hi, you are using the Festool Clamp in the wrong way. You can use one of the holes present in the Workmate or, as you shown, on the border of the Workmate you had plenty of space for a good grip.

[@VisionlessDesigns]

Sorry, it probably didn’t come across very well in the video. For the demonstration, I was trying to show how I use it while doing floating shelves with my router as the holes are in set places and the pieces of wood I clamp are different thicknesses - they can’t be used for this purpose because I need exact placements when cutting slots. With the circular saw, yes, the centre holes are great, provided a piece of wood fits snuggly between them because if there is too big a gap between the holes and the piece of wood, you can end up bending your guide rail if part of the clamp is not above the wood. In short, the holes aren’t right for every job, same as clamping on the edge of the bench isn’t great for every job.

[@andreazelkys1023]

@@VisionlessDesigns Sorry, it did come across very well in the video, that’s why I wrote my comment to your video. Yes, it is a critic to your “wrongly” usage of the clamp you used as example in your video. A correct usage of the clamp you can find on (two of the world most recognized brands) Betsey or Festool KZbin pages or web pages. Of course you and I can use our tools the way we want depending also by timely circumstances, and I understand you did it for video’s dramatization reasons but still it is not the correct usage, and this is my personal point of view.

[@VisionlessDesigns]

@@andreazelkys1023 Ironically, it took me a couple of months to realise I could use the holes. Another reason why having more holes in the workmate is that it's helpful for better placements. I'll keep this in mind for future videos.

[@andreazelkys1023]

@@VisionlessDesigns Cheers Mate!

[@rafezetter8003]

@@andreazelkys1023 Umm.. if you knew he was doing it this way in the video for "dramatization reasons" - your words - then why are you criticising at all? Plus, yo do know he's blind right? I would say that that alone and Damien doing ANY woodworking at all, let alone for a youtube video means everyone should cut him some slack and get off thier soap boxes about "right way". You should be ashamed, either YOU do better, or be quiet.

[@tomvana4270]

This guy reminds me of a goat.

[@VisionlessDesigns]

You sound like my wife 😂🐐

[@kevinkeelan354]

Good video bro