workmate 550 top upgrade | RATTLECAN GUITAR RESTORATIONS by James O’Rear

[@patrickhayes3099]

love the cut away to the lonely saw....... and crickets, yes! That got you a new subscriber.

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

LOL...the crickets appreciate you (me too)!!!

[@patrickhayes3099]

Still staring at my warped tops. Planning to skip the plastic mounting blocks, me thinks, & use a bolt to avoid the broken ears of spacer...

[@MaithriSanitgun]

Well done. The Workmate is a really good design, worth your effort.

[@michaelchyles]

Love the music

[@normancoutts]

Nicely done. Greetings from Scotland.

[@marcvanheugten9472]

Have an 80ies here, good idea to get the drawing tool out, thx.

[@stefanlilish]

I have this bench with no top at all. I see now how to make it, but don't know where to put holes. Do you have a good picture or plans?

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

I found a photo on Amazon that had a pretty clear image II where the holes were located. Mine currently has a spindle sander screwed onto it. Just Google Black & Decker Workmate and you should find it.

[@PaulSmith-kj5ib]

Hi James, I've recently found a 550 in a skip (dumpster) that needs some TLC, in a sad state, metal bits now oiled, bolts tightened, just needs a new wooden top so thanks for your brill video. Cheers Paul in the UK

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

Paul Smith Nice to hear you saved it from the tip, well done!

[@colingee6687]

Instead of marking and taking the holes using the original top, you could have just left it clamped onto the new board and used it for a drill guide template at the drill press. The holes will be aligned perfectly.

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

That is a great idea.

[@frenchaccent540]

Could you post materials used and dimensions for less handy people like me who want to upgrade their 550 ? Thank you 👍

[@randomscandinavian6094]

Nice video! I got a new Workmate for Christmas and it is bent too, albeit not very much. I guess I’ll do what you have done if it should worsen.

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

I've used this extensively since replacing the original boards and it is holding up great.

[@russellkeith3193]

I got a wm 225 i replaced both tops with 2×6's

[@joer5627]

I am beginning to think everyone in the world has HF clamps! A good refurb. Thx

[@konechballer2]

Thanks for the video! May I ask what was the green tool you used to find the center of the circle at 4:08?

[@barybowman1914]

Nice work...awesome headband...

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

Thanks Bary, Japan wasn't very beneficial for my wardrobe but this....this was a good find.

[@RandySchartiger]

Indeed it will come in handy, makes for a cool table in more ways than a few! :) Cheers mate!

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

Who knows, I might even get to put a table saw back on it. :-O

[@anthonylau3065]

Was it missing a middle board piece? My 550 has three parts to the table.

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

No, I have the middle piece but it is warped beyond use and I didn't have any more 4/4 wood to make a replacement.

[@edwardcharles9764]

Anthony Lau three parts? I've had a 550 from brand new and only ever had two parts. What would you do with a middle section? If you held work by the front and centre boards, the rear would be redundant, what's the point of 3? You sure it's a 550 with the vertical clamping front board.

[@BeachsideHank]

Ashy Poplar is a very nice wood to work with, it's like driving a Chevy Ford. ☺

[@frameriteairdrie578]

In the comments, someone else says their board are warped. I wonder if it's because one surface (top) is finished with that black, but the underside is left open, which can then absorb humidity and swell, causing it to bend upwards.

[@howiehecht1810]

Probably. Mine is warped, too. Found this video as an example of how to fix it. May give it a shot!

[@walterrider9600]

hey freebies can come in handy too . good work . thank you

[@RattlecanGuitarRestorations]

We like freebies even if they mean a bit of work (another chance to learn something, eh?).

[@davidhyson9910]

You sold me! I'll never buy a Ryobi drill press!