Working on a light weight off brand that appears everywhere with all sorts of names on them. Old tops had metric scales painted on one side and imperial on the other. Original tops were made of compressed cat food I think. They’ll go but I was mourning the loss of a scale. Always attracted to old yardsticks/metre sticks so will select two and insert them into my replacement tops. Thanks.
Sharpey, I don't think you're a 'cheapskate' for recycling screws, mate, seems very sensible to me and it's always satisfying to keep the costs down! Heck, I even restraighten and reuse nails from pallets for my pallet wood projects whenever possible.
Simon Bailey qwww.centralheat.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/769d28110bdf62ed0f6006915254ec70/c/r/cross-gp0012174_1.jpgwww.centralheat.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/769d28110bdf62ed0f6006915254ec70/c/r/cross-gp0012174_1.jpg
Nice work on that project. The Workmates are good tools. I have one of the 150s and my only complaint is that they fall over when folded up for storage. I need to make a tote for them that holds them secure and maybe stores some other items that compliment its use.
You're right about the older workmates having alloy slide mounts (diecast by the looks of them) - my 36 year old one has them. I've been mulling over how to put castors on mine for some time and I might just use this method as I want to keep the stand dual height capability too. Great implementation. Locking casters also available on eBay but check they are full four way locking. 👏👍👌
Brilliant revamp and adding mobility to the workmate. I was just thinking of making a mobile base for my workmate and i chanced upon your video. I am very glad i found your project. Thanks for sharing.
Just added a new top to my screwfix cheapo one added extra bolts on the sliders wish I hadn't used pine but I had an off cut it's made a huge difference
Great, copied this last week and can't believe just how versatile the mod is. I am over 6ft and made it so that the workmate surface sits higher, hopefully no more aching back.
Nice project and now even more useful! I have just 'pimped' mine with the lower board. Currently running my table saw on top of it. Well done! All the best, Rob
Marty Backe was to whom you describe. He did make this in 2016 I believe. I found it interesting being disabled being able to use it as a work table from my chair and could wheel it in and out of it's regular place. It also holds my scroll saw in my comfort area and around 32 inches. I love the build! I truly just wish I could find one of these old ones! They all seem to be made of plastic now! It's a shame.
+Tracy Keaton hi Tracy I couldn't agree more it's a shame more mods are not available as for an old workmate I have seen a few on eBay but people seem to realise there better then the new ones so the price goes up sorry I can't help out cheers paul
Iv always hated these. My dad had one when i was growing up. It was always in the way. I would wack my shins on it squeezing past in the garage. The legs never used to stay up so you were always struggling to fold it up and store it. The latch doesnt hold it together and it doesnt work to open it! Anyhow i eventually inherited this bench off my dad. And iv only started to grow fond of it now. That was until the otherday it collapsed on my and trapped my finger. The pain was so bad i passed out. I plan to give it to my son in the future so it can continue to haunt my family for for years to come
Thanks for this - thinking to do the same with one of mine, as I'm overhauling my tiny cellar workshop (about 20x5 feet) and this'd enable me to roll my portable table saw under the workbench when not in use and roll it out when needed. I can't cut anything over 2-3 feet down there (any big jobs get done in the garden), but seeing as I have to store both objects anyway I may as well make them useful. I'm also restoring another Workmate: an old, wrecked WM625 I hauled out of a skip two years ago - and it's taken that long to get the threads on the vice screws free from years of neglect! (Lots of patience, WD40 and a blow torch, since you ask....) Now it's apart, I'm going to tidy up all the metal work, pimp it out in red with cream legs so it'll match my old 50s B&D kit, and re-do the top in 3/4" ply. Ought to be good for another 40 years at least. I should probably make a video of this...
wow! what a great idea, i have a couple of the plastic leg catches that are broke so when i move my workmate it has 2 floppy legs - never thought of sticking wheels on it. thankyou
@Mck Idyl i managed to buy a pack of 4 replacement plastic catches off ebay a while back, think they were about £5, i saw a tip about smudging a bit of grease on the plastic catches and they open/close so smoothly and none of that horrible creaking noise - today i can say not 1 catch has broke since. yes it is nice to have a fully working workbench - or any other tools - if its not 100% it will always bug you - women wont understand lol
If it works and does the job, Im all for recycling. Nice one Sharpey, I have a workmate which is probably older than yours but only gets used a few times each year. Will have to look if its plastic or ally for those retainers? Oh, and got to your channel from good old Greg Vergo!!!!!
Nice. Why not add a plywood bottom for protected storage? You could drill finger holes in the shelf for real cheap, or saw off a small section and screw it to the back and use piano hinge.
Hi Sharpie, .love the vid it looks great , just refurbing mine at the moment where did you get the castors and how much ? Keep up the good work .You and your family stay safe ATB
I love my ancient Workmate and your video has inspired me to make the trolley base as the extender legs have had to come off due to the plastic bits breaking. Nice to see a UK guy on here - where did you obtain the wheels as none of the ones I have found so far are clear about the four-way locking, they just state "braked". Keep up the good work!
+Mike Peacock hi Mike really appreciate the support mate thanks I got the wheels from screwfix item number 41931 80mm pack of 4 and they have been great I rarely used my workmate before this now it's in daily use would highly recommend it is will put a link in the description when I get home mate cheers
+Phil Cunningham thanks phil I was going to extend the legs but I wouldn't be able to wheel it through the door but I do find it brilliant to use now cheers
Check out Marty Backe's channel. He has made some accessories to go with his Workmate. I've made one of them and I'm using it now. Very handy. All it is is 900 x 600 x 25mm flooring particleboard with a 75 x 50 x 200 block of wood mounted in the middle underneath. It gets clamped in the workmate's jaws and presto.....a portable larger bench top to work on. Great for sanding those larger jobs etc..
Does it still fold up? You actually bought new casters, is that why we had the, beast from the east, last year. My B&D Workmate is over 40 years old. That'll be older than you.😁 Regards Geoff
I need to ask why these are not available! It drives me crazy! I do all types of work carving chip carving anything with wood I've done! Now that I have a scroll saw I need to have it at my height being that I'm disabled. Why are these items not available?
Great Idea, Plan to do the same with mine next year. Where did you get the 4 way locking casters from? Have trawled Amazon, but no luck as yet. Cheers!
hi mate the wheels i got from screwfix the item number is 41931 incase the link below dosent work cheers paul www.screwfix.com/p/rubber-tyres-swivel-braked-80mm-4-pack/41931?_requestid=234273
Next time you can put the old wood on top of the new and spray paint through the dog holes to transfer them for drilling. That turned out nice though. 👍
It`s a good idea if you want to move it around,but not to work on it. You will find that out when you are drilling or planing,and other work. Sorry but it`s true.
Excellent idea to put wheels underneath! Plus me granny can borrow it too now, to get to the supermarket 😆👍
No cheapskates in woodworking. We are the ultimate "recyclers" LOL saving the planet one board at a time
The added height is truly needed, as Black & Decker cheapened the design to save materials cost, compromising usefulness and user comfort. Good work!
Great re-fit! Old wood put to new use! With the casters, just what I need in my small shop. Thanks for your vid!
My brother has an original W M with lots of alloy parts I've got two which at least 35yrs old and still going strong ,nice vid .
Hi Paul, just put my workmate on wheels, works great and more useful, thanks for the idea and stay safe,
B+D I have a few and like them! Fold away and the job got done and in safety. Do not leave it uncovered for long!
When I restored my work mate I routered the edges and epoxyed in wooden yardsticks for measurement. One in inches and one in metric.
Great idea buddy never thought of that cheers
Working on a light weight off brand that appears everywhere with all sorts of names on them. Old tops had metric scales painted on one side and imperial on the other. Original tops were made of compressed cat food I think. They’ll go but I was mourning the loss of a scale. Always attracted to old yardsticks/metre sticks so will select two and insert them into my replacement tops. Thanks.
Very nice job mate and excellent job on the new topside panels.
Sharpey, I don't think you're a 'cheapskate' for recycling screws, mate, seems very sensible to me and it's always satisfying to keep the costs down! Heck, I even restraighten and reuse nails from pallets for my pallet wood projects whenever possible.
+Simon Bailey great minds Simon if I can get away with saving money at always gives me a satisfying feeling
Simon Bailey qwww.centralheat.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/769d28110bdf62ed0f6006915254ec70/c/r/cross-gp0012174_1.jpgwww.centralheat.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/769d28110bdf62ed0f6006915254ec70/c/r/cross-gp0012174_1.jpg
@@SHARPEYSWORKSHOP Saved money is beer money!
I put any used screws in my scrap pile, it all adds up.
Nice job. I like the 2x3 frame.
Nice job! If I had a garage to roll it around in I would definitely do that.
Thank you! I need a carriage for mine.
Nice work on that project. The Workmates are good tools. I have one of the 150s and my only complaint is that they fall over when folded up for storage. I need to make a tote for them that holds them secure and maybe stores some other items that compliment its use.
You're right about the older workmates having alloy slide mounts (diecast by the looks of them) - my 36 year old one has them. I've been mulling over how to put castors on mine for some time and I might just use this method as I want to keep the stand dual height capability too. Great implementation. Locking casters also available on eBay but check they are full four way locking. 👏👍👌
+Bob Lewis hi Bob I've never looked back doing this to mine makes it a lot more versatile thanks for the input
Brilliant revamp and adding mobility to the workmate. I was just thinking of making a mobile base for my workmate and i chanced upon your video. I am very glad i found your project. Thanks for sharing.
+Bakthavathsal Kadambi hi thanks for the nice comment iam always using the workmate now the wheels make it much better to use cheers
Brilliant Sharpey. Will follow your idea soon with my 40 years young B&D workmate. Rgds, Robert
Just added a new top to my screwfix cheapo one added extra bolts on the sliders wish I hadn't used pine but I had an off cut it's made a huge difference
Great, copied this last week and can't believe just how versatile the mod is. I am over 6ft and made it so that the workmate surface sits higher, hopefully no more aching back.
+Dennis Garner hi Dennis glad it helped iam working on a assembly for the top should be on in a few weeks if it works out cheers
Nice project and now even more useful! I have just 'pimped' mine with the lower board. Currently running my table saw on top of it. Well done! All the best, Rob
Marty Backe was to whom you describe. He did make this in 2016 I believe. I found it interesting being disabled being able to use it as a work table from my chair and could wheel it in and out of it's regular place. It also holds my scroll saw in my comfort area and around 32 inches. I love the build! I truly just wish I could find one of these old ones! They all seem to be made of plastic now! It's a shame.
+Tracy Keaton hi Tracy I couldn't agree more it's a shame more mods are not available as for an old workmate I have seen a few on eBay but people seem to realise there better then the new ones so the price goes up sorry I can't help out cheers paul
Great idea well done.
Nice job. I have an old Workmate I’d like to do the same with.
Iv always hated these. My dad had one when i was growing up. It was always in the way. I would wack my shins on it squeezing past in the garage. The legs never used to stay up so you were always struggling to fold it up and store it. The latch doesnt hold it together and it doesnt work to open it!
Anyhow i eventually inherited this bench off my dad. And iv only started to grow fond of it now.
That was until the otherday it collapsed on my and trapped my finger. The pain was so bad i passed out.
I plan to give it to my son in the future so it can continue to haunt my family for for years to come
well done mate good effort
Thanks for this - thinking to do the same with one of mine, as I'm overhauling my tiny cellar workshop (about 20x5 feet) and this'd enable me to roll my portable table saw under the workbench when not in use and roll it out when needed. I can't cut anything over 2-3 feet down there (any big jobs get done in the garden), but seeing as I have to store both objects anyway I may as well make them useful.
I'm also restoring another Workmate: an old, wrecked WM625 I hauled out of a skip two years ago - and it's taken that long to get the threads on the vice screws free from years of neglect! (Lots of patience, WD40 and a blow torch, since you ask....) Now it's apart, I'm going to tidy up all the metal work, pimp it out in red with cream legs so it'll match my old 50s B&D kit, and re-do the top in 3/4" ply. Ought to be good for another 40 years at least. I should probably make a video of this...
Great job from Edinburg Texas,
My old (new to a 16 year old) work mate got the same treatment . Programmed my home made Cnc router, went to do another job and Bosch there done
Cheers for the quick reply. Next stop Screwfix!
got one of these of the clean up we have annually i,ll do some of your tricks on it soon great fun i,ve got to get started. Graham
Very interesting and helpful. Thanks.
+Bulwul cheers
I enjoyed your post, I'm thinking of doing the same,. I'm thinking of maybe a drawer in the bottom for bench dogs etc.
Nice job!
wow! what a great idea, i have a couple of the plastic leg catches that are broke so when i move my workmate it has 2 floppy legs - never thought of sticking wheels on it. thankyou
@Mck Idyl i managed to buy a pack of 4 replacement plastic catches off ebay a while back, think they were about £5, i saw a tip about smudging a bit of grease on the plastic catches and they open/close so smoothly and none of that horrible creaking noise - today i can say not 1 catch has broke since.
yes it is nice to have a fully working workbench - or any other tools - if its not 100% it will always bug you - women wont understand lol
Going to do same thing but make it taller so it can also double as an out feed table for my table saw.
First time I've seen a video without pocket holes. Nothing against them.
It IS brilliant.
Do you have any measurements? I'm trying to set mine up, but want to make sure it fits well, before tightening it all down.
If it works and does the job, Im all for recycling. Nice one Sharpey, I have a workmate which is probably older than yours but only gets used a few times each year. Will have to look if its plastic or ally for those retainers? Oh, and got to your channel from good old Greg Vergo!!!!!
Cheers Brian nice to know master camper is still putting my name out lol
Good job.
Nice. Why not add a plywood bottom for protected storage? You could drill finger holes in the shelf for real cheap, or saw off a small section and screw it to the back and use piano hinge.
Hi Sharpie, .love the vid it looks great , just refurbing mine at the moment where did you get the castors and how much ? Keep up the good work .You and your family stay safe ATB
Hi bud I got the castors from screwfix in the UK I think there's a link in the description you keep safe to bud
I love my ancient Workmate and your video has inspired me to make the trolley base as the extender legs have had to come off due to the plastic bits breaking. Nice to see a UK guy on here - where did you obtain the wheels as none of the ones I have found so far are clear about the four-way locking, they just state "braked". Keep up the good work!
+Mike Peacock hi Mike really appreciate the support mate thanks I got the wheels from screwfix item number 41931 80mm pack of 4 and they have been great I rarely used my workmate before this now it's in daily use would highly recommend it is will put a link in the description when I get home mate cheers
Excellent - many thanks. Guess where I will be off to tonight :)
Got the castors last night - just the job so thanks again - really appreciate the help
Mike
+Mike Peacock ok mate no problem I didn't get chance to update the description I will get round to it lol hope it works out for you cheers
That model will normally have middle plank too you can get more hard on amazon.
extending the legs will give more height great job 5 stars
+Phil Cunningham thanks phil I was going to extend the legs but I wouldn't be able to wheel it through the door but I do find it brilliant to use now cheers
Check out Marty Backe's channel. He has made some accessories to go with his Workmate. I've made one of them and I'm using it now. Very handy. All it is is 900 x 600 x 25mm flooring particleboard with a 75 x 50 x 200 block of wood mounted in the middle underneath. It gets clamped in the workmate's jaws and presto.....a portable larger bench top to work on. Great for sanding those larger jobs etc..
+Neil Cutten thanks Neil I will definitely check his channel mate cheers
Does it still fold up? You actually bought new casters, is that why we had the, beast from the east, last year. My B&D Workmate is over 40 years old. That'll be older than you.😁 Regards Geoff
I would love to here any more mods i could do to the workmate really enjoyed working on this
.
I need to ask why these are not available! It drives me crazy! I do all types of work carving chip carving anything with wood I've done! Now that I have a scroll saw I need to have it at my height being that I'm disabled. Why are these items not available?
And an overhead light would be awesome!
I wonder what Ron Hickman would think lol,I’ve still got me dads workmate from the early 70’s ,I’d love to put it on casters but me door is to narrow
I don't know why he didn't come up with the idea could have made a fortune lol
@@SHARPEYSWORKSHOP He made money taking people to court for infringements of his copywrite.
Great Idea, Plan to do the same with mine next year.
Where did you get the 4 way locking casters from? Have trawled Amazon, but no luck as yet. Cheers!
hi mate the wheels i got from screwfix the item number is 41931 incase the link below dosent work cheers paul
www.screwfix.com/p/rubber-tyres-swivel-braked-80mm-4-pack/41931?_requestid=234273
Next time you can put the old wood on top of the new and spray paint through the dog holes to transfer them for drilling. That turned out nice though. 👍
Does it still fold up?
It does mate
Bench bull the middle piece
Casters no longer available
It`s a good idea if you want to move it around,but not to work on it. You will find that out when you are drilling or planing,and other work. Sorry but it`s true.
all I have to say is thank Odin for sub tittles
just looked at the 23 deslike bet they never used a work mate or hammer in there life ha ha
Nice job !!..... perhaps this was the guy's vid you saw on the caster-wheels?---> th-cam.com/video/KrI5lQG9rXk/w-d-xo.html
The new models of these do NOT come with a shelf on the bottom . It is just open now . Money saver from cheapo B and D.