Inventor of the Workmate, the tool that's almost as useful as an angle grinder. Also designer of the Lotus Élan so that's two attempts that he's had to kill DIY enthusiasts.
We should demonstrate our affection for the deceased by using a Workmate as a ladder, attempting to change a lightbulb and then spending all night in casualty. It's what he would have wanted.
soon "improved" the design, resulting in it becoming a useless piece of shit.
I only got the story second hand, so don't blame me for any mistakes, but I gather the original had a fold-out platform at floor level on which you stood, thereby making the whole thing very stable, especially for jobs which involve exerting a fair bit of forward force, because the table could then not move away from you. The revised design just has poxy feet and a small elevated platform, stepping on which with only one foot provides some stability but nowhere near as much as in the original.
My dad has an early one, if not the original. It is cast aluminium, and still going fine. Mine is later and pressed steel, and also fine (probably 30+ years old) except I lost one of the rubber feet, which is a bit annoying.
Andrew, I was able to buy new rubber feet on eBay. They are a touch large as I think they made the feet size bigger from the original ones and the only ones available appeared to be the newer ones, but I stuck them on with mastic and so far so good. I also replaced the overcentre catches (eBay) for the fold out legs as they had gone brittle and two had failed.
Yes, mine is Ali and has the platform on which you can stand - probably 35 years old now. Having used some of the later ones, I am surprised that no-one has been able to convince B&D to make to the old quality or someone else to work around any patents.I would certainly buy another one like mine, but can't see the point in buying a pressed steel rickety version.
Modern ones are better than the originals. However they make a range of them now. The top spec (usually with plywood tops) is much stronger than the low spec (MDF or chipboard top). It's better than an original. A "real" toolshop, as opposed to B&Q, carries them.
The steel frame is stronger, and fails by bending rather than shearing, than the cast aluminium. I've a couple of aluminium ones and all have at least one foot of the H casting replaced, either welded back or a new one made in steel and riveted in place..
If you have one with a sagging top, make a new plywood one.
The only ones I've really no time for are the vertical clamping hinged jaw (nice idea, but poorly done) and the chain-coupled vice screws.
The trouble is that £3M isn't enough to lead a millionaire's lifestyle these days. OK, you could retire and lead a comfortable middle-class existence, but you wouldn't be rich, rich, rich. Especially if you had to buy a house out of the £3M.
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