Black and Decker Workmate - still with dangerously sharp edges?

Mar 01, 2011 Last reply: 3 years ago 65 Replies

I've got one of the early heavy ones with the step, wouldn't be without it. Hangs on the wall and has done for the last 40 years or so. Made a simple wooden bracket which the workmate plywood top slots into and it has never moved.

I also have one of the early ones and was surprised a few years back that I could get some spares for it on Ebay (plastic clips that held the bottom legs in the open position and a long spring that retracted the lever that allowed the workmate to open up). I did have to order two packs of the plastic clips as I cracked one when drifting back the metal pin that held it in place.

Mine has metal clips, so it's probably older

Haven't looked at recent ones, but the quality of the jaws/vice rapidly dropped as the product was revised.

My dad has the original cast ally one.

I have one of the early pressed steel ones, still good.

My brother has a newer pressed steel one (albeit quite old now)- jaws made of ply with the strength of bolsawood.

That reminds me, lost one of the intermediate rubber feet from mine, which I need to find a replacement.

Andrew

At last count, I have 4 of various vintages. One actually purchased, the remainder from skip diving or gifts from retiring carpenters.

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