 » Online Users: 80 | | 36 members and 44 guests | | Barbara Gill , Bas , CAHillard , Charlie , DaveD , DaveO , dpsnyder , drillman88 , Dudelive , erasmussen , flatheadfisher , gesiak , Glenn Hudson , James Davis , jeff... , jerrye , Joe Scharle , JRD , junquecol , McRabbet , MikeF , MrAudio815 , NCTurner , Outa Square , P Crews , PChristy , ptt49er , rsitzejr , striker , toolman , TopKnot , Trent Mason , wchipper , wkelch , woodlaker2 , yrsears | | Most users ever online was 180, 04-22-2008 at 12:18 AM. |  | | 
07-17-2008, 05:37 PM
|
#1 |
Name: Bob City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: May 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.81 over 180 days | I've owned a B&D Workmate for many years. It has served a thousand different purposes over the years (including a dinner table at one low point, but I digress). The poor swayback workhorse finally started to fall apart when the little leg catches began breaking, one by one. Tripping over the half extended leg provoked more than a few curses over the past few years. Alas, it was time to consider retirement... its... not mine  .
But... as the clock ticked closer to the end for my ole buddy, I stumbled upon a website that sold the little catches. Yes, reprieve. I couldn't believe it. Tool Barn sells replacement parts for my poor old Workmate... how cool is that?! Well as my subject line indicates.... sometimes it's the small things. .gif "Drogar BigGrin(DBG)") |  
| | |
07-17-2008, 06:30 PM
|
#2 | | Webmaster
Director
Name: DaveO City: Clayton State: NC County: Johnston Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 38 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days |
I got a Workmate many years ago. It was one of my first "tool" gifts. When I first got it, I didn't think it would see much use. Now I don't think that there is a project done in my shop that hasn't touched the Workmate at least once.
<a href=" http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...">FindArticles - Nice work, mate ... how DIY Ron made millions</a>
<cite>Sunday Mirror, Dec 14, 1997, by Mike Housego</cite>
Dave 
__________________   Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile
Honestly Honey, that will cost around $100 $150 $200, and I need a few more tools. 
Heard from a client..."If I had your tools and experience...I could do it myself" 
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
--Dr. Seuss
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 06:42 PM
|
#3 | | Site Programmer
Name: Jim Campbell City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 38 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.74 over 180 days |
Your tale had me on the edge of my chair. I thought, ON NO, this is going to end in tragedy.
I'm thrilled to hear you saved an old friend.
I too started my home owner/woodworking adventure with a B&D Workmate. It still serves as my main bench and storage shelf. The stories these workmates could tell, many of them rated R for excessive explicitaves.....
Thanks for such a fine tale and a chance to give thanks to something many of us "cut" our teeth on!
Jim
__________________
"Its not about the destination, its about the joinery!"
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 07:41 PM
|
#4 | | Moderator
Advisory Panel
Name: Cathy City: Forest City State: NC County: Rutherford Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 53 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.51 over 180 days |
Cool - that you for sharing that story. It's definitely the small stuff.
__________________ Cathy Skipper 
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 07:46 PM
|
#5 |
Name: Marco Principio City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 29 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 1.52 over 180 days |
I've always wanted a workmate...
__________________
I can't tell my adze from a hoe in the ground | |
| | |
07-17-2008, 08:11 PM
|
#6 | | Administrator
Senior Moderator
Name: Tracy City: Salisbury State: NC County: Rowan Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 47 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.96 over 180 days |
That is a really cool story. I have a cheap knock off that I have used for a while.
__________________ Tracy
Making Friends One Post At A Time 
The task is always worthwhile if you learn something in the process.
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 09:16 PM
|
#7 |
Name: Dennis City: Ivan's Corner (Monroe) State: NC County: Union Join Date: Jan 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.92 over 180 days |
Glad to hear they make parts for them. My Workmate has also been a reliable device to have around on many occasions. I took the tops off it many years ago & replace them with 3/4 plywood & even that is showing age but still usable. They make a handy dandy table saw stand for small tablesaw units with the legs retracted.
__________________
"Ignorance can be cured as long as it isn't compounded by stupidity."
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 09:29 PM
|
#8 |
Name: Bob City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: May 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.81 over 180 days |
Originally Posted by froglips  ...I'm thrilled to hear you saved an old friend... Me too, I thought I was going to have to put 'er down. Whew... 
__________________
Carpe Lignum... Torne Lignum!
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 09:46 PM
|
#9 |
Name: Reggie City: Albemarle State: NC County: Stanly Join Date: May 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.77 over 180 days |
Ressurection, Cajun style!! Nice, Bob, nice. AAAIIIIIIEEEE! 
__________________
Remember: It's the SECOND mouse to the trap that gets the cheese!!
If everything's coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane!!
| |
| | |
07-17-2008, 10:44 PM
|
#10 |
Name: jeff... City: Stovall State: NC County: Granville Join Date: Mar 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.81 over 180 days |
I really need a workmate - who wants to work with me and be my mate - ummm scratch that I only have one mate and she works with me sometimes when the weather is fair.
__________________
"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." -- Jedi Master Yoda | |
| | |
07-17-2008, 10:46 PM
|
#11 |
Name: Rob City: Sanford State: NC County: Lee Join Date: Mar 2008 Age: 44 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days |
Bob, my workmate is 20 years old and going strong, good to know I can get parts for it. | |
| | |
07-17-2008, 11:09 PM
|
#12 |
Name: Mike City: Westfield State: NC County: Stokes Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 51 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.88 over 180 days |
Never had a workmate, I walk alone. I mean I work alone.
I could use a good bench though, if I ever get room for one. | |
| | |
07-17-2008, 11:09 PM
|
#13 | | Asst. Webmaster
Name: Bas City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 35 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.96 over 180 days |
Interesting. I've thought about getting a workmate, but always thought it would be one of those tools that look really useful but then end up gathering dust somewhere. Guess it's time to rethink that theory!
__________________
Bas.
I don't need it. I just want it.
| |
| | |
07-18-2008, 12:02 PM
|
#14 |
Name: Charley City: Kannapolis State: NC County: Cabarrus Join Date: May 2008 Age: 66 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.01 over 180 days |
I love my Workmate, and use it frequently. It was once my only workbench. Those of you who don't have one really should think hard about getting one. They are extremely versatile, and after over 25 years of use I'm still finding new ways to use mine.
A few facts that I've learned about Workmates-
1. There are many models with slight variations - When you find one at a lower price it isn't necessary a better deal. For lower prices you usually get cheaper models with some features left out.
2. There are many parts and options available, but it is sometimes hard to find their sources.
3. The original inventor of the workmate had a hard time trying to find someone to buy his concept and market it. He finally convinced Black and Decker, and it has proven to be one of their most successful products. I hope he gets big royalties from them.
Charley | |
| | |
07-18-2008, 03:23 PM
|
#15 |
Name: Gazzer City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Aug 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.36 over 180 days |
Got 2 of them. Must be over 20 years old. One of them had a leg catch self destruct recently and,like you, I was having real issues about having to retire it because of 1 little plastic part. Your hint of a source of these parts made my day. Thanks
-G | |
| | | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | |
|  | » Stats |
Members: 2,313
Threads: 17,270
Posts: 187,612
2nd Top Poster: jeff... (6,588)
| | Welcome to our newest member, chelliot | | » Today's Birthdays | bwat
| |
.gif "Drogar Cry(DBG)")
