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56K views 497 replies 108 participants last post by  spindeepster 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)


A thread for that little helper who is always there when you need her.

Full disclosure - I do not own one of these. But, I have heard through repeated forums on this sight how useful they are and how much they are hated. I thought this was an interesting combination. A necessary evil if you will, for those who find themselves short on work space and even shorter on cash for a workbench. Which I find myself in both categories.
 

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#4 ·
Mine's a little over 30 years old now. After I replaced the plywood with oak added more dog holes and made my own oak dogs, it's one of the most used tools in my shop.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to burn it.
 
#5 ·
Towtruck - Post some pics. Thats what this is all about.

bhog - These things are so useful - cant deny it.

Brandon W - There could not be a better 1st post to this thread.
 
#6 ·
I have the original Work-Mate and still use it. I did replace the top last year and it's better than new. I was going to burn it but decided to fix it up instead. Now that I have a nice Maple top on it, it will burn better than the fiberboard it had. But I guess I'll have to wait a few more years.
 
#13 ·
LOL. I can't believe you actually did it Sam. I'll get some pictures posted of mine. Here's one to be going on with. Mine lives outdoors 365 days a year. I've had it for about 25 years. During that time, I've hit it repeatedly with a hammer, sawn into it, drilled into it and slopped all kinds of products all over it. I've stood on it, sat on it, knelt on it, even made love on it once. You could say, we've been through a lot together.

 

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#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Brit - Yours is probably my biggest influence for how useful they are. If anyone looks into your restorations and then sees what you have to work with; that is what inspiration is. The quality of work you have achieved with much less than anyone would expect. (I love that auger set by the way.)

I will be looking at flea markets and garage sales this summer for one of my own. I hope it is in rough shape so that I can do a rehab on it.
 
#15 ·
My shop boasts two of them. Why? I don't know. I couldn't pass on the yard sale deal. $20.00, new in the unopened box. Some day, I may find a use for both at the same time.
At 71, I no longer have the dexterity for Brit's more pleasurable use….at least fort two at the same time.
 
#16 ·
I got mine as a gift from my (former) father-in-law. It has become an invaluable tool in many circumstances, but mainly when I need something clamped in one spot so that I can do some surgery on it, or those moments when I need more work area…that thing is sitting there folded up, waiting to jump into the action. I probably use it at some point on every project.
 
#19 ·
Every time I visit this thread, it makes me laugh. A bunch of grown men posting pictures of their Workmates. How sad is that? :)

drfunk - My back garden is a future project. We're still finishing off the front garden as time permits. After that we'll start on the back. The 'lawn' as you put it will all come up and the whole area will be landscaped.
 
#20 ·
Got 2 off Craigslist last year for $20 for the pair. I use one of them occasionally on a jobsite to hold a miter saw, tile saw, or as a quick work surface. I've actually used the clamping feature once or twice too!
I'll probably never use them in the shop though. They're either too big or too small for the application, or just too complicated to store, set up and take down compared to just using what I've got.
 
#25 ·
I have one I bought new and an older (grey) one I bought at an auction for $15. I love them. What I don't love is the plastic pieces that hold the legs in on the newer one - one is busted and the leg will never stay folded up. Also the foot caps split after a while. If you weld they are great for holding angle iron. I built my 5 X 8 utility trailer frame on the set. Nice to not have to bend over or squat to weld all those joints. Also good for holding a board on edge for routing a bead or planing.
 
#26 ·
I finally got around to taking a photo. I acquired this workmate in 1975, beat it, abused it and ignored it till around 1990. The plywood (not chipboard) got pretty rough and I replaced it with white oak. Since then I've used it for about everything. Makes a great clamp for gluing large pieces. Also serves as outfeed roller for my planer.
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