Here is a mod I came up with that people might like: take a 4 ft x 2 ft piece of ply and attach below it, centered, a rectangular piece of wood. That 2nd piece gets clamped, thus making a 4x2 foot work table.
@@DIYTinkerer Thanks. It was later developed it into a modular series: the grinder and vice have boards attached to their bottoms, they are stored on a shelf, easily moved and then dropped into the Workmate to create a floor standing grinder or vice. I am sure someone with a wider need for tools could be quite creative: it's helpful in a condo situation.
I keep my power miter saw on top of my workmate, but I like that idea about clamping in the center a 2x4 with a 2'x2' side table to make a little little table top.
I have the same model and have had it for 24 plus years and it has proven to be a reliable asset to the shop. Great idea`s come from great mind`s great job.
The Workmate is a seriously useful tool and these mods really make it indispensable. I have extra bench dogs, the lower shelf and the jaws clamp a lift-off board which is the base for my table saw. I'm considering getting another to use as a base for my router table, also on a lift-off base.
I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great ruclips.net/user/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.
I have a thick piece of ply 22mm and screwed a4 x 2 along the centre of it. This fits between the original jaws to give a large flat working area. I have fitted 4 8mm threaded inserts to bolt down my Compound sliding mitre saw. I am amazed that you can still buy replacement parts for a 40 year old Black and Decker tool. Great stuff.
Very Well Done! I have a 1977 acquired Workmate which I too have used for everything. A few years ago I replaced the top with a current WM425 3-piece, having to modify/augment of course, but otherwise stock save for a lick of paint. I'll now be borrowing a couple of your ideas. ;-)
Thanks, the worktop whilst basic is my favourite and most used. I have a load of other Workmate mods, checkout this playlist ruclips.net/video/9es8mVs7mj0/видео.html I've also another 'Electrifying' workmate mod in the wings be sure to subscribe to not miss it :-)
Thanks, I'm glad you like them, I have a number of other workmate mods and more on the way, they will all be available on this playlist ruclips.net/p/PL3WIBjRzYExe8rur9uJkQzrz0GY4dM428 or you can subscribe :-)
Thanks for the suggestion, I 've been looking at ideas for making it mobile, and have come up with something completely unique, IF it works I'll share it soon!
Hi, I did this before I started making videos, it's easy to make, you need a 3/4" thick board, the holes are 20mm, it fits under the channel between the vice handles, you should also find there are a couple of predriled holes in the channel that you can screw it to.
I have only recently found your posts. I'm working on some of these modifications for my WM. Did you say what material the cover was? If you did, I'm continually missing a.
Hi, thanks for watching, the blue material, is some sort of closed cell foam, like you get on sleeping mats and joga mats, but a bit thinner, it was packing material from a garden swing seat and I couldn't bear to just throw it away, it's ideal for this purpose.
good tips.I did a similar table but just got a piece of 3/4" plywood30" x 24" and screwed a piece of 2x4 down the middle to clap it in the table. My WM is over 40yrs old.Bought it in UK and brought it to Canada in 1979, Can tell the older models, as they have the thick plywood jaws
Great job, I did think on going down that route - and it does have some advantages - such as being flatter - but I like the minimal nature of an insert :-) be sure to check-out my other workmate mods!
hi, i want to use my workmate as a router table for my hitachi 3 1/4 hp router but it is too big to drop through the jaw opening. i used it as a router table for my makita and it works very well. any suggestions from anybody in the diy community would be welcomed. thank you.
Thanks for the tips! I have two, a Model #1 and a Model #2. I need to use them as thoroughly as you do. I would like to make a simple storage enclosure to house them both. Just subscribed. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס״ד
Did you know that you can pass pipes through the brackets that support the top boards? You can make an extension to either or both sides this way. For tip #5, I make several options = a mesh hardware cloth that allow sawdust to fall through, or with cutouts for the circular saw or jigsaw or drill. A toolchest can be made for that space also.
That is great iv put some wheels on mine and a peice of rope to steer a washing machine motor linked up and off I go to do my shopping unfortunately I'm in court next week got done speeding lol
The cutouts in the magnetic strip could do with the sharp corners cutting off and filing smooth.
Yea, it's a good point. 😀
Here is a mod I came up with that people might like: take a 4 ft x 2 ft piece of ply and attach below it, centered, a rectangular piece of wood. That 2nd piece gets clamped, thus making a 4x2 foot work table.
Great idea 💡 👍🏻
@@DIYTinkerer Thanks. It was later developed it into a modular series: the grinder and vice have boards attached to their bottoms, they are stored on a shelf, easily moved and then dropped into the Workmate to create a floor standing grinder or vice. I am sure someone with a wider need for tools could be quite creative: it's helpful in a condo situation.
@@grandrapids57 it is a very versatile tool 😀
I keep my power miter saw on top of my workmate, but I like that idea about clamping in the center a 2x4 with a 2'x2' side table to make a little little table top.
Love the simplicity of the dog store. Thanks Mate
Thanks for the comment Andy, I've just published another workmate hack here ruclips.net/video/tmHKkB1D2zE/видео.html
I have the same model and have had it for 24 plus years and it has proven to be a reliable asset to the shop. Great idea`s come from great mind`s great job.
Thanks - it is used every day in my workshop :-) Mine is over 30 years old and still delivering
Great mods mate,i have a workmate from the 70's a testament to a great tool
Thanks, I recently added a video on adding a wood vice which I've found really useful, these tools really are built well.
Great add-ons. Much appreciated
Thanks for the feedback, be sure to checkout my other workmate mods ruclips.net/p/PL3WIBjRzYExe8rur9uJkQzrz0GY4dM428
The Workmate is a seriously useful tool and these mods really make it indispensable. I have extra bench dogs, the lower shelf and the jaws clamp a lift-off board which is the base for my table saw. I'm considering getting another to use as a base for my router table, also on a lift-off base.
It sure is, and it folds up too!
I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great ruclips.net/user/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.
Yea, they are great for a second Wootton and awesome for a portable one 😀
I have a thick piece of ply 22mm and screwed a4 x 2 along the centre of it. This fits between the original jaws to give a large flat working area. I have fitted 4 8mm threaded inserts to bolt down my Compound sliding mitre saw. I am amazed that you can still buy replacement parts for a 40 year old Black and Decker tool. Great stuff.
Great idea :-)
Ive got a workmates, had to replace the top. Going to replace it with metal studs and use it for a welding table
That's a great idea, I've not had a welder since my early 20's but a metal top would do a good job
Very Well Done! I have a 1977 acquired Workmate which I too have used for everything. A few years ago I replaced the top with a current WM425 3-piece, having to modify/augment of course, but otherwise stock save for a lick of paint. I'll now be borrowing a couple of your ideas. ;-)
Glad you liked it, check out my other workmate mods!
Thanks. Really good practical improvements.
Thanks, the worktop whilst basic is my favourite and most used.
I have a load of other Workmate mods, checkout this playlist ruclips.net/video/9es8mVs7mj0/видео.html I've also another 'Electrifying' workmate mod in the wings be sure to subscribe to not miss it :-)
Seriously useful. I will steal them all!
Go for it!, let me know howl it turns out, if you haven't already there are other workmate videos on my channel to check out 😀
Short, sweet, to the point!
Thanks!
Some great and simple but effective ideas.
Thanks Kerry, I'm working on a few more I'll have ready to show soon
These are great thanks I’ve just come into a workmate
Glad you like them!, I have a few more videos on mod for the workmate so be sure to watch those :-) Thanks for watching
Great ideas - great video.
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching
Some nice upgrades.
These are really good ideas. Thanks!
Thanks, I'm glad you like them, I have a number of other workmate mods and more on the way, they will all be available on this playlist ruclips.net/p/PL3WIBjRzYExe8rur9uJkQzrz0GY4dM428 or you can subscribe :-)
Cheers! Thanks for sharing.
Build it on a box on lockable wheels to move it around easily
Thanks for the suggestion, I 've been looking at ideas for making it mobile, and have come up with something completely unique, IF it works I'll share it soon!
I have been looking for a video about the dog house you added to your Workmate. Is there not one for that project?
Hi, I did this before I started making videos, it's easy to make, you need a 3/4" thick board, the holes are 20mm, it fits under the channel between the vice handles, you should also find there are a couple of predriled holes in the channel that you can screw it to.
Useful ideas. I like them.👍🏻
Thanks
This is brilliant.
Thanks Hamid,I'm glad you like it be sure to checkout my other workmate videos! :-)
Nice modes I have a question.. how thick is the chipboard bit in the middle
It is 18mm about 3/4" same as the thickness of the workmate top
I have only recently found your posts. I'm working on some of these modifications for my WM. Did you say what material the cover was? If you did, I'm continually missing a.
Hi, thanks for watching, the blue material, is some sort of closed cell foam, like you get on sleeping mats and joga mats, but a bit thinner, it was packing material from a garden swing seat and I couldn't bear to just throw it away, it's ideal for this purpose.
good tips.I did a similar table but just got a piece of 3/4" plywood30" x 24" and screwed a piece of 2x4 down the middle to clap it in the table. My WM is over 40yrs old.Bought it in UK and brought it to Canada in 1979, Can tell the older models, as they have the thick plywood jaws
Great job, I did think on going down that route - and it does have some advantages - such as being flatter - but I like the minimal nature of an insert :-) be sure to check-out my other workmate mods!
Mine is about 30 years old, it also has thick plywood jaws :-)
hi, i want to use my workmate as a router table for my hitachi 3 1/4 hp router but it is too big to drop through the jaw opening. i used it as a router table for my makita and it works very well. any suggestions from anybody in the diy community would be welcomed. thank you.
You you could try replacing the rear jaw, like in my woodwork vice mod
Very nice, thxs
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Thanks for the tips! I have two, a Model #1 and a Model #2.
I need to use them as thoroughly as you do. I would like to make a simple storage enclosure to house them both.
Just subscribed.
Thanks for the content.
Keep up the good work. בס״ד
Great idea, mine is my main workbench so it rarely goes away.
Thanks for the videos. 😎
You're welcome Michael, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any :-)
Did you know that you can pass pipes through the brackets that support the top boards? You can make an extension to either or both sides this way. For tip #5, I make several options = a mesh hardware cloth that allow sawdust to fall through, or with cutouts for the circular saw or jigsaw or drill. A toolchest can be made for that space also.
Some interesting ideas thanks for sharing :-)
Great ideas.
Thanks, be sure to check out my other workmate mods :-)
Yes, I made mod1. Very usefull.
I like that very much
Thanks, check out my other workmate mods :-)
That is great iv put some wheels on mine and a peice of rope to steer a washing machine motor linked up and off I go to do my shopping unfortunately I'm in court next week got done speeding lol
You should have used a lower spin cycle!
Useful. Thanks
Glad you liked it, also checkout my other video on 5 more workmate mods :-)