Are you a 'serious' woodworker,or happy-chap, in a shed?

[Benchwayze]

I thought some Forumites might be interested in this chap.

http://www.shedprojects.blogspot.co.uk/


I don't know if he's a pro, who dabbles in his spare time too, or if he is a self taught chappie. His tools are not sophisticated, but he gets on with his projects, and seems to be happy.

I like his 'Shaker' shelf-unit too. :lol:

 

[GLFaria]

He made a rather nice refurbishment work on a B&D Workmate

http://shedprojects.blogspot.pt/2011/06 ... refit.html

 

[marcros]

I have seen his workmate link before although had forgotten about it. I have one that looks identical to the aluminium one, and a project for this year is to see whether I can make the stu2 festool mft top system somehow work on the workmate. I have only measure ld it folded but the top is about 750mm long, I haven't measured how wide it will open to. I need to work out how to get it to adequately support a 12000 x 600 top.

The old workmates are a design classic- so much better than the new ones.

 

[Benchwayze]

I have seen his workmate link before although had forgotten about it. I have one that looks identical to the aluminium one, and a project for this year is to see whether I can make the stu2 festool mft top system somehow work on the workmate. I have only measure ld it folded but the top is about 750mm long, I haven't measured how wide it will open to. I need to work out how to get it to adequately support a 12000 x 600 top.

The old workmates are a design classic- so much better than the new ones.

You probably need two Workmates Mark. I used to have a large frame of 2 x 2 tanalised, to break down sheets. I just put two bearers fixed across the 4' side about 18 inches in from the ends and clamped each bearer in a workmate. Worked fine. It also made a good assembly or glue-up surface.

 

[marcros]

That is option 3. Option 2 is to buy the ketter or lifestyle option. Since I already have a (single) workmate I put it as option 1!

I wondered about making a frame (which I would need anyway to use clamps on it) and using the widest dog holes in the workmate to clamp it, maximising stability.

No great hurry, I haven't bought the track saw yet.

 

[GLFaria]

I have seen his workmate link before although had forgotten about it. I have one that looks identical to the aluminium one, and a project for this year is to see whether I can make the stu2 festool mft top system somehow work on the workmate. I have only measure ld it folded but the top is about 750mm long, I haven't measured how wide it will open to. I need to work out how to get it to adequately support a 12000 x 600 top.

The old workmates are a design classic- so much better than the new ones.

I have one like the blue one he worked upon, probably the same vintage (type 625, early 70's, made in Ireland). Just went and measured it: 74cm wide, 35cm fully open, 12cm wide top pieces. This is plus or minus a couple mm, as the top is already somewhat battered by use.

A top 12000 x 600??? There must be a zero too much on that 12000!

Just dimension-wise, I don't see any trouble in attaching a top 1200 x 600; but practical use would depend on the top build - there would be a bit of a overhang on all sides - the kind of use it would be put to (after all, these are rather light benches) and possibly some issues of stability (I remember some occasions when, under moderately severe overhanging loads - say 40 lbs at an overhang of about 20cm in the direction of the wide dimension of the bench, lower legs open - I had to be on top of the step so the bench did not tip over...)

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes indeed GL. Standing on the metal step was more or less mandatory. esp when planing anything. Mine has been with me since God's dog was a puppy. The retaining clip has broken, so occasionally it flops open and cracks my shins, when I try to stow it away. But aside from that, it still functions as it should. Can't see me losing it anytime soon!

 

[marcros]

Good as a 12m top might be, a 1.2m one might be a bit easier to store.

 

[marcros]

i replaced a bolt in my old workmate last night, and took the opportunity to test its stability afterwards. With its standard (plywood) top on fully opened, it is approx 750 x 350 (more or less as stated above). It is very solid, as it stands, but I don't know how it would stand with a lot of weight on one end, or whether I would nee to do so.

The MFT top is a slow burn project for me- I have yet to buy the track saw, but it is on the list. There will be a few options:

1. Make a replacement top pieces that are wider so there will be less overhang.
2. Cut the MFT top down a bit
3. Make some form of supporting brackets to hold the MFT as widely as possible.
4. Get a second workmate or something else entirely.

My initial impressions are that the overhangs- 225mm each end, and 125mm front and back may not be too much of a problem, as long as there is not too much weight on a single end.

 

[Hemsby]

Good old B&D Workmate. =D> =D> =D>

Mine is a WM 625 E03 original Blue with cast Aluminium frame made in Ireland. Bought for me by my wife quite early in the 70s I seem to remember. Its first job was to support my 1960's Sumbeam Rapier engine during an overhaul then it has seen 6 house refurb's and is still in perfect working order order, even has its original 4 plastic dogs and the adjustable rubber feet are ok.

It has paint splashes the odd plaster stain and a few nicks out of the plywood top, often think of giving it a spruce up but I have grown fond of its distressed look . Despite having a bench & vice I would not be without the B&D and am sure it will see me out.

 

[Benchwayze]

My son used mine while I was away one year. He repaired an engine block on it and covered the jaws with black sprayed 'Engine-Cote' or summat like that!

 

[Hemsby]

My son used mine while I was away one year. He repaired an engine block on it and covered the jaws with black sprayed 'Engine-Cote' or summat like that!

Bless him, don't you just love them :roll:

Keith

 

[Benchwayze]

My son used mine while I was away one year. He repaired an engine block on it and covered the jaws with black sprayed 'Engine-Cote' or summat like that!

Bless him, don't you just love them :roll:

Keith

Yeah... The jaws are quite sexy in matt-black! :mrgreen:

He had the cheek to say a few weeks ago, 'Haven't you ever thought of renewing those jaws Dad!' :roll:
Ah well. At least I know it's my Workmate!

 

[GLFaria]

i replaced a bolt in my old workmate last night, and took the opportunity to test its stability afterwards. With its standard (plywood) top on fully opened, it is approx 750 x 350 (more or less as stated above). It is very solid, as it stands, but I don't know how it would stand with a lot of weight on one end, or whether I would nee to do so.

The MFT top is a slow burn project for me- I have yet to buy the track saw, but it is on the list. There will be a few options:

1. Make a replacement top pieces that are wider so there will be less overhang.
2. Cut the MFT top down a bit
3. Make some form of supporting brackets to hold the MFT as widely as possible.
4. Get a second workmate or something else entirely.

My initial impressions are that the overhangs- 225mm each end, and 125mm front and back may not be too much of a problem, as long as there is not too much weight on a single end.

Of course, wider tops would make for better stiffness, but it would make nothing for stability...

"Mine is a WM 625 E03 original Blue with cast Aluminium frame made in Ireland. "
Mine is a 625 E05, also made in Ireland, early 70's. I wonder what the differences may be between the E03 and the E05? Maybe the grooves on the step? Mine has three sets of grooves (see pic) . I know earlier versions had just one set (see the other pic). How is the step on yours made?

 

[Hemsby]

i replaced a bolt in my old workmate last night, and took the opportunity to test its stability afterwards. With its standard (plywood) top on fully opened, it is approx 750 x 350 (more or less as stated above). It is very solid, as it stands, but I don't know how it would stand with a lot of weight on one end, or whether I would nee to do so.

The MFT top is a slow burn project for me- I have yet to buy the track saw, but it is on the list. There will be a few options:

1. Make a replacement top pieces that are wider so there will be less overhang.
2. Cut the MFT top down a bit
3. Make some form of supporting brackets to hold the MFT as widely as possible.
4. Get a second workmate or something else entirely.

My initial impressions are that the overhangs- 225mm each end, and 125mm front and back may not be too much of a problem, as long as there is not too much weight on a single end.

Of course, wider tops would make for better stiffness, but it would make nothing for stability...

"Mine is a WM 625 E03 original Blue with cast Aluminium frame made in Ireland. "
Mine is a 625 E05, also made in Ireland, early 70's. I wonder what the differences may be between the E03 and the E05? Maybe the grooves on the step? Mine has three sets of grooves (see pic) . I know earlier versions had just one set (see the other pic). How is the step on yours made?

Too posh, need a few splashes of colour for that "worked on" look :mrgreen:

 

[GLFaria]

i replaced a bolt in my old workmate last night, and took the opportunity to test its stability afterwards. With its standard (plywood) top on fully opened, it is approx 750 x 350 (more or less as stated above). It is very solid, as it stands, but I don't know how it would stand with a lot of weight on one end, or whether I would nee to do so.

The MFT top is a slow burn project for me- I have yet to buy the track saw, but it is on the list. There will be a few options:

1. Make a replacement top pieces that are wider so there will be less overhang.
2. Cut the MFT top down a bit
3. Make some form of supporting brackets to hold the MFT as widely as possible.
4. Get a second workmate or something else entirely.

My initial impressions are that the overhangs- 225mm each end, and 125mm front and back may not be too much of a problem, as long as there is not too much weight on a single end.

Of course, wider tops would make for better stiffness, but it would make nothing for stability...

"Mine is a WM 625 E03 original Blue with cast Aluminium frame made in Ireland. "
Mine is a 625 E05, also made in Ireland, early 70's. I wonder what the differences may be between the E03 and the E05? Maybe the grooves on the step? Mine has three sets of grooves (see pic) . I know earlier versions had just one set (see the other pic). How is the step on yours made?

Too posh, need a few splashes of colour for that "worked on" look :mrgreen:

I don't work it, I work on it :wink: . And I hate painting, there is always some colour going exactly where I don't want it! Actually, it is in need of a very serious overhaul - difficult to do without a backup.

 

[Hemsby]

Sure I can hear the sighs of envy =P~, please everybody do not fill my inbox with offers of large sums of money to purchase this =D>

My wife says it was purchased in 1973

 

[GLFaria]

Thank you. I notice two differences (there may be more...) between yours (type 625 E03) and mine (type 625 E05) - the shape of the grooves on the step, and height adjustable lower feet - or so it seems from the pictures. The lower feet on mine are not heigh adjustable.

MY wife couldn't care less as to when my tools are purchased, nor what I use them for... As long as I don't take them off my little corner...

 

[Hemsby]

Thank you. I notice two differences (there may be more...) between yours (type 625 E03) and mine (type 625 E05) - the shape of the grooves on the step, and height adjustable lower feet - or so it seems from the pictures. The lower feet on mine are not heigh adjustable.

MY wife couldn't care less as to when my tools are purchased, nor what I use them for... As long as I don't take them off my little corner...

Yes mine has adjustable feet on both platforms. My wife only remembers because she bought it =D>

regards,

Keith