Old Workmate

[treeturner123]

Hi All

As I heaved my trusty old B&D Workmate out again (it's no lightweight!), I suddenly wondered how many other members still have one of these cast aluminium monstrosities?

Mine is missing one of the handles, but, as it is some 40 years old, I can forgive it that. It is however very sturdy and, providing I grease it from time to time (I use Vaseline) I'm sure it will ultimately, but not in my lifetime, become an antique!

Phil

 

[Austinisgreat]

In another section of the forum another member is embarking on a full refurbishment of his. The original (made in Ireland?) ones are apparently collectors' items!

Good luck and hope it continues to give good service. Mine went in the skip about 15 years ago - but was a later, inferior, model.

Andrew

 

[marcros]

i have one. not sure how old, but not one of the new types. Brilliant thing. looks quite similar to https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/keyword/828S/

 

[Claymore]

I made a large vice on one of my benches from an old workmate and worked lovely but prices for the originals are soaring if in good condition so you could make a vice from one of the cheap and cheerful folding benches from Lidl etc for a tenner.
Talking of vices can anyone recommend some decent blue paint for an old very large Record 52 woodworking vice I have been given (saw one in tidy condition the same go for £150 on Ebay recently and mine is just a bit tatty so thought i'd give it a lick of paint before fixing to the bench.

 

[Robbo3]

That brings back some memories. I gave my original Workmate away on Freegle as it was getting too awkward to move & I don't think I ever used it with the feet extended.
I still have a Ron Hickman, Mate Tools catalogue from approx 1974 along with receipts & even some unredeemed vouchers.
Burgess bandsaw £29.95
Adjustable fence £1.20
GP blade 55p
Slibolet 5" grinder £29.95
Weller heat gun £6.95
Burgess engraver £7.80

The grinder (with a green, silicon carbide wheel), heat gun & engraver are still in regular use.

 

[RogerS]

Yup..I was only using it just yesterday. It's lost one of its little black feet but apart from that works just fine.

 

[Austinisgreat]

I made a large vice on one of my benches from an old workmate and worked lovely but prices for the originals are soaring if in good condition so you could make a vice from one of the cheap and cheerful folding benches from Lidl etc for a tenner.
Talking of vices can anyone recommend some decent blue paint for an old very large Record 52 woodworking vice I have been given (saw one in tidy condition the same go for £150 on Ebay recently and mine is just a bit tatty so thought i'd give it a lick of paint before fixing to the bench.

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but to answer Brian's question. I used Hammerite smooth blue on a plane refurbishment. I have no idea how close it is to any of the original Record colours, but looks the part:

HTH

Andrew

 

[Claymore]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but to answer Brian's question. I used Hammerite smooth blue on a plane refurbishment. I have no idea how close it is to any of the original Record colours, but looks the part:



HTH

Andrew[/quote]

Cheers Andrew that's just the job!

Brian