New wood top/vise for my Workmate type thing - 3 

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same here, I have an original that I've recently replaced all the catches on that I inherited from Dad (all the parts are still available and if yo have access to a 3d printer you can print most of them) and a copy that I inherited from Grandad. The copy is Much easier to fold. They both need tops replacing now though!

Thank you. That is the way to go. I am frugal and don't like to waste things.

Use it up, Wear it out Make it Last Or You'll do without.....

Additionally, those old ones ARE WAY BETTER than recent ones that come from Chinese factories with THINNER steel and lousy non-flat Bamboo tops that come cupped and dished. Shame on present day Black & Decker!

Thanks. Yes, better and much sturdier than the press board of the original. Enjoy my videos, and thank you for subscribing.

New ones come with supossedly nice laminated Bamboo tops... BUT, as B & D makes them in China and subcontracs ALL the work, they come with cupped or dished tops that are unusable and require replacement, even the steel folding base now comes with THINNER and SOFTER low grade sheet steel. I reinforced my two new model WM-1000 by adding thin wall steel conduit diagonals installed with Rivnuts and screws, and held with wing nuts to disassemble quickly. It seems that Stanley-Black & Decker also subcontracted all the work to the Chinese, including the lousy design and choose to save on ANY Quality Control... shame on them!

You're welcome. Glad it helps. I love mine. Hope yours turns out great.

Just working on my old one from the early 80s. I bought a new one but can still use the old one as well!!

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. You should do it. Another person commented it is really convenient to have two. You can have two projects going or put them end to end or....

Thank you. Don't know how old mine is, but probably around there, or early 80s.

Completely agree: My old one from around 1990, model WM-200 is firmer and better made than two new ones model WM-1000 from chinese factory, that came made with thinner and softer steel, and worst of all, cupped and dished Bamboo tops. One of them even came with the movable piece wrongly drilled, so it wasn't possible to install it on the PLASTIC sliding bearings... so I had to fill the wrongly placed holes for the screws with epoxy putty and redrill the holes at the right places. WORST LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL from B & D, now a shitty company from the equally shitty Stanley company. Difficult to believe that the old Stanley tool that produced the famous and excellent Stanley-Bailey hand planes, now owns B & D and sells such a lousy product.

@@alfredomarquez9777 Yep, seems everything is going that way. My random orbit sander (the yellow one) only lasted 4 1/2 years. Some day I can hopefully afford the other yellow one, the Mirka.

ha ha ha i spent years trying to find an original blue workmate with the cast parts , i finally found one when e bay started up ..had it ever since ...i have lacquered it for protection and made about a dozen new tops for it but it is STILL going strong and better then a new one

Thanks for watching. Glad yours is still going too. It seems there are a lot of us with these, and it is better to fix the old sturdy stuff than buy the new not sturdy stuff.

@@RCWorks At almost 74, I kind of like old stuff! ;>)

@@mikeprell2747 👍 I'm with ya. That old stuff works better.

Thank you

You're welcome. Go for it. Thanks for watching.

Nice, that white oak will last. Yes, heavy; I'm going to add retractable casters when I get around to it.

David, great idea replacing the plastic cranks. Did you make the cranks or adapt something?

@@lp2733 Adapted cranks from an old thoroughly thrashed cheap table saw.

Thanks. Yes, I am a practical sort of man.

Thank you. Wow, you really like the Workmate.

Sounds great. Mine is of pressed steel, but an early model and tough-still going strong. Thanks for watching.

They are just cheap Harbor Freight clamps. Thanks for the nice comment.

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and subscribing. Go for it. I'm glad I did. I use it a lot, and the new top makes a big difference. I like the oak; I have beaten it up a lot already, and it is holding up well.

@@RCWorks I have a bunch of pine on hand. I'm planning to use it for now. You think that will be okay?

@@joshbaker6488 Sure. I believe in using what you have or reusing wood. It will dent more easily, but it will still work.

@@RCWorks that's what I figured but it'll work for now. We inherited our home after my wife's grandmother passed away two years ago right before Easter. Her grandad passed a year or two before that and he had all kinds off stuff. I have a full basement and two garages. I am of the same mindset as you are. If I can reuse it I will.

@@joshbaker6488 Grandad would be proud because that generation were practical people. Same with my dad, from whom I got a lot of stuff.

You may be right; I don't know for sure. I received the workmate as a gift decades ago and 200 bd ft of oak from from a friend for free.

Thanks, good idea. Mine always get buried under stuff on the lower shelf.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for when I run out. Someone gave me about 200 bd ft.

That's a brilliant source for excellent quality oak! Thanks for the tip!

Doesn't he mean treads.

@@donaldshimkus539 Huh, he did say risers. I automatically thought treads. I'm sure that's what he meant.

@@donaldshimkus539 no. risers - the vertical piece for each step

The leaf is a good idea. I could use that. I also have a lower shelf.

Great idea adding a hinged shelf. Will you share a couple of pictures to me - lperez@bellsouth.net 👍

Thanks, and glad to see others repairing old things. I'm the opposite with the V grooves; I use them all the time. You can get a lot of torque on those slotted screws--if you can keep the driver in the slot. What a pain. I think maybe the square drive are the way to go.

@@RCWorks In Canada we can buy Robertson screws and drivers. They are square bits and allow tons more torque than slotted and don't strip like Phillips. Try some!

@@gsuderman Yep, they work great; I have used them. I just thought this time I would reuse the screws since they were sitting right on my bench.

@@gsuderman Robertsons are THE BEST! (Too sad greedy Henry Ford wanted the exclusive rights and didn't ended up using them instead of the lousy Phillips head that cams out (a ridiculously claimed as "advantage")...

@@alfredomarquez9777 I didn't know that. I never understood why the US uses mostly Phillips. Cheers

Thank you, and thanks for watching.

Thank you for the nice comments--and for watching.

Thanks. Go for it. It makes a huge difference. I used red oak. White oak would be better for the moisture issue, or another resistant wood. Good luck.

Thanks; that is a fine compliment. Glad I have inspired you.

Wow you've gotten a lot out of it. Keep it up. Thanks for watching.

Glad to help. Go for it; it will be great. Thanks for watching.

Been wanting to renew mine, this makes me want o do it sooner.

@@autoadjuster 👍

Oh nice! You can have two things going at once, or put them end to end to work on a long piece--lots of possibilities.

Thank you. You could I'm sure. Just start on something, and keep growing.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you. True and I don't buy slotted screws now; I just decided to reuse the originals on this project. You must take good care of your bench if the wood is still fine. 👍

Yes, slotted screws are a pain in the proverbial - but a bit less so if you actually have your work at a sensible angle so you're front-on to the screw head.

@@ianker7924 true, I should have turned it upside down on the floor. Thanks for watching.

Thanks. I like the oak for its durability. I like the look of pine better. In some of my other videos, you will see I'm using it in my house.

@@RCWorks I have a lot of oregan pine furniture in our home. A lot of it is rustic antique and I've made furniture from reclaimed floor-boards. Love the lustre it gets as it ages.. Agree with you around the durability of oak!

@@markforrestsm Oh nice. Same here, I like how it looks as it ages. That is how I want my house. It is going slowly though because I can't find much old pine around CO.

Nice, keep it going with a new top. Mine was certainly worth the price for me; I don't know what my dad gave for it. 8-)

That's a good idea; they are heavy enough to hold a door stable.

Mine has plastic covers on base that contacts floor when legs R folded. A model detail difference?

And yes, another vote for the lower position platform!

Thank you. Glad to see another person repairing something instead of tossing it.

Sauvage Christian

Thank you. Yes, the wood will last for many years.

guy could use a screw gun

@@jerrybettis5720 Screw gun would be wild on slotted screws. I reinstalled the screws with a nut driver. That works well too.

You're welcome. Thank you for the compliment and for watching.

Thank you.

Yes, that wood will last a long time.

Thank you.

Thanks for the compliment. Glad you are inspired.

👍 Good job. A lot of people have used deck boards.

Sounds good. Deck boards must work well; others have also told me they used them. I use my dog holes all the time.

Good idea. Several people have used deck wood. I imagine that will hold up well.

@@RCWorks 4 years now keeps me from running back to my shop when working outside

Absolutely, especially in hardwood. Thanks for watching.

For some reason people keep pointing out all my equipment. I already own it; it is essential to my business. Why not use it. This project cost only my time. Thanks for watching.

Thanks. Ha, yes, water and press board don't mix. Mine has always been inside; I just finally wore it out.

Oooooh, fantastic. Most original idea I have heard, and I get it; I grew up a cowboy, then went on to other adventures.

No doubt. If the new one is only $45, it will likely fall apart within the year. Thanks for watching.

Thank you.

Cool. That will work just fine.

You're right, I don't buy slotted screws now. Those just happened to be on the bench already.

CXensation yep torx all the way

@@MetalMayhem1978 yep, torx are better for sure.

@@RCWorks screw gun?

@@jerrybettis5720 Nut driver this time, but no more slotted screws.

Yes, good idea on the storage box part.

Thanks. It is still as sturdy as ever. However, it does already have a few dings and belt sander marks in it.

Thanks, and glad it helps you.

Thanks. Yes, fix it; it was worth it. Merry Christmas to you too.

Make sure you use a coaster. Thanks.

My laugh for the day, thanks.🤣

Yes, I've seen that model, but never used it. Maybe humidity changes caused it to delaminate?

Thanks, that's a good idea.

Yep, that old stuff lasted. I have a 50+ year old Craftsman belt sander. I replaced the brushes 20 years ago, and have just ordered a replcement for a burned bearing, but it still works fine.

Thank you.

Yes, works well. Thanks.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Haha. Well 30 years is a good run.

Hmmm. Never thought of that. Wider would be nice sometimes.

Yep, oak will last longer. Mine is holding up well.

Thanks. Go for it. Mine is working great.

True, 13/16 would be odd. Mine is plain ole 3/4. Maybe some variations or different years had a different size; I'm not sure about that.

Yes, those are 20 mm holes.

@@alfredomarquez9777 Must be metric on the newer ones.

Yes, thank you. Always in hardwood so they don't break off in the wood.

You're probably not 60 yr old yet. Lol.

@@donaldshimkus539 Haha. Can't remember where I got it-probably from Norm.

Thank you. Glad you're enjoying it.

Haha. Yes, what a pain. I no longer keep slotted screws in my shop. Did you notice later in the video I found my hex driver? Those screws do have hex heads on them as well as slotted. Thanks for watching.

Thanks. Yes, I can already tell the oak is going to last much longer than the original. I wonder about the dislikes also, and some of the comments. Oh well-it isn't for everyone.

Haha. Do you have an extra workmate thing?

Thanks. Yes, that oak is holding up for sure. Of course, by now it has lots of dings and scrapes, but I can always make another one. Agree. those slotted screws are a pain. You can get a of torque as long as the driver doesn't slip out.

@@RCWorks : May I humbly suggest you try some Robertson square recess hole head screws... Those are truly DELIGHTFUL to use, as they fit snuggly on the square tip screwdriver and don't fall from it even pointing straight down... even BETTER than the quite good Spax brand Torx head screws. Try 'em and you'll love 'em.

@@alfredomarquez9777 I have; you're right. Some day, I may switch. In this case, I wanted to reuse the originals, not bad after I put away the slotted driver and found the hex driver.

Excellent. Mine had the same sorry stuff as yours. Thanks for watching.

Thank you.

Interesting--multi talented.

And the fabulous Lotus Elan!

@@bobmcl2406 👍

@@bobmcl2406 My cousin Derek Sleath worked with him on the Imp and the Elan.

@@mainmort neat! By the way, for other readers, the inventor was Rick Hickman. The Workmate, the Imp, and the Elan. What a legacy of a life well lived. He passed away in 2011.

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

Good idea for metal working. I hadn't thought to use it for metal, but I have a separate metal shop.

Don't let that stop you. I've seen people make something perfectly functional with fewer, more common tools.

RCWorks Great, perhaps you can redo this project just using a handsaw, hand drill, carpenter square and pencil - can’t use my workmate as a bench (it needs repairing!). Hopefully yours, Iain.

@@iainrumsey7672 A person could certainly do it with the hand tools you mentioned-plus a plane to get the clamping edges straight and square. Unfortunately, I am not patient enough to do projects with hand tools. James Wright (Wood By Wright channel) is the man if you want to see how it is done.

Four workmates, wow! You must love them. Which holds up better, the birch plywood or the teak.

Interesting. How does it hold up? Is it stiff enough?

Yikes! Well, they should last you a long time, and you got it done. Thanks for watching.

Thanks. Oh yea, that rain wrecked it for sure. I like that welding plate idea. My welding area is in a separate space, so my welding table has to be separate. I used red oak because someone gave me a lot of it.

Definitely do it. I find it handy because I don't have a vise on my work bench. One thing I might add is for you to somehow put some weight on the screwfit down low to stabilize it. Mine is fairly heavy, and that helps when sanding or planing on it. Good luck.

RCWorks yeah Irwin vice on the back and increase the size of the boards will take a trip to the reclamation yard to see what hardwood I can find. For the bottom if I hinge 2 planks it will fold with it and add some weight.

@@mobilesnapper79: I even added some floor anchors to the backyard concrete floor where I usually work on warm days That truly hold them. It allows me to hand plane the thicker boards, but required me to add steel conduit tube diagonals, as the newer WM-1000 model lacks enough rigidity... even my smaller but older model WM-200 is firmer and much more solid than the newer Chinese made ones.

Nice. Oak is tough; mine is doing great.

Good idea. Just put some wheels on it. It is a bit heavy as is, and would be more so as a welding table. I will be adding retractable wheels to mine when it comes up on the project list.

That was just an experiment, but it did seem safer and was more comfortable. The down side is that it is more difficult to slide the board into position for the cut. Some day, I am going to try a negative rake blade. Have you tried that? Did it help?

@@RCWorks Just saw this, sorry about the late reply. No need for a negative rake blade. I thought that was a thing as well until I joined the DeWalt RAS forum. They opened my eyes to some of the misconceptions out there. Now just running a standard Diablo blade. ( I have 4 radial arm saws...) Stop by and join the group!

I think you will have to do some research. Mine has no model number on it either. By searching "craftsman portable craft center" I found a parts list at searspartsdirect.com, but none of the parts are available, and one that sold at ebth.com which had a picture showing the tag with a partial model number on top of the work surface-kind of a dumb place to put it. Dogs: Since you need new ones anyway, I think you should decide which dogs you like, buy them or make them, then drill the holes. You are correct that mine are 3/4".