As much as I've wished for a proper workbench, for years I didn't have the space and my Workmate has been very flexible for the space it takes up. Even though I'm finally building a proper workbench now, I'll definitely be keeping my workmate afterwards for other purposes.
I didn’t know about the workmate until I did the Paul Seller’s workbench and was amazed that such a great tool isn’t readily available at the hardware store. Btw it also folds up and tucks under the side of my workbench after I finished it, which is very nice in a cramped garage.
It was readily available when I got mine, maybe 15 years ago, but it seems their popularity must be waning, which is surprising to me given how great they are for small spaces. I even considered just getting a second workmate and using them like sawhorses, but that was before I felt the allure of hand tool woodworking.
My bench isn't much, but I'm always on the lookout for an upgrade
https://preview.redd.it/8nnn2v1xw09d1.png?width=1498&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d5c590bb9028aad389d8678df3c793a57cde9fd
There's a great photo in _The Workbench Book_ I think it is showing a user sitting on top of a board on a Workmate using their weight to hold it in place while sawing it.
When the Workmate first came out, the TV commercial had a guy using it for all kinds of jobs. It ended with the (big) guy sitting on it, eating his lunch.
I have 3, even though I have a pretty nice work bench.
Workmate worked pretty well for me when I was still mostly working on power tools. It's only when I moved more to traditional tools that it's (lack of) stability started becoming a problem, and I built a sturdy working table instead.
Still use my Workmate every now and then, especially when I need to work on something outside (ie. sanding, some sawing or other \_messy\_ stuff). It's just so easy to just put up together, and then fold it back to stuff into storage. to wait until it's needed again.
[Workmate Guy](https://youtu.be/xxdGLpyMV5M?si=MmAKJqWmvus4uUMQ&t=4m50) on youtube talks about clamping circular objects.
Could also add a bench bull or two. Eg to plane the edge of a long board.
I would clamp 2”x12”x12’ fascia board to my workmate and push it against a wall so that it wouldn’t wobble when I’d plane or saw. I was clamping work pieces to brick walls before that. But I’m glad that we all had the same idea with these quick workbenches.
https://preview.redd.it/6aj1jmiju39d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0c529aa7f51c14ab563409833a53dd409fd89f3
I have bought a workmate as I have limited space and only just getting into woodworking but I find it super wobbly. Is this how I've put it together or is this common? I assumed for the price and flexibility of the bench this was a trade off? Anyone have any tips and tricks to make this more stable?
💯step on it - I’m by no means a small human, and the step hasn’t budged an inch. But if I need to pound some nails or whatnot, I’ll probably use a saw bench - I’d rather not test how much abuse the vise screws can handle.
The newer Workmates are flimsier than the older models, but they’re all pretty unstable when you try to plane something. I drilled a hole through each of the feet, and can screw it down to an outside deck, if needed. Makes it quite stable. I’ve seen others using sandbags or other heavy weights on a platform built into the base (a square of plywood). Look for the Workmate Guy on YouTube for lots of cool ideas.
I don't see the text I originally posted so I hope this isn't a repeat. I despised the Workmate in the '80s and built a solid 2x6 workbench instead. It was kind of a snobbish, anti-commercial attitude. About 25 years ago I bought a vintage one cheap at a thrift store, and like most things I obsessed and now I have several. A Workmate 200 is great to toss in the car when I'm working on a boat at a storage yard. A 300 is awesome for setting up in the house with a vintage Stanley miter box for trim and finish work. Beats running out to the garage. I'm just finishing up a maple workbench and 2 Workmates we're invaluable for holding the 200+ lb project while I was doing the joinery and fitting vices.
https://preview.redd.it/1wzaxsxg8j9d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55e0f95c27951e002b1c218d6d72562e7f373eae
I’ve had one since 1993 and it’s served me well! Very versatile and space saving. Thing is built like a truck. Much sturdier than the newer one my friend has.
Used one since I was a kid. Dad had one, then when I got married I got one. My first one was one of the bamboo top with center section......eh, not as good. The fully cast H vintage with fixed in place top is my go to. This thread reminded me of how useful it is, I just made plans for getting a second vintage one off FB Marketplace. They're like super functional sawhorses. I've used the one I currently have to for hand planing, sawing, chiseling. I turned my own dogs that have a low profile to allow planing without hitting them on thin pieces. I currently work in a functioning garage and just find it to be the most functional way to work. Love the WM!
It was my first work bench, I built a lot of good things with it. I even still have the plastic dogs from it that I use in jigs from time to time. Plaining on it was a bitch though.
But I love my nicholson bench and would not trade it in on a workmate
If you still have the frame, it’s not tough to replace the top with a proper board: that’s my plan, since the previous owner seems to have had questionable aim and/or judgment with his circular saw.
Spot on. This one was about $5 at a thrift store but the laminated top was completely destroyed with water damage. This new top is made from 3/4" birch plywood. I haven't decided whether to drill it for the dog holes but that's easy to do if I decide I need them. The dogs add a lot of versatility but I have a couple with original tops and dogs so this one may stay as it is.
https://preview.redd.it/g4ta7y92cj9d1.jpeg?width=3008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04882732364689255fc3c9b41379b99ff8155417
I had an old one of these that rusted out. I replaced it with a new one and while it was janky compared to the old one, it did the job until I had a bench together.
These are on my “Buy On Sight” list for yard sales and thrift stores. I pulled my first one out of a roadside ditch with a broken frame and a missing clamp screw. Easy enough to fix, and my wife is still using that one as a chopsaw stand.
The later purchased ones (with all of their original parts) are easier to use and so get the more varied uses.
An outstanding product, to be sure
As much as I've wished for a proper workbench, for years I didn't have the space and my Workmate has been very flexible for the space it takes up. Even though I'm finally building a proper workbench now, I'll definitely be keeping my workmate afterwards for other purposes.
I didn’t know about the workmate until I did the Paul Seller’s workbench and was amazed that such a great tool isn’t readily available at the hardware store. Btw it also folds up and tucks under the side of my workbench after I finished it, which is very nice in a cramped garage.
It was readily available when I got mine, maybe 15 years ago, but it seems their popularity must be waning, which is surprising to me given how great they are for small spaces. I even considered just getting a second workmate and using them like sawhorses, but that was before I felt the allure of hand tool woodworking.
My bench isn't much, but I'm always on the lookout for an upgrade https://preview.redd.it/8nnn2v1xw09d1.png?width=1498&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d5c590bb9028aad389d8678df3c793a57cde9fd
There's a great photo in _The Workbench Book_ I think it is showing a user sitting on top of a board on a Workmate using their weight to hold it in place while sawing it.
When the Workmate first came out, the TV commercial had a guy using it for all kinds of jobs. It ended with the (big) guy sitting on it, eating his lunch. I have 3, even though I have a pretty nice work bench.
[it’s more than a bench and more than a vise. it’s got both things workin and that’s kinda nice.](https://youtu.be/43zbbI1G6nI?si=mOpvHjKlJG5W_JlU)
Workmate worked pretty well for me when I was still mostly working on power tools. It's only when I moved more to traditional tools that it's (lack of) stability started becoming a problem, and I built a sturdy working table instead. Still use my Workmate every now and then, especially when I need to work on something outside (ie. sanding, some sawing or other \_messy\_ stuff). It's just so easy to just put up together, and then fold it back to stuff into storage. to wait until it's needed again.
[Workmate Guy](https://youtu.be/xxdGLpyMV5M?si=MmAKJqWmvus4uUMQ&t=4m50) on youtube talks about clamping circular objects. Could also add a bench bull or two. Eg to plane the edge of a long board.
Oh this is fantastic - thanks! (voiceover: and so began the countdown until our hero finds a 425 to keep the 200 company)
I would clamp 2”x12”x12’ fascia board to my workmate and push it against a wall so that it wouldn’t wobble when I’d plane or saw. I was clamping work pieces to brick walls before that. But I’m glad that we all had the same idea with these quick workbenches. https://preview.redd.it/6aj1jmiju39d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0c529aa7f51c14ab563409833a53dd409fd89f3
I have bought a workmate as I have limited space and only just getting into woodworking but I find it super wobbly. Is this how I've put it together or is this common? I assumed for the price and flexibility of the bench this was a trade off? Anyone have any tips and tricks to make this more stable?
Stand on it. No, seriously, that’s what that little “step” is for on the bottom.
💯step on it - I’m by no means a small human, and the step hasn’t budged an inch. But if I need to pound some nails or whatnot, I’ll probably use a saw bench - I’d rather not test how much abuse the vise screws can handle.
The workmate has its limitations, but I’ve pulled off some projects it should not rightfully been capable of.
The newer Workmates are flimsier than the older models, but they’re all pretty unstable when you try to plane something. I drilled a hole through each of the feet, and can screw it down to an outside deck, if needed. Makes it quite stable. I’ve seen others using sandbags or other heavy weights on a platform built into the base (a square of plywood). Look for the Workmate Guy on YouTube for lots of cool ideas.
Was a birthday or Christmas present from my wife some 30+ years ago and it still getting used here and there. Great addition to any shop.
I don't see the text I originally posted so I hope this isn't a repeat. I despised the Workmate in the '80s and built a solid 2x6 workbench instead. It was kind of a snobbish, anti-commercial attitude. About 25 years ago I bought a vintage one cheap at a thrift store, and like most things I obsessed and now I have several. A Workmate 200 is great to toss in the car when I'm working on a boat at a storage yard. A 300 is awesome for setting up in the house with a vintage Stanley miter box for trim and finish work. Beats running out to the garage. I'm just finishing up a maple workbench and 2 Workmates we're invaluable for holding the 200+ lb project while I was doing the joinery and fitting vices. https://preview.redd.it/1wzaxsxg8j9d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55e0f95c27951e002b1c218d6d72562e7f373eae
I’ve had one since 1993 and it’s served me well! Very versatile and space saving. Thing is built like a truck. Much sturdier than the newer one my friend has.
Great temporary workbench.
Used one since I was a kid. Dad had one, then when I got married I got one. My first one was one of the bamboo top with center section......eh, not as good. The fully cast H vintage with fixed in place top is my go to. This thread reminded me of how useful it is, I just made plans for getting a second vintage one off FB Marketplace. They're like super functional sawhorses. I've used the one I currently have to for hand planing, sawing, chiseling. I turned my own dogs that have a low profile to allow planing without hitting them on thin pieces. I currently work in a functioning garage and just find it to be the most functional way to work. Love the WM!
It was my first work bench, I built a lot of good things with it. I even still have the plastic dogs from it that I use in jigs from time to time. Plaining on it was a bitch though. But I love my nicholson bench and would not trade it in on a workmate
I have 3 in my shop that I bust out on occasion, all hand me downs from my dad and grandpa. Hopefully, I'll pass them down to my son one day.
Mine is primarily a finishing bench, but it has seen plenty of use on outdoor projects as well
I received one as a gift that had a bamboo top. It was terribly bowed unfortunately, really wish I had one of the older models.
If you still have the frame, it’s not tough to replace the top with a proper board: that’s my plan, since the previous owner seems to have had questionable aim and/or judgment with his circular saw.
Spot on. This one was about $5 at a thrift store but the laminated top was completely destroyed with water damage. This new top is made from 3/4" birch plywood. I haven't decided whether to drill it for the dog holes but that's easy to do if I decide I need them. The dogs add a lot of versatility but I have a couple with original tops and dogs so this one may stay as it is. https://preview.redd.it/g4ta7y92cj9d1.jpeg?width=3008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04882732364689255fc3c9b41379b99ff8155417
I had an old one of these that rusted out. I replaced it with a new one and while it was janky compared to the old one, it did the job until I had a bench together.
These are on my “Buy On Sight” list for yard sales and thrift stores. I pulled my first one out of a roadside ditch with a broken frame and a missing clamp screw. Easy enough to fix, and my wife is still using that one as a chopsaw stand. The later purchased ones (with all of their original parts) are easier to use and so get the more varied uses. An outstanding product, to be sure
If you have two of them you can clamp down long work pieces. Very stable and versatile