WorkMate Rehab

[steven c newman]

It was about time....was getting a bit ragged around the edges...
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Removed what was left of the old top....was burning trash, anyway..
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Now, as part of the shed build...I had a couple 2 x 6s and a pair of 2 x 2s...decided to recycle them into a new top..
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The 2x2s needed 1/4" peeled off one edge (Tablesaw did that) so they would fit between the frame and the top....boards were all different lengths..

We have ways..
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Disston D-112, 26", 7ppi Cross cut.....a lot lighter, and quieter than hauling a circular saw and a cord out to the site....Framing square to mark the cut lines, 4" beyond the mounting brackets, in case I should need to use clamps....
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Getting my Cardio Workout, today..
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Looks a little better? Haven't decided on drilling any dog holes, yet....:confused:

Ready to work a few more years?:D

[Brad Chenoweth]

Looks good, Steven. I have a very similar one, a B&D Portamate, which I'm told as a Canadian version. It has a 120 volt outlet on one side. One of the locking latches for the legs is broken, and I'm having a devil of a time finding a replacement. It's still usable, though.

[steven c newman]

Lumber is Pressure Treated Pine.....all 4 pieces were leftovers, and on hand. 2 x 6s were cutoffs from done the foundation for the shed. The 2 x 2s were leftover handrail posts from building the front porch deck...The Work Mate is to be the "Outside Workbench" and will stay outside. I figured the PT Pine would hold up a little better than the OEM Plywood...I'll park this bench in the shed....as there is no room in my shop, for it.

[steven c newman]

Hmmm, wonder IF I'll need to flatten the top of this bench? Would I need to check it for "wind"? Maybe take a plane and round over the sawn ends? Not sure what is the "approved finish" for this sort of bench...and, should I line the "chops" with anything.....

[Stew Denton]

Steven,

The new top looks good, and i think for woodworking it is probably better than the original, once you get the holes for clamping drilled.

As far as finish goes, I have found that polyurethane is a really tough finish. Since it won't be out in the sun much, the Poly should do well. I also have found that paint holds up better where the sun can get to stuff, over long periods of time, than does the best weather resistant finish, which is spar.

Stew

[Al Weber]

I have the same issue and I've searched high and low for replacements but without success. I picked up a very old one at a estate sale and it has metal locking tabs and not the plastic ones. I replaced the wood portions using MDO which stands up well to abuse. I use mine as a dedicated work table for various duties including sharpening.

[William Fretwell]

That’s one of the originals with cast aluminium before they went all steel. The clamping edges were coved in the middle if I remember correctly. You can make it better than the original. Wood, paint, varnish, hickory pegs etc.