Support Bench Tools on a Workmate

This is my venerable 35 year old Black & Decker Workmate. I most often use it as a base for several power tools normally mounted on a bench. 

Step 1 A space multiplier

My workmate allows me to make better use of my garage workshop that shares space with our automobiles. Here you see my bandsaw mounted on my Workmate. The Workmate fits into a cramped corner.

Comments

[claudg1950]

With this setup, your router is offset from the Workmate center and the cleat protrudes at the opposite side of the board.
What if instead you install two cleats in the underside, each one near an opposite edge of the board. Then, instead of turning the handles to make the WM surfaces clamp the cleat, you turn the handles the other way and EXPAND the workmate surfaces until each surface presses against a cleat.
With luck, in the centerline you will have a breach large enough to admit the router and the router bit will appear at the middle of the WM table.

[Phil B]

I think it would work. That is a good idea. Would you want to use the Workmate to support other tools? That might affect what you would do and how you would do it. Thanks for looking at this and for commenting.

[44124gat]

I’ve used a Workmate this way for a number of tools. E.g., Ridgid Sander, Bosch router table, Dremel scroll saw, Delta mortiser, Porter-Cable Omnijig Joinery tool etc. Typically I attach the base more or less permanently to the tool, as shown in the photos above.
But because the base adds weight to each tool, I plan next to remove all the bases from each tool and make a “master’ base that can be used with any/all of the tools. This will reduce the weight I have to lift to put each tool on the Workmate after installing the “master” base.
I also made a mobile base for the Workmate so it can be rolled around.

Another option, especially for something tall or heavy, like a drill press, is to use the DeWalt mobile planer stand # DW7350. This is a very good stand that sometimes come “free” when you buy the DeWalt planer. It is not as tall as a Workmate but has a slightly smaller footprint and has locking wheels for mobility. However, usually it is more expensive than a Workmate, although it sometimes may be found cheaper on the web.

In fact, I may decide to use the DeWalt stand for my “master’ base instead of the Workmate-I’ll have to think about that a bit. ;)

[Phil B]

You have very good ideas. I would very much like to seem them published as an Instructable.

[Bob S]

The thing I did differently with all my small machines is to mount them on plywood with 2 X 2 placed on the bottom 2 outside edges. Now they set flat anywhre and still can be clamped to the Workmate by spreading the jaws to clamp between the two 2 X 2 . Can't get by without a WorkMate or two!

[Phil B]

Good idea! Thank you for commenting.

[kbwillert]

My dad has one of these laying around that he got at a garage sale...I'm going to have to see if I can buy it off him!

[Phil B]

Thank you for your comment. If your father is not using it, I hope he will part with it.

If you have limited space for a workshop, using a Workmate like this to mount various other tools allows you to fold up just about everything when not in use.

[curt-fullmer]

Haha, I thought i was the only die hard workmate fan, good job im gonna try some of these.

[Phil B]

Thanks. I hope this works well for you.

[pfred2]

I use my Workmate as a curse and insult catcher. It'd violate site policy if I elaborated further ...

I'm glad to see you've put yours to more practical uses Phil.

[Phil B]

Thanks.

[knife141]

Nice instructable, Phil. Workmates are great -- I've had one for over 20 years, and it has served as an extra workbench, sawhorse, stand for my router table, and a portable bench for taking with me when I need it. I even have an old cardboard box that I slip over the top of mine to use when painting small parts. I particularly like to use mine to hold old radios when I'm soldering them. I wear trifocals, and my regular workbench is just a bit tall for for seeing detail work. The workmate is just the right height for my old eyes!

[Phil B]

Thanks. The cardboard box is a very good idea. I think the Black & Decker people must have wanted people to use the Workmate in creative ways.

[BigBadgers2001]

A fantastic and typically very simple idea, which I do not understand how I never thought of. lol. I only have a tiny space in my shed to use my drill press etc. This will be very useful for my jobs. Thank you for posting this.

[Phil B]

I am glad you may be able to use the idea. I thought about posting it some time back, but it went to the back of my mind. Thank you for looking and for commenting.

[zazenergy]

Another great instructable Phil!

[Phil B]

Thank you.

[iceng]

Now you tell me.
_{Meaning it is too late for my shop.}

A Very good idea.

A

[Phil B]

Oops! Sorry! Thank you for looking and for looking and for commenting.