So I need a new project and I have decided to make that project a restoration of a vintage Black and Decker Workmate project which I will then put to work once complete, this won’t be a garage queen, it will get used for it’s intended purpose! 

I remember my dad having a workmate when I was younger but he had the black one and I remember that bench breaking easily. These older ones are a little more robust which is why I decided to start my search for one. 

I sourced a vintage workmate from eBay in need of some care, and a quick bid and £42 later I was the new owner of a very old and tired looking Black & Decker Workmate. 

It was advertised in Harwich so I dispatched my dad to go and get it as he lives up that way and it would give me a good reason to drive down there and see him for the first time in about two years.

These are the seller’s pictures which give a good indication about the condition of the bench and the job I have in front of me. It looks like it’s done plenty of work over it’s life and I think with some care it can go on working for decades to come.

General consensus is that these old benches are the best ones they ever made. Much better build quality than the later ones, which my dad had and I remember from my childhood.

He had a black one, a workmate 2 or similar and I remember the adjustment handles had broken off and the leg stays were plastic which had also broken, No such issues with this old girl.

Keep an eye out for my progress after I pick it up. I’ll be disassembling it next.