B&D Workmate box wm450

[sarabande]

Before I lash out on this box, does anyone have any comments please ? It looks as if it might have merit on board in conjunction with a couple of clamps and a small vice.

BLACK+DECKER WM450 Workmate Workbox for sale online | eBay

 

[Keith-i]

I had one once. A neat idea but I found the clamping mechanism on the top to be rather poor. A bit too plasticky overall. Also a bit heavy and cumbersome to use as a tool box unless you can leave it in one position.

 

[Boathook]

I was given an old workmate where the legs had failed but the clamp bits were fine. Took it to bits and made a low base so it fits easily in the car, etc for when I go down to do minor works. Did think of keeping it on board but it wouldn't get use enough.

Edit, Pictures now attached.
The wood is deep enough to allow the handles to turn and the metal rods keep the wood attached plus add stability to the frame.

 

[Boater Sam]

Horrid MDF top, useless. Its already breaking up.

 

[Blueboatman]

The original workmate was brilliant and stable
Ever since imho they have cheapened and weakened the premise
Still, better than nowt I suppose . Just about

 

[Poignard]

Before I lash out on this box, does anyone have any comments please ? It looks as if it might have merit on board in conjunction with a couple of clamps and a small vice.

BLACK+DECKER WM450 Workmate Workbox for sale online | eBay

I have two. Obviously they are not strong enough for heavy carpentry but OK for little jobs and you can store a lot in them.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Mine must be coming on for 25 years old, still gets used, but as poignard comments OK for light work but not the really heavy stuff.

 

[Boater Sam]

My original ply topped work mate is now over 50 years old. a few nibbles and an odd set of plastic stops but going strong.

 

[capetown]

Before I lash out on this box, does anyone have any comments please ? It looks as if it might have merit on board in conjunction with a couple of clamps and a small vice.

BLACK+DECKER WM450 Workmate Workbox for sale online | eBay

I have one but it ain’t a tardis, big box but not much internal space.
on this photo there’s a missing clear cover that goes over the three sections on the grass.
it should also have a lift out tray that lives just under the wooden jaws.
I personally find it too deep and prefer shallow boxes to store tools as the one you need is always at the bottom.
Ive taken mine home. But each to their own, you may love it.

 

[penberth3]

Before I lash out on this box, does anyone have any comments please ? It looks as if it might have merit on board in conjunction with a couple of clamps and a small vice.

BLACK+DECKER WM450 Workmate Workbox for sale online | eBay

It's a lot of money, these used to be car boot and junk shop bargains.

You could easily make something similar from plywood. Probably stronger and you could arrange the storage space to suit your needs. Add a groove to hold stuff for sawing, a lip on at least two edges for G-clamps, and maybe a small clamp-on vice for small jobs/metalwork.

 

[William_H]

I have a very old one. No storage just clamp and legs to raise it to work trestle height. Occasionally used. Good for wood work. I think the idea of tool storage is bad. Just makers it heavy. I have an old gym bag for loading all tools needed for a job. Easy to carry. ol'will

 

[ashtead]

I guess it depends on how large is vessel and space/number of crew. Personally although I have standard old workmate it’s heavy for boat use . If you load this with tools it might make it to much to say lift from locker -I guess you need to think of light stuff you might keep in drawers as opposed to spanner’s,hammers etc. might seek to store say cleaning materials in on place but I use plastic boxes with handles for this purpose. A small portable vice might go in the boxes maybe and a few plastic clamps. It might serve most use to sit on under the spray hood in the gangway below to stay protected if the box could be made to fit over the hatchway step?

 

[LiftyK]

I have one. It’s perfect to take to the boats when I have jobs to do, being handy to assist sawing or vice work (er, in the boat maintenance sense).

 

[Supertramp]

I have one and used it on the boat. Stopped this year as a standard toolbox had more storage and was easier to use. Agree with the MDF top comment. It is quicker to set up than a full workmate. I hardly used the work top on the boat. A wood clamp and some old bits of wood to work on is more useful for me.