My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to a
horizontal vice) has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with? Would MDF be
acceptable ? Something harder? Or with a surface?
I'm afraid it's a bit of a newb question, but I haven't worked a lot of
these materials much, and am unsure what it apropriate.
The major immediate use of this will be the holder for my new Katie Jig.
Thanks
Jim Helfer
Pittsburgh PA
Go Stillers!
On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:14:39 -0400, "Jim Helfer" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
>work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to a
>horizontal vice)
Just the Black & Decker original. The original, and still by far the
best.
>has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
>
> What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with?
They're made with either plywood, MDF or chipboard tops. The plywood
ones are by far the best (less sagging, less trouble with damp) so
that's what I'd use to replace them.
--
Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods
I plane on using the top of my Workmate as a template (before it gets
too beat up) to make a top made out of maple. Maple makes great tops
for WWing benches so why not for the Workmate?
Layne
On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 01:06:13 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:14:39 -0400, "Jim Helfer" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>> My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
>>work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to a
>>horizontal vice)
>
>Just the Black & Decker original. The original, and still by far the
>best.
>
>>has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
>>
>> What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with?
>
>They're made with either plywood, MDF or chipboard tops. The plywood
>ones are by far the best (less sagging, less trouble with damp) so
>that's what I'd use to replace them.
>
>--
>Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods
After my MDF top went south on my BD Workmate (one of the nicer
models, but I can't remember the number. It has a 3-part top), I
replaced it with three sections of 2x SYP, ripped to the proper widths
(using the originals as templates), then crosscut to make the table
slightly wider. Bored holes for dogs wherever I felt like (don't care
for the BD original locations). Used the same mounting gear on the
bottom from the originals, then belt-sanded the top until level,
splashed on some shellac followed by a coat of paste wax. The new top
is sturdy, a bit heavier (good), and has taken all my abuse so far
quite well.
H.
"Jim Helfer" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
> work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to a
> horizontal vice) has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
>
> What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with? Would MDF be
> acceptable ? Something harder? Or with a surface?
>
> I'm afraid it's a bit of a newb question, but I haven't worked a lot of
> these materials much, and am unsure what it apropriate.
>
> The major immediate use of this will be the holder for my new Katie Jig.
>
> Thanks
> Jim Helfer
> Pittsburgh PA
> Go Stillers!
>[email protected] (Hylourgos)
suggested:
"I replaced it with three sections of 2x SYP"
Pardon my ignorance, but what is 2x SYP?
Jay in NH
Hi Jay,
"2x" just means any dimensional lumber that is two inches (one side)
by whatever (other side), as in 2" x 4", or 2" x 6", 2" x 8", 2" x
10", and 2" x 12". Those are the common (dimensional) lumber sizes
you'll find used for most construction jobs and available at any
lumber supply source.
SYP= Southern Yellow Pine, a fairly sturdy type of pine used for
dimensional lumber.
I used that for my workmate because it was cheap, fairly sturdy, but
most importantly, it's what I had on hand. You can usually find large
enough scraps of this stuff for free at any construction site.
Vale,
H.
[email protected] (S S Law NH) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> >[email protected] (Hylourgos)
> suggested:
>
> "I replaced it with three sections of 2x SYP"
>
> Pardon my ignorance, but what is 2x SYP?
>
> Jay in NH
On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 01:06:13 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:
>They're made with either plywood, MDF or chipboard tops.
The newest models are made with a bamboo top, similar to flooring.
It's great stuff.
Barry
Baltic Birch would be a good choice. I have a B&D work table that is about
3' square and the top is Baltic Birch. The top is about 23 years old.
"Jim Helfer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
> work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to
a
> horizontal vice) has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
>
> What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with? Would MDF be
> acceptable ? Something harder? Or with a surface?
>
> I'm afraid it's a bit of a newb question, but I haven't worked a lot of
> these materials much, and am unsure what it apropriate.
>
> The major immediate use of this will be the holder for my new Katie Jig.
>
> Thanks
> Jim Helfer
> Pittsburgh PA
> Go Stillers!
>
>
On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:14:39 -0400, "Jim Helfer" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> My "Workmate" (at least that's what I _think_ they call those foldable
>work tables with the surface consisting of two mating surfaces attached to a
>horizontal vice) has a damaged surface, and I would like to replace it.
Mine is bamboo, and very tough. Depending on the age of yours, it
may be something different.
> What would be a reasonable thing to replace the top with? Would MDF be
>acceptable ? Something harder? Or with a surface?
I'd use 3/4" oak or bamboo flooring, edge glued, and while I'm making
parts. If you use MDF, you'll need to protect the edges. This could
be a PITA with smaller pieces like the Workmate parts. Also, you
can't get the MDF wet. MDF works great for larger workbench tops,
with hardwood edging applied.
Since you need so little, look for an open or orphaned box at a
flooring store. Prefinished bamboo or oak flooring is only about $5-6
a square foot retail. If they only have a few square feet left, you
may even get it for free. Heck, the strips don't even have to be the
same color.
Barry