Shopsmith Forums

Ed, I have the same model as you and bought it a month after you bought yours. I have to admit, mine spent most of its life collecting dust.

Roger

I've wanted one of these Workmates forever and finally scored one today at an estate sale.. Along with a complete Craftsman caster set which, according to the "dirty paper" included, cost $60 in 1986. I don't think they were ever used. And I couldn't resist, but also picked up a complete spirograph from 1967. And the whole ordeal cost me a total of $24.50!

Hi All,

Interesting to read these posts, I've got 2 workmates, and as you all say very good bits of kit.
I've also got a Jawhorse. only it's not a Jawhorse, it's an Elu SuperJaws - here in the UK I've also seen it in my local hardware store painted orange and branded as the Triton Super Jaws. BTW did the Triton Workcentre ever get to the States? it was (maybe still is?) made in Australia. It used a handheld 9" circular saw and worked as table saw and an overhead sliding crosscut saw, you could get extra parts to mount a router, I had one years ago but sold as I found it wasn't that accurate.

Chris

I just looked up the triton work centre, looks cool never saw one here in the states. I don't care for the workmate, had one ended up giving it away. I really like my jaw horse, yeah it's made here under a few names too. I really like being able to hold something odd and heavy and clampinng with my foot.

What I like about the Super Jaws is the way it can handle a door on edge, ideal if you need to trim one down. I have the log jaws and its great for that too, easily copes with a 4' 6" dia log. Only downside is the weight, folds down quite small but very heavy, especially compared with the workmate!

paulrussell wrote:...
So goes my typical well-planned day. A 5 min job turns into hours and to the outside world I've little to show for it.

Whut? You mean there's another way?

dang.

I have a circa mid-70's Workmate I inherited from my Dad when he passed away - it is built like a tank and has served me flawlessly for countless tasks over the years. One of the legs is a bit bent and the fold out legs don't open and close as smoothly as they once did and the top is pretty caked with paint from years of being a painting stand for trim...I thought I'd spring and get a new one until I saw how much cheaper the quality is on the ones sold these days. I have eyed the Jawhorse for a while now as a possible substitute but the $200 price tag has kept me from pulling the trigger for now. I guess I should start watching Craig's List for an older WorkMate as I definitely would like to have a second around.

chrism wrote:What I like about the Super Jaws is the way it can handle a door on edge, ideal if you need to trim one down. ...

The ol' WorkMate handles a door on edge just fine, too. Can be a big help installing an exterior door, too, while hinges are put on.

One of the handiest additions I made was a simple piece of 1/2" plywood cut to fit the open space behind the 'step'. Flanges already in place, and the 1/2 folds up right in place. A very handy temp shelf.

Vintage mid '80s, has also been a spelndid companion to the SS. GReat tool, agreed.

dgale wrote:I have a circa mid-70's Workmate I inherited from my Dad when he passed away - it is built like a tank a... the fold out legs don't open and close as smoothly as they once did and ...

Yep, they sure don't make 'em like they used to.
But for the old creaky knees, so to speak, et cetera, a half hour or so with some rags and a big can of WD-40 and you can get those legs and all other moveable parts (all) movin again almost like new-ish. Spritz every angle of the part and flex/ turn/ push/ whatever til it gives in. Good for years.

About cost- on a whim I shelled out $50 at Costco last weekend (a deal we have: one of us (my bride in this case) buys something whimsical and the other gets to, too) for a fold-up work 'table' thingie that imitates the WorkMate in some respects. For the money it looks like it will be a very useful addition to the 'shop', or yard, or whatever. About similar weight to the W-M, folds up nicely, easier to carry. {this is not the same class as the WM.}

I like both the workmate and Jawhorse. I use them for different jobs and find both excellent for what they are intended. Most of my workmates were purchased used. One we picked up at the dump and manufactured a new handle for. I saw one at a yard sale this AM that had been converted to a home made table saw. I actually found myself a bit spooked by that one. Jim