How to Recognize It
The blue paint, the aluminum H-frames, and the 4-rib step without cross-ribbing identify a Type 3. See the gallery of detail photos below. The Workmate 79-001 Type Study spreadsheet shows how all ten Types compare. |
The Type 3 is a special case, because it was manufactured in Ireland while the Types 1 and 2 before it and the Type 4 after it were manufactured in Canada. Why would this be? Well, in mid-1975, Black & Decker temporarily laid off workers at the Brockville plant, interrupting Workmate production shortly after the Type 2 was introduced. They still needed some Workmates to sell in North America, so during the eleven-week layoff the model that was sold in Europe as the WM625 Type E02 was imported to become the 79-001 Type 3 for the U.S. See the 79-001 Timeline page for more details. I have also written about the Type 3 in my blog. The Type 3 is relatively rare today, so they probably did not import very many.
Notable Characteristics
Component Changes
Notable Characteristics
- The European model number is stamped into the steel along the rear edge of the step. It appears that they imported Workmates directly from the Irish factory, and then labeled them as 79-001's when they reached the U.S.
- The Type 3 has the same style of jaw label as the Type 2, and the model and type number are stamped on the bottom surface of the jaw.
- The standout visual feature of the Type 3 is the blue paint on all of the steel frame pieces.
- The Type 3 has the first single-layer jaws. They are a slightly thicker plywood than the earlier ones, but don't have the double layer at the edge where the jaws meet. The jaws have 10 holes and are attached to solid aluminum blocks below. The four mounting bolt holes in each jaw are about 5/8" in diameter, with an embedded nylon nut instead of the steel insert used on the Type 1.
- The cast H-frames are reversed from their orientation on most other Workmates. The "Workmate" sides face outward, while the "Black & Decker" sides face inward. Only the Type 5 shares this feature.
- The vise-handle arms have the cast-in "B&D" logo from the Type E.
- All eight feet are adjustable, with the 79-001's third different style of cone-shaped pads. The threads are metric, like the Type E.
- The spring-steel catches that latch the folding legs are shaped differently and operate slightly differently from the Type 1 and Type 2. The part of the leg that engages with the catch now slides down the inner side of the catch and latches there instead of sliding over and latching on the outer side of the catch.
Component Changes
- I have seen one Type 3 with blue nylon bushings at the pivot points of the H-frames, like those used on the Type 5.
Click on any image below to open the gallery of full-screen images.