Replacement Swivel Grips
I present this page here almost entirely for the benefit of owners of one specific Workmate, the Workmate 79-001 Type 1. If you need swivel grips (swivel pegs, bench dogs) for any other 79-001 or for the dozens of other Workmate models that have been sold anywhere in the world since 1972, swivel pegs with the required 20mm diameter post are readily available. The original 79-010 pegs from Black & Decker can be found in various places, including vintage ones on eBay. Other manufacturers offer pegs that are copies of the originals, or similar designs.
Unfortunately, the 20mm swivel pegs will not fit the 79-001 Type 1, which was produced only from October 1974 to April 1975. For some reason Black & Decker made the holes in the jaws on the Type 1 smaller than on every other model that preceded or followed it. The holes on the Type 1 are 3/4" in diameter, so the standard 20mm swivel pegs are too large.
Of course 3/4" is a fairly common size for bench dogs and other accessories for woodworking benches, so there are certainly many work-holding options that will fit the 3/4" holes in the 79-001 Type 1. However, those who like the idea of keeping their Workmate close to original have only one choice that I know of.
What I recommend is a 4-pack of Powertec 71037 Bench Dogs. They are made of black plastic with a 3/4" post that fits the 79-001 Type 1. While they are not identical to Black & Decker's swivel pegs, they are very similar in both size and appearance. The gripping face on the Powertec is about 1/8" shorter in height and about 1/8" wider than the Black & Decker 79-010 pegs. When clamping 1/2" material, the top of the Powertec sits just below the surface of the work. In some cases this would be an advantage over the original Black & Decker pegs, which project above.
The photos below compare the Powertec bench dogs with the 1977-and-later style of swivel grips from Black & Decker. In each photo, the Powertec is on the left and the B&D is on the right. Notice the two holes that go through the Powertec dogs? I have no idea what those are for.
Unfortunately, the 20mm swivel pegs will not fit the 79-001 Type 1, which was produced only from October 1974 to April 1975. For some reason Black & Decker made the holes in the jaws on the Type 1 smaller than on every other model that preceded or followed it. The holes on the Type 1 are 3/4" in diameter, so the standard 20mm swivel pegs are too large.
Of course 3/4" is a fairly common size for bench dogs and other accessories for woodworking benches, so there are certainly many work-holding options that will fit the 3/4" holes in the 79-001 Type 1. However, those who like the idea of keeping their Workmate close to original have only one choice that I know of.
What I recommend is a 4-pack of Powertec 71037 Bench Dogs. They are made of black plastic with a 3/4" post that fits the 79-001 Type 1. While they are not identical to Black & Decker's swivel pegs, they are very similar in both size and appearance. The gripping face on the Powertec is about 1/8" shorter in height and about 1/8" wider than the Black & Decker 79-010 pegs. When clamping 1/2" material, the top of the Powertec sits just below the surface of the work. In some cases this would be an advantage over the original Black & Decker pegs, which project above.
The photos below compare the Powertec bench dogs with the 1977-and-later style of swivel grips from Black & Decker. In each photo, the Powertec is on the left and the B&D is on the right. Notice the two holes that go through the Powertec dogs? I have no idea what those are for.