lotus 30
classic car enthusiast mostly lotus
- Messages
- 718
- Location
- caldicot south wales uk
little did I know how far it would take me being a lotus man I was aware of the inventor Ron Hickman. Who also designed a lot of the original lotus Elan. So on line I went looking for spares and to my amazement all the parts for my later pressed steel one are available. Ordered and arrived all good. I also came across the history on a site and got interested on this wet cold January day I have ended up with two more work mates now thanks to Ebay. Both are the early aluminium models some history below.
From 1968–1972, Mate Tools sold 25,000 Workmates by mail order until 1971, when Black & Decker sent a request to reopen negotiations regarding granting a licence. After six months, Hickman finally agreed to 3% royalties. Development proceeded on the iconic Mk2 with his direction. A complete make-over proceeded whereby the Workmate was transformed into an innovative and classical design. Gone was the large, cumbersome base platform, which was replaced by a single step in front. The Workmate now had two adjustable ideal heights, allowing it to be used as a sawhorse – 23 1/4in – or higher – 32 1/4in – as an operative bench.
Four flip out legs now ensured exceptional rigidity and stability, while dog holes and four swivel plastic dogs on the top’s birch laminate platform now provided a whole new range of clamping positions. Black & Decker named their Mk2 version the WM325, which was produced at the Spennymoor plant in County Durham, and cost £24.95 in 1972. Its awe-inspiring design has been compared to that of the NASA lunar module, and was certainly breathtaking when it first appeared on the market.
These are the ones I have just bought
From 1968–1972, Mate Tools sold 25,000 Workmates by mail order until 1971, when Black & Decker sent a request to reopen negotiations regarding granting a licence. After six months, Hickman finally agreed to 3% royalties. Development proceeded on the iconic Mk2 with his direction. A complete make-over proceeded whereby the Workmate was transformed into an innovative and classical design. Gone was the large, cumbersome base platform, which was replaced by a single step in front. The Workmate now had two adjustable ideal heights, allowing it to be used as a sawhorse – 23 1/4in – or higher – 32 1/4in – as an operative bench.
Four flip out legs now ensured exceptional rigidity and stability, while dog holes and four swivel plastic dogs on the top’s birch laminate platform now provided a whole new range of clamping positions. Black & Decker named their Mk2 version the WM325, which was produced at the Spennymoor plant in County Durham, and cost £24.95 in 1972. Its awe-inspiring design has been compared to that of the NASA lunar module, and was certainly breathtaking when it first appeared on the market.
These are the ones I have just bought
