Workmate extenders increase holding capacity
A Black & Decker Workmate makes a great shop helper, but how often have you wished its jaws would stretch a little farther to hold that wide workpiece for sanding, drilling, or routing?
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If you'd like to increase the holding capacity of your Workmate, just add extender blocks to the work surface. From 3⁄4 " plywood, cut four 13⁄4 x8" pieces. Bore 3⁄4 " holes in both ends of each piece and glue a 11⁄4 " length of 3⁄4 " dowel in one end, as shown below. Insert Workmate dogs in the remaining holes. Now, your Workmate will hold a workpiece as wide as 23". You can make the extenders even longer for added working capacity.
—Robert K. Graul, Alton, Ill.