Workbenches
from Design & Theory to Construction & Use
by Christopher
Schwarz
Hardcover
220 x 285mm
144pp
Published by Popular Woodworking Books, Ohio USA
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 978-1-55870-840-2
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 140
There are only two reasons why you would be considering a new bench. The first is that you are a newcomer to woodworking and the second is that you are sick and tired of the limitations or inadequacies of the bench you currently use.
In either case, Workbenches: from Design and Theory to Construction and Use would be a worthwhile investment.
The author started woodworking when he was 8 years old. He's since become a journalist, has studied furniture making at the University of Kentucky, and is now the editor of Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazine, and has four DVDs on traditional hand tools to his credit.
This, his first book, is probably best described as a comprehensive treatment of workbench philosophy plus plans and building instructions for two benches.
The book is well illustrated and easy to read - something of an achievement in itself since the author travels many by-roads in his quest for the perfect workbench.
Sometimes his viewpoint is historical, sometimes contemporary - but always analytical. Although the book contains plans, his intention is not to show you how to construct a particular workbench, but rather to help you understand your exact needs and how they can be fulfiled.
Even if you are not considering a new bench right at this moment, you'll find this an extremely interesting read.
Photos: Black & White
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter
One - Introduction: Benches That Are Functional Failures
- In on the Ground
Floor
- Beware the New - Fight Progress
- 10 Rules for Building Workbenches
-
The Most Common Workbench Questions (and the Answers)
Chapter
Two - The Basics of Workbench Design
- Workbench Design
- Choose a Good
Material
- Wood for Workbenches: Somewhat Seasoned is OK
- The Size of the
Top
- The Tool Tray: Do You Need One?
- The Placement of the Bench in the
Workshop
- Overhang: How the Top and Legs Interact
- The Placement and Selection
of Vises
- Face Vise
- Shoulder Vises
- Twin-screw Vises
- Leg Vises
-
Tail Vises - Sometimes called an End Vise
- Sliding Deadmen and Slaves
-
Bench Stops
- Holdfasts and Hold-downs
- Holes and the Dogs that inhabit
them
- Benchtop Height
- The Misuse of the Space Under the Top
- The
Support Structure Below the Top
- The Stiffness of Common Workbench Woods
-
The Weight of Common Workbench Woods
- The Janka Scale for some Common Workbench
Woods
- Benches from the Old Countries
- Patternmaker's Vises: Friends or
Foes
- The Stanley No. 203 - Better than a Peg
Chapter
Three - Match Features to Functions
- Assembling & Disassembling Joints
-
Face Planing Narrow Boards with the Grain
- Face Planing Across or Diagonal
to the Grain
- Face Planing Assemblies: Cabinet Sides, Drawer Sides etc
-
Belt Sanding Narrow Stock or Small Panels
- Random-Orbit Sanding
- Routing
Faces of Boards
- Biscuiting Faces
- Drilling Faces
- Chiseling Faces
of Boards
- Sticking Moulding
- Carving & Inlay
- Hand Sawing Faces
of Boards
- Adjusting Joinery
- Scraping Faces
- Scooping Out Chair Seats
-
Working on Edges of Boards and Assemblies
- Planing the Edges of Narrow Stock
-
Planing, Sanding or Shaping the Edges of Wide Stock
- Mortising for Hinge Gains
-
Sawing Edges
- Working on Ends of Boards
- Dovetailing Drawer Parts
-
Dovetailing Carcase Components
- Cutting Tenons or Dovetail Sockets / Tails
on Ends
- Adjusting Tenon Shoulders
- Biscuiting Ends (and Faces)
- Planing
End Grain of Boards Narrow and Wide
- Planing End Grain of Assembled Corner
Joints or Assembled Casework
- How to Design your Workbench
- The 1882 Workbench
from Carpentry and Building Magazine
- Hammacher, Schlemmer's Workbench
-
An Unintentional Roman-style Workbench
- A Power-Tool Workbench
- Charles
Holtzapffel's Bench
Chapter
Four - About the Benches in this Book
- The Dominant Continent
- The
French Workbench
- The English Efficiency
- An Older English Bench
-
The Modern English Bench
The
English Workbench
Chapter
Five - The English Workbench
- Why Build the Bench?
- Begin with the
Wood
- Laminate the Legs
- Beefy Tenons, Deep Mortises
- Dressing and
Boring the Legs
- Boring and the Drawboring
- Aprons and Getting the Bench
on its Feet
- Building the Top
- Build the Wagon Vise
- Glue It, Screw
It and Hope
- Finish up the Wagon Vise
- The Leg Vise
- Planing Stops
-
Adding a Shelf
- Finishing
- And ThenTo Work
The
French Workbench
Chapter
Six - The French Workbench
- Understanding the French Bench
- Use the
Wood's Moisture to Your Advantage
- Basic Joinery Made Easier
- Good Stock
Preparation
- Tricks for Gluing the Top
- Making Tenons Out Of Nothing
-
Making Massive Leg Mortises
- Details on the Legs
- Assembling the Base
-
And You Thought the Leg Mortises Were Big?
- Workholding Details
- A Flexible
Bench
- Shop Testing the French Workbench
Chapter
Seven - Maintenance & Jigs
- Two Solutions for Tops
- Flatten it
with a Handplabne
- Appliances for the Bench
- Leather-faced Dogs
- Holdfast
Pad
- Bench Hook
- Shooting Boards
- Sticking Boards
- Shopmade Planing
Stop
- Mortising Board in a Vise
- Planing Boards
Chapter
Eight - Epilogue: Invent Nothing
Sources
Appendix
& Index