Picked up agreat work bench today.

[NJ Marty]

I have been looking for a nice vintage bench for awhile now and came across this beauty today. The price was right and exactly what I was looking for. It is a beast with a 4" thick top and its very solid and stable, weighs about 400 lbs.
I wonder why the person who built it made it with the slot it the top that runs the length. It is missing 3 old bolts to crank the left side of the top down and I will try to find some bolts that fit the threads. Now I am going to go through my vises and decide which one to put on it, this bench can hold a big one. Here are a few pictures, the last picture is the flimsy one this replaced.

 

[pendragon1998]

That's an old bear of a bench. a
Awesome; thanks for sharing.

 

[txvwnut]

That thing is cool as hell! Good score!

 

[jywilli69]

It is pretty cool looking. I think you did very good for finding the old beast.

 

[Fretters]

I wonder why the person who built it made it with the slot it the top that runs the length.

It's common form for woodworking benches to have raised long sides with regard to the centre portion of the bench.

 

[thehorse13]

All you need now is a nice old American vise mounted on this beauty.

 

[firemanast]

What a cool bench !

 

[drivesitfar]

Marty: nice looking bench. did you have to unbolt it and move it in sections because it can't be light as one piece?

looking forward to seeing which vise you decide to mount on it.

cheers and nice find

 

[ckadams00]

Great bench!

 

[CNGsaves]

Another great CL find NJ Marty. Once you get that beast located where you want it, it surely won't be going anywhere !!

Was this a freebie from CL, or did you pay something for it??

LOVE the great thick top !

 

[Richard Cranium]

I don't think you could hurt that bench even if you tried. The stories that it could tell...

 

[gnpenning]

Nice score!

 

[Bryan Burns]

Nice bench, and looking at you old bench you deserve it!
Are you going to clean it? I would. If you cleaned it, oiled it and waxed it, I think it'd turn into an heirloom.

 

[McBrownie]

All you need now is a nice old American vise mounted on this beauty.

Horse,
I agree. I see a craftsman 519x that is too new. A littlestown that is not worthy (I'm not a open screw fan). What looks like a Record which is too English/Canadian for that bench (apologies in advance our international GJ'ers )
Yep, looks like NJ needs to do some vise shopping. No Wiltons, or Columbians. That bench needs a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, or Athol. Or, maybe a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, AND Athol.

NJ,
No need to thank me for giving you a reason to get another vise or three.

 

[Fretters]

What looks like a Record which is too English/Canadian for that bench (apologies in advance our international GJ'ers )

Some people have just no taste. That blue "Record" over on the right is an Asian import.

Nice bench btw Marty.

 

[McBrownie]

Some people have just no taste. That blue "Record" over on the right is an Asian import btw.

I didn't realize that the Record is a counterfeit.

 

[Higshemi]

Wow, great find.

 

[NJ Marty]

Another great CL find NJ Marty. Once you get that beast located where you want it, it surely won't be going anywhere !!

Was this a freebie from CL, or did you pay something for it??

LOVE the great thick top !

I got this at an estate sale with an 80 year plus year accumulation of vintage goodies.
It was the second to last day, a few people were interested but had no way of getting it out or had the room. I asked if she would take any offers as she had a price of $150 on it. I wound up paying $50 and I am so happy with it. It took four men to get it out and into the pickup.

 

[NJ Marty]

Marty: nice looking bench. did you have to unbolt it and move it in sections because it can't be light as one piece?

looking forward to seeing which vise you decide to mount on it.

cheers and nice find

Drives it took 4 of us to get it out and we put it top down in the pickup truck. It was a beast and can feel the pain now from getting it out and into my garage. Its at least 400lbs.

 

[NJ Marty]

Horse,
I agree. I see a craftsman 519x that is too new. A littlestown that is not worthy (I'm not a open screw fan). What looks like a Record which is too English/Canadian for that bench (apologies in advance our international GJ'ers )
Yep, looks like NJ needs to do some vise shopping. No Wiltons, or Columbians. That bench needs a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, or Athol. Or, maybe a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, AND Athol.

NJ,
No need to thank me for giving you a reason to get another vise or three. [/QUOTE
I went through some of my bigger vises and agree that this bench needs a vintage vise, I am leaning towards this Parker 955 with 5 inch jaws. If I decide on this I will give it a light cleaning so it blends in with the bench. I don't think this 955 is quite 100 years old but it a good one.

 

[drivesitfar]

Marty: i know you have a few old vises to choose from so if that's the one you like for your bench you've got my vote because it looks at home.

i'm moving my 600-800 steel bench tomorrow or soon and finally putting my 4C on it so wish me luck.

get an inversion table if you don't already own one and you will thank me later when you don't have to buy Advil every couple weeks.

cheers

 

[McBrownie]

I went through some of my bigger vises and agree that this bench needs a vintage vise, I am leaning towards this Parker 955 with 5 inch jaws. If I decide on this I will give it a light cleaning so it blends in with the bench. I don't think this 955 is quite 100 years old but it a good one.

Instant gratification! That Parker looks good on that bench just the way it is. Looks like they belong together.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Good lord, think of the size tree that top plank had to come from!

Nice save.

 

[thehorse13]

Horse,
I agree. I see a craftsman 519x that is too new. A littlestown that is not worthy (I'm not a open screw fan). What looks like a Record which is too English/Canadian for that bench (apologies in advance our international GJ'ers )
Yep, looks like NJ needs to do some vise shopping. No Wiltons, or Columbians. That bench needs a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, or Athol. Or, maybe a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, AND Athol.

NJ,
No need to thank me for giving you a reason to get another vise or three. [/QUOTE
I went through some of my bigger vises and agree that this bench needs a vintage vise, I am leaning towards this Parker 955 with 5 inch jaws. If I decide on this I will give it a light cleaning so it blends in with the bench. I don't think this 955 is quite 100 years old but it a good one.

That vise is a perfect fit. It looks like it was with the bench all its life.

 

[KEH]

Re slot in top. Looks a little narrow, but woodworkers sometimes used the slot tp fish a clamp through to hold an odd piece of wood for planing on, etc.

Did someone mention that you got a you **** deal?

KEH

 

[Zeke]

Re slot in top. Looks a little narrow, but woodworkers sometimes used the slot tp fish a clamp through to hold an odd piece of wood for planing on, etc.

Did someone mention that you got a you **** deal?

KEH

A BIG you **** deal. I want that thing so bad.

 

[dolfans]

I know this is over a year old post but that work bench is very nice. Hope you have had fun using it

 

[drivesitfar]

Marty: if you do still have the bench since you have so many good vise choices which ones are on the bench if you don't mind saying and maybe posting up a few pictures too?

cheers

 

[toddmp]

Gonna clean it up at all? I am sure that wood would appreciate a long drink of some protective oil.

 

[Cope]

Horse,
I agree. I see a craftsman 519x that is too new. A littlestown that is not worthy (I'm not a open screw fan). What looks like a Record which is too English/Canadian for that bench (apologies in advance our international GJ'ers )
Yep, looks like NJ needs to do some vise shopping. No Wiltons, or Columbians. That bench needs a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, or Athol. Or, maybe a 100 year-old Parker, Prentiss, AND Athol.

NJ,
No need to thank me for giving you a reason to get another vise or three. [/QUOTE
I went through some of my bigger vises and agree that this bench needs a vintage vise, I am leaning towards this Parker 955 with 5 inch jaws. If I decide on this I will give it a light cleaning so it blends in with the bench. I don't think this 955 is quite 100 years old but it a good one.

Unless you're left handed, please mount it on the right side! I have a Parker 954 1/2; that 955 will look right at home.

 

[NJ Marty]

Marty: if you do still have the bench since you have so many good vise choices which ones are on the bench if you don't mind saying and maybe posting up a few pictures too?

cheers

Drives, yes I still have it. The bench as of late is my sorting out area when I get home from estate sales. I do keep some old iron on it to make it feel at home.