Carpenters Bench

[pandapike]

This is bench #7 I have done. It came in a bit rough tons of dry rot, wood splitting, 100’s of nail holes and ugly as sin gray paint but it’s coming along.




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[RivennHewn]

It’ll be worth the effort!

 

[turbowoodworker]

Very nice bench. Keep the pictures coming

 

[rlitman]

Is it beetle eaten? If it's infested, you'll have to deal with the larvae, but even so, that's got great bones.

 

[dffay]

That’s a gorgeous patina. Have you considered Aqua-Coat to blade on (like a bodyman would skim coat Bondo) then sand smooth and level. It’s clear and it smooths grain beautifully.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's a fantastic bench! +1 on keeping the pictures coming!

 

[pandapike]

That’s a gorgeous patina. Have you considered Aqua-Coat to blade on (like a bodyman would skim coat Bondo) then sand smooth and level. It’s clear and it smooths grain beautifully.

The patina is something I have learned to do over the years. Unfortunately it normally requires the stripping down of 99% of the original surface. These benches are normally so dried out that they soak up quarts of oil(non boiled linseed oil cut with turpentine or danish) the wood is normally splitting or falling off the lot of glue etc and new pieces of wood cut to replace sections. It has to be done that way otherwise it may look nice but won’t last much longer.


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[pandapike]

Is it beetle eaten? If it's infested, you'll have to deal with the larvae, but even so, that's got great bones.

Not beetles just not taken care of which is almost aways the case. It was in better shape then many that I have had so still working on it. Takes about two weeks just to properly stabilize the wood.


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[pandapike]

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[turbowoodworker]

Alright Panda. I’m curious. You said this is number 7, presuming you’ve rehabbed six others?
What do you do? Resale?
I built mine and as heavy as these benches typically are, and the amount of material(quality hardwoods) that goes in one, I’ve always been amazed at the seemingly low resale value on these.
Benches like yours are more of a specific tool than just a workbench. The vises, the hold downs and dogs, and the tool tray really act as a system.
I applaud your efforts. Just curious how you make it work.
Or maybe it’s just love of a fine bench.

 

[pandapike]

Alright Panda. I’m curious. You said this is number 7, presuming you’ve rehabbed six others?

What do you do? Resale?

I built mine and as heavy as these benches typically are, and the amount of material(quality hardwoods) that goes in one, I’ve always been amazed at the seemingly low resale value on these.

Benches like yours are more of a specific tool than just a workbench. The vises, the hold downs and dogs, and the tool tray really act as a system.

I applaud your efforts. Just curious how you make it work.

Or maybe it’s just love of a fine bench.

So I started by wanted one for myself that turned into three. So I have three in my shop 4ft one 6.5ft and my main one 8.5ft. The most difficult of all of them took 70 hours worth of work(photo below). I realized I liked them so if my free time between running a business I do this for a few bucks but mostly enjoyment. The repairs go from a quick stabilized bench too something along the level of my bench which includes pouring and casting of parts, new wood, building up stains to bring its original look back, 7 layer of clear coat and even repairing 1000’s of nails. The costs really break down to hours work and initial costs. I do enjoy doing it but understand the value vs costs at the end of the day.




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[turbowoodworker]

Fantastic work. Great to see the old stuff not only surviving but being used and loved.
Cheers, Rick

 

[dffay]

Beautiful work.

Remember the truism about restorations? The only guy that ever loses money on a restoration is the guy that did it.

 

[rlitman]

Beautiful work.

Remember the truism about restorations? The only guy that ever loses money on a restoration is the guy that did it.

There's a lot of truth in that, and that's one reason that I really try to limit my "restoration" work to the tighter requirements of "conservation". Regardless, in general, a "labor of love" is almost always money lost, since it's so difficult to connect with someone who has the same passion (and certainly sentiment) as you do about (insert object here).

 

[bmwrd0]

Those are beautiful benches. I would love to have room for one in my basement shop, but alas.

 

[pandapike]

I actually rebuilt this 3ft bench for my 85 year old neighbor last year so small ones exist.

Those are beautiful benches. I would love to have room for one in my basement shop, but alas.

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[macgee]

Thats a very interesting belt sander and base set up in the background

 

[pandapike]

Thats a very interesting belt sander and base set up in the background

Yup custom built for a friend he had three made. I traded him for this one. I took the base from another project because it rotates 45 degrees.


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[y'sguy]

Thats a very interesting belt sander and base set up in the background

Haha, I noticed it too! I want one!

 

[pandapike]

Haha, I noticed it too! I want one!

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[JG Owens]

I bought the same workbench last summer for $200. In fact, mine is also painted gray. I'm hoping to get to it late summer, early fall. Question, how did you remove the paint?

 

[rlitman]

I bought the same workbench last summer for $200. In fact, mine is also painted gray. I'm hoping to get to it late summer, early fall. Question, how did you remove the paint?

That's going to be an oil based paint. My suggestion would be to use a heat gun and long handled push scraper. At least, to get the bulk of it off. Do it outside and contain your mess, as the paint almost certainly has lead in it.

 

[pandapike]

That's going to be an oil based paint. My suggestion would be to use a heat gun and long handled push scraper. At least, to get the bulk of it off. Do it outside and contain your mess, as the paint almost certainly has lead in it.

Sorry that’s a horrible suggestion. These benches are regularly extremely dry. That much heat will likely cause splits and cracks in the wood. The process to restores these have to be done carefully. That normally requires disassemble, striping of paint with abrasives adding oils to the wood and then stabilizing the wood with appropriate glues.


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[Oldsoul]

Here's the bench I pulled out of the garbage awhile back. It was so heavy I had to leave the base behind. I hinged it to my original bench the vise's all have steel screws and hardware. It's a ulmia ott I think.

 

[pandapike]

Nice bench too many vises for my personal use. It looks like a great worker though.


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[Oldsoul]

Yea every time I find a vise I can't let it go so I ended up putting to many on.

 

[pandapike]

Yea every time I find a vise I can't let it go so I ended up putting to many on.

Yeah I feel yah I got way to many this is by the best of the bunch though.





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[Oldsoul]

Oh yea definitely I'm waiting for the day I find one. Up by me they go for 700-1000$

 

[JG Owens]

Thanks for the paint removal suggestion. When you say "stabilize", are you referring to gluing and clamping cracks or separations in laminations?
Also, what wood are these usually made from? I'm thinking maple.

 

[pandapike]

Thanks for the paint removal suggestion. When you say "stabilize", are you referring to gluing and clamping cracks or separations in laminations?
Also, what wood are these usually made from? I'm thinking maple.

Stabilized is a general term I use. It refers to the basic process of preserving the wood. That can include the process of gluing, infusing,repairing and replacing the wood to prevent any more deterioration. The benches were never uniformed so wood use was generally what was most cost effective at the time and location. I have seen pine, poplar, oak and yes maple.


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[southalabama]

Gorgeous bench.

I think location plays a large roll in what shows up in estate and other sales. Old benches and vintage industrial stuff is scarce here.

Occasionally I’ll watch Diresta use some vintage iron. There aren’t any places like where he hunts “junk” around here.

 

[JG Owens]

I live about 50 miles north of Philadelphia and there's a good amount of old tools, etc. around but you have to be quick. As I recall with the workbench, I had just signed onto Marketplace and saw the listing which was about 2 minutes old. She said she had about 20 people respond to the ad.

 

[pandapike]

Gorgeous bench.

I think location plays a large roll in what shows up in estate and other sales. Old benches and vintage industrial stuff is scarce here.

Occasionally I’ll watch Diresta use some vintage iron. There aren’t any places like where he hunts “junk” around here.

You can find stuff anywhere you just have to change tactics. I found along time ago one of the best things you can do in rural areas is go to the local feed store ask them if you can put a flyer saying your looking for old tools(anvils, benches etc) I have had opportunities to buy stuff plenty of time before they go on market by being proactive.


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[Oldsoul]

I work at the local transfer station and find everything from there I found some amazing things over the years.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I've posted these elsewhere on GJ and forgive me for post packing but Panda's work on refurbishing made me think to post my bench. It was built from salvaged materials in total except for the walnut. The utility of a good cabinet maker's bench cannot be overstated.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Ignore the car casters as these are old pictures taken after my move to NC, before settling on a location.

 

[macgee]

I've posted these elsewhere on GJ and forgive me for post packing but Panda's work on refurbishing made me think to post my bench. It was built from salvaged materials in total except for the walnut. The utility of a good cabinet maker's bench cannot be overstated.

Turbo,

That's a lovely bench, I especially like the vise on the side. Looks like a very nice and very useful bench, Nice job

 

[slowtwitch73]

Dang... the want is strong for such a bench...

 

[turbowoodworker]

If the "want is strong" go build one. It was one of the most fun projects I have ever done and wasn't very hard. The hardest part was working with very heavy subassemblies (top and base and cabinets) while working alone. I am sure all GJers can relate to that.

The second hardest part is deciding the style and features you want. There are a bunch of books on reproducing the various styles in history (Roubo, European, cabinetmaker, etc). I suggest looking at The Workbench Book by Landis (Taunton Press) first or any of the articles by Chris Schwartz. Those will get the juices flowing.

Vises aren't cheap and neither is wood, but scavenged or salvaged makes the project even more rewarding. My base is pine beam from the roof of an office building renovation. The maple top is 1.75 inch BB from a kitchen renovation that the neighbor was trashing (right place right time), and the walnut was purchased. Base cabinet is ply with leftover alder faces from a kitchen project.

Once complete, you will use it every time you work wood.

Best of luck.
Rick

 

[RTM]

I've posted these elsewhere on GJ and forgive me for post packing but Panda's work on refurbishing made me think to post my bench. It was built from salvaged materials in total except for the walnut. The utility of a good cabinet maker's bench cannot be overstated.

Dang, is that a wood cover on your veritas twin screw vise, or a faux grain paint job? Either way, way to go big time to make it look good?