My old workbench

[Sunset_Z28]

This is an old workbench that used to belong to my grandpa. He's been gone close to 15 years but I've only had it for a handful of years after my grandma sold their home. Unfortunately, he painted over its original green paint to match the rest of the cabinets in his garage, but luckily that's about it. I don't know much about it other than he got it from my great uncle. I've always assumed it was military because of the green color inside and the US stamped on the anvil and one of the hardys. The vise is a Richards-Wilcox and the other two hardys are atha. Most of the hardware is Stanley sweetheart, but a few of the pulls have been replaced. No sign of the originals. Anyone ever seen a workbench similar to this one or have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Reserved for pics.

 

[Cope]

That's a cool bench.

 

[Rileysan]

I would guess that your workbench is the combination of an older kitchen cabinet and a vintage woodworking table top that was modified for the anvil. The rest of the stuff inside the cabinets were added by a very talented person. The removable anvil is unbelievably cool. I don't know much about anvils but I think you have a valuable, and possibly rare item!

Thank you for posting pix. It's beautiful!

Brian

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Thanks guys. There are actually cabinets on each ends as well but the way I have it in the corner it makes them unusable. I wanted to try and pull it out from the wall to take better pics but even empty it is very heavy.

 

[tombell572]

Beautiful--I would call that a true shop heirloom. The cabinet doors and hinges seem quite heavy for kitchen cabinets and at least three of the drawer pulls are replacements. Could be out of a kitchen from an era when it was common to reuse most things that no longer served their original purpose or could be a dedicated work bench as well.

Tom B.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Beautiful--I would call that a true shop heirloom. The cabinet doors and hinges seem quite heavy for kitchen cabinets and at least three of the drawer pulls are replacements. Could be out of a kitchen from an era when it was common to reuse most things that no longer served their original purpose or could be a dedicated work bench as well.

Tom B.

Thank you. The three pulls are definitely replacements. The rest of the shop cabinets in my grandpas shop had those same pulls so I assume he changed them to match. I tore the place apart looking for the original pulls but never found them.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Here's a couple more pics of the insides.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Apache3057]

Looks great!! Good luck with it!

 

[gnpenning]

That it a cool old bench!!

I have no information to help other than I would love to have its twin.

Not sure what it would be like using the anvil, but for light work it sure would be handy.

Nothing like having something from grandpa's shop!

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Thanks guys. When my grandma sold her house a few years ago I got a ton of tools that belonged to my grandpa, but this was definitely the prize.

 

[FJ 432]

Thanks for sharing. I love the creativity that your grandfather obviously had in making such a well organized cabinet.

Do you recall his garage as being well organized? What did he do?

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Thanks for sharing. I love the creativity that your grandfather obviously had in making such a well organized cabinet.

Do you recall his garage as being well organized? What did he do?

Thank you. Unfortunately he didn't build it. His garage was always pretty well organized. The men on my dads side of the family tend to be afflicted with what many call OCD now, lol. My grandpa did a little bit of everything. He was raised on a farm, worked in the oilfield, owned a service station, renovated and rented houses, and did carpentry, among other things. He was a big part of my upbringing which is why I cared so much about getting his tools. My grandma sold most of her stuff when she downsized houses and had a big sale. Against her will I paid her a fair price for most of his stuff so that there wouldn't be any arguments or jealousy between family members. My tool collection mainly consists of my dads, grandpas, and great grandpas tools, but I'm also an organized pack rat myself and drag a bunch of old tools home too.

 

[Ditch]

I like it!

 

[bmwrd0]

Very nice! I would have saved that too. Also, I like the old Kennedy.

 

[uncwstudent]

That's beautiful! I love that Kennedy box as well!

 

[jbibler]

That's an awesome piece! For me and i'm sure many others feel the same... I just love old work benches, you can only imagine how many hours of sweat, tears... and curse words were spent at that table. Enjoy it!

Josh B.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I love the anvil with hardies and the planing stop. Also nice to see the classic woodworking vise properly let into the bench apron. It looks like there may have been a vise on the right end where the notch is too.
Most important though is the connection to family. Good job in keeping it in the family.

 

[FJ 432]

That's an awesome piece! For me and i'm sure many others feel the same... I just love old work benches, you can only imagine how many hours of sweat, tears... and curse words were spent at that table. Enjoy it!

Josh B.

You and I think alike. The history is what fascinates me.