Old work bench

[robelichr]

I'm trying to figure out the manufacturer, age or era of this wood workers bench, any help would be appreciated. It was my father's and possibly his father's but I'm not sure. There is nothing on the bench showing who built it that I can see. Also the vise on the bench only has NO 7 on it, I'm interested as to who makes it.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I can't help you with who made it but what a great bench to have that was your father's and possibly your grandfather's.

IF you don't have any luck here you might try asking about it over on Sawmill Creek in the Neanderthal Haven forum.

Good luck!

 

[robelichr]

Thanks, I'll give it a few days to see if anyone else has any input. I think I'll check that website anyway, I never heard of it.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Are you ruling out the possibility that it was custom built by your father, or his father?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Thanks, I'll give it a few days to see if anyone else has any input. I think I'll check that website anyway, I never heard of it.

I just remembered that now you have to become a contributor ($6/yr) to post and see pics. I think it's a great site as I'm on there everyday. Just like at GJ and OWWM (Old WoodWorking Machines). Again, good luck.

 

[robelichr]

Maybe my grandfather, he passed before I was born and my father(deceased) never mentioned that he or his father built it, so I would say probably not, but maybe.

 

[1930artdeco]

Regardless of who made the bench, it is really cool!

Mike

 

[turbowoodworker]

That is a fine woodworking bench with a face vise and a tail vise. Are the vises wood screw?

These vises were often made by an apprentice in the shop as their second project (following a tool cabinet or chest). If your GF was a woodworker by trade, this may have been built by him or a predecessor.

Consider refreshing the top with some light planing to clean and flatten surface followed by paste wax. Nothing else is needed and makes the top renewable.

Really great to have your family history under every project.

 

[Jayman17]

That's a great old bench, I'm jealous.

Jay

 

[yeldogt]

Industry made and used benches -- it's hard to tell them apart from around 1890 to the WWII. Especially on LI -- lots of industry.

The square holds fasts are typical of industry -- early being round wood.

Also -- tops got cut and married. If you see the early airplane makers they had huge long benches with multi stations.

If you notice the through bolt on the top at the tail vice -- it's in the way and would be recessed. Also the other end would been set off so the vice grabs the bench face all along.

It's a cool old bench -- the tails vice could have a maker mark

 

[turbowoodworker]

For context, here's the one I built about 15 years ago. My vises are modern steel and iron though. By the looks of your GF's bench, the vise screws look like they are wood.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Yeldog,
That "through bolt" is holding the end plate on the table/bench. The face of the tail vise is actually about a foot and a half to the left past that third bench dog hole even with the bench's leg. The picture shows the vise fully closed. The area of the through bolt is not for clamping and if used that way commonly results in damage to the tail vise. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve seen one other bench like that and it was on a you tubers Torbjorn Ahman’s channel.

 

[robelichr]

Wow TWW, that"s a great newer work bench. Yes both vises are wood screw. I will check for a makers mark inside the vise. Thanks for the advise on paste wax, I was told to use linseed oil. But after seeing your work bench I think I'll go with the paste wax.

 

[turbowoodworker]

wax is nice, glue won't stick to it.

 

[yeldogt]

Yeldog,
That "through bolt" is holding the end plate on the table/bench. The face of the tail vise is actually about a foot and a half to the left past that third bench dog hole even with the bench's leg. The picture shows the vise fully closed. The area of the through bolt is not for clamping and if used that way commonly results in damage to the tail vise. Don't ask me how I know.

The tail vices I have used that "L" is used for clamping -- often for a tall drawer or cabinet side when dovetailing.

It is weird .... that's why I think it was modified. If you were making that bench you would countersink the bolt.

Also -- at the other end of the bench the clamp should not come down on the breadboard end. The face of the bench should go the full length.

It's still a cool old thing and I would not touch it

 

[turbowoodworker]

I agree. I had not noticed that the face or skirt did not go full length. Not sure why the builder did it that way.

 

[turbowoodworker]

FYI, if you are interested in woodworking bench design and history, there are three books worth picking up. When I made mine, I took from a lot of different designs and used what suited me. Designs are divided into two general camps:
European (aka Skandinavian style) benches and cabinetmakers or joiners benches (probably both from Europe originally). They differ in types of vises (and how they spell vice) and if they have full length tool trays like in the case of the OP's model.

Good section in Ch 4 of Allen's book about tail vises.

"Making Workbenches"Sam AllenSterling Press 1995
"The Workbench" Lon Schleining Taunton Press 2004
"Workbenches" Christopher Scwartz Popular Woodworking Books 2007

 

[yeldogt]

I agree. I had not noticed that the face or skirt did not go full length. Not sure why the builder did it that way.

I'm a bench nerd ......

It could have been built that way .... God knows I have built some bad ones!!!

Not that the OP's is bad