Workbenches

woodbum | Posted in General Discussion on May 15, 2012 10:19am

Is it just me, or has the woodworking world embraced a new “darling”? I am talking about the massive amount of information coming out recently about workbenches. It is an interesting subject for a while; and I bought Chris Schwartz’s excellent book on benches out of curiosity; but enough is enough already! Every mag, every website and much digital ink has been devoted lately about designing, building and accessorizing a workbench. It is a workbench; not a Greene and Greene inspired piece of furniture, or an early American reproduction or a turned pen or even a birdhouse! It is a tool like any other tool, meant to be worked on, not put in the corner to admire. I am very impressed by some of the great, customized fine woodworked pieces of art benches in the various galleries online, and drool over the craftsmanship that went into them, but let’s move on folks and start talking more about techniques and projects and skill builders to help out all woodworkers. There. I’ve said it! Now I am “girding my loins” as they say in the classics, against all of the backlash that my heretical comments will illicit. But to quote the excellent Dennis Miller: “thats just my opinion, and I could be wrong” Let’s build something…anything, and have fun!

Replies

RalphBarker | May 15, 2012 11:20am | #1
Yeah, but . . .

Yeah, but, everyone needs to obsess over something, it seems, and workbenches have been "trending" for a while. (Don't you just love the new-darling verb of Web-speak?) Just to confuse matters even more, I've been considering re-introducing the benefits of splayed legs on workbenches. ;-)

woodbum | May 15, 2012 12:54pm | #2
Workbenches

You go Ralph! I guess slobbering over a new workbench is no different than slobbering over a new 18" Delta drill press. But we both must be getting old, we used to slobber over the ladies!

wericha | May 15, 2012 01:10pm | #3
Want a reason to gird your loins?

Just tell everybody you need a new cabinet saw. Then you'll really get scolded!

whitedogstr8leg | May 15, 2012 02:36pm | #4
Build it, and be done with it?

That is exactly what i did. Old barn beams supplied the "timbers', and some other items ON HAND IN THE SHOP supplied the rest

roc | May 15, 2012 09:08pm | #5
It's not just you.

There is life beyond the ultimate work bench ?

Hmmmmmm

I made mine and figured I had reached the apex of woodworking.

I been resting on my laurels ever since.

But you know me . . . I make tools so I can make other tools so I can make better versions of the tools I made.

: )

PS: Ohhhhhh man ! A Greene and Greene inspired work bench ! Complete with the ebony thingys!

Why didn't I think of that ? Where is my sketch pad ? Where is my sketch pencil ?

YES !

I can't wait to make it and then . . .

write an ARTICLE about it !

PPS: nah I agree with you. Lets get back to the unique aspects of woodworkers and their work. I personally never get enough of the articles about the old guys from the 18th century in America and all about that stuff. Good OR bad.

Who is that guy who spent the second half of his life investigating those pieces and drawing up info sheets on the details of their work ?

Is there a source for all his work in one go ? I have been thinking about him a lot lately.

Sorry I can't think of his name yet; I would forget my own name if I didn't use it every day.
swenson | May 16, 2012 11:04am | #6
a new "darling"?

Perhaps the mags and sites are trying to attract new readers. With baby boomers retiring and more people interested in woodworking as a new hobby, building a bench is a good way to start. It doesn’t have to be perfect, like a piece of furniture, and it gives you basic skills to learn. Many years ago when I built my first one, my wife said “If you can make nice drawers like those you certainly can build me a new table that we need in the hall.” It got me away from making things for the shop and into a new level of craftsmanship.