A bench for the Museum--Finished
Jack Guzman from Maine
>Awhile back I asked some questions about details for a bench I was trying to design. The bench is to be for displays of old hand tools and methods. I got some great help from here as well as from Landis' and Lon Schleining's workbench books.Jim Shaver,your bench pics were helpful(shop shots),and George Makowski,I referenced those papers you sent me alot.Thanks to all.
I gave up trying to design a period accurate bench because I just couldn't get any definitive information.Also,the bench had to be practical for it's intended purpose.I got some wooden screws from Howard Card and built a leg vise and tail vice to fit them.
The leg vise was fairly simple,so I built it first.The tail vise was tricky.I built a mockup with some glued up 2x4 kd spruce framing lumber.I changed the design several times til I got something I was happy with then bit the bullet and built the carriage.I'm happy with how it came out except for the pegs holding the top on.On a future vise I'll use dovetails instead.Those pegs give a little when clamping with the right side of the vise.The vise opens and closes nicely and doesn't bind,holds good.
The top I glued up using 8/4 poplar I got from a local woodworker with his own mill and kiln.The tree was from his yard. The base I build with red oak I also got locally. I got the boards in trade and they've been air drying for 4-5 years.
I made bench dogs with walnut with ash springs.Walnut for the garters.
Thanks again to all for their help and to Ellis(this place was the root source for all my information).---Jack
p.s. the picture is of the bench in it's new home at Willowbrook Historic Village in the carpentry building.
