Category Archives: Workbenches

A Visit to the Sampson Joinery Shop in Duxbury, Mass.

Posted on May 18, 2013 by

The discovery of an intact 18th-century joinery shop in Duxbury, Mass., set off a storm of interest last year in the small outbuilding behind a school. Now, months after the discovery, preservationists and employees at Colonial Williamsburg have begun to … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites, Workbenches | 11 Comments

His Tool Chest is a Workbench Too

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

A Minnesota inventor, Andrew Anderson of Crookston, Minn., has devised a portable tool chest which also serves as a workbench. It consists of two parts which can be hinged together, side by side or back to back. If the chest … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Images, Workbenches | 5 Comments

Divorce is Hard on Benches

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

  A long time ago when I was married, David Charlesworth, Tom Lie-Nielsen and Chris came over for libations. Near the end of the evening, Tom suggested we move the 8′ long Nicholson bench Chris had made into my basement … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Workbenches | 5 Comments

The Joiners of Eschelbronn

Posted on May 11, 2013 by

The village joiners outside their shop in Eschelbronn, Germany – May 1911. Which tool will you choose to identify with for your next group portrait? Will it be the try square or the jointer plane? Or will you be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Images, Workbenches | 2 Comments

Dress the Part

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

Portrait presumed to be Alfred de La Chaussee Musée du Berry – Bourges, France 19th century oil on canvas Roubo bench in the dining room? Anything is possible if you dress the part. -Jeff Burks

Posted in Historical Images, Workbenches | Tagged | 19 Comments

Early Holdfasts. Roman Benches

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

Holdfasts are one of the most essential items for bench work. But when were they invented? It’s easy to date them to the 17th century, but what about before that? Jeff Burks has been doing some research on this item … Continue reading →

Posted in Workbenches | 17 Comments

‘Redneck Jigs’ on ‘The Highland Woodworker’

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

Despite all my years in Arkansas, I don’t sound like a redneck. But I have a lot of redneck tendencies. 1. “Barbecue” is a noun. 2. Fire is an important accessory to every party. And yes, it’s OK to bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites, Workbenches | 11 Comments

Euromania: Apron Hooks, Shoulder Knives and Parrots

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

While I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip in my basement shop by working on a British naval officer’s campaign chest, the rest of the house is in a European near-riot. This morning the postman dropped off another … Continue reading →

Posted in Books in the Works, To Make as Perfectly as Possible, Roubo Translation, Workbenches | 23 Comments

The Wolfenbüttel Joiner

Posted on April 3, 2013 by

Jeff Burks turned up a great print dated 1651-1725 (artist unknown), that is owned by Herzog August Bibliothek in the German city of Wolfenbüttel. Lots of interesting things to see here: 1. A “slab” bench. I don’t write about these … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites, The Art of Joinery, Workbenches | 41 Comments

My Signature Series Workbench…

Posted on March 30, 2013 by

… will never exist. Since my first book on workbenches came out in 2007, I have been approached by several manufacturers about producing a “Schwarz Workbench,” where I’d be paid a royalty for every bench sold. It would feature my … Continue reading →

Posted in Workbenches | 46 Comments