I recently found myself in immediate need of a couple of simple benches. So, I sat down and sketched up the quasi-Shaker-esque bench that you see here, sizing it so all of the parts could be cut from one 1″ × 12″ × 6′ and one 1″ × 3″ × 6′. I then headed down to Lowe’s for some “select pine.” While constructing the benches it occurred to me that, apart from a pencil and tape measure, I had used no hand tools of any kind. At that point, I got out a block plane to break all of the sharp edges. (I know what you’re thinking: I should have used a trim router with a chamfer bit. Maybe next time.)
So here’s to all the naysayers out there: See, it really is possible to make decent-looking stuff using only power tools.
– Steve Schafer
What’s holding it together? Biscuits?
Dominos, but biscuits would serve as well. As would pocket screws, for that matter.
Huh? Who said it wasn’t possible to make nice stuff with power tools? It’s just not exactly a lost art…
In this case, it would seem to be the lost art of satire…
Snort
Oh get it! Ms. Fitzpatrick is snorting because I don’t understand what you’re talking about! I guess the joke’s on me.
Nice looking bench, Steve. I’m not sure what that “select pine” is that the box stores sell, but I am getting to like how it works, and learning to get it to look ok finished.
Over the years there have been a LOT of really nice pieces made with power tools. Power tools are no different than hand tools in one major respect; with both you have to get to know how to use them properly to get good results. I have no doubt Thomas Chippendale would have appreciated a good table saw. As for hand tools, I have noticed four major reasons folks seem to be turning more and more to them…
– Nostalgia / Historical interest
– Health concerns
– Expense
– Space
I wrote a blog entry on these observations, but the post script to the whole thing was that neither way, power or hand, is wrong. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
Enjoy your new benches, I know they’ll give you years of good service. Oh, if you want to read more of my ramblings, you can see my pitch for hand tools at http://rustythebailiff.wordpress.com/category/historical-technique-articles/
I like the rugged simplicity of this bench. Using hand tools on such a simplistic outdoor piece might not have been a wise investment of time.
Steve — are you one and the same as the proprietor of “once a tree”? Beautiful tables and fine furniture…
Nope, not me. He spells his last name wrong…
All it needs is a HVLP sprayed finish.
What were your overall demonstrations?
The usual stuff: World peace, no nukes, don’t frack me, etc.
The dimensions, by the way, are 40″ L × 11″ W × 16″ H.