Chris Schwarz has done it again…inspired me to build a new workbench that is better suited to the "blended" style of hand tool and power tool woodworking that I do these days.
My original bench has served me well, and will be passed on to my son, who needs to graduate from the very small bench that we made him when he was about 4 (he is 8 now). My son’s very small bench will be passed on to my daughter (now 4), who also loves to spend time in the shop.
My slave labor woodworking gang is growing. Plus, its more justification for me to build myself an honest-to-goodness woodworking bench.
This project started when I bought Chris Schwarz’s new book:
Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use
Click here to buy it from Lost Art Press (Chris’ own store) and Chris will send a signed copy of the book and a CD containing an electronic copy.
Don’t buy this book if you don’t want to build a new bench!!!! I guarantee that buying this book will force you to build a new bench, whether you want to or not. It is that well researched and written, but that is what I have come to expect from Chris.
Right now, I am looking to build a blend of the French Roubo bench and the Dominy bench at Winterthur. I am still working on my design.
I am likely to go with some sort of twin-screw front vise and a metal tail vice. I’m shooting for at least a 3.5" thick top. I also want a sliding deadman. Likely, I will not include a tool tray in the top, although I have been tempted to add one.
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About mattsanf
Matthew Sanfilippo is currently Executive Director of PSII (Pennsylvania Smart Infrastructure Incubator) and the CenSCIR (Center for Sensed Critical Infrastructure), Associate Director of ICES (Institute for Complex Engineered Systems), and Associate Director of PITA (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
Prior to CMU, Matthew was Director of Applied Technology for Michael Baker Corporation, a large engineering and energy services firm. Matt managed a technology consulting division for Baker including Geographic Information System (GIS), software and web development, multimedia, virtual reality (VR), visualization, Global Positioning System (GPS), mapping and surveying services.
Before joining Baker, Matt was an Innovation Director for Redleaf Group, a Venture Capital/Operating Company focused on Information Security, Supply Chain, Network and Mobility Solutions. While at Redleaf, Matt managed technical due diligence for seed-stage investments and coordinated relationships between Redleaf and their partner companies after investment.
Prior to Redleaf, Matt was CIO of GZA GeoEnvironmental Technologies, a Boston-based engineering firm, and operations manager for their Internet start-up division that focused on web-technologies for health and safety and manufacturing metrics.
Matt is current board member and past Chairman of the Board for the Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania, a board member of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), and a former member of the Information Sciences and Technology Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania State University Beaver. Matt is also a former Vice President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of Internet Professionals and former Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Baker Combined Charity of Pennsylvania.
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