All rights reserved © ShedWrights, Evans 2022
A 300 year old portable bench Design!
I’ve enjoyed expanding my knowledge and skills in
hand-tool woodworking. I am a pragmatic learner
and need to do things with an end goal in mind. My
adventure in real hand-tool woodworking began first
with building my bench. I wanted to craft a special gift
for my daughter’s birthday, a rocking chair. To build
anything with hand tools, I needed a bench. Like my
intended gift the bench had to be entirely made by
my own hands—no electricity, no tools powered by
anything other than my own skill and energy.
A woodworkers bench is usually big and heavy and
includes a chop (vice) to hold the pieces you saw,
chop , drill or plane. I did not have space to park a
giant, heavy bench. What I needed was a portable
workbench that was just light enough to move and
required minimal setup time. I realized this was
probably an age-old problem. Since the tools I was
using were centuries old, there were more than likely a
few solutions just as old. I found my answer in a
portable workbench designed over three centuries
ago. I made it with handsaws, chisels, and a bit and
brace. It is a amazing piece of technology. In less than
60 seconds, I can assemble or disassemble the entire
bench, and it will fit in my SUV or a closet! How's that
for ancient tech?
I did build the rocking chair and more. My bench is like
a reliable friend. I enjoy using tools that served
craftsman over a hundred years ago. I wanted what I
craft have me in it—my skill, my imperfections, my
sweat, and all that.
Rejecting electric power or modern tools was not the
point. In fact, I'm a tech guy; I’ve worked in military R&D
for over a decade and in the high-tech industry for
nearly a decade after that. I build and service my own
computers and network; I design digitally in 3D; and I
can code and run a CNC. I built this website without a
template on a workstation I built. I designed, rendered,
or built everything pictured here! I’ve used nearly
every modern power tool in carpentry and joinery,
including CNCs and 16-inch circular saws. I certainly
do appreciate modern technology but hand tools
make me think and smile.
Working wood by hand and not feeding a machine is
an eye-opening and worthwhile experience. Ear-
piercing noise, respirators, cords and batteries are
gone. Sawdust is replaced with piles of sweet-smelling
curled shavings. What you sacrifice in speed, you
make up for in reflection, consideration, and thought.
The ancient tools I use will be around for my lifetime,
and when I’m gone, they will likely serve another
craftsman for his. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure
my modern power tools won't outlast even me. Just
like drawing with a pencil and using a drawing board, I
believe there is much to be gained by learning,
practicing, and experiencing the old ways. These old
skills ground us, give us something personal and in
common with those who came before us.
It has been said, "You don’t know where you’re going if
you don’t know where you’ve been." I think that’s true.
.