Ingenious Mechanicks

While the Western workbench design has changed little in centuries, few woodworkers know much about its origins or the benches that preceded it. Viewing the subject through the lens of history, Schwarz examines older benches, vises and other workholding devices that have long disappeared from use. He begins with examples depicted in medieval paintings, studying previously unidentified features to figure out how they were used, before going through the process of reconstructing three historic benches.