Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    52
    Posts
    1,087

    Default Exceptional Oak Workbench

    Exceptional oak workbench from the French Perennese, made circa 1880. The workbench has been shortened over the years to a height of 60 cm. The workbench has a working vise and an iron attachment to fix things on the bench which can also be removed. The bank is heavy and sturdy.

    11206371_master.jpg

    Sold for a little over $2k,

    Personally I think its a thing of beautiful.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    It's got the scars to show for its long life and looks like some of the owners did not treat it kindly. Have a feeling that some of that use was not carpentry. Definitely got character.
    Regards
    John

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Those rear legs look a little wobbly.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71 View Post
    Exceptional oak workbench from the French Perennese, made circa 1880. The workbench has been shortened over the years to a height of 60 cm. The workbench has a working vise and an iron attachment to fix things on the bench which can also be removed. The bank is heavy and sturdy.

    Sold for a little over $2k,

    Personally I think its a thing of beautiful.

    Lovely . Looks like something used for making farm gates or hurdles?

    That's like, "How I made my bench with My Axe and Broad Axe "

    Also needed, A Brace and bit, for the holes" Mortise chisels and mallet and a saw as well.
    Thread is steel so it must have a nut behind.

    Any other tools needed ?

    Why did the maker put a hole down low . To tie his dog up?

    Ive seen a steel ring on a table leg for tying the dogs to.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    It was likely taller to start with so that hole would have been a bit above ground. Perhaps it got cut down to remove rotten feet. In a barn with a damp earth floor or something. 600mm would be a tad short for most of us to work at. With the vice and plane stop it started out as a proper woodworking bench but something less refined happened to it along the way
    Regards
    John

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
    Posts
    5,107

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by auscab View Post
    ... Why did the maker put a hole down low . To tie his dog up ...
    Dog hole ?

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Hobart
    Age
    77
    Posts
    647

    Default

    The owner must have been left-handed judging by the worn out top at the left of the bench!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    That hole down the bottom could have had something to do with pegging the bottom of the vise leg out to match to distance wanted at the top.

    The bottom of the vise leg also looks like it has a patch which may have something to do with that as well.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
    Posts
    5,107

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71 View Post
    11206371_master.jpg

    Personally I think its a thing of beautiful.

    Quote: "That would look lovely as a hall table."

  11. #10
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    If a person built a bench similar to that but braced up a bit using the leg vise on the front and a leg vise down the right end for dog holes and built in a line of dog holes to the top it would be a fast way of building a perfectly functioning bench that could be filled in with shelves or drawers later. A bench made from 4x2 Bunnings pine. Even faster and probably more rigid would be a steel welded base with a wood top and same set out with vises. Fill in base later and hide the steel. It could possibly turn a six month to one year build into a month or two.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    52
    Posts
    1,087

    Default

    I didn't know if this thread would be of interest to anyone but clearly it is so here's the rest of the photo's of this beautiful antique workbench.

    18130_bank_2_master.jpg 18130_bank_3_master.jpg 18130_bank_5_master.jpg 18130_bank_7_master.jpg 18130_bank_8_master.jpg 18130_bank_9_master.jpg 18130_bank_10_master.jpg 18130_bank_11_master.jpg
    18130_bank_12_master.jpg 18130_bank_13_master.jpg 18130_bank_14_master.jpg 18130_bank_15_master.jpg
    18130_bank_16_master.jpg 18130_bank_17_master.jpg 18130_bank_18_master.jpg

    I think if this bench could speak it would have an awful lot of tales to tell...

Similar Threads

  1. One very talented and exceptional craftsman
    By rwbuild in forum FURNITURE, JOINERY, CABINETMAKING - formerly BIG STUFF
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 6th April 2020, 04:13 PM
  2. Exceptional
    By wheelinround in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 27th April 2012, 12:44 PM
  3. Exceptional Brown Mallee Burl
    By Penpal in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNING
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 27th November 2009, 08:11 PM
  4. Exceptional Delivery
    By wheelinround in forum Hatches, Matches & Dispatches. Birthday greetings and other Touchie-feelie stuff.
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 17th April 2009, 01:27 PM
  5. Exceptional Pen Presentation Boxes
    By Manfred101 in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 15th August 2003, 09:38 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •