Realy old benches

Went on holiday recently to Western Australia and visited the monastic town of New Norcia.
In their workshop museum I found these 2 old benches from around the late 1800's/early 1900's.
SOLID, about 3" solid wood bench top (half a tree?) with about 20MM sacrificial top. Solid braced and slanted legs. Well used and LONG.
Seems a woodworker was brought over to do all the woodwork in the community, especially the chapels.

Photos are of the 2 benches and a treadle fret saw used for all the intricate detail work - all truly amassing. Real craftsman/men
Thought some might be interested.

Sorry some photos are rotated on their side. They are correct in explorer but I can not see how to rotate them for here.

The monk with the "table saw" is about to lose a hand...

And here is some of the handwork
Attachment 397400Attachment 397401Attachment 397398

Quote:

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Originally Posted by woodPixel

The monk with the "table saw" is about to lose a hand...

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It also looks like he's pushing the timber in from the wrong end.

TT

I'd say that the nearest two guys are actually standing behind their machines and merely pretending to operate them for photo clarity, if they were properly positioned you wouldn't see much of the machines.

Wow, that's awesome. The first thing that jumps out to me is the leg vise with the fixed deadman at like 3m from the vise. This guy was working some BIG panels. Did you notice any giant pieces of some form of gum anywhere (pews, floors, tables, ceiling, etc.)?

I also notice that there doesn't appear to be an end vise? My assumption would be that the weight of such large pieces might have allowed for just using a plane stop.

Cool photos regardless.

Cheers,
Luke