Chuck Melton Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I picked up an old bench today. I've been getting by with another old bench with a cheapy shop fox face vise, and since I have been trying to use more hand tools it wasn't cutting it. It's in pretty good condition considering its age. Right now the bench top just sits on loosely on pegs as I believe it was meant to be a work site bench. I tried to face plane a board, and the top definitely needs to be secured to the base, I am just not quite sure what approach I am going to take yet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 That looks cool, awesome patina. Are the vises in working order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Maybe a few steel angle braces screwed in would do the job and still allow removal for transport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Yeah, the vises pretty well. I tossed a piece of figured maple in the tail vise and it held well while I took a smoother to it. The tail vise racked a good but I don't know how big a deal that really is. There are two steel hooks / prongs on the bottom of the bench, I am wondering if they are part of a locking system. I will take pictures once I get my chores done... I was apparently supposed to close the pool two weeks ago. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 So what I thought were hooks are metal brackets that were bent up out of the way, so this thing was intended to be anchored down with brackets. I might be tempted to make a heavier base. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 You could add a shelf with a compartment for some weights. The base looks substantial enough, maybe a little tightening up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 You could add a shelf with a compartment for some weights. The base looks substantial enough, maybe a little tightening up? Yeah, good idea. Looks like plenty of clearance. Certainly worth a try before building a new base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Jimerfield Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Yeah, I'd put a bottom box in with a lid/shelf and add some sand bags or cement bags inside. Love the look of that old thing. You don't find things like that around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 The guy I bought it from gave me a history lesson and was telling me that people would fit tool chests with drawers under benches like this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridnharley Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 What a great find. I love getting something like that and then improving on the design/functionality. I'm laughing as I didn't notice any pictures of you closing the pool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Awesome find! I love seeing these old benches from time to time in the antique shops. They always want way too much for them around here. Looking forward to seeing this in action! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefmagnus@grics.net Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I wish that I could find a old bench with vises like that... Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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