RE-CREATIONS BY HAND AT THE BENCH
I am very proud of my workbench. I cut the Beech tree myself in Pennsylvania in 1978 and dried it for 10 years behind my shop. During the spring of 1989, to celebrate 20 years of business, I built my workbench. On one side is a version of Roubo's French 18th century bench design, and on the other is a version of Frank Klaus's 19th century German bench design.
In the center is a removable tool tray, and all the vises have large wood screws, which were made by Tom Branch in Canada. I have four wood vises: shoulder vise, tail vise, leg vise (with sliding jack) and parallel jaw vise. In addition, I use large iron holdfasts on the French side, and iron and wood dogs on the German side. The top is 4" thick throughout, and overall the size is 39" x 104" and 34" high. I completed and signed it at 1:23:45 pm on 6/7/89.

We learn from those that have gone before. The careful study of masterpieces of pre-industrial furniture allows us the understanding of the processes that were used to create them. Before the introduction of power tools, every step in the manufacture of furniture from the tree was made with skilled human effort.

BEFORE 1850:

When a young man entered the trade to become a cabinetmaker he was about 14 years old. Quite literally, he would be turned over to a master's shop for a period of 7 years with little more than a place to sleep, something to eat, and a candle. During this time he was taught the "mystery" of the trade.

One of his duties would be keeping the shop tools sharp and, in the process, learning to make his own tools. At the end of his apprenticeship stage, he would gather his tools together and make a toolbox, which became his "graduation" piece. Using his toolbox and tools as a demonstration of his ability, he would now be able to travel to other masters shops as a journeyman cabinetmaker. Working as a journeyman, he would earn enough to buy his own food and housing. The master was still obliged to supply the candles.

If the journeyman was careful and skillful after a few years of travel, he would set up his own shop and build his bench. Finally, the proud master of his own shop, working every day "at the bench", he would then employ his own journeymen and apprentices to start the process again.

PRE-INDUSTRIAL RE-CREATIONS IN THE MODERN AGE:

I cut the beech tree for my bench in Pennsylvania in 1978, and put it up to air dry for 10 years. In 1989, I built my master's workbench. I have collected and used antique woodworking tools since I began my business in 1969. I believe that "Form Follows Process", and I make my re-creations of antique furniture "at the bench", using the original tools and methods of the pre-industrial period. All the wood is surfaced and joined without power assistance. For me, this is a true labor of love.