18th century workbench design

[Sawyer]

It's worth taking a look at what they are up to at Colonial Williamsburg. The situation in an English colony 30 or so years after Chippendale's prime was likely to have many similarities.
http://livinginwilliamsburgvirginia.blo ... onial.html

 

[bugbear]

Hi folks. I have been commissioned to make a workbench for an upcoming exhibition at the Leeds museum about Thomas Chippendale. What I'm looking for is input as to what you may feel an English bench of this period may have looked like.
My own feeling is that it would have possibly been of the so called "Nicholson" style, but I'm open to suggestions.
The only pictures I know of about this period are these, but it is not known if these depict benches generally used in a workshop of around 20 tradesmen, as was the case with Chippendale's workshop.

Interesting to note that the very long benches you show don't have long rails holding the legs vertical via M&T. They have diagonal braces, presumably because the required rails would be enormous.

BugBear

 

[iNewbie]

I know this has nothing to do with the thread, but when I saw the length of that bench it reminded me of this beast of a thing!

 

[Eric The Viking]

Chris Schwarz goes into this in some detail in this book.

I have a copy: it's excellent.

It's basically a discussion of the European and English bench designs, and how they developed and differ from each other. There are detailed constructional notes on both types (essentially plans). As far as CS is concerned, English pattern benches have front aprons, whereas European ones are known for tail vices and more massive tops (and a leg vice, without an apron as such).

Really good read, & a beautiful book, especially the photography. Note the Bristol Aeroplane Company bench photograph early on - probably the longest woodworking bench ever made. and that had an apron!

Regards,

E.

PS: just looked at the new edition on Amazon - not sure if the B.A.C. illustration made it into that edition - my copy is the original printing.

 

[DoctorWibble]

Interesting to note that the very long benches you show don't have long rails holding the legs vertical via M&T. They have diagonal braces, presumably because the required rails would be enormous.

Aprons of course do the job of the stretchers as well as stiffening the top. Planing braces (the diagonal boards) might have been added to older benches which have become loose or to benches which are intended for heavy planning to make sure they stay tight. If the aprons are simply nailed on without any housing for the legs then the diagonal brace might've been needed from the get go. A housing though makes it optional.

 

[Jacob]

Chris Schwarz goes into this in some detail in ....
I have a copy: it's excellent.

It's basically a discussion of the European and English bench designs, and how they developed and differ from each other. There are detailed constructional notes on both types (essentially plans). As far as CS is concerned, English pattern benches have front aprons, whereas European ones are known for tail vices and more massive tops (and a leg vice, without an apron as such).

Really good read, & a beautiful book, especially the photography. Note the Bristol Aeroplane Company bench photograph early on - probably the longest woodworking bench ever made. and that had an apron!

Regards,

E.

PS: just looked at the new edition on Amazon - not sure if the B.A.C. illustration made it into that edition - my copy is the original printing.

It's as nice book but strictly more tool porn along the lines of Landis. He makes absolutely no reference to the trad British bench design - one of the simplest, most useful and most often copied - very much like the bench in the jesus picture and the most credible answer to the OPs question perhaps.
Are they trying to keep it a secret? He has something he calls the "English" bench which looks like a fantasy bench from outer space!

 

[ED65]

This is from another tradition but thought it might be useful to you:

Pehr Hilleström, A Carpenter, 1794.

 

[D_W]

I know this has nothing to do with the thread, but when I saw the length of that bench it reminded me of this beast of a thing!

I don't know that I'd have built it that long without something in the middle. No clue if it will sag over time, but if it does, it'll be too late to do anything about it.

 

[Corneel]

I have been browsing a bit in the Diderot Encyclopedia. Of course, it's French, but there are some insight full plates. Especially because they show some shops in use.
Diderot is firmly in the middle of the 18th century, so the period is correct. But this is not going to help with the question if the "English bench" was allready in use at that time or not. The French at least were using "Moxon" or "Roubo" type benches.

The cabinet making shop. Looks pretty wild!
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V24/plate_24_13_1.jpeg

Ebenestry shop.
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V21/plate_21_2_1.jpeg

And benches they used.
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V21/plate_21_2_9.jpeg

The joiner's bench.
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V24/plate_24_12_22.jpeg

And maybe there was a wood carver's corner in Chippendale's shop too. Pretty simple benches overhere.
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V25/plate_25_22_20.jpeg

Also interesting, the case makers shop. Interesting because it has a legvice! I wonder if it is a mirror image of the plate or if the vice was really on the right hand side.
http://artflx.uchicago.edu/images/encyclopedie/V21/plate_21_16_5.jpeg

 

[cowfoot]

Hi -

Geoffrey Beard's "English Furniture" includes a floor plan (and brief description) of Chippendale's premises and workshop on St Martin's Lane circa 1803 - you should be able to pick up a copy from Abebooks or a library, if not send me a PM and I'll post it.
Pat Kirkham's "London Furniture Trade 1700-1870" goes into a lot more detail about the organisation and development of cabinet making. Again, if you have any trouble locating a copy let me know!
Unfortunately neither book has any relevent pictures of workbenches - furniture history books are usually more focused on the product rather than the process...

 

[cowfoot]

This is from another tradition but thought it might be useful to you:

Pehr Hilleström, A Carpenter, 1794.

That painting was recently sold at auction for around £8000 - a lottery win and a glass or two of Akvavit and I'd have outbid them all!