| Project by mattsanf | posted 831 days ago | 1171 views | 6 times favorited | 14 comments |  |
 |
I completed construction of a traditional sawbench this weekend based on a plan from Chris Schwarz in the new “Popular Woodworking Hand Tool Essentials” book. I made the bench out of scrap construction grade 2×10 material with plywood braces. I drilled a hole in the top for my Gramercy Tools holdfast. It was a quick and easy project (except for cutting my thumb on my flush-cut handsaw while cutting the hardwood pegs…just because the saw is a hand tool does not mean that it is not really sharp!)
I like the design and utility of the bench. Its primary feature is that it is 20” high, a very good height for using traditional western saws. Not too high, not too short. The “V” in one end of the top allows a thin workpiece to be supported on both side of a cut.
I will be using this bench to experiment with a couple of old Disston saws that I recently purchased on eBay. Eventually, I want to learn to sharpen hand saws, but that is a project for later.
-- -- Matt Sanfilippo, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.intheworkshop.info
14 comments so far
CharlieM1958
home | projects | blog
7696 posts in 1118 days
posted 831 days ago
Thanks for posting. I need to make one of these. It looks like it could also come in handy for sitting on during certain tasks. Sometimes the footstool is too short and the bench stool is too high. Good work!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
mattsanf
home | projects | blog
34 posts in 863 days
posted 831 days ago
You are right about it having other uses. I find myself sitting on it on a regular basis!
-- -- Matt Sanfilippo, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.intheworkshop.info
Buckskin
home | projects | blog
484 posts in 888 days
posted 831 days ago
Nice to see some of the stuff from yesterday still in use or newly made for use.
Bill
home | projects | blog
2561 posts in 1061 days
posted 831 days ago
A nice and sturdy looking saw table Matt. I bet it will see some use soon, besides being sat on.
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
Bob Babcock
home | projects | blog
1808 posts in 986 days
posted 831 days ago
I’ve been meaning to make one of these. Great old design.
BTW Matt….you are a twin for my dog....:)
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
lclashley
home | projects | blog
244 posts in 1014 days
posted 831 days ago
Cool design.
mattsanf
home | projects | blog
34 posts in 863 days
posted 830 days ago
Bob,
The picture is “Jack”, I refer to him as my “bench dog”. He likes to hang out in the shop and sleep and get covered with saw dust. He is a 4-year old dog, but sleeps 23 hours a day.
Matt
-- -- Matt Sanfilippo, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.intheworkshop.info
jockmike2
home | projects | blog
7368 posts in 1146 days
posted 830 days ago
I’ve got a pair, and other than being heavy, they’re the best tool in the shop. Good Job. jockmike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
WayneC
home | projects | blog
6079 posts in 997 days
posted 829 days ago
Is this the book the plans are in? http://www.fwbookstore.com/product/1502/popular-woodworking
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
mattsanf
home | projects | blog
34 posts in 863 days
posted 829 days ago
Hi Wayne,
Yes, that’s it. Several good articles in the book.
Matt
-- -- Matt Sanfilippo, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.intheworkshop.info
WayneC
home | projects | blog
6079 posts in 997 days
posted 829 days ago
Thanks Matt. I will add it to my list.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
WayneC
home | projects | blog
6079 posts in 997 days
posted 829 days ago
Here is a link to Christopher Schwartz’s blog on how to use the sawbench.
http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Using+A+Sawbench.aspx
He also has info on how to build one on page 10 of the September (autum) 2006 Woodworking Magazine. I’m not sure how much this article varies from the content in the book.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Jeff
home | projects | blog
997 posts in 994 days
posted 828 days ago
Nice bench, Matt. I thought of another use for the V. It reminds me of my grandfather’s bootjack. ;-) I’ve never seen one with a holdfast. What a cool idea. Do you plan to blog on the Disston saws? I would be interested to hear about that.
Wayne, thanks for the link.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
mattsanf
home | projects | blog
34 posts in 863 days
posted 819 days ago
Thanks! Sorry for the long delay, we were away on vacation.
The holdfast was Chris Schwarz’s idea, and it works well.
I might blog a bit on the Disstons, I was lucky enough to get one the was just recently sharpened, but the other needs some touching up and also the handle is loose. It is now on the “to do” list, but it might be awile till it rises to the top!
-- -- Matt Sanfilippo, Pittsburgh, Pa., www.intheworkshop.info