New workbench for kids

For many of my beginning years as a woodworker, my bench was poorly made and missing such things as a good vise. I made do with hand screws and clamps to hold materials for such things as hand cut dovetails and mortise and tenon joints. Many woodworkers put a good bench at the forefront of the wish list. I went the other direction, learning to make fine furniture first and only later building a good bench, one that was featured in Fine Woodworking a number of years back.

During Covid-19 sequestering I made another fine bench, then a Moxon Vise and now a fresh design bench for woodworking with kids. The top opens to reveal storage underneath, so that a parent or grandparent can provide a place for kids to work AND a place for them to keep tools, supplies and a small project or two. 

Imagine you have a grandparent you see only once or twice a year, and imagine the pleasure you would feel if you knew that your tools and projects were safe and awaiting your return.  What better way might there be for a parent or grandparent to show support for a child's creative woodworking and anticipation for spending time together in the  wood shop.

Yesterday in the wood shop at the Clear Spring School my students practiced cutting square parts using wood bodied squares to mark the wood and pull saws to cut along the lines they had cut. Then they used shooting boards to square up where the stock had been mis-cut.

Facebook will only load a single image from the blogger post where this post originates. To see additional photos please visit http://wisdomofhands.blogspot.com The photos are of the nearly finished workbench for kids and of students at work.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.