February 2023 MBR The Woodworking Shelf

The Woodworking Shelf

Workbenches
Fine Woodworking Editors
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781641551205, $29.99, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Editors-Fine-Woodworking/dp/1641551208

Synopsis: As a publisher, Fine Woodworking has been producing the best woodworking information for small shop woodworkers since 1975. "Workbenches: Build The Ideal Bench" by their editorial staff is just the latest of their DIY titles for novice and experienced woodworkers.

A good, sturdy workbench is at the heart of any woodshop, and every woodworker needs one to hold and support work for everything from stock preparation to finishing. "Workbenches" is comprised of 'how to' articles from Fine Woodworking magazine and provides woodworkers all the advice they need, whether considering a starter model, a small bench, or a full-scale workbench that will last for decades.

"Workbenches" showcases a classic Shaker bench, a basic bench with built-in storage, and a mini-bench that has all the features of a full-size bench. Besides the bench itself, woodworkers also need accessories to hold workpieces on the benchtop for planing, chiseling, sawing, and many other tasks, using vises and wooden clamps, bench hooks and saw hooks, holdfasts and handscrews.

Of special note are the chapters on tool storage, workbench tips, and techniques at the bench round out the collection for a complete guide to the workbench.

With such a wide range of workbenches and workbench accessories represented, "Workbenches" will appeal to all woodworkers from newbies just setting up shop to veterans looking to upgrade their current workbench.

Critique: Instructively illustrated throughout and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Workbenches: Build The Ideal Bench" is an ideal DIY instruction guide for workbench creation projects and an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, highschool woodshop, and technical college library collections.

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