Original Moravian Workbenches at Old Salem

Build your own portable moravian workbench! [Web Version »]( &p1=%40xB8u2Pp53K3q%2BbLrKaj899n%2B0LHpu%2FmWap8IRKylMyg%3D) [Popular Woodworking]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) [Original Moravian Workbenches at Old Salem]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) [Original Moravian Workbenches at Old Salem]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in [Chris Schwarz Blog]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) in February 2011 The forms of workbenches that interest me the the most are (spoiler alert) the older and simpler forms that haven’t been corrupted by unnecessary complexities that woodworkers want to heap upon them. In other words, I want to see benches that have seen real work. At the Old Salem Museums and Gardens in Winston-Salem, N.C., the reproduction joiner and cabinetmaker’s shop has three excellent workbenches that the costumed interpreters work on. Those are fantastic benches, but they weren’t the ones I’d come to see. Instead, I’d come to see original Moravian workbenches, including one likely dating back to the 18th century, that Old Salem has in its warehouse. “These benches are one of Old Salem’s hidden assets,” said Brian Coe, the director of interpretation at Old Salem. “They’ve only been out a few times for exhibits, and on Roy Underhill’s show.” Underhill showed off some of the benches on episode 2710, which you can watch for free online at the PBS web site here. And on Saturday, Coe was happy to show me and a small group of woodworkers the benches they had in storage. Though Coe is the director of interpretation at Old Salem, he spent 15 years working as a woodworking interpreter for the museum. He’s built copies of the Moravian benches, including two that are used in the shops that people visit every day. And Old Salem is in the middle of building a reproduction of its oldest known bench. And Coe has done extensive research on the benches and the woodworkers who used them – he even has many of the original tools from the makers who worked in Old Salem. And he’s generated a big fat file of shop drawings and original documentation on the benches and craftsmen. “Now I just need the time to write a book on the benches,” Coe said with a smile. [Read More...]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 [Learn how to build a portable moravian workbench!]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) [Building the Portable Moravian Workbench with Will Myers Video Download]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) [Building the Portable Moravian Workbench with Will Myers Video Download]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) Build this historic, sturdy and portable workbench using hand-tool techniques. This bench is designed from an 18th-century Moravian workbench found in the Old Salem community of North Carolina. The step-by-step instruction is comprehensive enough for beginners, and you’ll learn: - To build the knock-down bench using through (and wedged) mortise-and-tenon joinery and lap dovetails - How to construct a traditional wood screw face vise - Important tips on wood selection, layout and hand-tool use This workbench is a great opportunity to improve your hand-tool skills as you build a bench you’ll use and appreciate for years to come. $29.99 [BUY NOW]( &cid=DM123198&bid=1203892350) &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 &p1={EMAIL}&p2=257467248 [Popular Woodworking on Facebook]( ) [Popular Woodworking on Instagram]( ) [Popular Woodworking on Pinterest]( ) [Popular Woodworking on Twitter]( ) [Popular Woodworking on YouTube]( ) Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please [click here to contact us]( ). This email was sent by: F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA [Unsubscribe or Manage Subscriptions]( &p1=%40x1jpC40sYBTUs0uPihTwMA%3D%3D) | [Web Version »]( &p1=%40xB8u2Pp53K3q%2BbLrKaj899n%2B0LHpu%2FmWap8IRKylMyg%3D) We respect your right to privacy. [View our policy.]( )