Work benches outweigh the competition when it comes to shouldering the load
Perhaps the most famous of all carpenters or woodworkers is Joseph, father of Jesus.
Joseph's profession is described in the Gospels as a τεκτων, a Greek word for a variety of skilled craftsmen, but Christian tradition has him as a "carpenter", although the modern English words ‘joiner’ or ‘cabinet-maker’ might fit the sense of the Greek better. Many a depiction paints the portrait of the young boy learning the craft at his father’s side, oftentimes with a work bench upon which the industrious pair labour away.
A work bench is a sturdy table at which manual work is done. They range from simple flat surfaces to very complex designs that may be considered tools in themselves. Work benches vary in size from tiny jewellers benches to the huge benches used by staircase makers. Almost all work benches are rectangular in shape, often using the surface, corners and edges as flat/square and dimension standards. Design is as varied as type of work for which the benches are used but most share these attributes:
- A comfortable height for working with provisions for seated or standing work
- A way to fix the work piece to the surface so that it may be worked with both hands
- Provisions for mounting, storing and accessing tools
Workbenches are made from many different materials including metal, wood, stone, and composites depending on the needs of the work.
Workbench types may be divided according to the particular work they are designed to accommodate, be it Multi-purpose/portable, for woodworking, metalworking, gardening or DIY, electronics, laboratory work, art and sculpture, fitting and assembling, and crafting jewellery.
Multi-purpose/portable work benches are small, light, collapsible, and typically have built in clamps. Woodworking benches may be used for general woodworking but may be specialised for joinery, cabinet making, patternmaking, stair-building, carving, carpentry or trim work. They are usually made from solid wood and have integral clamping mechanisms. Metalworkers need benches built to handle grinding, welding, light casting and forging, and layout. Most of these benches include a metalworker's vise mounted to the top. Gardener's benches must be resistant to moisture and dirt. They are used for potting, seeding, and grooming, and usually have built-in shelving and storage.
Formally a fixture in radio shacks, now used for assembly and repair of all sorts of electronic equipment including communication, computer, and home entertainment items, benches for electronics usually have sources of power built in, along with shelves and task lighting. The heights of most electronics benches are set for a seated worker.
Almost all family farms have a work bench for general repairs and these can also be commonly found in small engine repair shops, where they are traditionally used for sharpening, cleaning, lubricating, assembly/disassembly, and light metal work.
Laboratory work benches are utilized especially with the chemical and biological sciences. Surfaces are typically made of an inert material like slate. Most of these benches have water and fuel sources built in or near at hand.
Art and sculpture work benches are most likely to be used in the round. They are designed so that the work piece can be mounted firmly, usually from underneath, and accessed from all sides. Used by wood and stone carvers. Jewellers use a miniature version of these benches. Finally, used by mostly by machinists, pipe fitters, electricians, textile workers, hand loaders, and piece workers, fitting and assembling benches usually have space for layout and built-in tools, jigs and measuring devices to facilitate the work.
