Bench. A simple form of bench is shown by Fig. 24. Its length A may vary from 6' upwards, according to the length of work to be done. Its height B should also be regulated by the character of the work - high for light work, and low for heavy - as well as by the height of the person who is to use it. Carpenters' benches are usually about 33" high, while those of cabinet and pattern makers are from 2" to 4" higher.

Fig. 24

End Elevation.

Side Elevation.

The surface of the bench, particularly of the thick plank that forms the outer edge of it, should be perfectly flat - a true plane. When in use, care must be taken to protect it from injury. It should never be scarred by the chisel or cut by the saw. If oiled and shellaced, it is likely to be better kept.

10. The Bench-Stop a is intended to hold the work while it is being planed. It may be simply a piece of wood about 2"x 2", projecting through a mortise in the top of the bench; but it is far better to have some form of iron fitting, many of which are supplied by the trade. The characteristics of all of them are well illustrated by the one shown in Fig. 25. The frame A is let into the bench even with its surface. The hook C is held in position at any height above the bench by the action of the screw B. C may be fastened even with the surface of the bench, or removed entirely.

11. The Vise d, Fig. 24, is of a form that, for general purposes, has long been in use. To hold the work well, the jaw d should be as nearly as possible parallel to the face g, against which it acts. If it is not parallel, the space between should be less at the top than at the bottom - an arrangement which insures a much better grip upon the work than the opposite conditions. Adjustments for parallelism are made by changing the pin c from one hole to another. Iron vises can now be had which are adapted to the same uses with the one just described; they can be quickly adjusted, they are so designed that the clamping faces always maintain their parallelism, and being stiffer than wooden vises, they can be depended upon to hold work more securely.

An iron bench vise, such as is shown by Fig. 26, is extremely useful for small work, and, if expense is not to be considered, should supplement the vise d, in which case it may be located on the bench at H.

The holes, e, in the bench are for the reception of a plug, which may be used to support one end of a long piece of work while the other end is held by the vise.

Fig. 25

Fig. 26

12. A Bench-Hook, Fig. 178, applied to the bench as shown by Fig. 167, provides a stop to prevent work from sliding across the bench. The flat faces which rest on the bench and receive the work, should be true planes and parallel. A length of from 14" to 16" is convenient, though bench-workers frequently have several of different lengths.

13. Trestles, or "horses," are used in various ways to support material, and also to take the place of the bench when large pieces of material are to be operated upon. A convenient form is shown by Fig. 27.

Measuring and Lining Appliances.