1. Benches

One of the most important parts of a manual training equipment is the workbench, and it should be selected with great care. There are very many excellent benches on the market at the present time from which selections can be made, One of the best in style and make is shown in Fig. 1. It is practical, substantial, and complete in every way. The same style of a bench may be had in a double bench. A bench serves as a working table. It is supplied with devices to support and to hold wood that is being worked upon. The best benches are provided with cabinets, drawers, or racks to hold tools when not in use. The construction necessarily depends upon the design of the bench. The parts of a bench are the framework, working bed, side vise, tail vise, stops, and cabinet, drawers, and rack to hold tools. The working bed should be made of the best grade, thoroughly seasoned, hard maple glued up in narrow strips to prevent warping. In fact the best of materials and workmanship should go into the bench in order that it be serviceable and stand the test of climatic conditions.

Fig. 1. Manual training bench.

Fig. 2. Cabinetmaker's bench.

Fig. 2 shows a cabinetmaker's bench. There should be a few of these benches in every shop for use when heavy work is done. These benches may also be obtained with cabinet or drawers underneath.

A workbench should receive proper care at all times. Great care should be exercised in the use of saws and chisels and auger bits not to cut or mar the bench. At the close of each lesson the vises should be closed, the bench and tools should be dusted, and the tools should be put away in their proper places so that the bench is left perfectly clean and in order.