Bench & Bench Vise

Nathaniel III probably built the large workbench on the east wall between 1750 and 1770, using a solid piece of red oak more than 12 feet long, 17½ inches wide, and 5½ inches thick for the top. A supplemental board between this bench and the wall provided additional workspace.

Work bench, Nathaniel Dominy III (Maker), 1750-1775. Red oak. 2.45 (ft) H, 12.34 (ft) L. Museum purchase with funds provided by Henry Belin du Pont, 1957.0026.367 A-K. 

Nathaniel IV and Nathaniel V made the two benches on the west wall between 1765 and 1785. The low height allowed workers to leverage body weight for greatest efficiency in plying hand tools such as smoothing planes.

Craftsmen used benches to hold and grip boards being planed, sawed, or shaped with a chisel and were outfitted with a variety of attachments to hold and steady work pieces.  In colonial America it was customary for a woodworker to build his own workbench, and the Dominy family also made benches for farmers or other non-craftsmen.

(Left) Work bench, c.1765-1785. Red oak; Steel. 28.62" H x 120.25" L. Museum purchase with funds provided by Henry Belin du Pont, 1957.26.368

(Right) Work bench, c.1765-1785. Red oak. 29.3" H x 82" L. Museum purchase with funds provided by Henry Belin du Pont, 1957.26.369

Craftsmen would either use a vise atop a workbench or fasten it in a double-screw vise attached to a bench. This vise was perhaps originally used to clamp small glued surfaces together until the glue set. Tenons at the bottom of the vise jaws fit loosely into mortise holes, permitting movement when the screw is turned. It also makes an excellent holder for plane stocks whose beds or soles are being shaped or smoothed.

Bench vise, Nathaniel Dominy V (maker), 1790-1830. Wood; Oak, white; Dogwood; Hickory; Pine, white. 11.5" (H) , 19.5" (L), 7.25" (D). Museum purchase with funds provided by Henry Belin du Pont, 1957.0026.394 A- K.