Just kind of curious… recently I ran across a slightly different work bench design in a couple different places. Richard Macguire used to sell it as the ‘Little John’ (https://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/the-little-john-workbench/), and looking in volume 4 of Hayward’s “The Woodworker” as published by Lost Art Press, the bench feature at the very beginning looks nearly identical (swap face vise for leg vise, add Veritas inline vise, etc.). Later articles in volume 4 (including some by Robert Wearing) depict benches that are clearly the predecessors to Paul Sellers’ bench.
I’m wondering if anyone here has ever had a chance to actually use one of the Hayward / Macguire style benches, and what were your thoughts? I realize it’s kind of a niche design, perhaps more aimed at people with not a lot of space for some of the bigger / more traditional designs… but it definitely intrigues me nonetheless 😉
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I have a bench about that size, made from Doug Fir 4x4 legs and laminated top. I use it for light work in a spare bedroom. For me, those slanted rear legs would make it take up too much room. I find straight legs work just fine for me.
Under no circumstances would I have that tool tray in the top. I had one on my first bench, and filled it in.
Basic is better. That bench has a few too many flourishes for me.
The pictures in the link above are a little deceiving... I don't think the legs extend much if any beyond the tool tray (see attachment).
It does seem like a different / overly complicated way around building a flat-topped structure for everything to rest on, as seen in say, a Moravian bench.
I've never had a bench with a tool well. Though there've been times lately when I've kind of wished for one.
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