Aviation Engineer Workbench

[John Morris]

I was perusing FB Marketplace and found this lil gem. The description reads "Workbench made by aviation engineer".

I'm going to give this bench all the respect it deserves, it's a wonderful DIY example of what appears to be from my experience seeing many shop items like this from mid century modern era, a bench made by a home shop man from the 1950's to the 1970's I think.

It's a collapsible bench, he/she obviously made it to travel or more likely to fold up and out of the way while not in use.

 

The fact it was made by an aviation engineer is kind of fun, if that is true you can see some thought and invention put into this bench. they had a lot of fun planning and executing the build I can tell, much pride was taken.

 

The only thing is, where the wheels fall off on the project, (actually where the wheels should fall off ) is that it has wheels!

I found that interesting, as we know wheels on a bench unless collapsible don't lend well to stability, especially if you intend to do any hand tool work on the bench. Someone could have added the wheels as an afterthought too.

And, there is always the possibility he was doing some specialty work on this bench that would not require the kind of stability we'd expect for a hand tool bench, who knows?

 

I know folks can pick the bench apart, but I'd like to focus on the fun the guy must of had planning and executing his pride and joy. I bet he had some ARN Delta and Walker Turner in his shop too .

 

By the way, the seller is asking 700 OBO. Really, if I had 700 to burn I would scoop it up, I could easily make it part of my shop environment with a couple modifications. What a fun piece!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grandpadave52]

Certainly a cool bench. The vise alone would probably fetch a couple hundred bucks around here.

 

Wonder what the patterns under the top that are routed out were for? 

[Gene Howe]

I have a Wilton bench vise that I never got around to installing after our move. If any one is interested???

[John Morris]

28 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

I have a Wilton bench vise that I never got around to installing after our move. If any one is interested???

If not taken Gene, I'd be interested in purchasing.

[Gene Howe]

25 minutes ago, John Morris said:

If not taken Gene, I'd be interested in purchasing.

Make me an offer including shipping.

[Gerald]

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Certainly a cool bench. The vise alone would probably fetch a couple hundred bucks around here.

 

Wonder what the patterns under the top that are routed out were for? 

Not sure but I think the “patterns “ you are seeing are the legs  folded. 
 

Also seems that the fold ability would reduce lateral strength. It is pretty but I would not trade mine.