To the untrained eye, a saw bench can look a bit like a wooden plank with two separate legs attached to the bottom. Those unfamiliar with this carpenter’s workhorse may wonder how it is used.
Centuries ago, almost everyone used a bench saw before our choices became more sophisticated. This somewhat ancient tool required an inventive imagination to make distinctive cuts and designs. Often it took a lifetime to master the craft and many turned it into a lifelong pursuit of excellence. People confuse the terms saw bench and saw horse thinking they can be used interchangeably. However, they are very different.
Both are used to carry the weight of what you are working on, but the main difference is the top. The top of an easel is thin and long and will not support much weight.
Typically a bench saw has a much wider top with seven inches being the most functional. This dimension ensures that you can safely and quickly cut cabinet-sized pieces. You can also clip things on top to create a secure work surface. You can even use it as a stool. The design commonly resembles a mortising stool which is a rectangular cavity in the wood held together with a fastener. This is a device for securely holding wood or other materials.
A saw bench is even useful as a dining table where you can take a break and sit back while enjoying your mid-afternoon snack. A saw bench has many useful and practical uses and you can even place items on top for assembly and can be used for temporary storage.
There are many modern power tools that you can use in conjunction with your bench, such as a chop saw bench, radial arm saw bench, and band saw bench. These are all construction tools that are used on a daily basis and work well when integrated with a well-designed, sturdy saw bench.
This tool also doubles as a bench that can be transported to other job sites. If you have at least twenty minutes to spare and don’t mind breaking a sweat, you can even build your own saw bench. To build your saw bench, you can use any type of construction wood, such as poplar, fir, or hemlock. Sugar or white pine are also perfectly reasonable options. Many builders use scrap lumber or unused parts found in the shop. Building your own shouldn’t cost a lot of money, and it’s a great way to use things you have lying around to take up space.