Eddie wrote..."
> I'm in desperate need for a decent workbench. I wouldn't mind building
> one, ..... I'd like to have a bench
> sooner than in 20 years...
> This is why I'm considering buying one. Does anyone know of good benches
> available in North America? ... An antique one (but fully functional),
especially with wooden screws would
> also be a good solution.
>
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 I can sort understand how some people would enjoy building their own bench
but I think it would be cheaper and easier in the long run to buy an old
one.I see work benches a good bit and most sell for around $100- $200 if
they are nice at auction, at antique shows you can expect to pay twice
that.I have a very large 9ft one with the angled leg vice found on the older
Penn. benches that I paid $35 for,plus $5 for two guys to load it in the
truck, now it doesn't look new,[or I wouldn't had bought it!] but the vices
work fine and I like it.I also got a Hammacher, Schlemmer just like the one
on page 16 of the workbench book last year for a little under $200, a little
high but it is in very nice condition and I was bidding against a Martha
Stewart clone that wanted it for her kitchen.Benches that are rough will go
for considerable less , I have seen ones with rotted legs and with the top
off, [which was still good] sell for $5.If you do decide to build your own
bench you might consider getting a rough one like this for parts .Last week
at auction they had a wooden tail and side vices off of a work bench.Looked
like someone had just sawn them off with a chain saw the day before, I guess
they didn't want to drag the entire bench to the sale.I see allot of wooden
leg vices like this where they are stripped off the bench and they don't go
for much.These two were nice with the tail vice complete with dog holes and
both screws very good. I went to $10 and they sold for $15,[next bid], I
thought about going higher but what would I do with them? If I sold them the
y would had been a bear to ship so I figured let the other guy get them
maybe he was building a bench, though I'm not to sure he even knew what they
were.So my suggestion is to go to your locale auctions and pick up an old
one there, and use it ,and later maybe build your dream bench at your
leisure..........Todd, in the Suburbs of Price Md.