Hi all. =20
I figured that since I have a question, I had better introduce myself =
first.

In a former life I was a stage carpenter, which means I didn't care if =
what I was building was plumb or level as long as it looked plumb and =
level.  I created lots of dust, used power tools for just about =
everything, built some strange objects, and did some strange things =
(like paint a rug, not paint the floor to look like a rug, but literally =
paint a rug).  I also built furniture, like a table that will collapse =
during a fight scene, but not when some one stands on it. After too many =
years of this, I got tired of lifting heavy objects and plugging in =
cables and became a computer programmer.  I have since repented of my =
Normite ways, and am learning about hand tools and their uses.  I am =
also trying to learn how to build furniture that doesn't collapse when =
SWMBO and I argue.

And now the question.

Yesterday, I was flattening a board on a completely inadequate workbench =
(not mine, I'll get to that later), the board would move, because there =
were no dogs, just some scrap clamped to the bench. When I clamped the =
board itself, I would move the entire bench.  In frustration, I =
unclamped the board, let out a thunderous Neander Yell, and like a true =
Galoot went off to figure out how to make a workbench (and buy more =
tools).  However the problem is that I live in a second floor apartment =
and there is no room for a permanent bench.  I got to thinking, how did =
they do it in the old days?  Surely, some 19th century carpenter needed =
a portable bench.  Do any of the galoots on the porch have an answer?  =
I'll just sit here on the bottom step and await the collective wisdom.

    =20
Geoff Webb
Advancement Services
Washington State University
Pullman WA 99163
(509) 335-1867
webbg@w...