The Anarchist’s Workbench

The third and final book in Christopher Schwarz’s “anarchist” series, The Anarchist’s Workbench is a guide to making a workbench, but also is memoir and an exploration of craft.

Chris’ investigation of workbenches is a two- decade journey. At its start, he is an employee of Popular Woodworking; along the way he quits this “corporate” job to devote himself to woodworking and Lost Art Press, the publishing house he co-founded. One of the joys of Lost Art books is that they allow its authors to delve deeply into their subject matter. In The Anarchist’s Workbench, Chris explores his subject from the perspective of 2,000 years of workbench history, inviting the readers to consider some soul-searching questions when they consider their wood benches: not just, “What vises should I attach to the bench?” (though such questions are considered), but “ What work am I trying to accomplish?” And beyond, “What wood should I use?” there is also the deeper question, “What kind of woodworker do I aspire to be?”

The bench plan Chris ultimately endorses is a straightforward one without metal fasteners, instead utilizing a mortise-and-tenon joint that’s secured with a drawbored peg. The design dates back 500 years or so and has only 12 joints, weighs more than 300 pounds and requires less than $300 in lumber. Needless to say, like a classic recipe, the basic design can be adapted to the needs, resources and talents of its maker.

Note: Chris has also made The Anarchist’s Workbench available as a free PDF. For those who much prefer a hard copy to read, this is a fine volume printed to Lost Art Press’ typical high standard. The printed 6” x 9” book has 344 pages and like all Lost Art Press books, is produced in the USA and made to last. It’s printed on #70 matte coated paper; its signatures are sewn and secured with fiber tape for durability; and the pages are hardbound and covered in cotton cloth.

Table of Contents
Preface.............................vii

 1. Planting the Flag.................1
 2. Internal Doubt & Defiant Retort...6
 3. For the Love of Yellow Wood......18
 4. All the Mistakes.................34
 5. Before A.J. Roubo................84
 6. Joinery, Like a Vow.............100
 7. Make it Damn Big (Mostly).......124
 8. Workholding: Edges & Ends.......138
 9. Workholding: Faces of Boards....162
10. Afraid of Fire..................182
11. Introduction to the 
             Anarchist’s Workbench..194

Construction Drawings & 
                 Cutting List.......212

12. Build the Benchtop..............218
13. Build the Base..................232
14. Assembly & Vises................250
15. Make it Work Right..............280
16. The ‘A’ is Now at the End.......290

Appendicies

1. Workbenches CAQ..................296
2. Working Without a Workbench......308
3. Helpful Tools for Bench Builders.316
4. A Workbench Timeline.............322