Melhuish

We have this Melhuish bench recently arrived from the UK and we intend on making a dozen examples in walnut, black cherry and mahogany. This is an original English workbench cabinet, circa 1895 made by Richard Melhuish and Sons. 

The bench has instantaneous grip vice, rising bench stop and straight edge,brass fittings and hardware two side cabinets and toolholding folding lid and built in hinged board jack. I am told there are only three examples around. They are extremely rare indeed. The idea that you could have a woodworking bench with all the tools needed in such a compact area and looking like a piece of dining room furniture is amazing.

 Being a working toolmaker most of my life I have used many  fine tools and have grown to love them. Tools by Holtzapffel and Norris planes get me excited. I love to see the fine details of tools made of brass,steel and hardwood fitted into cabinets.The care and love for the craft of toolmaking is evident when looking at this Melhuish bench. They are such great functional pieces.


 

---