The Anarchist's Workbench by Christopher Schwarz

Dive into the world of workbench building with Christopher Schwarz's "The Anarchist's Workbench." This book is not just a guide to constructing a simple, sturdy workbench from construction lumber and woodworking tools; it's also the culmination of Schwarz’s 20-year journey in researching and perfecting historical workbench designs.

In "The Anarchist's Workbench," Schwarz shares his unique story: leaving his corporate job, founding a publishing company based on mutualism, and transforming an 1896 German barroom into his workshop and living space. Here, he embraces the life of an 'aesthetic anarchist,' building furniture and publishing books.

This third and final instalment in the "anarchist" series cuts through the misinformation about workbench construction. It addresses key questions faced by woodworkers: choosing the right type of wood, dimensions, and vises for their workbench. Drawing on 2,000 years of workbench history, Schwarz offers insights into adapting traditional designs for modern materials.

Key highlights:

• A blend of practical workbench plans and a personal woodworking journey.
• Guidance on building a heavy, durable bench using affordable materials.
• Emphasis on simple designs using mortise-and-tenon joints and draw bored pegs.
• Details on a European bench design from the 1500s.
• Free downloadable version available, no registration required.
• For those preferring a physical copy: 344 pages, 6” x 9”, hardbound, printed on #60 opaque paper, sewn signatures, fibre tape, cotton cloth cover. Printed in the USA.
• Includes sections on workbench construction, historical context, and practical tips for bench builders.

Oh, one more important fact about the book: You can download it for free. All you have to do is click this link. You don’t have to register for anything or give up your email. Just click the link and the entire book will download to your device in pdf format. The file has no DRM (digital rights management). And it’s covered by a creative commons license that allows you to use the material however you like for non-commercial purposes. If you want to know more about why the lovely folks over at Lost Art Press decided to do this - you can read all about it here.

About Lost Art Press:

Lost Art Press LLC was founded in 2007 by two enthusiastic woodworkers, John Hoffman and Christopher Schwarz, while attending a Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Open House in Warren, Maine. The company started with a question: What happened to all the great woodworking books that used to be published? The books that changed the course of the craft and people’s lives? The books that explored our ever-diminishing link to the handwork of previous centuries? Flash forward to today, Lost Art Press ships about 60,000 books a year, which makes them still a tiny publisher in the grand scheme of things, but allows important, valuable texts to be produced, fairly and equitably for generations to come. As a family business ourselves, we absolutely love the principles and foundations that Lost Art Press is built upon, and proudly stock a large range of their books.