A workbench is a sturdy table built for manual work. It takes hammer blows, saw cuts, glue drips, and heavy clamping. The top is usually thick hardwood: maple, beech, or oak. A thin top bounces and racks. A thick top absorbs shock and stays flat. The base is heavy and braced so the bench does not slide or wobble when you push a plane across a board.

Vises are the defining feature of a good bench. A front vise holds boards for edge planing and joinery. A tail vise holds work between dogs for face planing. Bench dogs are pegs that fit into holes in the top and wedge the work against the vise. The bench height matters too. Stand with your arm down. The bench top should meet your wrist or the first knuckle. That height lets you plane without bending or reaching. A bench that is too high tires your shoulders. Too low and your back aches.

Bench features worth having

• Thick hardwood top, at least 2 inches
• Front vise and tail vise, or a leg vise
• Bench dog holes in a grid or a row
• Holdfasts for clamping irregular shapes
• A lower shelf or cabinet for tools

Keep the top clean and waxed. Glue squeeze-out pops off easily when the surface is smooth. A bench is a tool, not just furniture. Treat it that way and it will last for decades.