I never had much of modern wood shop, and I got involved in 18th century woodworking a number of years ago. I am trying to fill out my collection of tools and skills as time and funds allow. I am trying to create less and less dust and more chips and shavings. But sometimes the project and/or circunstances dictate a more modern path.

If you choose to do your work in another era, you have to limit your tool choices and methods to learn “How it was really done.” Nothing teaches you about grain direction and other wood behavior better than attacking it with hand tools. It can be bossy! You certainly would win your bet as far as “If they had it, they would have used it.”, I explain to people all the time that as much I enjoy living in a canvas house and cooking over a wood fire for several days, I do keep things in a hidden cooler which our ancesters would have killed for. Some folks go much further than I to live the life, it’s a choice. I have done very few projects from tree to finish, but it is a pretty rewarding feeling. I admire what folks can do with a power shop filled with jigs and digital readouts, but as perfect as the product from such a shop is, it will be an “I can do that” project for the well heeled to some. Pick your path and enjoy Derek.

In case Chris doesn’t see your note, my suggestion would be to use whatever is abundant, not too hard to work, isn’t full of knots, doesn’t cost too much and preferably is heavy enough that your bench will have sufficient mass to stay in place while your using it — beyond that, well, it’s to some degree a matter of aesthetics (though many people prefer a light-colored bench because it’s easier to sight against). I believe there are several pine species available in Argentina, and those are what I would consider first (I’m assuming pine is, as it is here, more affordable than most hardwood species). I wish I knew more about the available species so I could give a specific reccomendation, but I’m afraid I don’t.

Best Regards
Ricardo Raia

Hola Christopher. Te escribo desde Argentina. Encontré tu libro Workbenches en Amazon, lo puede comprar y lo enviaron por correo postal en casa en la ciudad de La Plata. Mi ingles no es muy bueno, pero con el google y el sentido comun voy traduciendo tus conceptos.
Te estaré consultando , de acuerdo a los tipos de madera dura y semi dura que se comerciarlizan en Argentina para que recomiendes la que mejor se adatpe para contruir mi banco de carpintero
Mi actividad profesional es la ingenieria electrica de Extra alta tension y me dedico con mucho entusiamo a la carpinteria profesional de muebles.

Un cordial saludo
Ricardo Raia

I have no opinion on sand paper use for 21st c amateurs. My only take would be I’d like to see more evidence of hand tool work in an age where every surface in our homes is machined, injected, extruded,or rolled. I like grill marks on hamburgers too.

I’m coming at this from the perspective of a power tool user who is now using more hand tools. I am seeking the best ways to get the results I want. Often that means using and mastering hand tools.