Reply To: Workbench restoration
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WOW, that looks like an incredible bench – a real thing of beauty (beauty is in the eye of the beholder!) If that front vise (a “shoulder vise” like Frank Klausz uses) is in decent condition, I would not, under any circumstances, remove it. I would do anything I could to restore it to full functionality. With that vise, you can clamp a board vertically and not have any vise rods or screw get in the way.
Anyway, like Derek said, it looks like the stretchers were made to be able to take it apart. So I would take it apart as much as I could and examine all parts. Fine out what is rotten and what is good. Try to replace bad parts and rebuild as closely to the original as possible. Flatten the top. Work on the two vises. Without seeing the bench in person, it is hard to give any specific advise. But please, as you work on it, post more specific questions or progress updates.
There is a lot of good information on this type of bench and both types of vise in “The Workbench Book” by Scott Landis. That could help. Let us know how you make out.