Bench Tools

First, bench tools can be bigger and heavier than hand-held tools, so they can be more powerful. Power, as everyone knows, is what really counts in tools!

Also, bench tools fastened to a massive work bench are far more stable than hand-held tools, so they can be employed with greater precision to produce more finely crafted work. Last but not least, bench tools are safer than hand-held tools because they are fastened firmly in one place. Safety is a good reason to invest in a kids bench tool.

Bench power tools include the drill press, lathe, grinding wheel, vertical belt sander, soldering station, metal bending (and rolling and shearing) tools, and many other power tools. One thing they all have in common is a heavy metal platform with large holes and slots drilled through it. Heavy bolts fit through these openings to fasten the tool to the work bench. The slots permit sliding the tool back and forth a few inches to adjust its positioning on the work bench.

While a bench tool can be fastened down securely, it is also quite portable. Simply unbolt it from the work bench and carry it to another location. Bench tools can be rather heavy; a drill press may weigh 20 to 50 pounds. But that's still manageable, while a standalone drill press on its stand is far too large and heavy to relocate easily.

Makers of work bench tools include Porter Cable, Black and Decker, Makita Tools, Mitsubishi Tools, Ingersoll Tools, DeWalt, and many other tool makers. Bench tools range in price from under $100 to several thousand dollars depending upon their size and quality.

The types of bench tools found in a workshop reflect the interests of the craftsman. Drills, lathes, jointers, mortise-making machines, sanders, saws, and routers are popular among woodworkers. Milling machines, CNC lathes, metal lathes, soldering stations, small furnaces, and welding equipment are common bench tools for metal smiths. Jewelry makers have a mixture of bench tools for cutting, drilling, faceting, shaping, and setting gems.

Work bench tools are powerful, portable, safe, and precise. They are the intermediate range of tools; more capable than hand-held tools yet not as powerful or durable as standalone versions of the same tools. Bench tools are by far the most popular tools in America.