I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
you folks think.

34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
very sturdy.

https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg

DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> writes:
>I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
>a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
>what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
>you folks think.
>
>34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
>very sturdy.
>
>https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
>
>https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg

Look like a jig or a clamping fixture.

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 7:17:15 PM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> writes:
> >I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
> >a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
> >what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
> >you folks think.
> >
> >34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
> >very sturdy.
> >
> >https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
> >
> >https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg
> Look like a jig or a clamping fixture.

That was my original thought, but now I'm not so sure. The internal supports
are almost flush with the sides of the oval openings. Clamps could only be
used at the rounded ends of the holes. Sure seems like that would limit their
functionality. In addition, while the tops (holed surface) have obvious wear marks,
the underside of the tops, where the clamps would make contact, are pristine.
You can still see the pencil marks from when the openings were laid out.

https://i.imgur.com/nHJjhPp.jpg?1

I also found this stamped on the bottom of both units, indicting that they might
not be homemade. (They were hung on the wall via the hole seen in this image.)

DBW011

https://i.imgur.com/QglJyFZ.jpg

I have one of those that's six feet long. I call it a "megafence" and
clamp it to my table saw fence for cutting sheets of plywood.

Those, however, look like they could be jigs for finish routing drawer
pulls (drill work, clamp work on top, route into holes). Or just
something to prop up work on.

Or the handles are for carrying, and the exposed edges are for clamping?

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 11:40:31 PM UTC-4, DJ Delorie wrote:
> I have one of those that's six feet long. I call it a "megafence" and
> clamp it to my table saw fence for cutting sheets of plywood.
>
> Those, however, look like they could be jigs for finish routing drawer
> pulls (drill work, clamp work on top, route into holes).

That’s a thought, although as I mentioned earlier, there is no
evidence on the underside of the holed surface that clamps
were ever used. Not near the end holes or along the outside
edges. I can’t see under the center hole but I doubt that that’s
the only hole that was ever used for clamping.

> Or just something to prop up work on.

That thought has entered my mind. Something like a table top
saw horse. Pretty fancy/heavy duty though.

>
> Or the handles are for carrying, and the exposed edges are for clamping?

Again, the underside of the holed surface is perfectly clean. I’d
expect to see some indication of clamp use on the underside. The
underside isn’t as smoothly sanded and there’s no finish on it, so
I’d expect that it would at least show some dirt if it had been used
for clamping. If that’s what I use them for I’ll know soon enough
if the clamps leave evidence.

Of course, 3 handles on each seems like overkill, but they do make
them look nice. ;-)

DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> was heard to mutter:

>I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
>a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
>what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
>you folks think.
>
>34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
>very sturdy.
>
>https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
>
>https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg

Reminds me of a guy who needed his woodworking shop to be mobile. He
custom built the inside of his work van to accomodate everything he
needed. He made sure to leave tons of space in the center for loading
up lumber and such to take to site.

This is something similar to what he did but his was better.
https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/09/09/the-ultimate-work-bench/

His work table looked a lot like those pieces when on their side. He
could run cables, wires, hoses, etc., all through the openings and not
have them in his way on-site.

Not sure you've got the same thing since yours see, smaller/shorter
but darn close to how his worktable looked. Supports like that made it
really strong but still ight enough for him to move around by himself.

2 cents..
`Casper

Casper <casper@ghostmail.cc> writes:
>DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> was heard to mutter:
>
>>I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
>>a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
>>what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
>>you folks think.
>>
>>34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
>>very sturdy.
>>
>>https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
>>
>>https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg
>
>
>Reminds me of a guy who needed his woodworking shop to be mobile. He
>custom built the inside of his work van to accomodate everything he
>needed. He made sure to leave tons of space in the center for loading
>up lumber and such to take to site.
>
>This is something similar to what he did but his was better.
>https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/09/09/the-ultimate-work-bench/

Interesting, but that bench is a dust collector to be sure.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 9:50:30 AM UTC-4, Casper wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> was heard to mutter:
> >I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
> >a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
> >what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
> >you folks think.
> >
> >34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
> >very sturdy.
> >
> >https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
> >
> >https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg
> Reminds me of a guy who needed his woodworking shop to be mobile. He
> custom built the inside of his work van to accomodate everything he
> needed. He made sure to leave tons of space in the center for loading
> up lumber and such to take to site.
>
> This is something similar to what he did but his was better.
> https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/09/09/the-ultimate-work-bench/
>
> His work table looked a lot like those pieces when on their side. He
> could run cables, wires, hoses, etc., all through the openings and not
> have them in his way on-site.
>
> Not sure you've got the same thing since yours see, smaller/shorter
> but darn close to how his worktable looked. Supports like that made it
> really strong but still ight enough for him to move around by himself.
>
> 2 cents..
> `Casper

The openings on mine are only on one surface. Since they are on the only
surface with wear marks, I believe it to be the top surface. Yes, you could run
cables through the long way, but I don't see any advantage to running
cables through the ovals as you would on a Paulk workbench since the
"bottom" is solid.

In addition, if they were placed on their side you would have a smooth,
flat surface on top.

FWIW, I did notice that they looked similar to the sides of a Paulk
workbench but I've come to believe that it's just the look that's
similar, not the use.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 10:03:09 AM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Casper <cas...@ghostmail.cc> writes:
> >DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> was heard to mutter:
> >
> >>I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
> >>a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
> >>what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
> >>you folks think.
> >>
> >>34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
> >>very sturdy.
> >>
> >>https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
> >>
> >>https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg
> >
> >
> >Reminds me of a guy who needed his woodworking shop to be mobile. He
> >custom built the inside of his work van to accomodate everything he
> >needed. He made sure to leave tons of space in the center for loading
> >up lumber and such to take to site.
> >
> >This is something similar to what he did but his was better.
> >https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/09/09/the-ultimate-work-bench/
> Interesting, but that bench is a dust collector to be sure.

Ask Leon. I believe that he built one. If I recall correctly, he stores his in a corner
of his workshop when he's not using them, so they are sort of "self cleaning". ;-)

Might this be what they are?
https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/uplifting-benchtop-risers

Sonny

On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59 AM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
> Might this be what they are?
> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/uplifting-benchtop-risers
>
> Sonny

Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.

And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as shown in
the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.

However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so indication that
clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided. I'll know within
the next 24 - 48 hours if *my* clamps leave marks. Maybe the previous owner used them
differently.

> The original owner was a DIY furniture maker.

Nice furniture clamping requires padding on clamps so as not to mar the wood. Original owner may have considered nice jigs, as that, needs some TLC also. He obviously took care to make nice jigs.

Or made some to sell, alongside his furniture, at the local fair. Or just not used often. Its a simple neat project for left over or scrap lumber.

DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> writes:
>On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59=E2=80=AFAM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
>> Might this be what they are?=20
>> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/upliftin=
>g-benchtop-risers=20
>>=20
>> Sonny
>
>
>Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.
>
>And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as=
> shown in=20
>the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.
>
>However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so ind=
>ication that=20
>clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided.

K-Body and other parallel bar clamps will not leave marks, as is
the case for quick-clamp or f-clamps with pads.

On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 10:03:36 PM UTC-4, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> writes:
> >On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59=E2=80=AFAM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
> >> Might this be what they are?=20
> >> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/upliftin=
> >g-benchtop-risers=20
> >>=20
> >> Sonny
> >
> >
> >Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.
> >
> >And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as=
> > shown in=20
> >the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.
> >
> >However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so ind=
> >ication that=20
> >clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided.
> K-Body and other parallel bar clamps will not leave marks, as is
> the case for quick-clamp or f-clamps with pads.

I'd expect to see *some* indication of use. The undersides are not sanded
smooth or finished. I'd expect that the rough-ish surface would pick up dirt
or some kind of marks. Maybe not...we'll see.

FWIW I don't think they can be used with K-Bodies. At least not the risers
that I have. The jaws wouldn't fit through the ovals or the open ends. The
long sides only extend past the supports by an inch and I don't think I'd
want my Revos hanging on by just an inch. They're not the lightest clamps
in the world . ;-)

On Thu, 2 Nov 2023 14:41:10 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
<teamarrows@eznet.net> wrote:

>On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59?AM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
>> Might this be what they are?
>> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/uplifting-benchtop-risers
>>
>> Sonny
>
>
>Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.
>
>And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as shown in
>the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.
>
>However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so indication that
>clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided. I'll know within
>the next 24 - 48 hours if *my* clamps leave marks. Maybe the previous owner used them
>differently.
Maybee he was realy anal and used sacrificial "shims" under the clamps

On 11/2/2023 10:03 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> writes:
>> On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59=E2=80=AFAM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
>>> Might this be what they are?=20
>>> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/upliftin=
>> g-benchtop-risers=20
>>> =20
>>> Sonny
>>
>>
>> Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.
>>
>> And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as=
>> shown in=20
>> the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.
>>
>> However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so ind=
>> ication that=20
>> clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided.
>
> K-Body and other parallel bar clamps will not leave marks, as is
> the case for quick-clamp or f-clamps with pads.

Concerned with this very issue , I wrapped a towel around the end of an
f-clamp last week--and its use left no marks! I'm not sure about the
physics of the resultant clamping force, but it was not an issue in my
application.

On 11/2/2023 9:03 PM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teamarrows@eznet.net> writes:
>> On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:36:59=E2=80=AFAM UTC-4, Sonny wrote:
>>> Might this be what they are?=20
>>> https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-plans/shop-organization/upliftin=
>> g-benchtop-risers=20
>>> =20
>>> Sonny
>>
>>
>> Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner.
>>
>> And since I'm about to assemble 2 base cabinets, they will be put to use as=
>> shown in=20
>> the first image. At least I'll give them a try in that manner.
>>
>> However, I'm still curious as to why the ones I have show absolutely so ind=
>> ication that=20
>> clamps have come in contact with areas shown at the link you provided.
>
> K-Body and other parallel bar clamps will not leave marks, as is
> the case for quick-clamp or f-clamps with pads.

Actually my Jet K-body clamps do leave marks, unlike my Cabinet master
and Bessey clamps.

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 7:14:15 PM UTC-4, DerbyDad03 wrote:
> I picked these up at an estate give-away. (family didn't want to bother with
> a sale) The original owner was a DIY furniture maker. I have an idea as to
> what they might be and how they might be used, but I'd like to hear what
> you folks think.
>
> 34" L x 5.5" W x 5" H. Tops and bottoms are 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood, supports are 3/4" particle board. Holes in the tops only. Very nicely made,
> very sturdy.
>
> https://i.imgur.com/3eORnP3.jpg
>
> https://i.imgur.com/CQJeVrJ.jpg

I used the risers while building 2 base cabinets this weekend.
Very useful. Raising the workpieces off of the assembly table
to get clamps underneath the carcass or drawer and/or to keep
workpiece from moving made assembly much easier.

However, if I were to build my own, I’d make the “overhang” on each
side about a half inch wider. The heads of my F clamps barely fit on
the clamping surface, especially the ones with slip on pads. I’d prefer
not to have to struggle with or choose a specific clamp. I’d prefer that
all my F style clamps, be they old school bar clamps or trigger clamps,
all fit easily so it doesn’t matter what I grab.

As far as my earlier comments about the fact that the undersides did not
look like they ever had clamps attached to them, even though the top
surface indicated that they had been used regularly, one of two things may
have occurred:

Either the original owner never clamped anything to the risers or he protected
the underside very, very well.

After just the limited usage this weekend, I can already see marks - mainly
smudge marks from the pads on my clamps - on the undersides of the edges.
They went from looking pristine to looking used in just a couple of days.

In any case, they helped and I’m sure I’ll be using them more in the future. They
are certainly more stable and convenient than the blocks of wood I usually use
to lift a workpiece off of my assembly table.