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You may have an ambition to practice the skill of wood turning but do not have enough money to afford a fully equipped lathe. There is an alternative of course; you could buy a lathe accessory for your drill. Lathe accessories will typically consist of long channelled bases to be screwed down to the tops of workbenches, preferably at the back. Into the channel, the headstock is slotted as well as a tool rest and tail stock assemblies. The electric drill will fit into the headstock providing the motive power for the lathe.

This basic drill attachment will not provide the same scope as a miniature bench-mounted lathe or a larger, more sophisticated cabinet type lathe. However, it will extend your drill’s capabilities, especially if you only expect to turn a piece of wood now and then. Another advantage is that you will be able to become familiar with wood turning techniques before deciding to invest in a larger and more sophisticated lathe.

Workbenches are places where sharp tools are being used as are high-speed mechanical devices such as saws and drills. In this kind of environment, you must always take adequate safety precautions. Wear protective eye goggles, a face mask to prevent the inhalation of dust particles and ear defenders when using loud mechanical devices such as jigsaws or electric planers.

Always keep your hands away from fast-moving machinery and switch off power tools when not being used and store them away. Chisels, saws and other sharp implements must also be stored away safely.

Workbenches are perfect for most woodworking jobs and are the mainstay of a carpenter’s workshop, whether he or she is a professional or an amateur.  Workbenches can with a few adjustments be made a lot more versatile though and able to cope with very nearly anything you may need to do.

For the most part, for example, the work you use the vice for will mostly involve working with reasonably small pieces of wood, frequently cutting mortises and tenons, drilling holes, sanding and so forth. Now and again though, you may need to work with a longer than usual piece of wood which may be difficult to hold in the vice which will stretch so far past the vice that its own weight will cause it to tilt down when planing making the work impossible.  To solve the problem, cut a six inch piece of five-eighths of an inch diameter dowling. Now drill a two inch hole at the right side of the bench, through the skirt and into the front leg.

Sometimes a piece of wood is simply too awkward to hold in the vice because of its shape or size. A bench hook is the ideal solution. To make one of your own, all you need is a piece of hardwood, eight by five by three quarter inches. Two blocks of wood, 4 inches by 7/8 by 7/8 of an inch. They should be fitted to the base of the bench hook so that one is fully to the left and one fully to the right.