Primary/High
(Click on image to see a detail shot)
There are various shapes and tops to suit the bench use, school budget and age of the students.
Vice mounting differs with the level of ability of the students. This model is popular because the tempered masonite top is extremely durable and once oiled resists glue. The masonite is inlaid within a protective jarrah border - one side of which is screwed on to make replacement of the masonite "skin" easy.
One college sands the bench tops back to a clear surface and re-oils them after each semester. The students enjoy the task and it provides a practical lesson in the rewards of restoration.
Vices are usually mounted on the same end of each bearer allowing the students a safe working area. We suggest one bench per class be set up for left handers.
1.2m square with a oiled, tempered masonite top with four very strong Dawn 200mm plain screw vices. The wooden outer vice cheeks are set above the bench top level. The cheeks are at the same height above the bench top as the sacrificial standard masonite pads. The pads are thrown away and replaced when saw cuts and other abuse wear them out, the top itself remains relatively undamaged.
There is also an inner cheek that is screwed onto the bearer in front of each vice. The inner cheek is also raised and protects the leading edge of the bearer. The inner cheek is made so that it can be turned around as well as upside down giving plenty of protection before it too is replaced.
[Detail of central well]
The central well is 100mm deep and can be accessed by four students. Sinking the well rather than raising the edges (as in the traditional style) is far more practical. The students are not forced to work on narrow, raised surfaces.
The same bench with a well cover in place. The central crossbars underneath are arranged so that they support the cover on four sides.
Design and Technology
The above bench is 1.2m square x .8m high and has been built to suit a number of class subjects.
The bench has two Record V175 woodworking vices and two Record 1 Ton workshop vices attached.
The locking cupboard is 700mm wide, 900mm deep and 600mm high for handy storage of work in progress. The lower shelf can still be used on three sides of the cupboard if need be, during lessons.
The top, lower shelf and cupboard are all made with the 19mm highly resinated particleboard flooring material used on the Heavy Duty range (see Fully Built section of the site). The attractive, irregular finish on the surface of the particleboard has a camouflage effect on scratches which is assisted by a matt finish.
As a guide on costs, six of these benches can be delivered to schools in Eastern States capitals for an all up cost of $10,740. The benches arrive fully built, fully finished, ready to use.
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Kindergarten
A cheaper version of school bench that is built to suit individual school needs. The bench pictured is used in a passageway so the vice was positioned on the end to avoid inconvenience and bruised hips.
Some benches are left outside and have a solid jarrah edge planking over a waterproof flooring top.
The above bench is 1200l x 760d x 570h.
