Kimbal McMahon, The new bench (TABLES, CHAIRS, DESKS 2022)

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Kimbal McMahon

My Dad gave me my first workbench. He built it when he moved into his first house. I took it with me when I got married. I had to give it away when I moved to Tasmania. I made do with Triton Superjaws and whatever table was handy. Then, when I bought the house that I was to bring up my family in, I finally had a shed with space for a bench! My father helped me build that bench and for the next 15 years it served its purpose well. Kids toys, shelving, outdoor furniture, wooden swords - all sorts of things were made on that bench. However, now my goal is to hone my skills and develop my craft and for that I need a new and better bench. A bench that will allow me to create fine pieces that reflect the qualities of the timber I’m working with. After a long planning process the design was finalised. I wanted to retain my connection to my father and would reuse as much timber as possible. I was also able to incorporate a secondhand Master Painters plank in memory of my grandfather, on which specks of paint can still be seen. Although my ancestors were not cabinet makers or joiners it is important to remember and honour what they taught me. I hope to do them proud as I create beautiful things on this new old Tasmanian Oak workbench.

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