glued and nailed – not a complicated job, but I rehearsed it just in case. What could go wrong I hear you ask? Well, nothing major but my nails were slightly too long and poked out the other side of the legs. I suppose only I will know but they lurk there nonetheless, waiting to impale me while I fit the vice.

Nails – unlike steel screws and bolts – can flex as the wood moves due to fluctuations in the amount of moisture in the air – and are a traditional choice of fixings in workbenches.

A lot of flattening lies ahead so that should make for some thrilling updates! To liven things up I will be comparing my little used wooden jack plane with my Record #5 when flattening the top.