After 30-odd years of putting up with just a B&D workmate, I've just procured for myself an old carpenter's bench - extremely old but weighs a ton and is totally rock solid, and am delighted with it.
It is fairly tatty and I'd like to give it just a bit of TLC before pressing it into service. Thought I'd sand down the top for as long as I can bear, or until my orbital sander expires, whichever's sooner! Not intending or hoping to lose all the many sawcuts and bashes, but would be good to get it a bit smoother and flatter at least.
Pretty sure it's beech. Is there anything I should treat it with when I'm bored or sanding, or do you just leave it as is? Any other fettling tips!?
Secondly, I want to attach an engineer's vice, but as this is for sporadic use I don't want it permanently mounted. Is there a tried-and-tested "quick-release" fixing method ie that grips strongly enough? or do I just have to bolt the thing on everytime I want to use it?
Thanks David