The joints are either pinned or wedged mortise-and-tenon, or draw-bolt joints.

The best benches are made of maple, the tops being strips joined or tongued-and-grooved together.

It is common also to have a trough at the back of the top of the bench, i.e., a space 6" or 8" wide, set lower than the upper surface, in which tools may be placed so as not to roll off.

A low pillow, fastened at the left hand end of the trough, on which to set planes in order that the edge of the cutter may not be injured, is an advantage.

The tool-rack is of capital importance.