| The harness maker's bench was essentially a simple vice. The harness maker would sit straddle on the bench, facing the vice. The vice's jaw was constructed of a stationary part and a hinged part. The harness maker would open the vice's jaw, into which he would place the piece of leather on which he was intending to work. Then he would put his foot onto, and push on, the 'pedal' to which was attached a leather strap that was also attached to the hinged part of the vice's jaw. This would tighten the vice's grip to hold the piece of leather tight. |
