Sailmaker's Forms (benches)

I've a friend who wants to make an authentic sailmaker's form and while I can do him a 'basic' plan from scratch, I would rather check my mental dimensions first by seeing if anyone has a picture of an old sailmaker's setup or knows of a book wherein there is a plan for a form.

While length, width and height are all pretty standard as are support methods, the Devil is in the details.... the "kitchen" for the tools, any under-bench "closes", and the 'distaff' where one attaches the bench-hook especially seem to be totally arbitrary.

Any information, pictures, book references, even a sketch, would be appreciated.

(And yes, this will make it's way onto the tutorials pages when done.)

 

Still looking.... pics and descriptions so far sent offline most appreciated....

 

Hey Sails

This is the best I have found regarding dimensions and layout. I have some other stuff but it is more general.

http://books.google.com/books?id=axf0LZBU-goC&pg=PA210&lpg=PA210&dq=sailmaker+benches&source=web&ots=oyefqOmQZU&sig=C04D6A2WYF7xJ2lKlLmnbCWmvr4#PPA211,M1

Pol

 

Thanks! An altogether indispensible book!