Show us your Bench [Archive] - Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community

Rob Luter

11-14-2009, 3:49 PM

Behold - Son of Holtzapffel, with a little Roubo DNA as well. In keeping with the "Green" movement, most of the materials are recycled or reclaimed.

The base is made from SYP off-cuts from work. the legs are 4 1/2 x 5 and the stringers are 3 1/2 x 5. The top is made from two maple butcher block benchtops salvaged from a local factory that closed. I laminated them together to form a solid 3 1/2" thick top 27" x 60". I bolted a 3 1/2" hard maple apron all the way around to make for a cleaner look.

The front vise is hard maple with a curly maple cap, 3 1/2" thick x 8" tall x 36" wide, powered by a Veritas twin screw kit with the screws at 24". The end vise is an old Wilton that I mortised into the top behind the apron with a big maple chop attached to the moving jaw.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4103275307_f30a5080da_b.jpg

Tom Stovell

11-14-2009, 5:14 PM

Show us your Bench

Just a bit over 8' long, tool tray, face vise on opposite end. I did manage to fill in the clamp shelf down below.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/ThosS/bench.jpg

Jim Koepke

11-14-2009, 5:14 PM

My bench was store bought and is pretty plane compared to all these other fantastic benches.

132775

One day, I will scrounge enough quality wood to actually build a bench that is truly my own.

jim

David Gendron

11-14-2009, 5:17 PM

Not as nice as others, but it work realy well! The only thing I would change is the end vice! Made of DF and Red Oak for the leg vice! 60"x 24"x 33".

Don Inghram

11-14-2009, 7:25 PM

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/Ingjr/3cbd6a17.jpg

Here's mine. 4" thick Jatoba top. One heavy bench.

Leigh Betsch

11-14-2009, 8:33 PM

OK it's more like a bench want-a-be. Reclaimed Douglas Fir barn timbers aging like a fine wine just waiting for the right time. Some pretty cool benches, so far I'm leaning toward a Robo-shake-apffel.

harry strasil

11-14-2009, 9:03 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/nu%20bench/nubnchmaterial01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/nu%20bench/coatedbench050809.jpg

Raney Nelson

11-15-2009, 12:13 AM

Roubo bones with Benchcrafted vises. Douglas fir except the vise chop and deadman, which are both ash. My second bench, after enough time to know what I really wanted on a bench. My first was prettier, but nowhere near as efficient or as pleasant to work on.

The bench is the most important tool in my shop, and this one is as close to perfect for me as I've ever used.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/rckt/DSCN3300.jpg

Matt Lau

11-15-2009, 2:25 AM

Don, that's not a bench.
That's fine furniture!

dan sherman

11-15-2009, 4:11 AM

I don't have a dedicated shop yet, so I can't set up a true bench. I made 2 of these this summer, and they are acting as sudo work benches. The top is SYP 3" thick by 30" wide, by 72" long. The base is made from 2-1/2" square steel tubing.

Bob Easton

11-15-2009, 10:22 AM

12 feet ... for boat building work, where I often shape very long boards. It's simple borg Doug fir because it's a working workbench, not a piece of fancy boardroom furniture. Basic design is Schwartz's "English Bench." A year of use gives it some dents, dings, and stains, and that's OK. It's a great joy to have and use.

more at: http://www.bob-easton.com/blog/?cat=11

http://www.bob-easton.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/bench-done-tail.jpg

Jeff Dege

11-15-2009, 10:43 AM

I posted a picture of mine, when I completed it. It's not fancy, nor is the workmanship up to the quality of the others I've seen. It was, in many ways, my first real woodworking project. But it's working well, for me.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=111059

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FW6/4S05/FUI0RUT9/FW64S05FUI0RUT9.MEDIUM.jpg

I'm currently in the process of building a bench-mounted router table top for it (and using it). Something similar to this: http://www.finewoodworking.com/Workshop/WorkshopPDF.aspx?id=2570

Again, I've made plenty of mistakes, but that's essential to learning. If the result isn't pretty enough for fine furniture, so what? It's for the shop, not the dining room. A less-than-perfect miter won't effect the function. And I'll never get good enough to make furniture-quality joints if I don't practice on something.

Jeff Skory

11-15-2009, 12:02 PM

My my Roubo bench ala Chris Scwartz's book. Bench is made from 2x12's from the big store (got my workout that day sorting through a couple of hundred boards to find decent ones), and the leg vise is hard maple. Bench is only 6' long because that is all the space I had.

I have never had a real bench before and I'm loving it! I do need to drill more holes for my holdfasts which have become a favorite tool of mine. And I'll eventually add a shelf at the bottom. Not too sure about the sliding deadman though.

Jeff Dege

11-15-2009, 5:27 PM

Not too sure about the sliding deadman though
I've been getting by with dog holes in the legs. If I'm working on something that's too short to span the legs, I span them with a 1x4, and rest the work on that.

Don Inghram

11-15-2009, 7:34 PM

Don, that's not a bench.
That's fine furniture!

Thanks for the compliment. I used the Jatoba because I probably got it cheaper than Borg Fir. It's very hard and very heavy. Also sits in the middle of the shop so it doesn't have a wall to support it. Doesn't need one it's very sturdy also.

Dave Lehnert

11-15-2009, 8:56 PM

Not having the space for a full size workbench. My bench is kinda a modified sawhorse. It has dog holes in the top. The sides and back are flush so you can clamp your work. The front has a birds mouth so you can use a coping saw. Very handy in the shop or take with you.

Roger Benton

11-15-2009, 9:16 PM

in case anyone is as curious as i,
average dimensions of the bench tops posted so far are
88.5" x 28" x 3.5" thick.

great benches here guys, just finished mine friday, i'll post pics this week.

Derek Cohen

11-15-2009, 10:23 PM

I know it is there .. somewhere ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Bench-whatsonit.jpg

Oh well, it is better than these guys (remarkable what they can do with so little) ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/VietnamesetoolsoffToolsforWorkin-1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/VietnamesetoolsoffToolsforWorkingWo.jpg

About 10 weeks ago ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Light2.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

Jeff Skory

11-15-2009, 10:49 PM

Derek, interesting and quite simple saw 'till?". I've not seen any pictures of anyone hanging them like this. I like it. :)

Derek Cohen

11-15-2009, 11:27 PM

Hi Jeff

I came up with that quite a while back (called it the "saw tree"). It was replaced when I began rebuilding the workshop about 12 months ago. It did work well, however, and was quite kind to the blades. Not to mention convenient (I like to have important tools close at hand - hence the hanging tools). The current saw till is quite different, more traditional (which I am about to revamp internally - making room!) ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Sawtillside1.jpg

To bring this back to topic, here is an additional bench system I have ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Cabinet2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Cabinet4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Cabinet4a.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek Cohen

11-15-2009, 11:31 PM

End of bench with replaced raised panel ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Joints/Frame%20and%20Panel/Finishedpanel.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

Sam Takeuchi

11-16-2009, 12:10 AM

I wouldn't even dare to show mine. By the way Derek, you got too many tools. Do you keep track of your tools? I don't have that many, but I'm sure I have some items that have fallen behind my bench and buried in a pile of junk.

Roger Benton

11-18-2009, 7:24 PM

first off, this is a great thread for those trying to figure out what they're first/next bench should be. thanks to the OP.
second, in that vein, i am including as much info on what and why my bench is as i can think of. apologies in advance if this is a little long winded.
third, i have to say, some amazing benches in here so far! great work.

SO-

just finished this one last week.

measurements are: 34" tall, 80" long, 27" wide, top is 3-1/8" thick.

legs are 4"x 5", stretchers are 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".

she's heavy!

top is laminated from two plys baltic birch, one ply flake board, one ply chinese birch, from top to bottom- all left over material i had on hand.

the front and rear edging and stretchers are cherry, salvaged pallet wood.

side edging and vise face are maple, left over from a project.

legs are reclaimed doug fir made from a single board, 3" x 15" x 16'. i found 3 boards this size in a large trash pile outside a renovation on the sidewalk somewhere in brooklyn. was pulling nails and screws from that board for roughly 3 hours.

vise hardware is the large cheap stuff from woodcraft, given to me by a friend. it says "made in china" upside down on the front. :confused:
works just fine though...

vise handle is white oak, shaped with a block plane- also pallet wood.

finish on everything is 3 coats of a of BLO/varnish/MS mix in equal parts, wiped on and off with a rag.

legs and stretchers are flush to front and back edges.
the vise face is 21" wide and situated so the right side of the vise face clamps against the leg for holding pieces vertically. racking is dealt with by a simple stack of 1/4" thick mdf pieces, 1-1/2" x 4", bolted together to act as adjustable width shims. it is big, heavy, stable, works amazingly well and cost me zilch. :D

This is my second bench with a top laminated from sheet goods and i am pretty much sold on this method. it is heavy, flat, and has the psychological advantage of being 'cheap' and 'replaceable', so i'm not afraid to actually put it to work. i have found that my gramercy holdfasts work very well in these tops; my last one was 2-1/4" thick, this one just over 3". i find it takes a little more pounding to loosen them in the thicker top, but no biggie.

thinking of springing for the new veritas surface vise, just wish it wasn't 3/4" tall off the top. with a couple vise-held planing stops and a few different shooting/planing boards and hooks, I haven't yet been hampered by the lack of a tail vise. that being said, my next bench will have one for sure!

Harlan Barnhart

11-18-2009, 10:03 PM

Hi Roger,
I like a bench that invites use. Those beautiful ones might scare me off. Sometimes I like to screw things down ect...
Nice to see another woodworker in Queens. It looks like you might have more of a shop than I, since I work in my kitchen. :) I have been working at a bench for almost a year. When it's done, I'll try to post some pictures. I keep debating the design so that is holding up progress now.
Peace,
Harlan

Matt Evans

11-18-2009, 11:29 PM

Roger,

I see the most important tool in the shop on top of your bench! The ash tray!

I have a love affair going on with tobacco, and have for 19 years now. In my shop I have an ashtray on every working surface, and when I get any stationary tool that I am going to spend a lot of time on, such as the lathe, I find a way to house an ashtray or pipe rest very close.

The bench look very functional. I might have to try the laminated top idea once I build another bench.

Bill Rusnak

11-19-2009, 12:19 AM

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/rckt/DSCN3300.jpg

Great looking bench Raney. I love the sliding dovetail for the endcap. Can you give any details on you you cut it?

Thanks, Bill

Chris Friesen

11-19-2009, 1:52 PM

Here's mine. The top is 24x84x2.5 hard maple salvaged from a bowling alley. Twin screw front vise, quick release iron end vise with wooden chop. Since these pictures were taken I added a shelf between the stretchers.

Additional (and larger) pictures are available at my photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbf123/sets/72157618658665772/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3555401883_a18cdaf15a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3555410257_998fc6723d.jpg

Jim Koepke

11-19-2009, 2:28 PM

The top is 24x84x2.5 hard maple salvaged from a bowling alley.

I still kick myself at times for having passed up an opportunity to acquire some old bowling alley salvage.

We learn and live on.

jim

Rob Parsons

11-19-2009, 6:07 PM

Here's my bench. Used the FWW plan and changed the dimensions slighly.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/jp4_photos/Shop/DSCN0255.jpghttp://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/jp4_photos/Shop/DSCN0256.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/jp4_photos/Shop/DSCN0255.jpg
[IMG]http://www.sawmillcreek.org/http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/jp4_photos/Shop/DSCN0256.jpg

dan sherman

11-19-2009, 6:24 PM

Rob,

What type of wood did you use to make the wedges for the wedged tenons?

Leigh Betsch

11-19-2009, 7:45 PM

Roubo bones with Benchcrafted vises. Douglas fir

So how is the fir holding up? What did you use for a finish? I have a bunch of reclaimed doug fir that I plan to use for the base and maybe the top. I'm not too worried about keeping the top pristine but I wouldn't want it to get destroyed either. Do you pick up may splinters from it? I have maple for the top but I really would rather use the the 5" thick fir beams and not have to laminate a bunch of maple.

Tom Winship

11-19-2009, 9:38 PM

Not as nice as others, but it work realy well! The only thing I would change is the end vice! Made of DF and Red Oak for the leg vice! 60"x 24"x 33".

I like David's best because his shop has stuff leaning against the wall and shavings on the floor. Makes me feel right at home!

Rob Parsons

11-20-2009, 9:39 AM

Dan,

The top and base are maple. I used cherry for the wedges, mainly for the color contrast.

David Gendron

11-20-2009, 1:01 PM

Leigh, I used DF for my banch and to be honest, I think it's holding up realy good and splinters problems yet! Maybe one thing to consider, I use my hold fast a lot and find that it deforme the 3/4" dog holes!

Raney Nelson

11-20-2009, 1:15 PM

I have zero regrets about the DF at this point. I haven't noticed any deformation, but I probably use a Veritas holdfast at least half the time, so I may not be taxing mine asa much as David. So far, it's holding its flatness very well, certainly more than sturdy enough, and I have no qualms whatsoever about actually using the heck out of it.

So far I find it preferable to the Ash and walnut I had on my last bench. We'll see if I still feel that way in a year.

David Gendron

11-20-2009, 1:23 PM

Raney, why do you find it preferable to Ash and Walnut? I knowthat my next bench top will still be DF and it will be at least 8'. that said, I might laminat a strip of an harder wood such as Hard Maple or Beech for the round dog hole!

Raney Nelson

11-20-2009, 3:02 PM

Well, there is the classic argument for softwood, which is that the bench will probably dent before a workpiece will. It's a reasonable notion, but for the life of me I can't think of the last time I dented a piece on my bench.

So there are really 3 reasons for me:
1) cost (I spent under $100 for all the wood in my top)
2) it's ridiculously fast and easy to flatten
3) (this is actually probably the biggest - though I don't think it would matter much to some people) -- I'm not at all 'attached' to my DF worktop, and I could care less if it gets marred, marked, or hacked in the process of making stuff. With a 'pretty' bench, I tend to be a little more concerned about keeping it pristine -- at least unitl it gets not-so-pretty anymore.

David Gendron

11-20-2009, 8:18 PM

These seems good anought resons to me!!! Do the base of your bench is DF or you use something else?

Zahid Naqvi

11-22-2009, 9:56 PM

This thread is now a part of the FAQs :D too much WWing porn couldn't help it

Roger Benton

11-23-2009, 9:53 AM

David, to address your Q about the DF base-

I used DF for my legs and some left over/found maple and cherry for my stretchers. I had enough DF for the whole thing but my reasoning was thus:

based on the notion of using varying moisture contents to our advantage,
the MC of the hardwood tenons *should* be lower than the MC of my DF mortises. so in theory when joined the tenons will want to expand upon contact with 'wetter' wood and the mortises will want to contract over time as the DF dries, all making for an extremely tight joint.

on average (and this is from memory so feel free to correct as necessary),
softwoods run around 10-14% and up MC, and kiln dried hardwoods run 8-10%.

I just finished my bench recently, I guess we'll see what happens over time.
Good Luck!
-Roger

Raney Nelson

11-23-2009, 10:13 AM

David - yes, my base is also DF. Everything but the vise chop and deadman, which benefit from harder Ash material.

David Gendron

11-23-2009, 12:16 PM

Kind of the same principle use when building windsore chaires!

Zach England

11-23-2009, 6:24 PM

Mine sucks. You can ban me for having a crappy bench. Eventually I'd like to dig out the other half of my shelf basement and build a real workbench while keeping this one just as an outfeed for the table saw. I'd also like a complete collection of LN planes, an altendorf saw and a lifetime supply of spalted maple.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o237/zachslc/IMG_0387.jpg

Dean Karavite

11-23-2009, 7:05 PM

Oh God, this is humbling, but I vowed to post pics of my work and projects in order to learn more and take constructive criticism.

Okay, here is my take on the CS $200 bench. Top is 1 3/4" butcher block I got super cheap as a cast off. About 6' long by 24" wide. The legs are 4x4 fir from Lowes and the stretchers use butt joints, but are reinforced with threaded rods the entire length. The old quick release vice was found on Craig's List for dirt cheap. I have had a lot of fun with this. I built a variety of jigs including a shooting board, birds mouth stop for jointing and a few more. It may be ugly, but it is flat, heavy and solid for any hand tool work I can throw at it and has made assembly a great experience. Some day I hope to build something half as nice as the benches posted here, but I am glad I made this beater first.

Dave Anderson NH

11-23-2009, 7:34 PM

Well Dean, My only criticism is the cleanliness of the top. No dust, shavings, tools, clutter......

Seriously though, if it's solid and sturdy, the right height, and most importantly allows you to hold all of your workpieces then you're good to go. While we all like pretty and functional tools, its a bench and therefore a tool, not a piece of living or dining room furniture. Glitz doesn't hold work any better and all of us can appreciate the need to conserve cash for other uses.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Steven DeMars

11-23-2009, 9:25 PM

4" thick top (maple)

24"x84" at 33" off the floor.

LN tail vise and LV face vise

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Bench1.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Bench4.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/three1.jpg

I'm sorry, that bench is ugly . . . Maybe you could hide the hideous thing in my shop . . . :)

Dean Karavite

11-23-2009, 10:25 PM

Matt Evans

11-24-2009, 12:13 AM

. . .and a lifetime supply of spalted maple.

That I could supply! Unfortunately, it'll cost you in drive time, buying a mill, and a lot of time cutting, drying, etc.

I have a few friends around here that have had a bunch of maple fall to the darn parasite blight going round. I have a bunch of short spalted maple as a result, though it is sopping wet, and I don't have a kiln, enough space to properly dry it outdoors, nor a mill, or a. . .

Ok, maybe not a lifetime supply, but certainly more than enough to get you through a few years.

As a side note, I also got a little Beech, some of which is spalted. I am waiting a few months to see what it dries to, then I will try to do something with it. It is a lot of work harvesting wood with an axe, wedges, and a bowsaw! Particularly when most of it is pretty short. Someone cut the Beech into 2' lengths, but never split it or stacked it, so there is a lot of checking that needs to be gotten rid of.

Bruce Haugen

11-24-2009, 12:45 AM

I've not entered this discussion before, but here goes. There won't be a pic. My bench is used, well used, well worn, abused, and works just fine. It was designed following the Tage Frid plans in his books (don't remember which one) and was built from a bunch of 2X4 stock, maybe even pine - don't remember, but it was about 25 years ago. It has been a partner in the creation of at least one house full of furniture, incorporates a bench screw from my grandfather's bench in the tail and a shoulder vise of some unknown description. It has had two motorcycle engines rebuilt on it, a bunch of carbs, chairs, desks, armoires, desks, an occasional turning lathe mounted, numerous gadgets, widgets and unmentionables.

The point? This bench was made to work, to keep stuff in place while work was being done on it, and not to be a showcase. It has performed admirably.. I wouldn't want a harder wood than it has because many things have bonked on it. I'd rather the bench take the abuse than the furniture. I don't want to have to think about the bench. Like other things in my shop, it is a tool, not the other way around. It works. I have user stuff, not trophies.

Bruce

Bob Easton

11-24-2009, 11:01 PM

Hear here! My sentiments exactly Bruce.

My bench is a long boat building bench, way up the thread somewhere. It was built of construction lumber and was never intended to look like board room furniture. Yesterday I was beveling the edges of some planks, preparing them for scarphing. Holding a stack of plywood with holdfasts usually works well, but just for a bit of added assurance, I pounded a couple of brads through the stack. I bet the guys with spalted maple and purpleheart tops wouldn't do that. Like you said, my WORKbench is for working and not worrying about. I love it because it works so well.

Matt Evans

11-25-2009, 1:02 AM

I work using 6 different surfaces. One bench I built recently, tiny, out of cruddy reclaimed maple. One that my dad built, a rather nice bench with a 5" top made of cherry, oak, maple and sycamore. Two benches/tables that I made out of solid core doors and 2x4s, and one old cabinet that I threw a top on. The last surface is one that I hate using as a bench but don't have a lot of choice sometimes. The table saw top.

I probably do the most work on my little cruddy maple bench, but it lacks a lot of things, and is in an unfinished state.

The table saw, My dads bench, and my maple bench are all in the main shop at my fathers place, where I operate my business from.

My two slabs and cabinet bench are all at home, in my tiny, dark, damp horrible basement shop where I have my lathe and the company of a lot of spiders.

Once I strike it rich and buy myself a few acres out in the middle of nowhere I will build a nice work shop as well as great bench or three.

That being said, even if I were to have the nicest shop in the world, with three great Birdseye maple benches, accented with teak, rosewood, Bocote and Jatoba, I would still want a solid, flat work surface of about 3x7 that I didn't mind messing up.

It isn't the bench that makes the workshop. A nice bench makes working more enjoyable, but sometimes all you need is plywood on a set of horses, and I wouldn't fault anyone for working on any available surface.

Rob Parsons

11-25-2009, 2:39 PM

Forgive me brother woodworkers, for I have sinned.

Out of my ignorance, I have built a 'trophy' bench. I thought my heart was pure, but I was deceived. I realize now that when I gaze upon her comely form, she is an evil seductress - a false idol, useless for my needs, mocking my woodworking. All the fruit of our labors together must be inherently tainted, for nothing good could ever possibly come from such an evil union.

In my pitiful defense, I did not know that there is one true bench to rule them all.

While I am confessing my sins, I must also shamefully state that I possess several Lie-Nielsen planes. Because of their refined forms and pleasing nature, I now know they are too beautiful to be tools. They must be evil 'trophy tools',

This evening, after I perform the nightly polishing of her top that my evil 'showcase' mistress demands, I will go to bed without supper and reflect on my transgressions.

Have mercy on my woodworking soul.

harry strasil

11-25-2009, 2:59 PM

Low be my woodshop in one half of my old basement, one bench I have, two if I count the shopmade table saw top, I own no lie Nielson, LV or other of the iron planes that most seek. I putter and tinker on my small old oak bench with mostly antique tools or reproductions or inventions of my making. I vacum the floor every so often mainly to look for things I am missing. But its home to me which makes for a good marriage as often when the male retires or is forced into retirement, He has too much time and She of the Goddess catagory has to much Him.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, remember the Turkey Birds and the Pigs gave their all to make us Humans Happy and full.

Enjoy the grandurchins and take them to the male sanctuary with the workbench and let them make something.

Jim Koepke

11-25-2009, 4:39 PM

Forgive me brother woodworkers, for I have sinned.

Out of my ignorance, I have built a 'trophy' bench.

LOL!

I must really be bad then, I build trophy saw horses, out of pine and douglas fir or any other cheap wood I can find.

jim

Jeff Skory

11-25-2009, 5:11 PM

Forgive me brother woodworkers, for I have sinned.

Out of my ignorance, I have built a 'trophy' bench. ....
Have mercy on my woodworking soul.

LOL!! :D:D:D Absolutely hilarious. Thanks for the laugh.

Don Inghram

11-25-2009, 10:59 PM

I really don't understand the "hate" some have for nice looking benches. Well, perhaps I do. My bench is fully functional AND nice looking. Why not? I take pride in everything I build and that includes shop jigs, benches, carts, lumber racks, etc., etc. I thought that this was suppose to be the civil WW'ing site. I may get clicked for this but perhaps I should go back to my regular WW'ing site. At least there I've never been criticized for building something nice. Really no outright slams directed at me personally but the innuendos are certainly there. Perhaps that is why the sarcastic post was posted on sinning for building a nice bench.

Jeff Skory

11-25-2009, 11:10 PM

Don, I agree with you completely. If I was willing to part with enough money for better wood and had more skills than I currently do I would have built myself an exquisite bench. I think there has been too much press lately pushing the fact that a bench should be functional and not pretty. I agree with you that anything we build we should build it to whatever level of elegance we wish. This is after all simply a hobby for most of us, and if this gives us pleasure then we have achieved the goal of having a hobby.

Please don't let a few remarks make you move. I personally enjoy reading posts and seeing pictures from all the woodworkers here, from those that build purely functional inexpensive things to those who pour their hearts and souls into building masterpieces.

For those of you who feel that a workbench should be nothing above a standard fir-based type bench, would you say that other tools should not try to attain a higher beauty and functionality? e.g. maybe Lie Nielsen should stop making such expensive tools that are gorgeous to look at? (p.s. I don't own any LN tools but I sure would like to. :D)

So Don, keep cranking out those beauties and keep posting here, please.

Matt Evans

11-25-2009, 11:49 PM

I hope my post didn't come across that way. . . It wasn't intended if it did.

Both Great looking benches and OSB on 55 gallon drums serve the same purpose, and my position is whatever comes off of them is what counts.

(But I am envious every time I see a great bench post. . . They tend to beat the pants of of the ones I use now)

David Gendron

11-26-2009, 12:05 AM

I think it's our job to take pride in what we do, no mather what it is! and if it is our benches then let it be! As long as it is use and abuse, to create great stuff that you anjoy, then every body should be happy!
Note: When I finished my bench a frien of mine tought it was so nice that it should be place in the kitchen as an Island counter... and my bench is nothing compare to some of yours guys... So it's all relative!

george wilson

11-26-2009, 12:08 AM

Your own bench should be whatever you want it to be,plain or fancy.

Rob Parsons

11-26-2009, 12:51 AM

Your own bench should be whatever you want it to be,plain or fancy.

My point exactly.

It always gets my dander up when I get a sanctimonious lecture on The One True Path of Woodworking.

Now lets see more benches.

This is what I worked on for several years. It provided the motivation to build the bench I posted earlier.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd313/jp4_photos/Shop/DSCN0034.jpg

Dave Anderson NH

11-26-2009, 9:40 AM

Guys, let's lighten up a bit. You have to understand Don that some of what is said is just bantering a bit and sometimes tongue in cheek comments can be misinterpreted. One of my best woodworking friends constantly rags on me about how my shop is "always" too clean and organized. He has seen it otherwise and knows full well that it's only clean when a group is coming over or just after I've finished a project, yet the ragging continues and it's all in good fun.

As for benches, I think a nice looking bench is an asset in a shop and is conducive to cajoling the best workmanship out of its owner, but not everyone feels that way or has the wherewithal to produce a furniture grade bench. Space, time, financial considerations, or just philosophy all enter into our decisions about our primary work surface. I found none of the posts by anyone on this thread to be out of line. Everyone has their own philosophy and opinion and is entitled to express it as long as it doesn't become vulgar or a personal attack. We can all disagree and some of the best threads ever on this site had major disagreements.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Dave

Billy Chambless

11-26-2009, 9:53 AM

Your own bench should be whatever you want it to be,plain or fancy.

Exactly this.

I found none of the posts by anyone on this thread to be out of line. Everyone has their own philosophy and opinion and is entitled to express it as long as it doesn't become vulgar or a personal attack. We can all disagree and some of the best threads ever on this site had major disagreements.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Dave

Very well said, Dave.

John Coloccia

11-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Alan Bienlein

11-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Here is my bench. It's not the best looking but I also do more than just woodworking. I've done welding, rebuilt carbs and motors on it as well as use it for finishing my projects. I would love to own some of the benches that I've seen posted here if all I did was woodworking.
133687

Richard Niemiec

11-26-2009, 11:09 AM

I won't post my bench because I bought a nice Sjoberg Elite, and you can find a picture of it in a catalog! Point is, though, that it's a very nice bench but it gets beat up. I accidently scrape it with planes, dent it with chisels, etc. When it gets bad enough that it's not longer functional as a wood working bench (maybe 10 years from now) I will take it to my local mill and have it flattened on their belt. Then I'll use it for another 10 worry free years.

There are some very nice benches on this thread that I'd love to abuse and beat up! :D

After doing the math on materials and time, and with agony and handwringing about my lack of manliness in not building my own, I, like John, wrote a check and bought the same bench so I could make other things; I just happen to have a picture......

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/3066502772_f00743a528_b.jpg

Very stout, great vices, and like John I've dinged and gouged it without worry, as I see it as a tool, just like any other that you have to sharpen and tune up when necessary. I'd do it again with only one slight regret, the dog holes are 25mm (about 1") and I'm having trouble finding a good holddown, but Rob Lee said he would look into the possibility of offering a 25mm post for the Veritas, and if he does he's got at least one order for two of those. The Sjobergs version has some "issues."

RN

Richard Niemiec

11-26-2009, 11:23 AM

I really don't understand the "hate" some have for nice looking benches. Well, perhaps I do. <snip>

Gee, I dunno Don, I re-read the thread looking for the "hate" and frankly I didn't see any at all . . . . I just see guys who have pride in their methods of work and their benches, both with good reason. By the way, you made yourself a really nice bench!

RN

Rick Boyett

11-26-2009, 12:38 PM

Here is my little bench.

I need to keep the ability to put TWO cars in my garage in case of hailstorms so I built a folding bench based on plans from PlansNow. It isn't the absolute best design but it is rock solid and folds completely out of the way.

The pictures were taken before I installed the vise and bench dog holes.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/3687363100_7d4c1d0dd2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3686553535_bd9b84b102.jpg

John Coloccia

11-26-2009, 1:19 PM

harry strasil

11-26-2009, 1:33 PM

I think 1/2 inch black pipe would be about the right size for holdfasts in 1 inch holes, they would be strong yet lighter than solid rod. FWIW

David Gendron

11-26-2009, 1:43 PM

I think that the OP just wanted as much pictures as possible to have some ideas for his future bench! And if you are posting a comment and you have a bench in your shop, what ever the look, the price or the quality of the wood, you should at least post a picture espacialy if you think that your bench is THE BENCH!

Lot's of great bench out there and info/opinions on the why to use such and such material!

Jeff Wittrock

11-26-2009, 5:54 PM

Cheap bench made from whatever 2X4s I could scrounge up at the time and a couple of 2X10s of SYP for the stretchers.

I don't have a more recent picture, but a while back I added a make shift wagon vice opposite the side of the leg vice.

The top was never very refined to start with, but the bench has been used for things other than wood working and has taken on a pretty rough patina. In particular I used it to hold the forms while making a concrete vanity top and some tears in the tarp allowed concrete juices to soak into the wood.

You can also see my son using his adjustable work bench in the background.

harry strasil

11-26-2009, 8:06 PM

to each of us our bench is a trophy bench as we built or purchased it to do the type of woodworking we prefer and for the space constrictions we have in our shops. I have 5 plus vises on my small bench which suits me fine.

Leigh Betsch

11-27-2009, 12:45 AM

I think that the OP just wanted as much pictures as possible
Yup pictures of benches, that's all this thread is about. The commentary is kind of entertaining but in the end if you pound on them or polish them it's just personal preference. More Pics!!

Greg Millen

11-27-2009, 2:21 AM

My bench is based on a cross between a Roubo and a few other designs. The base for the clamp storage is my design and enables a large space saving in the workshop. The skirt will be flush with the legs and there will be an overhang at each end. It is covered in junk while I get on with other things, the top will not be completed for a while yet.

The frame is made from bits of scrap. Just one of the clamps in the base is worth more than the investment in the timber for the frame. The flutes are not to make the bench 'pretty', I wanted to experiment with some techniques as I went so I thought 'why not'. I figure any errors are a good reminder for the future. The legs are 1800mm (72") apart and the top will be 900mm (36") high. The side rails are twin haunched tenons, the front are through wedged tenons. The top will be drawbored tenons.

David Keller NC

11-27-2009, 9:37 AM

The top was never very refined to start with, but the bench has been used for things other than wood working and has taken on a pretty rough patina. In particular I used it to hold the forms while making a concrete vanity top and some tears in the tarp allowed concrete juices to soak into the wood.

Yikes - now that would definitely make re-flattening the top dificult - at least with a handplane!

Jeff Skory

11-27-2009, 10:17 AM

Greg, nice looking so far. What are the two knobs on the inside of the two legs for?

harry strasil

11-27-2009, 10:46 AM

My Demo bench top is 5 foot long 11 1/4 inches wide, 4 inches thick made of Linden (Bass Wood). It is 36 inches tall and has 19 inch wide feet of Ash, and the stretcher and off end are also of Ash. The vise leg is of Bass Wood. The Vise and the Apron are of Oak.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench2.jpg

Its long and narrow and light enough to move around easily as it has to fit in my demo shop trailer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/newtrlr1.jpg

Richard Niemiec

11-27-2009, 12:08 PM

I've had the same problem finding hold downs. I'm thinking of asking a local blacksmith to make me some, but if Veritas produces them, I'll surely buy them. That's my ONLY gripe with the bench. Everyone else on the planet, including the other Sjoberg benches, uses 3/4" holdowns. Very frustrating. I'm also 1/2 considering filling all the holes with dowels, or some of them anyhow, and redrilling them to 3/4".

I thought about filling, and simply drilling 3/4 holes, but can't bring myself to do it just yet. I'll see if Rob Lee comes up with anything, but he's got to look at time vs. sales vs. cost type stuff.

Pete Ducklow

11-27-2009, 2:34 PM

I just made mine out of regular 2X4s that I got at the BORG:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-9/824674/Workbench5.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-9/824674/workbench4.jpg

David Gendron

11-27-2009, 3:12 PM

Jr., that is a great looking bench, I need to make one like that one day to work outside on nice days!!

Jeff Wittrock

11-27-2009, 6:49 PM

My 9 year old son's work bench.

He and the neighbor kids like to play in the garage and make things while I'm working there. My bench got to be too small for all of us, so one night I threw this together for him.

I made it for him, but I must confess I probably use it more than he does as a saw bench.

-Jeff

Cliff Towle

11-27-2009, 7:10 PM

Matt Evans

11-27-2009, 7:26 PM

The "Cabinet bench," Originally patented by Matthew Evans, was considered a dangerous bench to use. Note the cinder blocks in the bottom cavity. This was an attempt to steady the bench, which, though a common solution, invariably failed. The open drawer cavity was directly from the manufacturer. They never did ship that drawer. . .

Here is a quote from the inventor. It is said that these were the last words he spoke before disappearing into his small basement work shop, where, while using the bench, a Stanley No. 7 was shaken loose from the plane till, striking him in the head, resulting in his death.

"Ideer behind this here bench? well, lemme see. Got it. The ideer was ta make sure that everyone knew what a cheapskate the owner of such a bench was. To get one authentically, ya gotta pull a cabinet outta a house that half burnt down, take it home, throw some plywood on top, screw it to a wall, and put some cement blocks in the bottom for ballast. Presto, and yer a cheapskate with a bench.

Mine even comes with a gar-un-tee! Anyone seein' ya use it will never hitcha up fer a loan!"

Best features: Doesn't really have any redeeming qualities
Worst features: You have got to be kidding. Take a look at it. . .

David Gendron

11-27-2009, 7:30 PM

Great kids bench, I have to make one for my kid... She's only two, so I have some time!

David Schmaus

11-28-2009, 12:00 AM

just finished

Bruce Page

11-28-2009, 1:46 AM

Great thread! I always enjoy looking at peoples benches.

This is my non-traditional monster (note the mechanic vice on the right end). The store bought top measures 36” X 96”. The base is 8/4 pegged mortise & tenon and raised panel – there’s 8 panels on the backside that the shop spiders get to enjoy. The 14 drawers are 27” deep, machine dovetailed on each end.

When I built this I wanted lots of storage and a large work surface, that’s pretty much what I ended up with.

Joe Adams

11-28-2009, 2:39 AM

The top is a John Boos butcher block with CrystaLac PolyOxide finish.

The drawers are dovetailed 3/4" Baltic Birch on Accuride full extension ball bearing slides with Mahogany fronts.

The vise is a Record #53.

David Keller NC

11-28-2009, 9:56 AM

steve swantee

11-28-2009, 10:11 AM

Here's mine:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=116481

Vic Castello

11-28-2009, 12:49 PM

Mine is a bit different. It's an antique bench, probably over 100 years old. As I carve wood exclusively, I didn't need a big bench, and I like to carve in natural light. So, I converted my seldom used dining room into a studio. I do only hand carving here. I still do all of my power carving in the basement. Pics below:

george wilson

11-28-2009, 1:49 PM

Leigh Betsch

11-28-2009, 2:54 PM

Vic,I had one of those vises like on your bench,with the cast iron handle. I never mounted it,and eventually gave it away. Somehow, I never had a use for it as I already had vises on my bench. Now I can't recall the brand name of the vise.

Come on George sweep the chips off your bench and give us a picture! My bet it's a user wth plenty of scars.:)

Vic Castello

11-28-2009, 5:19 PM

Vic,I had one of those vises like on your bench,with the cast iron handle. I never mounted it,and eventually gave it away. Somehow, I never had a use for it as I already had vises on my bench. Now I can't recall the brand name of the vise.

The bench was manufactured by the E.H. Sheldon & Co. of Muskegon, Michigan, long out of business. Research indicates that they made "institutional" (student) furniture for trade schools, medical schools, etc. It has historical value. It was once owned by a prominent man in the advertising business named E.E. Calkins (1868-1964) of Elmsford, N.Y. His name was stamped underneath it, so I researched him. I found a picture of him building a ship model on this VERY bench. You can clearly see the vice handle near off the right hand side of the ship. It appears below:

Giuliiano Adamo

11-28-2009, 6:41 PM

Hi all,:)
My name is Giuliano and I live in Italy
This is my my workbench.
In the bench top main board is beech, while the dark wood is mahogany. Legs are walnut stained silver fir and panels are douglas.
I made it with hand tools. I hope you like it.

Ciao,
Giuliano :)

http://i37.tinypic.com/2w7qyds.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/e5h9pj.jpg

Maurice Ungaro

11-28-2009, 7:08 PM

Guiliano,
Welcome to the Creek! Wonderful looking bench.

Andrew Recher

11-28-2009, 8:28 PM

Giuliiano,
Your workbench looks great. I've really been enjoying this post. In fact it has inspired me to begin work on my own first bench. It is going to be walnut because I have a ton of it. I know it isn't the best wood for a bench top, but it'll be alright for a while and when I'm finished using it for a bench top I should be able to reuse much of it. The slab for the top is built from 1 board that was 11" wide by 12' long by almost 3" thick. It came from a tree in our yard that I milled w/a chainsaw mill. When finished it should be about 5.5' x 24". I'm thinking about putting a twin screw (veritas) on the front left face and a wagon vise on the end. Kind-of Holtzapffel style. I'm trying to build it as much as I can using hand tools only though I may cheat a bit and use a drill and circ. saw here and there.

The pic. of the leg stock is newly aquired old lumber these are some old walnut beams.

rick carpenter

11-28-2009, 8:51 PM

That one I like! Rick

David Gendron

11-29-2009, 4:12 AM

Wow Andrew, lucky you to have that wood for the top! I think it will be a great bench!

Tristan Williams

11-29-2009, 8:08 AM

Vic Castello

11-29-2009, 9:24 AM

Tristan...

As I am exclusively a wood carver, I don't use planes very much. When I do, it is a tiny Craftsman plane that my father bought in the 50ies. As my projects aren't that large, and the bench sits on a sturdy laminate floor, I haven't experienced any major rocking problems. And, as I have much sturdier benches in the basement, I can always go down there to do heavier work. The main purpose of this bench is to do detailed hand work in a more pleasent atmosphere than the basement.

As this is Neanderthal Haven, and this is truly an antique bench, I wanted to share it with all of you. I also love and admire those big ol' benches that most of you use, and I marvel over the beautiful projects that you guys create on them! I'm surprised that as most of the people who post here are into old tools, that more of you do not have old benches. They ARE out there. Many are turned into ornamental furniture which is a shame. They were meant for woodworking! And, who better than YOU guys to restore them???

:)

harry strasil

11-29-2009, 9:40 AM

Vic, I have one of those old School benches, it was a double one without a tray and 2 vises, that I have refurbished and it currently has my large basement tool chest residing on it's top. The two green vises on my NuBench that I built came from that old school bench.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/Bbox02.jpg

Vic Castello

11-29-2009, 12:47 PM

Ahhhh......beauty!

I love old benches. They give you a better sense of appreciation for those who used them before us. You can look at the wear and at the old markings on it and wonder...what did he build that day maybe around 1908??? I guess that can be said about almost everything that is talked about under this "neanderthal" heading. Who used it??? What did they make???

:)

Brian Loucks

11-29-2009, 4:46 PM

About 30 years ago I moved up from a piece of plywood on saw horses to my first bench (2ft x 4 ft) made out of rough cut oak 4 x 4's with a 3/4" plywood top.
Just an interm bench until I built my dream bench based on a Shaker design from Scot Landis' Workbench book. Last year I recovered my bench with another piece of plywood, for the time being:). Maybe that Shaker bench will get built this Winter. My front vise is a 2 ft oak 2x4 with a pipe clamp and 2 stablizer bars. Works great. I have built everything from toy cars to 6 ft raised panel doors on that bench. I guess if I ever replace it, I'll have to find it a place of honor in my tiny workshop. By the way, my second dream is a real workshop, a little bigger than my 2/3 single bay garage!
Take care, Brian

Sean Kinn

11-29-2009, 7:06 PM

Almost done... I just need to apply the rest of the finish, make the piece to fill the gap in the top, and add a few more dog holes.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4zu_BDW7_VE/SxMLOste20I/AAAAAAAACTg/CkUvW9uj8PM/s800/IMG_1642.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4zu_BDW7_VE/SxMLPE6a6SI/AAAAAAAACTk/fL4nvpBGgYI/s800/IMG_1643.JPG

Jason Strauss

11-30-2009, 3:08 PM

Here's mine. I constructed this as one of my first major projects. The plan called for Ash or some other suitable hardwood. However, seeing as how I blew all my cash on a new table saw and DC at the time, I opted for laminating 2x4's and 2x6's from the BORG. I picked up the top at Ikea. The base has been nice and sturdy, but the top has begun to split and cup. Overall, it's working fine for me at the moment. Eventually, I'd like to make a version of the nice European benchs some of you guys have shown here!

Tony Shea

11-30-2009, 10:20 PM

Almost done... I just need to apply the rest of the finish, make the piece to fill the gap in the top, and add a few more dog holes.

Sean Kinn,

What kind of wood is your top made of? Some reason I can't positively id it. And how'd you make the top?

Sean Kinn

11-30-2009, 11:26 PM

It's Ash from Horizon Wood in PA. The wood for the bench (all 12/4 and 8/4) was hand-picked by the Horizon staff for straightness of grain (and overall), but not uniformity of color. Therefore, some of the Ash is very brown. There is also a coat of Tried and True original wood finish on the top, vice chops and one leg. The grain just happens to match very well on a few pieces, so it doesn't immediately look laminated in those two pics. I used 12/4 for the top, and it is laminated from pieces approximately 3" x 3" x 72" after jointing. I really can't say enough about the quality of the wood from Horizon. It was S2S when I got it and nearly dead flat and square. This saved me a huge amount of time since working with 12/4 pieces of Ash, a 6" Jet jointer, and my DW735 planer was a truly less than ideal situation. I had to load up the base of my jointer with barbell weights just to keep it from tipping over.

The top is two independent sections that are attached to the knock-down frame with large Spax lag screws. The tops of the legs also have tenons that are approximately 2" x 4" to help interlock the top and base.

Sean Hellman

12-01-2009, 7:30 AM

Hi, This is a bench, honest.
It has legs, a vice and a top, OK the top is very smallhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/[IMG]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/hook-tool.jpg.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/hook-tool.jpg

I use this bench for making all sorts of things, but mainly fanbirds and Kuksa`s at the moment. The holes in the top are for inserting pegs to hang all sorts of tools from, these have been taken off as I am making a kuksa, a cup, and I need all round easy access.
When demonstrating outside I peg the bench to the ground with wooden tent pegs, when working inside I put a foot on one of the two pegs at the bottom of the legs to keep the whole bench stable.
I mainly work with green wood.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/?action=view&current=hook-tool.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=% 22http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/hook-tool.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22bench%20gree nwoodwork%22%3E%3C/a%3Ehttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/?action=view&current=hook-tool.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=% 22http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t266/seanhellman/hook-tool.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22bench%20gree nwoodwork%22%3E%3C/a%3E

Leigh Betsch

12-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Hi, This is a bench, honest.
It has legs, a vice and a top, OK the top is very small

It looks like a bench to me! Pretty cool.

David Gendron

12-01-2009, 1:42 PM

What is the wood? It Look like Beech wood(Fagus Grandifolia).
Great bench!

Sean Hellman

12-01-2009, 3:44 PM

I can see how it looks like beech, but in fact it is ash, which was planted 17 years ago and had really wide growth rings. The vice fittings are oak, as I also make a lot of outdoor seating so have lots of offcuts lying about.

Tony Shea

12-01-2009, 6:41 PM

Hi all,:)
My name is Giuliano and I live in Italy

Hey Giuliano from Italy,

That is one hell of a nice bench you got there! Very impressive craftsmanship. It literally is a peice of art that you've got there. I can only dream that one day I would be capable of producing such fine work.

Greg Portland

12-01-2009, 8:18 PM

True Neanders please take a deep breath and look away (electric tools are in the picture) :-) .
Here's a pic of my cheap & sturdy bench. The bottom boxes are torsion boxes (held together with long threaded rod). The metal plate in the middle is for a Kreg jig clamp. Total cost for this bench was ~ $60 in materials (not counting the vise hardware).
http://www.woodworking.org/photo/albums/userpics/11202/DSCN0729.jpg

Here is a closeup of how I made the dog holes. I cut a bunch of 1x6 squares (slightly at an angle to accommodate bench dog tilt under load) and screwed & glued them in between 2x6s. The top is also a torsion box design and very flat & sturdy. The screw holes have been plugged with epoxy for a flat bench surface. Note that I was not done cutting the dog hole in the solid maple end vise yet.
http://www.woodworking.org/photo/albums/userpics/11202/pretty_shavings.jpg

This has been a great bench and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick to build (and cheap) bench.

Ken Alcott

12-01-2009, 8:42 PM

That is a really nice job!

Ian Coop

12-01-2009, 9:49 PM

Based on the bench in FWW. Made of hard maple and walnut. Tried to use all available space for drawers and storage. Loads of storage space and weighs a ton.

Greg Millen

04-11-2010, 2:43 AM

Greg, nice looking so far. What are the two knobs on the inside of the two legs for?Sorry Jeff, I haven't dropped in for a while and missed this post. The knobs (pegs) on the inside of the legs are just stored for the moment. They are to rest long timbers on when planing.

I have just commenced the top which will have a traditional leg vise with a carriage vise at the other end. Material for the top is seven Jarrah beams laminated together. The top will be 24" wide, 95" long and 5.5" thick. Overall the top will weigh about 620lbs. Together with the base the whole assembly will be around 1000lb without clamps underneath, vises or other paraphernalia attached. The holes in the legs will do double-duty as axle shafts for a set of cantilevered wheels to move the bench. Moving it will be fairly easy, stopping it once in motion is what concerns me most.

Here is a picture of the freshly dressed timber for the top. If interested, the full work-in-progress can be found by a Google search for "wip-groggys-workbench".

Jim Koepke

04-11-2010, 3:44 AM

Material for the top is seven Jarrah beams laminated together.

Wow, some of the timber you can get down under makes a bloke jealous.

jim

Rick Erickson

04-11-2010, 11:02 AM

Wow, some of the timber you can get down under makes a bloke jealous.
jim

No doubt - beautiful indeed.

Charlie Kocourek

04-11-2010, 12:17 PM

I have to add mine to the list. A few years ago I realized that my bench was higher than my table saw. So, when I ran long boards across it they would bump into the bench. But, that bench was too low for detail work and I would get a backache when I worked at it for too long.

I decided to build an adjustable height workbench, but I could not find one that I liked. I decided to design one myself. After I was done I showed it at a woodworking exhibition at a local mall.

People liked it, they really liked it!

This bench can be adjusted from 29" up to 44" high with a cordless drill. It also has a built in mobile base which can also be operated with a cordless drill.

Leigh Betsch

04-11-2010, 12:31 PM

I decided to build an adjustable height workbench, but I could not find one that I liked. I decided to design one myself. People liked it, they really liked it!

Jack I stumbled onto your web site a few weeks ago, I really like the concept. Only problem is I like the looks and the storage space a Shaker bench provides. Is it possible to add drawers or a cabinet beneath your top or would that interfere with the screw jack mechanism?

Thomas love

04-11-2010, 12:47 PM

Euro beech top, Poplar base, 8'-9" x 35" tall x 26" wide. Still waiting on wagon vise from BC. I nixed the stationary leg vise and went with the krieg clamp in lieu of a traditional wood hook there,not pretty though works like a charm. I prefer the option of sliding the leg vice to different positions as opposed to a stationary leg and sliding dead man, thinking about a dog hole in top sliding chop and some corresponding holes on bench. I mounted the parallel guide under the shelf horizontally which give me more space down there.
Tom

Rick Erickson

04-11-2010, 1:20 PM

Jack I stumbled onto your web site a few weeks ago, I really like the concept. Only problem is I like the looks and the storage space a Shaker bench provides. Is it possible to add drawers or a cabinet beneath your top or would that interfere with the screw jack mechanism?

Leigh, I thought drawers under my bench would be a nice addition as well but they can be troublesome (at least they are for me). I guess if you think through the design better than I did you may have more success. Leave plenty of room between the top of the drawers and the bottom of the bench top. Dogs and holdfasts won't work otherwise. Also, inevitably every time I have something large clamped up I need something from one of the drawers behind the wood. I've run into that several times already with the tool chest I'm building (thus one of the reasons for the tool chest).

Charlie Kocourek

04-11-2010, 1:31 PM

Leigh, I thought drawers under my bench would be a nice addition as well but they can be troublesome (at least they are for me). I guess if you think through the design better than I did you may have more success. Leave plenty of room between the top of the drawers and the bottom of the bench top. Dogs and holdfasts won't work otherwise. Also, inevitably every time I have something large clamped up I need something from one of the drawers behind the wood. I've run into that several times already with the tool chest I'm building (thus one of the reasons for the tool chest).

I purposely left a space just under the top so that I could access the bottom for dogs and holdfasts. It also leaves room to access the scissors jack.

I have thought about adding drawers in that space, but it does not seem like that big of a deal.

There is room around the scissors jack to add some storage, but for simplicity sake I left it as you see it.

Leigh Betsch

04-11-2010, 9:23 PM

There are so many nice features in the benches in this thread. It's impossible to get them all into one bench.

Rick Erickson

04-11-2010, 9:31 PM

Thomas love

04-12-2010, 7:46 AM

Thanks Rick,
I was always wanting a bench although I was never inspired enough until Jameel built that Roubo of his. These things are a lot of work, though definitely worth the effort. I have a great deal of respect for those here that go about this process with hand tools exclusively.

Tom.

David Gendron

04-12-2010, 6:55 PM

That Kreg bench clamp is quite sweet! I think it is a great idea!! Just a question regarding the sliding vise, what are the metal parts on the long stretcher??

Thomas love

04-12-2010, 9:47 PM

David,
Thanks, The metal strips prevent the poplar from getting marred up from the guide pin. The parallel guide runs in the groove in between the metal strips horizontally from one end to the other. There is also a 1"1/2 metal angle brace on the bottom of that stretcher to stiffen up the bottom of the groove.

I am still puzzled why some of the benches I see being built including Jameel's put a metal angle in the groove where the top of the dead man or sliding leg vise travel . When you sandwich a board in the vise is the pressure not eqal on both sides of the board? Maybe I am missing something, I measured it with calipers in the clamped mode and could not see any deflection. thanks again
Tom.

Dave Schwarzkopf

04-12-2010, 9:56 PM

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000230.jpg?t=1271122997

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000233-1.jpg?t=1271123685http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000229-1.jpg?t=1271123619

David Gendron

04-12-2010, 10:17 PM

Thomas, This is a great vise design, I like the bering for the screw to run on!
And Dave, what a nice looking bench you have there, you have to tell us a little more... Lenght, width, wood etc... I guess your next project will be a tool cabinet...

Leigh Betsch

04-12-2010, 11:04 PM

Dave give a better look at those planes too. Especially the Woodie!

Rick Erickson

04-13-2010, 12:13 AM

Ah David! That is a beauty. Great job.

Randy Bonella

04-13-2010, 12:26 AM

Roubo in progress, all reclaimed doug fir from a burn pile. So far into the bench for $22 for the gallon of glue, we won't talk about how many tools I purchased to do this however, top almost done, last couple of steps to build in the shuttle for the wagon vise. She will be functional and I can't wait to get her done.

Randy...

Thomas love

04-13-2010, 12:39 AM

Awsome bench Dave, you nailed it . Thanks for posting

Thomas love

04-13-2010, 12:46 AM

I know the feeling , post pics when done or as you go .. love seeing what you guys are up to , it is a wood thing.

Thomas love

04-13-2010, 1:01 AM

Rick T, Really like this bench , one of my favorites.

Dave Schwarzkopf

04-13-2010, 6:28 AM

Dave, I went with southern yellow pine for most of the bench w/ rock maple for the end caps and vise parts. She's a little over 8' long and since I don't plan on keeping her against the wall, about 30" wide. I'd have to agree with the Schwarz; if my bench were to live next to a wall, about 24" would do nicely. (sorry for the female references, must be my time in the Navy)

I guess you noticed my tool storage predicament as well. To be honest I'm torn between making my own and buying a largish snap-on rolling cabinet. I move about every 3 years or so and the constant packing/unpacking and having the movers destroy my stuff is getting aggravating.

Leigh, I'll post pics after I get home from work. My woodies are either HNT Gordon or Crown, and I can recommend both without hesitation. They are also a pleasure to deal with.

Rick and Thomas, thanks for the kind words. She certainly was a labor of love, learned a lot in the process, (mostly what not to do....). In the end I would only have done a few things differently, like pay more attention to the leg placement in regards to the wagon vise, and I saw a pic on the Schwarz blog of a fella that hid the rollers to the face vise inside of the jaw, looked cleaner. Ah well, I'm just glad the paralysis through analysis only lasted about 2 years before I got off my duff and just made the thing. Now hand and power tool woodworking is just so much easier.

Jim Koepke

04-13-2010, 10:23 AM

She certainly was a labor of love, learned a lot in the process, (mostly what not to do....). In the end I would only have done a few things differently, like pay more attention to the leg placement in regards to the wagon vise…

That would be a good idea for a thread… Things Not To Do When Building a Bench.

Many of us surely suffer from the paralysis of analysis. We often see some of the great innovations and learn from the hows and whys of their facilitation.

Surely many of us could speed our 'analysis' and break our paralysis by understanding the whats and whys of what should not be done.

jim

Dave Schwarzkopf

04-13-2010, 9:14 PM

Leigh, as promised:
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000231.jpg?t=1271206931

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000242.jpg?t=1271206965

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000238.jpg?t=1271207167

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000236.jpg?t=1271207588

Jim, if only there was a 'what not to do' thread for marriage. It would have been nice to have a pre-canned response for the question: "Do these pants make my butt look fat?"

On the bench, I would have:

1. Been pickier about my stock. I ended up tossing a few glued up sections because I'd settled for what the BORG had on hand. If I'd have been a little less lazy and more selective, I wouldn't have had to bother with so many knots and trying to work and/or cut around crappy wood. Also it didn't help transporting everything in my hatchback.

2. Started with a thicker top, over 4". instead the outer 4" of the top on either side are beefed up and the center is at about 3.75. No real functional issues, just something that bothers me.

3. Slid the legs to the left to accommodate the wagon vise. Instead one of the legs sits right underneath the opening for the vise; screwed up the mortise/tenon and I couldn't clamp in-between the guide block and bench without using a cutout (see pic).

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/ouchifellagain/P1000241.jpg?t=1271207610

Just told on myself. Damn.

4. Made the face vise chop to the floor and cut out a hollow for the roller. No functional value-added, but it would clean things up.

Leigh Betsch

04-13-2010, 10:33 PM

I know this is a bench thread (I started it) but can you squeek in the dimensions for your big joiner? I have a chunk of mesquite coming so I can build one. I'm thinking 30" long.

Dave Schwarzkopf

04-14-2010, 9:51 PM

Leigh,

She's 26" long x 2 3/4" wide. She's taller in front than back, going from 2" down to 1 1/2". Terry Gordon used figured mulga to put it together, and I'm more than pleased. Hopefully that helps a bit.

Greg Millen

08-14-2010, 11:04 PM

Moving along at a snail's pace. The top is nearly complete. Here it is being planed ready for the skirt to be attached. The face you are looking at is the bottom of the benchtop.

Leigh Betsch

08-14-2010, 11:49 PM

Greg , What kind of wood?
And Dave those plane pics are killers, I've got to make a big jointer some day.

Greg Millen

08-15-2010, 2:26 AM

Greg , What kind of wood?Leigh, the top is Australian Jarrah, there is Karri, Spotted Gum and Tasmanian Oak in the frame along with some Sydney Bluegum

I've put a small list below so you can compare the relative hardness of the timbers.

Janka hardness:

4500 Lignum Vitae
2340 Mesquite
2473 Spotted Gum
2030 Karri
2023 Sydney Bluegum
1910 Jarrah
1860 Purpleheart
1350 Tasmanian Oak
1725 African Padauk
1300 American Beech
1136 Cocobolo
1010 North American Walnut
1000 Teak
830 African Mahogany

The bench top weighs 250kg (551 lbs), altogether it will weigh 545kg (1200 lbs). DIM 24" x 5" x 8' 6", top is 36" off the floor

Darnell Hagen

08-15-2010, 11:12 AM

So far, my favourite project.
White beech, steamed beech, ebony, sugar maple drawer sides, baltic birch plywood drawer bottoms.

My bench features 18" wide bookmatched raised front panels, 17" wide bookmatched raised end panels, and a 15 9/16" wide single board top, all from one plank. 12 drawers, handcut dovetails, bookmatched curly beech fronts. NOS Record pop-up planing stop. Veritas Tucker vise with handcarved recess and modified Veritas Twin Screw vise, custom handles from the same curly board as the drawer fronts. Handcarved letters. Ebony wedges, plugs, dovetail guides, vise knob. Steam bent lamination coffee cup holder, homemade beech cam action hold downs.

460 lbs empty, 600+ lbs with tools

Main work done weekends May-September 2009, completed March 2010.

The behind the scenes blog starts here (http://thewayiwood.blogspot.com/2010/04/bench-making-carcass.html), Sawmill thread is here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=137328).

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1510908.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1510927.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1510912.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1510921-1.jpg

Over the last few months I've been making custom boxes and trays for my tools. I really like french fit drawers, but the I decided that was too permanent for my ever changing tool arsenal. These are flexible, fun to make, and keep me practising my hand cut joinery.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1530848.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1490927.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/DarnellHagen/P1500713.jpg

Will Blick

08-15-2010, 2:43 PM

Charlie, amazing bench....can you show us the lift mechanism, and how a power drill can raise / lower it? I assume it can be done by hand also?

David Weaver

08-15-2010, 4:38 PM

Leigh, the top is Australian Jarrah, there is Karri, Spotted Gum and Tasmanian Oak in the frame along with some Sydney Bluegum

I've put a small list below so you can compare the relative hardness of the timbers.

Janka hardness:

4500 Lignum Vitae
2340 Mesquite
2473 Spotted Gum
2030 Karri
2023 Sydney Bluegum
1910 Jarrah
1860 Purpleheart
1350 Tasmanian Oak
1725 African Padauk
1300 American Beech
1136 Cocobolo
1010 North American Walnut
1000 Teak
830 African Mahogany

The bench top weighs 250kg (551 lbs), altogether it will weigh 545kg (1200 lbs). DIM 24" x 5" x 8' 6", top is 36" off the floor

That's a goofy list. Cocobolo is harder than everything on it other than lignum vitae. Other than that, the numbers look OK, but it just stares you in the face when you see a list that says it's softer than beech.

Mark Woodmark

08-15-2010, 6:12 PM

Combination work bench and outfeed table. Aluminum extrusion all bolted together (dont know how to weld). Swivel type leveling feet. Baltic birch sub-top. HDPE plastic top. Wilton wood vise and round brass bench dogs. Shelf is OSB for now, eventually want to replace it with clear Lexan

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154859&thumb=1&d=1278105163 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154859&d=1278105163)http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154862&thumb=1&d=1278105198 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154862&d=1278105198)http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154860&thumb=1&d=1278105163 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154860&d=1278105163)http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154861&thumb=1&d=1278105198 (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=154861&d=1278105198)

Chris Griggs

08-15-2010, 7:36 PM

Rick T, Really like this bench , one of my favorites.

I second this statement. Love Rick T's bench. Well made, but not overly unnecessarily complex; looks superbly functional. It's like a beefed up version of Chris Schwarz's English Nicholson Bench. You've built the exact bench that I've been envisioning building for myself some day. Awesome!

Leigh Betsch

08-15-2010, 10:41 PM

Greg, all that heavy kangaroo wood no wonder Australia drifted down under!;) Looks like on heck of a bench you have going.

Darnell, sure like those boxes and trays. Gives me some more ideas!

Greg Millen

08-15-2010, 11:07 PM

That's a goofy list. Cocobolo is harder than everything on it other than lignum vitae. Other than that, the numbers look OK, but it just stares you in the face when you see a list that says it's softer than beech.The list is 'goofy' because one item is in question? The list was simply an indicator of where the woods I used sit relative to some woods those in the US may be familiar with. The data was drawn from Wikipedia (I know, I know) as it was convenient. Cocobolo is listed as 1136 on a number of sites, not just Wiki. There is a site that claims it to be 2200, another at 3345, which is correct? I am not aware of an official source for this data - is there one?

Anyway, it was only intended as a rough guide, not an academic paper.

Charlie Smith

08-18-2010, 9:11 PM

Dave I was just looking at that bench from American Woodworker! I am pretty sure I will do something like that.

Tom McMahon

08-18-2010, 9:57 PM

My latest bench 36 by 123.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/millcrek/bench/th_bench1.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/millcrek/bench/?action=view&current=bench1.jpg)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/millcrek/bench/th_bench3.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/millcrek/bench/?action=view&current=bench3.jpg)

Leigh Betsch

08-18-2010, 11:16 PM

Tom what's that 4ft timber sticking out the front do for ya. Looks like it's suspended somehow, How you do dat?

Leigh Betsch

08-18-2010, 11:33 PM

Ok Tom I see How you do dat. But Why you do dat?

Tom McMahon

08-19-2010, 12:53 AM

It's called a cooper's jointer. It's a long plane mounted upside down. You move the board over the plane instead of the plane over the board.

george wilson

08-19-2010, 10:20 AM

French box makers are shown in Diderot using a cooper's type plane,but mounted horizontally on 4 legs,to plane short lengths of wood just as we do on a modern jointer. I've thought it would be nice to make 1,but it serves no real practical application for me,and space is limited in my shop.

David Weaver

08-19-2010, 10:54 AM

..

That particular list is usually shown on hardwood flooring websites. What's annoying about it is that everywhere you see exotic woods retailed or products made from them with the claim that they offer woods from hard (LV) to soft (cocobolo), and then quoting that. Be willing to bet that most of them aren't making any products out of lignum vitae, just as none are selling cocobolo products that are barely harder than cherry.

What most people refer to as cocobolo is dalbergia retusa. It's possible that there was a flooring importer or retailer who was trying to pass something brown and soft off as cocobolo or that whoever was denting wood one day thought they had something that was cocobolo and is not.

Dalbergia retusa is over 3000, and specific gravity is probably around 0.9-1. Official list? Don't know. A lot of the domestic woods are variable - in density and hardness (suspect the two are correlated quite closely if dryness is the same), which makes a list like that spurious to begin with unless the results are averages.

The problem with errors like that is when people rely on them to make decisions. If you ordered some cocobolo for a project expecting it to work like other woods in that range, you'd be in for a rude lesson, even without the silica. It makes you wonder how many of the sellers who use that for a guide on their sites have ever even done anything with the wood, or if it doesn't occur to them why cocobolo never seems to dent in handling.

I should add, I'm not trying to slight anyone on here, it's just something that trips my trigger. A mistake one time is no big deal. When it becomes almost universal, though, it gets quoted and becomes like an old wive's tale. Randy Sohn had a good outlook on those.

Randy Briggs

08-19-2010, 12:00 PM

Seeing as this thread has been revived, thought I would go ahead and post a few pics of my first bench - finished a few weeks back. Pretty much followed the Schwarz article - opted not to include the deadman.

Specs:
6' x 24"
3" top - Ash
Base - SYP
Face vise - Veritas Twin Screw w/24" on center, Ash chop w/suede leather face
Tail vise - Jorgensen 12" quick release
Walnut drawbores
Watco Danish Oil finish

Still need to add the shelf on the bottom - will probably use walnut or SYP w/Walnut dowel accents

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=398&pictureid=3826

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=398&pictureid=3825

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=398&pictureid=3823

Mike Brady

08-20-2010, 5:30 PM

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/finefettle/bench2007.jpgThis one is all ash with the Lie-Nielsen twin screw vise. It also is made to be easily moved and reassembled. The top is two slabs with a tray in between.

Tony Shea

08-20-2010, 7:24 PM

How do you like your Lie Nielsen Twin Screw Vise? I have been contemplating purchasing this over the LV version as I think it is cleaner in looks and I love to buy locally whenever possible. But in reality it all comes down to function hence my question. I suppose you really can't ever go wrong with LN but I suppose a review on the vise would be more reasuring.

Mike Brady

08-23-2010, 3:12 PM

I'm very happy with the L-N vise. It is not perfect, but the overall quality and function are excellent. A quick series of comments since I can refer you to FWW magazine, current issue for a review:

I much prefer twin screws to a single screw because of the panel holding ability.
The single handle function is preferable to the LV two-handle, or two independent screws (wood screws). Others may disagree.
Having the chain enclosed in the vise chop is genius. I made my chop and bench from ash, but you can buy maple ones.
I find the screw operation slower than I would like.
There is no adjustment for the timing of the vise screws. That means that you can't move one end of the jaw in or out to make it parallel with the bench top. You have one chance to get this right.

Andrae Covington

08-29-2010, 12:05 AM

I have lurked for a couple years, so I figured my first post should be here, since I recently finished my workbench. I am getting back into woodworking and this time trying to mostly work with hand tools; however I borrowed the use of a couple friends jointers, planers, etc to help build the workbench.

My workbench is basically the Schwarz Roubo, adding the sliding leg vise of what Roubo called the German bench. Similar to what Jameel Abraham did on his original version, but without the parallel guide rollers. I designed mine to break down for moving.

The wood is old growth douglas-fir from reclaimed construction lumber via the Rebuilding Center (local remodeling salvage), mostly riftsawn and quartersawn. The vise chops are oregon white oak from Urban Hardwood Recovery, one of the local guys who salvages trees being cut down. Vise screws are ash, from Big Wood Vise. Finish is Sutherland Welles Botanical Polymerized Tung Oil.

Quite a learning experience, especially the things I did by hand. It's my first workbench so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but it sure beats working on sawhorses and B&D Workmate.

Paul Saffold

08-29-2010, 6:31 AM

Nice looking, Andrae. How did you attach the top? If I make one it will have to be knock down. Thanks, Paul

Jake Rothermel

08-29-2010, 4:35 PM

Andrae Covington

08-29-2010, 4:47 PM

Nice looking, Andrae. How did you attach the top? If I make one it will have to be knock down. Thanks, Paul

Well, that's a bit of a story...:rolleyes:

The top is four separate sections of glued up boards. I drilled 3/4" holes in the bottom of the front section, and in the top of the front legs, and used short dowels to hold that section in place. It holds just fine, but if you don't drill your holes straight or in the right place it may not end up flush with the legs. The front edge could be planed down to match afterward though. I ended up with about 1/16" proud, which doesn't really bother me.

To hold the other sections in place, I used a system of wedges in the back. See second photo, explains it better than text. Well... that idea didn't work as well as I had hoped. You'll never believe this, but wood actually expands and contracts with changes in humidity... crazy, right?;) I expected to have to re-tighten the wedges periodically, but what I found was that the sections twisted and buckled, undoing all the work I did planing the top flat.

So I added stopped sliding dovetails on the underside. That helped a lot, but, being my first time with sliding dovetail joints, they weren't an absolute piston fit. So there still was some movement I could see or at least feel on the top.

Therefore as a last resort, I bought some long lag screws and screwed each section to the one in front of it. :o The dowels are still necessary to hold the top in place, and I left the wedges and sliding dovetails as well. Then I planed the top for about the fourth time.:(

After my various experiments, I recommend gluing the entire top together if possible. I wanted to be able to assemble / disassemble the bench by myself, but the sectional top really created extra work and less-than-ideal results. If not gluing the top altogether, I think lag screws, or threaded rods running all the way through, or some similar mechanical fastening is the way to go.

As far as holding the top down on the workbench, I really think a couple dowels in front is all you need. I'm sure others will disagree, including Roubo apparently, what with those massive tenon/dovetails attaching the top to the legs. There's nothing wrong with overkill on a workbench but, I think that's overkill. It is worth noting, however, that my design added top stretchers between the front and back legs (to hold the sections of the top, otherwise the middle ones would just fall). Part of the reasoning for mortise and tenoning the legs into the top is to use the top as upper stretchers to prevent racking. If the top is sufficiently heavy, I say the dowels are enough. An alternative would be to assemble the tenons without glue.

Andrae Covington

08-29-2010, 4:54 PM

+1 on Paul's question, Andrae.

I'm toying with building a small Roubo-inspired bench (Small = 20"x36") for my new tiny apartment and knock-down would be required. Strangely, I never thought to wedge the tenons in a knock-down piece (just showing how green i still am behind the ears; or in this case, behind the chisels...). Do you experience any racking or such from it?

Thanks!
jake

Just posted a longer reply to Paul, but to address your question: the tusk tenons are working quite well. So far, only once was I doing some rough planing and the bench was racking a little. I grabbed a mallet and gave each key a good whack, and that took care of it. So I'm sure periodically I will have to do that, but it's not a big deal.

george wilson

08-29-2010, 6:42 PM

Andrae Covington

08-29-2010, 9:51 PM

The wooden threads on the vise screws look very nice. Good,big threads the way they should be for wood. How did you make them? Usual commercial tap and die sets make the threads too small.

We had a 1960's vintage German tap and die set at Williamsburg that made 2" screws with 3 threads per inch. the threads were large and appropriate,but the new commonly available sets make threads too small.

I did see some good German sets in the Dick catalog,but they were something like $1500.00 per set.

I generally make a tap out of drill rod,and for the threads I'd hold a router at a 45º angle in the metal lathe,and cut beautiful,perfect wood threads. Fortunately,the old wood threads were 90º rather than 60º like metal threads,so feeding the router in at 45º worked perfectly.

For many antique reproduction spare parts,I'm always having to make a special tap up,so have several on hand by now in smaller sizes,for things like embroidery frames,spinning wheels,etc..

I did not make the vise screws, I bought them from bigwoodvise.com, $330.00 for a pair. They are 2" diameter with about two threads per inch, and they look to be 60º. He did a great job, there is just enough space that they turn smoothly, but not so much that they wobble. Unfortunately he is not taking new orders currently (I bought mine over a year ago), but there are at least a couple other makers.

I really like the wood screws, they open and close fast and the holding power is more than enough. Plus they look cool.:cool:

Robert Nease

08-30-2010, 9:09 AM

Thanks for starting this thread! I acquired american beech for a workbench to build Matt Kenney's monster bench, but by the time it acclimated and got rough milled, some of the top strips had warped, so that my top was going to end up less than the 3" thickness I wanted. Went through Christopher Schwarze's workbench book, visited the creek, visited all of the FWW listings, the workbench page on the web, and several other places. I have both of Jameel's vises, but he has subsequently upgraded the nut on the leg vise. They are still sitting in the box, pending construction of said bench. After a year of study, I finally decide to use 4" x6" SYP lamination for the top, and 6" x6" SYP for the legs. Visited my local sawmill, and have all the pieces in the rough, acclimating. I still have the beech, and will probably still build the Matt Kenney monster bench, as most of the pieces are cut and milled, but decided that the pine bench will get built first, and it will have the Benchcrafted vises installed.
All of the posts on the creek have been of tremendous help in ending my paralysis. Thanks again.

Tom Ruflin

09-01-2010, 6:05 PM

Here is the bench I built. The top is yellow pine (from an old bowling alley)surrounded by maple. The Noden Adjust a Bench base is awsome, and really helps lessen the back pain when spending long hours in the shop. I just upgraded the face vise with a LN twin screw that has 24 inches between the screws. I built the jaw out of 2 pieces of maple and glued them together like the instructions show. Installation wasn't as bad as I was expecting, getting the screws timed took alittle messing around. I just kept moving the chain on one of the sprockets, link by link, until the screws were timed properly and then mounted it to the bench. The bench is a couple of years old and the top shows no real signs of wear. The top is about 33 inches wide and 72 inches long. I made it that wide since I also use it as an assembly table and have access on all sides. The tail vise is also from LN and is the small tail vise which I don't think they sell anymore. Thanks for looking.

Tony Shea

09-01-2010, 8:53 PM

Great bench Tom. Great use of reclaimed wood, really isn't even noticably worn at all. And I am super envious of your LN twin screw vise and your adjusta base. That base would be a huge help for me, especially when switching from sawing, chopping, planing, etc. Just seems like the answer to all my back pain.

Tom Ruflin

09-01-2010, 9:07 PM

Tony, I used to be able to only work at the bench for about 1 hour and had to stop due to back pain (lack of exercise doesn't help either). With the adjustable height I can work for hours and adjust the height all the time. I bought the mobile option with the base, and while I don't use it much, it makes it easy to move the bench over to other tables I have in the shop to make a very large work surface that I find useful when vacuum veneering. I haven't used the new vice much but summer is almost over (currently 90 degrees here) and time to hit the shop.

Steve Branam

09-01-2010, 9:49 PM

Here's a portable workbench I just finished so I can teach a continuing ed class at the local high school (in the art room; built 3 years ago, it has no industrial arts facilities :(). This is my slight adaptation of Roy Underhill's slight adaptation of a bench from Bernard E. Jones Practical Woodworker. This was made from the prettiest 2x10 poplar I've ever seen, looked more like cherry.

More details and pics on my blog.

The thin strips on the top are planing battens. They fit in specially-placed dog holes. This allows you to plane a piece into the corner without having to secure it. The fastest clamp to adjust is the one that doesn't exist!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TH7ssHnE5pI/AAAAAAAACCY/O_g_u_sgqns/s400/img_0662.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TH71xe8ZfEI/AAAAAAAACC0/VlfUHUb-A2U/s400/img_0663.jpg

Leigh Betsch

09-01-2010, 10:34 PM

Looks like a cool design Steve. How about a pic of it set up?

Steve Branam

09-04-2010, 5:12 PM

Here's the underside of the bench showing how the removable braces attach.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEEBCDRtI/AAAAAAAACEo/iojJpj6U6s4/s400/img_0667.jpg

Here's a couple of work-holding setups:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEHLK-5uI/AAAAAAAACEo/pp_L9NZVQuE/s400/img_0673.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEH4MK3mI/AAAAAAAACEo/duaSmca4dX4/s400/img_0674.jpg

I have more pictures on the blog (part 3 of the build) at:

closegrain.com/2010/09/portable-workbench-part-3.html

Tri Hoang

09-05-2010, 10:09 AM

Very well-thought out, compact, & portable design. I love the simplicity of the design. Nice work, Steve.

Here's the underside of the bench showing how the removable braces attach.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEEBCDRtI/AAAAAAAACEo/iojJpj6U6s4/s400/img_0667.jpg

Here's a couple of work-holding setups:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEHLK-5uI/AAAAAAAACEo/pp_L9NZVQuE/s400/img_0673.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TIFEH4MK3mI/AAAAAAAACEo/duaSmca4dX4/s400/img_0674.jpg

I have more pictures on the blog (part 3 of the build) at:

closegrain.com/2010/09/portable-workbench-part-3.html

Federico Mena Quintero

09-21-2010, 9:18 AM

Hello, everyone,

This is my first post. I may as well introduce myself in the workbench thread.

I built this bench a couple of months ago, based on Chris Scwharz's Roubo. Although I'm not left-handed, Bob Rozaieski's videos convinced me that the vise should be on the right and the crochet on the left.

The bench is not the prettiest thing, but damn, it's functional. I'm learning a lot of things and so far it hasn't disappointed.

http://people.gnome.org/%7Efederico/docs/roubo/roubo.jpg

The top is a slab of cedar, about 10cm thick, and the surface is about 120x60 cm. It is glued together from two pieces The legs and stretchers are just pine from construction lumber.

There are some more pictures and details of the construction here: http://people.gnome.org/~federico/news-2010-07.html#roubo (http://people.gnome.org/%7Efederico/news-2010-07.html#roubo)

I think I'll add a front apron at some point for the holdfasts. Currently it has some more holes in the top, including a couple which I brilliantly augered right above the vise's screw - d'oh!

What kind of finish would you use on the top? Right now everything but the top has a coat of BLO - I didn't want to make the top too slippery.

Thanks!

Andrae Covington

09-21-2010, 6:12 PM

Those are the biggest pieces of cedar I've ever seen, nice.

You could use the BLO on the top. It will reduce the grip somewhat but it's not going to turn into a slip-n-slide. If you've finished the sides of the top then you already have an idea how slippery or not it would be. If you don't like it, you could just re-plane the top to remove the finish. I used polymerized tung oil, which is basically the same thing, just a different source of oil.

george wilson

09-21-2010, 8:28 PM

Andrae Covington

09-21-2010, 8:51 PM

If you live in a humid climate,tung oil is better. It will not mildew and turn green like linseed oil. We used it on the wooden tools we made for Williamsburg. It was better for the craftsmen,like the Housewrights,who left their tools in small unheated out buildings

I had read this somewhere, and was one of the reasons I went with tung oil. Sometimes the relative humidity in my basement shop is 80%.:( Other times, 60%.

EDIT: I had read this somewhere... most likely sawmillcreek, most likely george wilson :D, and was one of the reasons I went with tung oil.

george wilson

09-21-2010, 8:54 PM

I have posted it several times. We made many dozens of wooden planes and other tools with wooden parts. Tun worked better. Just takes longer to dry.

Federico Mena Quintero

09-21-2010, 9:35 PM

Those are the biggest pieces of cedar I've ever seen, nice.

Yeah, I was very happy to find them! I still have the leftover chunk from the glue-up (say, about 120x30x10cm), which I'm itching to resaw. I'll have to make a frame saw or something; ripping that beast with my biggest saw to build the bench was just too much of a workout.

Federico Mena Quintero

09-21-2010, 9:41 PM

If you live in a humid climate,tung oil is better. It will not mildew and turn green like linseed oil.

Interesting. I'll try to find tung oil here (being rather new to finishing, I don't even really know what is available in the big box stores). My town is in (what is quickly ceasing to be) a cloud forest, so it is ridiculously humid at times :)

How about wax?

Andrae Covington

09-21-2010, 9:57 PM

Interesting. I'll try to find tung oil here (being rather new to finishing, I don't even really know what is available in the big box stores). My town is in (what is quickly ceasing to be) a cloud forest, so it is ridiculously humid at times :)

How about wax?

Just a warning that many things labeled as "tung oil", especially what you might find in big box stores, do not actually contain tung oil. Check the ingredients. I ordered mine online, but not sure what shipping would be like to Mexico.

Some people do use a wax finish on their workbenches. I think it comes down to personal preference about how slick you want the top to be. The nice thing about wax is that it helps resist glue drops, scratches, etc. I used beeswax over tung oil on the front stretcher to help my sliding leg vise slide. You could try a mixed finish of wax, BLO, and solvent (turpentine, mineral spirits, etc), which might take away some of the slipperiness of wax but still retain some surface protection.

joseph quijas

09-21-2010, 11:50 PM

great bench; ive been looking for something to take with me out in the feild. the question for me is how to make something that is definately sturdy enough but doesnt weigh too much!

Randy Bonella

09-22-2010, 3:03 AM

An update to a much earlier prior post but now she's standing on her own 4 legs :)

http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy139/rmbonella/workbench/DSC_0088.jpg
http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy139/rmbonella/workbench/DSC_0087.jpg

I still have the leg vise, wagon vise, crochet, deadman and a few dog holes for holdfasts to complete but now at least I have a functional bench to be working on.

100% reclaimed doug fir from a burn pile.

Randy...

Tony Shea

09-22-2010, 5:06 PM

Randy Bonella

09-22-2010, 11:30 PM

Randy, that bench has truely come out to be beautiful. Especially given that the lumber was intially intended to go up in flames until you reclaimed it. Those are some of my favorite projects, reusing someone elses supposed trash wood and turning it into something beautiful and functional. I've followed your thread on your bench a bit and really enjoyed watching you go through the process. Nice work Randy and thanks for helping save some of that wonderful doug fir. BTW, that thing looks massive.

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the kind words. I was truly amazed at how well that old beat up wood was transformed, checks and all. It took me two big piles to get enough decent wood to make the bench. It was difficult to appreciate what the bench looks like when it is in pieces laying all around the shop. It was very exciting to get it turned over and standing on all 4. Even though Doug Fir is relatively soft it is a real pain to work as it wants to splinter and tear out easily. No doubt that it will serve me my lifetime and hopefully someone else's after that.

Massive is an understatement. I let the wood dictate some of the dimensions most of which are a bit oversized: 5.75" sq on the legs and 4.5" thick top. Stretchers are also a bit oversized to match up better with the dimensions of the legs and top. Top is 24" deep and ~88" long counting the end cap. we almost dropped it when we were getting it off of the saw horses. it started slipping as we rotated it but thank goodness we didn't mess up our backs and the bench landed with a small thud. The saw horses on the other hand have a definite bow to them. I'm estimating that it is over 300 lbs. I certainly won't be chasing my work around the shop any more. Moving the bench a little bit is a chore. Still a lot to get done but now I have a bench to work on to get those items finished up.

Randy...

george wilson

09-22-2010, 11:33 PM

Legs look too weak!:) :) :)

Roger Benton

09-22-2010, 11:57 PM

randy that's reeeally nice looking!
i followed your posts during construction, glad to see it's up and running.

David Myers

11-28-2010, 11:22 PM

Here she is. I left a more detailed description in another thread.

The wood is ash, the height is about 33" and the length is 8'.

Benchcrafted vises are the cherry on top.

James Carmichael

12-01-2010, 7:25 AM

Don, that's not a bench.
That's fine furniture!

Yeah, I think he takes top honers for prettiest, heaviest, and toughest top.

Chris True

12-01-2010, 11:10 AM

Currently under construction. The top is basically done, 97" long, 23.5 wide and 3" thick. Home made, commercial screw wagon vise. It'll have a leg vice as well and maybe a sliding leg vice.

Zahid Naqvi

12-01-2010, 12:05 PM

Chris, I like what you did with the screw wagon vise. I might copy your approach

Chris True

12-01-2010, 2:27 PM

Thanks, I thought about that a lot - looked at everything I could find around the net as well which wasn't all that much. I didn't want anything sticking below the bench top, thought about a groove down the center but in the end went with the rabbit to accept the dog block (it is a 1/2" on each side) and a much shallower 1/8"+ thick recess to accept the steel plates which hold the dog in place. It is very strong, less than $50 for the screw from Lee Valley+ the steel strip and 1" long 10-24 stainless screws from Lowes.

I love the Benchcrafted setup but $350 was beyond what I'm willing to spend. I think it is worth the price asked, I'm just not willing to go there at the moment. Still debating on the leg vise on which screw I'll use for that. It's between the $35 Lee Valley steel screw, the $120ish basic big wood screw and the Benchcrafted Glide vise. I'm leaning towards the wood screw for the leg vise due to it's 2 TPI speed and if I do the sliding leg vise maybe the cheaper steel screw for that. The slider would only be used occassionally as a poor moan's enormous twin screw vice for dovetailing big case sides or whatever.

Michael Peet

04-01-2011, 10:18 PM

I just wrapped mine up this week. I posted a build thread here: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?163291-My-Roubo-Build

189770 189773 189772
189775 189774 189771

All ash except for the knobs that came with the Benchcrafted vises. I got one of the bundles from Horizon. The top is about 98" x 24" x 4.25", and the bench itself is 34" high. Weight estimate is 350 lbs.

Mike

Brad Gobble

04-02-2011, 1:36 AM

Here she is. I left a more detailed description in another thread.

The wood is ash, the height is about 33" and the length is 8'.

Benchcrafted vises are the cherry on top.

Nice, first lefty here! Exactly what I plan to build soon

Jeff Ranck

04-02-2011, 1:50 AM

Derek:

Those guys look like the woodworkers here in India! I found if there is a 'bench' is is generally used to hold things. The real work is done on the ground, maybe with a small something to sit on.

Jeff.

Greg Millen

06-19-2011, 6:47 AM

It has taken a while but the bench is nearing completion. The leg vise is next. The top is just over 8' long, 26" wide and 5-1/2" thick. Weight is about 1,100lbs. I had some earlier posts in this thread a while back. Timber is an eclectic mix of Australian hardwoods: Jarrah, Marri, Redgum, Sydney Bluegum and a few others. The repairs in the top were to fill fractures and nail holes as the timber is recycled from an old factory roof.

198474198473

Derek Cohen

06-19-2011, 9:18 AM

Hi Greg

That is fantastic! I see you have spent a bit on the end vise :eek: The shipping alone must have been a killer.

Now, are you going to bring it along for Show-and-Tell at our next meeting? :D

Regards from Perth

Derek

Tony Shea

06-19-2011, 10:16 AM

Greg Millen

06-19-2011, 6:31 PM

Hi Greg

That is fantastic! I see you have spent a bit on the end vise :eek:

The shipping alone must have been a killer.Hi Derek, thanks for the comments. The vises I decided originally were just what I wanted but way too expensive. Then I considered how long it would take to finish the bench and what they would cost me per week over that time. Given it took me two years to get to this stage it was less than $10 per week, which didn't seem so bad - so that's what I did. A few birthday donations helped to speed it along. I'm glad I did it as they really suit my method of work.

Now, are you going to bring it along for Show-and-Tell at our next meeting? :D

Regards from Perth

DerekI'm considering this - do you live near a railway? :D

Greg Millen

06-19-2011, 6:36 PM

Oh my! What a serious looking bench. I bet that thing holds up for a few centuries of use. It must've been a killer on your plane blades to flatten that top. The small amount of Jarrah I;ve worked I def would dred flattening a top like that, more time at the sharpening station than actual planing. But I really like the deep red of your Austrailian hardwoods. Very nice bench Greg and extremely nice hardware.I used one plane in particular to flatten the high spots, a cheap Stanley #4 fitted with an Academy Saw Works blade. I did not have to resharpen that blade yet it did 90% of the work. Once the hogging was done, I used a #6 with a standard blade followed by a HNT jointer. There were a few spots that jarred the elbows when approached incorrectly but I got used to them pretty quickly.

Robert Nease

06-20-2011, 8:59 AM

Wow, what a nice bench. I had to settle for southern yellow pine timbers, 4x6 and 6x6. When I got done surfacing, I was down to about 3.5" thick. Still haven't finished, want to trade? Remember, it's the journey, not the destination.

Mike Kelsey

06-20-2011, 7:18 PM

I was wondering if any benches for left-handed WWs would show up:confused:

Leigh Betsch

06-20-2011, 7:34 PM

Greg, that's one great looking bench. You guys are making me sick, I started this thread and I don't have my bench started yet!

Greg Millen

06-21-2011, 4:57 AM

Greg, that's one great looking bench. You guys are making me sick, I started this thread and I don't have my bench started yet!Leigh, just to make you feel better, you started this thread on 11-14-2009. I began work on my bench 8-4-2008 so you have some time up your sleeve.

Also, my bench is not complete yet, there are still things to do, like make and install the leg vise, apply a finish (Danish anyone?), remake the wagon vise block and drill the horizontal dog holes. That should take a few months and get me past the three year point!

Robert Miller

06-21-2011, 4:14 PM

Here is my bench.It' made of white oak. About 8ft long, 24 "wide (without the tool tray.) The top is 4" thick on a trestle base.The end vise is rosewood.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/1128101022.jpg

Robert Nease

06-28-2011, 12:28 PM

Very nice! I am still struggling to complete my southern yellow pine bench - have been working on it off and on for what seems like a year, now. Have to work a little on it, then work a little on projects for the better half, to balance things out. YOurs looks like it would last several lifetimes, and be a real joy to use! Nice work.

Zahid Naqvi

06-28-2011, 12:44 PM

Robert M. that's a pretty slick bench, wow rosewood as end vise.
Although I have posted my bare bones Roubo'esque bench in a separate thread, but here it is for the sake of communal pleasure. SYP 4x4 top and Ash base, one of these days it will have a cabinet in the base.
199649 199650

Seth Ribbens

07-20-2011, 11:20 AM

New member here, first post seemed appropriate in this thread.

I moved back to WI after 9 years in OR and took the opportunity to try woodworking. My last year out west I had been developing a curiosity for it, but not having space to work on cars prompted the new hobby. I have now been toying around with this for about 9 months.

After chasing a $15 workmate type bench around (and a $100 gift card for Christmas) it was time for a proper bench! All lumber is SPF from the big box stores.

Here is my first go at it. Lesson learned: planning carefully means not redoing hours of work.
202456202455

Not only was it ugly, but I changed so many things along the way that I gave up as the legs felt ruined. The intended top of the legs became the bottom, etc. And, I was seduced by the massive roubo style legs. That explains going from 3- 2x4's to 4- 2x6's!
202458202459202457

And yes, I am built this in my apartment!

Seth Ribbens

07-20-2011, 11:25 AM

Initially I was going for a split top design. Later we'll see that I glued everything together. Why? I guess the gap seemed awkward.

202463202462

I knew this would be only temporary, but it was cheap and better than no vise at all. I still hate it but it get's me by for now.
202460202461

Seth Ribbens

07-20-2011, 11:37 AM

And finally, pictures I snapped this morning to post here. The top is now one and I just started on one end cap. There is more flattening of the top to go (aesthetically that is, otherwise it is flat).
202467202466202464202465

You can see my first attempt at cabinet building in some. And, yes, I moved and have a garage! The tool cabinet was prompted by a suddenly growing supply of garage sale finds and downstairs neighbors that sometimes leave the garage wide open for hours.

I picked up a 1.5" wood threading kit from Woodcraft a while back. I'm still trying to figure out how to make it cut threads accurately...
202468

Other than a drill press and a few cuts with a circular saw, this has been a hand tool only build. And, my first real project. So far I am pleased.

Bruce Page

07-20-2011, 12:07 PM

There's a lot to be pleased about Seth. That is a nice solid bench!

harry strasil

07-20-2011, 2:38 PM

Way to go Seth, NICE JOB, you will always remember the first bench you built yourself. May all your splinters be small and shallow and your new calouses be forever.

My bench legs look small and spindly to most other benches, but I used what I had to make my benches and both are mostly salvaged material. Kinda vise heavy tho! LOL

Bill Moser

07-20-2011, 5:39 PM

Hi all,
Attached is a pic of my latest ligneous creation, a 4 ft long, 9 in wide, 14 in tall "workbench", in quartersawn white oak. It weighs about 35 lbs; I've also attached a pic of my 350 lb Charlesworth-style for comparison. I'm planning on using the mini-bench to build a tv stand to match a coffee table I just finished, so we'll see how that goes. The mini-bench is kind of an east/west hybrid, with elements of Japanese and western-style benches. The idea is to have something light enough to be portable, so I can work outside, yet be able to handle all phases of woodworking on reasonably large scale items. I know I can chop mortises on it, saw on it using Japanese saws, and plane small-to-medium sized things like legs for the coffee table. The next step is to try to dimension a 4ft long by 6in wide board on it. I think I have it worked out, but haven't tried it yet. A small carpenter's tool bag holds all the tools I need for a particular job, so with my collapsible dolly to lug around the bench and whatever lumber I'm working on, I can take this anywhere.

Brendan Dahl

07-22-2011, 12:29 AM

Since this thread has been resurrected I'll add my roubo. The top is made from four 4x6x8' glued together. The legs are 6x6s and the stretchers are 4x4s. Everything is douglass fir except the leg vise which is maple. I'll be moving a couple times in the next few years so its designed to come apart. The top is attached with big mortise and tenons and currently is just sitting there with no glue. The long stretchers are attached with benchcrafted bench bolts and the short stretchers are draw bored. I did most the work by hand but used a planer towards the end as my arms were about to fall off. The douglass fir was all green and I don't think a single board remained flat or square after drying. If I were to do it all over again I'd try to find one or two big pieces for the top or use a jointer and planer and use some 4x4's I found that were really tight grained.
202598202597202599202596http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/pencil.png

Robert Nease

07-22-2011, 7:39 AM

Nice Bench. I did the same with SYP, glued the top up about six months ago, and still haven't finished. I think I am going to call it my test bench, but yours is a keeper.

Salem Ganzhorn

07-23-2011, 7:56 PM

I just finished up my bench a couple weeks ago. I splurged on the bench hardware:
202811
202812
202813
202815
202816

Most of the lumber was free/cheap. The legs are laminated drops from a company that makes stairs:
202814

The top is very inexpensive 8/4 QSWO from a local sawer.
202817

And the chop is a very special piece of QSRO I picked up from http://quartersawnoak.com/ :
202818

It took me ~3.5 months of my free time to make. I documented the build at nc woodworker dot net. If you want the gory details search for "Started my workbench!" by "eyekode". If you want full res images you can go here: http://photos.ganzhorn.org/2011_random

I mostly followed the bench plans that came with the bench builder's kit from benchcrafted.com. They are really good directions. The only changes I made were to make it 33" inches tall and only 82" long (I didn't have the lumber for more), and I used drawbored tenons instead of benchbolts for the long stretchers. By the way I assembled all the joints with drawbored tenons (walnut pegs for contrast) and no glue!

I still need to make the sliding dead man (which will be made from the same board I made my vice chop out of). And I have not used it enough to pass judgment. But I would say if I had one thing to do differently I would use better lumber for the top.

Thanks for starting a fun thread!
Salem

Andrae Covington

07-28-2011, 2:05 PM

Wow, quartersawn white oak top. Should be solid, though your chisels might take a beating, if you plan to chop and pare on the top. I like the quartersawn vise chop. The oregon white oak I used for my chops was mostly riftsawn / quartersawn, but didn't have any ray figure.

Salem Ganzhorn

07-29-2011, 8:53 AM

Oh no I didn't even chop on my old bench which had a top that was meant to be replaced :).

Also using this QS white oak for the top is the only thing I regret about the build. The quality is very poor. It will be a major pain with tearout galore when I have to flatten it again! Should have spent more and gotten some local soft maple. Or some other higher quality straight grained wood.

About rays in oak: in the chop I did some slight bevels to sorta immitate the grind on a chisel. I was surprise to see how quickly the rays went away as I increased the bevel angle. To get maximum effect you really need it sawn very , very close to 90 degrees! Look closely at my last picture and you will see what I mean. What starts as a wide/well defined ray turns to a slight streak as soon as it reaches the bevel.

Michael Peet

07-29-2011, 6:39 PM

Salem, I really like that bench. How did you finish the oak?

Mike

Chris Vandiver

07-29-2011, 7:05 PM

Salem,

That is a finely crafted bench you have there! Nice job.

Kevin Grady

07-29-2011, 7:13 PM

Salem, love the bench! Esp. when I'm in the middle of desiging one very similar. A couple of questions, how did you attach the top to the base and do you have any pictures from under the top? I'm curious about the joinery you used to connected the legs with the cross members supporting the top.

Thanks!
Kevin

Salem Ganzhorn

07-29-2011, 9:25 PM

Mike I used the finish made popular by Sam Maloof:1 part BLO, 1 part Poly, one part mineral spirits. I usually put up to 6 coats on furniture. I only did two on the bench followed by wax. Just enough so glue doesnt stick and my sweat doesn't soak in and turn the top black :).

I don't think this is a great finish for showing off QS oak but it is easy and if you don't put too many coats it does not build a film.

If you would like to see pictures before the finish you can look here: http://photos.ganzhorn.org/album871

Thanks!
Salem

Salem Ganzhorn

07-29-2011, 9:32 PM

Kevin the joints connecting the top strechers are drawbored mortise and tenons. But I highly recommend Jameel's bench plans. They are very detailed. And amazingly he answers the emails if you get stuck!

I tend to overanalyze everything. And the only joinery I changed was the front strechers (I didn't want to use bench bolts).

Salem

Peter Scoma

07-30-2011, 1:16 AM

Beautiful bench Salem. Pics of the kids are precious too.

Greg Millen

09-22-2011, 4:32 AM

Hans Braul

09-22-2011, 6:41 AM

Here's my recently completed Roubo. Posted here under projects. Looks like Chris Schwartz has had a big influence!

Hans
208173208174

Joel Thomas Runyan

09-22-2011, 1:45 PM

How are you liking the Veritas sliding tail vise?

Bruce Page

09-22-2011, 2:16 PM

Hans, your bench is gorgeous!

Dale Cruea

09-22-2011, 3:13 PM

208201

I feel bad now. I see the benches you fellas have build. They are some nice benches. I was going to build my own for several years however I never got around to it. So I just bought this one a few months back. My old one was about 15 years old and I bought it from Lowe's for $89.00.
Every time I tried to hand plane on it, it would move or tip over. I hope you will forgive me for not making my bench. :)

Jerome Hanby

09-22-2011, 3:54 PM

You currently have me beat. My bench is still in just material leaning against the wall and on my lumber rack. I use a Workmate, a cutting table made from 2x4s and banquet table legs and my table saw bench to limp by until i get off my rump and get mine built. Yours looks like a winner!

Chris Griggs

09-22-2011, 3:55 PM

Hans Braul

09-22-2011, 5:58 PM

How are you liking the Veritas sliding tail vise?

It's a very nice piece of equipment - in the usual Veritas way. Installation instructions were well written. One word of warning: when they say there is no room for error in the positioning of the mounting plate, they mean it! I obsessed for quite a while to make sure it was perfect, but like me, it wasn't quite. So the small gap between the bench and the chuck is ever so slightly tapered (I mean <1/16" over its length), so to my eye, it doesn't look absolutely perfect. Not that this would be a problem in its function, just when you're striving for perfect, that's what you want! The quick release lever is smooth and positive. So far so good.

By the way, what's unique about this bench:
The joints are integrated into the laminations so the inside through tenons are actually dovetailed top-to-bottom.
Likewise the joints between the stretchers and the legs are internally dovetailed. See my post under projects to get progress shots.

Regards
Hans

Tony Shea

09-23-2011, 3:17 PM

Bit of an update. The Karri leg vise is complete. The lower wheel is recessed into the chop. Remaining task now is to finish the rest of the bench after drilling a few more dog holes and replacing the temporary block in the wagon vise.

Greg, your bench is insane. That is a peice of heirloom quality furniture. It looks hard as a rock and must weigh 1,000lbs. Just crazy beautiful. I seriously would be nervous everyday about dinging it up. Great job to say the least.

Derek Cohen

09-23-2011, 7:34 PM

Bit of an update. The Karri leg vise is complete. The lower wheel is recessed into the chop. Remaining task now is to finish the rest of the bench after drilling a few more dog holes and replacing the temporary block in the wagon vise.

Hi Greg

That looks stunning! It's going to be fantastic to use. Just two questions: how will you get it onto your ute for the next club meeting? And I hope the white ants don't see that chop!

(For our US cousins, a "ute" is a pick-up truck, and "white ants" are termits - and they love Karri, as hard as it is. The local beasties come with HSS teeth).

I may be over for pointers when I get to building my Roubo (just a couple of projectsto first get out of the way).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Greg Millen

09-23-2011, 9:15 PM

Hi Greg

That looks stunning! It's going to be fantastic to use. Just two questions: how will you get it onto your ute for the next club meeting? And I hope the white ants don't see that chop!

(For our US cousins, a "ute" is a pick-up truck, and "white ants" are termits - and they love Karri, as hard as it is. The local beasties come with HSS teeth).

I may be over for pointers when I get to building my Roubo (just a couple of projectsto first get out of the way).

Regards from Perth

DerekDerek, I haven't fitted the tow bar and wheels yet as I am still turning the axles... If you are over this way you are more than welcome to view the bench, warts and all!

Greg, your bench is insane. That is a peice of heirloom quality furniture. It looks hard as a rock and must weigh 1,000lbs. Just crazy beautiful. I seriously would be nervous everyday about dinging it up. Great job to say the least.Jarrah is very hard, about 1910 on the Janka scale which is harder than Purpleheart or Hornbeam and less than Karri (which the chop is made from) and both Jarrah and Karri are less hard than Ipe (3680 (http://www.sizes.com/units/janka.htm)).

It actually weighs about 1200lbs. I'll keep it pretty until it is finished, then it reverts to a workbench. At the moment it is a learning experience so I am taking my time (3 years worth of spare hours) and learning as I go.