My Roubo is Complete

[Joey Chavez]

No sooner did I start developing an affection for hand planes did I realize I'd benefit from a proper, heavy workbench to use them on. Christopher Schwarz Workbench book along with the many threads about the bench inspired me to get started sooner than later. I really wanted to use the Benchcrafted hardware yet I opted to save the money and bought LV screws for the leg vise and homemade wagon vise. I did however purchase the Benchcrafted glide rollers for the leg vise, and I'm glad I did. I was determined to have a split top however right before I began laminating the top I decided to go for the solid top. My main desire for the split top was the fancy tool rest in the middle which in the end didn't seem important enough in the long run. I satisfied my desire for a tool rest as you'll see on one of my end caps. The lumber is SYP and the leg vise, dead man, end caps and roller glides were made from Walnut that grandpa cut down about 40 years ago. It was a fun project, very satisfying and I learned a lot. Thanks for looking.

243868243869243870

Here is my wagon vise, and the opposite end cap I dadoed out enough space to hold some of my bench tools and even put a groove on the end to hold pencils.

243871243872243873

[Jerry Thompson]

For once I am speechless. Great Job is not adequate.

[Kurt Cady]

Did you drill and tap the pine for the rollers as Benchcrafted suggests? If so, any tricks?

[Paul Saffold]

Very nice bench, Joey. I like your tool holder on the end. Paul

[Jim Ritter]

Very nicely done Joey. You will be amazed how nice it is to work on a good bench.

[ken hatch]

Very nice build. I just finished a Roubo in SYP with a red oak chop and Benchcrafted hardware. I started out planning on a solid top but as the build progressed I switched to a split top, mostly because I didn't really have anyone I could rely on to help handle a 9'X2', 4 1/4" thick chunk of SYP :-).

BTW, yours is much prettier than mine but every time I belly up to the homely old gal it's love all over again. Sometimes I will just pull up a chair, a cup of tea and just set and look. I expect your experience is the same, a good bench will do that to you.

[Cory Gilmer]

That is just lovely Joey. Very well done!!

[Bruce Page]

That bench will make you smile every time you walk into your shop.
Well done!

[Joey Chavez]

Did you drill and tap the pine for the rollers as Benchcrafted suggests? If so, any tricks?
Yep, I drilled and tapped into the pine, first time I ever done it, and was anxious, tested on some scrap. Held up well so far, just hope I don't have to adjust much.

[Joey Chavez]

You said it Ken. I'll sit and stare at the bench, turn the vises for the heck of it, pick up the same tool over and over just to look at it. Wife thought I was crazy but I think she's starting to understand.

[Adam Neat]

A beautiful example of what can be done big box lumber yard material and fine craftsmanship, just lovely...

[Bill McDermott]

Joey, Groovy pencil holder.
That's a smart detail that I expect to see copied frequently and with pleasure.
Super bench and your execution of the tool caddy end cap is inspired.
Roubo ala Chavez. Tres Bueno!

[Jim Koepke]

Lovely bench. Almost too nice to mess up by using it.

jtk

[Brent VanFossen]

I *love* the tool holder in the end cap. And the bench as a whole is gorgeous.

[ian maybury]

Nicely done Joey - it's truly hard to avoid the need for a good bench. Am on a similar path - Roubo with DIY wagon and leg vises...

ian

[Chris Griggs]

Very very nice.... I love the tool holder too.

[george wilson]

A real nice bench!! I love making benches,though these days I'd certainly have to have a strong helper or 2.

[Harold Burrell]

AWESOME BENCH!!!

I am in the middle of building one, too.

How thick is your top? And...did you mortise the legs to it?

Great job!

[Gordon Eyre]

Excellent work, congrats.

[Matthew N. Masail]

Nicee....! I really like your color choice, and the whole bench is awesom too

[Rodney Walker]

Very nice job on your bench. You'll get many years of enjoyment out of it.
Rodney

[Joey Chavez]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

Top is 4" thick, I did mortise the legs into the top and drawbored to secure, without glue should I ever need to pull the top off.

[Paul Cahill]

Very, very nice bench. Great job, you will love it. The walnut is very striking. Any left for other projects?

Paul

[Joe A Faulkner]

Excellent job on the bench Joey. What are the dimensions of the top?

[Maurice Ungaro]

Joey,
which screw from LV did you use for the wagon vise?

[Joey Chavez]

Joey,
which screw from LV did you use for the wagon vise?


Hi Maurice, I used the Lee Valley shoulder screw for the wagon vise.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=31134&cat=1,41659

[Maurice Ungaro]

Thanks Joey! I was looking at both the shoulder vise screw and the tail vise screw, figuring that the tail vise option is unnecessarily long for a wagon vise set up, but might be perfect for a leg/glide vise. Like you, I have also lusted for the fine vises from Benchcrafted, but cannot justify the expense. I figure if I build mine correctly, I can retrofit it in the future, if ever warranted.