Woodworking bench

[Rick Levine]

Looks like GarrettWade has come out with a new bench and it looks like what I'm looking for at the right price.

I'd like some other opinions. Does anyone have any idea who makes it for them? And no, I don't have time to build one myself. I have too many other projects in the works.

Here is a link to the bench:

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105755 (http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105755)

[Jim Young]

The top looks pretty good. I think the base is a little flimsy, that may be why the bench only weighs 260#'s. Seems like a good value.

[Don Baer]

And no, I don't have time to build one myself. I have too many other projects in the works.

Here is a link to the bench:

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105755 (http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105755)

I don't know, for $1100 I could find the time and make the bench out of maple. And it would have the changes I wanted.

[Dennis Peacock]

One thing I've found by reading a few books on workbenches for a woodworker? They need to be at least twice as heavy as the person using the bench. So my bench, when I make it, will need to weigh in at just over 450 pounds for a minimum weight. Besides that, it will need to take strong lateral forces and not wrack on ya. I have a cheap bench now, and it's like trying to hand plane a wet noodle on the back of a bucking horse. :o

[Dennis Peacock]

I don't know, for $1100 I could find the time and make the bench out of maple. And it would have the changes I wanted.

Make that Solid Walnut and still have money in the bank. :)

[Norman Hitt]

Since it only weighs 260#, the base looks to be made from fairly light material and the stretchers don't look to me like they are wide enough to do a good job preventing racking if you were going to do some heavy hand work on it. I wonder how thick the top is, since they neglected to mention that in their specs and many times mfrs put a wide board on the outside to cover up just how thin the top really is unless you look UNDER it. The European Red Beech part is good, but I'll just bet it isn't very thick.

Let's see.......$1099 + 199 shipping.......hmmm....$1299.........I think I would definitely want to see it in person and shake it around a bit and REALLY look it over before I threw any Plastic at them, (even IF I were inclined to buy a "Store Bought" Bench).

[Jay Knoll]

As in many other things sometimes it comes down to time versus money. Many of us have built our own workbenches and saved considerably in the process. Personally, I had a great time building mine, it isn't perfect but it does the job.

If you have the time, build one!

Jay

[Frank Pellow]

My concern would be quality, particularly of the vises and the support structure If I were going to buy a bench, I would opt for a Veritas bench in the same price range (see http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31152&cat=1,41637). Lee Valley's benches are of proven quality.

[Rick Levine]

My concern would be quality, particularly of the vises and the support structure If I were going to buy a bench, I would opt for a Veritas bench in the same price range (see http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=31152&cat=1,41637). Lee Valley's benches are of proven quality.

Actually, I prefer the Diefenbach design better than the Leevalley bench. There is something about the round bench dog holes that bother me.

[Tom Henry]

This seems like a great bench for the price...

http://www.lagunatools.com/5workbench.htm

Its around 420lbs

[Frank Pellow]

Actually, I prefer the Diefenbach design better than the Leevalley bench. There is something about the round bench dog holes that bother me.
To each his own! I am going to make my own bench (this winter is the plan), and I am going to make it with round holes. One of the reasons is to be able to use all the great Veritas stops, holds, etc. that fit into those round holes.

[Paul Held]

Seems like a lot to me. For 1300 you could buy yourself another cabinet table saw and use the saw as you table. Keep your dada blade set up in the saw so when you need it, your work table becomes a dado cutter. Paul

[Art Mulder]

Rick,

I can see no mention on the Garret Wade page of how thick the top is. Sure it looks good in the photo, but we know that is just the skirt. How thick is the top? How thick is that skirt?

And Heavy is good. I built myself a lightweight bench. No good. I added built-in drawer unit. Better. But I can still shove the thing around without that much effort.

I'm starting to think that it would be simpler to just bolt a bench directly to the concrete floor. (simpler than trying to make it weigh 500-700lbs :eek:)

...art

[Jim O'Dell]

Seems like a lot to me. For 1300 you could buy yourself another cabinet table saw and use the saw as you table. Keep your dada blade set up in the saw so when you need it, your work table becomes a dado cutter. Paul

Paul, I like the way you think!!:D Jim.

[Jim Tobias]

I'm like you, I don't want to use shop time to build a bench. I want a good, heavy bench, but would rather buy on ethan spend the time to build it. I also like the look of the Diefenbach benches. Still saving up at this point!!!

Jim

[Jerry Olexa]

It looks good but if it were me I'd want to see it prior to purchase. I'd pay special attention to the thickness of that top. Often, they are dummied on the edges to look thick but actually are not. Also, the weight for that size seems a bit light. Ideally, I'd build it myself altho the top can be a challenge. My 2 cents....

[Greg Berry]

I built my own workbench (my first project) off of a modified plan from the Family Handyman (Dec/Jan 06.) It is mostly 3/4" Plywood (9 full sheets,) and is a beast. The top of the bench is 4 sheets of Plywood with a hardboard top for protection. With drawers and storage, this things has to weigh in around 500 - 600lbs. All said and done, I have less than $600 in it. Here are some pictures right after I got done, and before the hardware was added.

47970

47971

The other nice thing about building it yourself, you can make it to fit your frame instead of the 'average' person.

Greg

[Frank Pellow]

That's a nice looking bench that you built Greg, but I don't think of benches like that as "woodworking benches". It has no vises and no bench dog holes. Right now, I have three benches that I made that are similar to yours (but not as nice as yours) but I don't consider myself to have a woodworking bench.

[Norman Hitt]

That's a nice looking bench that you built Greg, but I don't think of benches like that as "woodworking benches". It has no vises and no bench dog holes. Right now, I have three benches that I made that are similar to yours (but not as nice as yours) but I don't consider myself to have a woodworking bench.

Hey Frank, You Read TOO FAST....;) He said the pics were taken BEFORE the hardware was added.;) :D

[Frank Pellow]

Hey Frank, You Read TOO FAST....;) He said the pics were taken BEFORE the hardware was added.;) :D
Sorry about my mistake Greg. :o Please take a picture of your augmented bench and post it.

Thanks for pointing it out Norman. :o

[Rick Levine]

I don't know, for $1100 I could find the time and make the bench out of maple. And it would have the changes I wanted.

I'll make you the same offer I made to another woodworker on a different board.

"I suppose you'd volunteer to come out here to New Mexico, at your own expense of course, and help me finish building my shop, cabinets, work tables, mitre saw/ras table, build the 6 foot by 7 foot sliding barn door, finish the concrete floor, assemble my new unisaw, ras, wide belt sander, lathe, install ducting for my cyclone, install the plumbing for my darkroom, install my 8 foot sink, reassemble my photographic enlarger, should I go on"?

I'm getting ready to retire in a couple of years and I've been saving for this for several years. I have the money to buy the bench but time is more valuable to me than the cash.

[Rick Levine]

This seems like a great bench for the price...

http://www.lagunatools.com/5workbench.htm

Its around 420lbs

I'm now leaning towards the Laguna table. I called Lee Valley three times and still have not gotten a response from someone there that knows the details of the design. On the other hand I called Laguna and got an immediate response. I think my objection to the round bench dog hole has been overcome by the weight difference between all the other tables including the Diefenbach. I can live with round holes but not a light weight table.

[Bob Aquino]

There is a review posted on woodnet about this bench. From it I gather that he was less than impressed with the fit and finish of that bench. Take a looksee for yourself:

Moderator removed direct link to another forum - TOS Violation

[Rick Levine]

There is a review posted on woodnet about this bench. From it I gather that he was less than impressed with the fit and finish of that bench. Take a looksee for yourself:

I wish I had seen this review before I had put a deposit on the bench.

After reading it I'm having second thoughts. I have until November until the bench arrives in country so I'll contact the Laguna to get their reaction to the review. I may end up with a Diefenbach afterall. By the way, the 420 pounds they advertise is the shipping weight. The acutual weight is about 300+ pounds according to the salesman. This is for the 7 foot workbench, not the Signature Series.

[tod evans]

rick,have you thought about approaching a local woodworker and asking them if they`d be interested in building you a bench? heck when i get slow that`d be a fun project......but the way things are going now that`ll be a few years:eek: .....02 tod

[Alan DuBoff]

Seems like a lot to me. For 1300 you could buy yourself another cabinet table saw and use the saw as you table. Keep your dada blade set up in the saw so when you need it, your work table becomes a dado cutter. PaulThat would work. If Dennis's numers are correct, my table saw would be the minimum amout for an 800 lb. woodworker, since it weighs 1600 lbs. :eek:

It was actually cheaper to acquire than that workbench from Garrett Wade, and it came with a 5HP motor to boot!:D

[Rick Levine]

rick,have you thought about approaching a local woodworker and asking them if they`d be interested in building you a bench? heck when i get slow that`d be a fun project......but the way things are going now that`ll be a few years .....02 tod

I hadn't thought about that. But I think I'd be too embarrased to ask someone locally. This is a small town and I'd hate it to get arround that I had to hire someone to build it for me. Just think about the grief I've gotten from some of the users on this board.:o

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Not knowing the use it'll be put to - - -
Why not just make a really good bench from 2X(any width) lumber and top it with plywood.

You can make a bigger & better bench leave room for adding drawers etc underneath and still not have such a fancy pantsy bench that you won't feel badly at all about driving screws into it to hold some weird shaped project.
And when you spill paint all over it, it'll be a good thing as you will enjoy the fresh new finish.

For the price of that bench you can buy a damn good used planer or band saw. Hell, you can get a new planer or band saw. You can purchase a fancy set of carving tools or some high end english dovetails saws.

It is just a bench.

[Rick Levine]

Not knowing the use it'll be put to - - -
Why not just make a really good bench from 2X(any width) lumber and top it with plywood.

You can make a bigger & better bench leave room for adding drawers etc underneath and still not have such a fancy pantsy bench that you won't feel badly at all about driving screws into it to hold some weird shaped project.
And when you spill paint all over it, it'll be a good thing as you will enjoy the fresh new finish.

For the price of that bench you can buy a damn good used planer or band saw. Hell, you can get a new planer or band saw. You can purchase a fancy set of carving tools or some high end english dovetails saws.

It is just a bench.

I'm not rich but I am comfortable and I can afford the bench. I've been saving for a few years and was able to take advantage of the big sale at Woodworkers Supply last May and bought a new Unisaw, RAS, wide belt sander and few other goodies. I even got a free 14 inch lathe out of the deal.

[tod evans]

I hadn't thought about that. But I think I'd be too embarrased to ask someone locally. This is a small town and I'd hate it to get arround that I had to hire someone to build it for me. Just think about the grief I've gotten from some of the users on this board.:o

think about it rick, there very well may be some poor kid close to you just about to go back to the 9-5 grind `cause he`s not making enough with his fledgling business to feed his 4 kids........but geeze he sure loves woodworking, maybe somebody will have a job to pull him through for a bit, not to mention the word of mouth referals.........tod

[Don Baer]

I'll make you the same offer I made to another woodworker on a different board.

"I suppose you'd volunteer to come out here to New Mexico, at your own expense of course, and help me finish building my shop, cabinets, work tables, mitre saw/ras table, build the 6 foot by 7 foot sliding barn door, finish the concrete floor, assemble my new unisaw, ras, wide belt sander, lathe, install ducting for my cyclone, install the plumbing for my darkroom, install my 8 foot sink, reassemble my photographic enlarger, should I go on"?

I'm getting ready to retire in a couple of years and I've been saving for this for several years. I have the money to buy the bench but time is more valuable to me than the cash.

No but I'd think seriously about building you a custom bench, I don't have the space right now but will come the end of January if your not in a hurry..:D

[Rick Levine]

think about it rick, there very well may be some poor kid close to you just about to go back to the 9-5 grind `cause he`s not making enough with his fledgling business to feed his 4 kids........but geeze he sure loves woodworking, maybe somebody will have a job to pull him through for a bit, not to mention the word of mouth referals.........tod

My nearest neighbor is 1/8 of a mile away. I don't think I'll find anyone like you describe.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I'm not rich but I am comfortable and I can afford the bench. I've been saving for a few years and was able to take advantage of the big sale at Woodworkers Supply last May and bought a new Unisaw, RAS, wide belt sander and few other goodies. I even got a free 14 inch lathe out of the deal.

cool beans
I could not ever have a lovingly built work bench.
I am most unkind to my benches.