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I have found Peter Korn's book, Woodworking Basics, extremely helpful. It goes over all the basics--and some advanced topics--in an extremely thorough yet straightforward way, with lots of good...

Jim,
When I got started a few years ago, I used the plans here for a fairly quick and extremely sturdy bench:
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/18985/still-dont-have-a-workbench-this-one-is-easy...

I live in the same area (DC actually), and am also looking to switch from table saw to band saw.

I just got a used Grizz G0555 (delta 14" clone with 1 HP motor) for $400. Just missed a newer...

I've gotten there several times around 10:00 am or later, and there were still plenty of nice tools at decent prices, both inside and from tailgating. Highly recommended.

I built a very similar bench, with exactly the two modifications you mention: longer and with a solid wood wrap-around.

There is one advantage to having the edge of the top flush with the legs: ...

Another Taunton book is the Trim Carpentry volume of their "Build Like a Pro" series. I've found that very helpful for trim and built-ins.

Chris,
I'm a fellow newbie, so take this for what it's worth. I found it extremely useful to practice a lot on scrap, for example drawing 10-20 lines and trying to saw to them. Over the course of...

I think some folks find that when they use a water-based finish, they need to raise the grain and de-fuzzy a sanded surface, but they don't need to do that with a planed surface.

I'm pretty new...

Sniff...I love a happy ending!

VERY cool. I too would love to see the build pics.

Thanks Steve! I enjoyed that video.

Bob, I saw on that on the DC Craigslist and thought it was a super deal. (I have the other Ridgid saw with the iron top, and love it)

Nice to see it go to a fellow Creeker. Congrats!

Wow--That's crazy! Thanks Kent.

I think the OP said he was doing everything with handtools. If so, he may be more hesitant to use 2x12s because of all the ripping involved. That would make the 4x4s and 4x6s more attractive.

At...

Beauty contest or no, that looks like one heck of a great bench. I'm jealous. Enjoy!

I guess I don't get tired of looking at that. Beu-Ti-Ful! Thanks Jim and Gary.

Thanks so much for the great posts. I had to be up in the middle of the night with a crying baby, and this made it just about bearable! The bench looks amazing, and I know you'll enjoy using it...

A few weeks ago I headed to the PATINA tool auction/sale. This is a yearly event hosted by the Potomac area tool collectors (something like that--a clever anagram). I'm something of a Neanderthal...

Robert lang has a series of books of shop drawings of arts and crafts furniture, including one called "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Interiors: Cabinets, Moldings & Built-Ins for Every Room in the...

Beautiful!

Yahoo!

Congrats. I look forward to hearing more about it.

This describes exactly how I made my bench. The finewoodworking website has some videos for beginners. They outline this plan. Worked great for me, and got me started for something like $75 before...

Same here.

In fact, I've never used a drafting program before, and after a few hours of playing around, doing a few free tutorials, etc, I find Sketchup incredibly useful.

Ash is also a very popular wood for solid body electric guitars (along with alder). It is therefore awesome.

Actually, I got a new toe screw from Stanley--it cost $1.00 and fit great.