Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: New Workbench (Roubo) Finished

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Kansas City, MO
    Posts
    26

    New Workbench (Roubo) Finished

    I completed my new workbench last month. It took 20 months to complete. I wish it didn't take so long (but work, family, moving, house and yard projects all take time too). Nonetheless, I am glad it is done. I worked mostly by hand to make the top and the legs using a work table that I made with a solid core door. However, I did use some power tools along the way (e.g, table saw to rip the long boards and power drills for removing the waste for the mortises).

    It is 72 inches long, 20.5 inches wide, 35 inches tall, the top is 2 3/4 inches thick. I used the Benchcrafted Classic leg vise hardware and the planing stop. I followed Benchcrafted's plans but deviated in some areas and used the plans from Schwarz's workbench book too. It is a bit of a Frankenstein bench, I used a combination of Ash and Douglas Fir. I originally intended to use Douglas Fir exclusively and bought the wood for it, but then I decided to mix in some Ash after realizing that I could afford it and the added weight and strength would benefit the bench. The base is mostly Ash, and the front third of the top is Ash (the back two-thirds of the top are douglas fir as are the two back legs). The construction is drawbored mortise and tenons. I used Titebond II for laminating the top, the legs, the stretchers, and the chop. I used some System Three long-cure epoxy for assembling the base and attaching the top to the base. Overall, the bench seems very sturdy (it withstood a move several states away by commercial movers and a brief stay in storage just after being assembled) so I hope to get many years out of it. I affixed stair tread non-slip traction tape to the feet and the bench does a good job of staying in place despite the fact that it is not the heaviest of benches (it is probably in the 225 pound range).

    Overall, I am happy with the way it turned out. This was my first real project using a lot of hand tools and using traditional joinery techniques. I made several mistakes along the way, but usually figured out ways to overcome or downplay the mistakes. I learned a lot and have a greater appreciation for woodworking (especially the fine woodworking that I see posted on this forum). I look forward to using it on future projects and improving my skills.

    The Benchcrafted leg vise is great, I like the ability to quickly place and hold my work (something that I didn't have before). The installation instructions were easy to follow. I also really like the holdfasts too (Gramercy). They are such an ingenious, quick solution for holding work.

    Here are some pictures of the finished product (covered in some saw dust from recent use). It is not perfect in appearance and that is fine since it will be put to use. As you can see, I placed a Dutchman/spline in the top. There was a slight void between a couple of laminate layers, so I decided to add the spline. As I excavated down a little below the surface, the void disappeared. I probably didn't need the spline, but it was a good chance to experiment further with different techniques.

    All in all, I am happy with the end result. It will be a useful tool going forward and now I have a proper workbench for hand tool work and woodworking in general. I already have a list of projects that I want to tackle over the coming months.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    2,151
    Very nice. Looks ready to go to work. Plenty stout enough. A bench doesn’t have to weigh a quarter ton to be a good workbench.
    Jim

  3. #3
    Ian,

    Nice bench. It is good to see a simple straight forward bench. I expect you will get many years of enjoyable use. Once you spill glue, paint, nick it a few times with saws and chisels and add a few french marks with your hammers, post another few photos by then it will be beautiful.

    ken

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by James Pallas View Post
    Very nice. Looks ready to go to work. Plenty stout enough. A bench doesn’t have to weigh a quarter ton to be a good workbench.
    Jim
    Jim you often speak the truth.

    ken

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Edmond, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,749
    Ian,

    Looks great, and it sounds like it will work as good as it looks. Very nice work!

    Ken, good point. Using woodworking stuff is what should be done with it, and using stuff always seems to involve dents, etc., given enough time, at least in my case.

    I have old chisels, vintage planes and saws, and other old tools, and they all have dings and dents. The ones I use most tend to get restored, but there are limits. They look a lot better and in most cases look pretty good, they get sharpened, etc., but they don't look new, and I guess I really don't want them to look new. The woodworking tools I have had the longest are old friends, and have served me well.

    This points to your very good point. The dings, dents, paint and glue spots, etc., are battle scars of war, and are signs of battles hard fought and won.

    Stew
    Last edited by Stew Denton; 11-18-2018 at 11:34 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    SE Michigan
    Posts
    3,222
    Well done, Ian! It’s hard to keep after a project for 20 months, but good on you. That bench will give you many years of good use. Enjoy it, you deserve it!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Meridian, ID
    Posts
    101
    looks great. and i know from experience it feels great to finish it. not put it to use!!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Longview WA
    Posts
    27,354
    Blog Entries
    1
    This must be bench week, great bench Ian.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Neither here nor there
    Posts
    3,832
    Blog Entries
    6
    Good job, and a great bench.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,950
    Great looking bench. Wish I were one of you guys posting my just finished bench but I’ve not even started on one yet. LOL

  11. #11
    Congratulations are in order. I also have the Benchcrafted leg vice (wheel version), and bet you will love the functionality and grip.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Neither here nor there
    Posts
    3,832
    Blog Entries
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by Malcolm Schweizer View Post
    Good job, and a great bench.
    ...and I didn't mean your job was only "good" compared to the bench is "great"!!!!! Should have said great job. ;-)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Putney, Vermont
    Posts
    1,042
    A bench is a big project Ian. I am still working on mine after 20 months or more. I've lost count. Your bench came out really nice. I am sure you will enjoy it every time you use it in the years to come.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Kansas City, MO
    Posts
    26
    Thanks all, I appreciate all the comments. I’ve enjoyed reading many of your threads over the past few years and have learned a lot. I look forward to putting many of the tips to use in the coming months and years.

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •