very simple workbench?

**Brian Sommers** · 10-07-2019, 2:01 PM

OK, basically I want to make a SUPER SIMPLE bench.

I'm thinking 2 - 2x12's and one of these https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-...gearpublish-20

I have one already and putting them together and clamp everything in the middle and go for it.

I'd drill 3/4" dog holes, but my problem comes in to how to clamp for edge work with planes?
I don't want to spend the money for end vises or anything fancy like that.

advice?

(maybe I should get one of these just working and clamping and then use my 2x12 "table" for assembly etc.
or maybe all I need is just this: https://www.amazon.com/Keter-Folding...gearpublish-20

I'm a rank noob and I want to make little things like step stool/tool box combo or small end tables or benches and chairs (way down the road)

**Jim Koepke** · 10-07-2019, 2:30 PM

Hi Brian,

My first workbench was a Black & Decker Workmate. One of the problems with these is they are too light to hold work still for planing and other work. You might be able to weight down the tail end with a bucket full of cement to improve stability. The bigger problems come when trying to make a mortise or chop dovetails.

My father built a bench back in the 1950s made with 2X12s and 2X4s that is still in use. It was built to be solid and steady.

With an apron along the front and back of a bench it is easy to drill a few holes to allow the use of pipe clamps or other clamps to hold work for edge jointing.

jtk

**Brian Sommers** · 10-07-2019, 2:47 PM

Well maybe what I should do is to build a simplified Nicholson bench, because to be honest that's what I really want.
I'm thinking 72" should be plenty long. I could do 3-2x8 or maybe even 3-2x6 for the top.

and maybe 1 - 2x12 on each long edge.

braced stacked 2x6's for legs. That wouldn't be that terrible to do.

**Jim Koepke** · 10-07-2019, 4:42 PM

braced stacked 2x6's for legs. That wouldn't be that terrible to do.

My dad used 2X4s for the legs and base. He used 2-2X4s vertically with a single horizontal 2X4s between them and on the outside at the top and bottom. This and other bracing made it a very rigid bench. It wasn't made for wood working. He made it for his appliance repair shop.

jtk

**Josh Robinson** · 10-07-2019, 5:51 PM

I built Paul Seller’s work bench out of 2x4 and 2x6 could construction lumber . Think I paid $160 for the vice Which was more than I spent on materials. It looks simple but by the time you finish you’ll have a decent understanding of hand planing and mortise and tenon joinery. It’s solid as a rock and will give you a bench that you can use right away and also start to experiment with and decide if and where you want dog holes, hold fasts, drawers or if you’d rather build a different style or a more sophisticated bench altogether. And you can watch a play by play version of him building it for free on YouTube. I’m a ways from wanting to build its replacement.

**David Eisenhauer** · 10-07-2019, 7:43 PM

You want a simple bench to be used for woodworking, so build a simple bench. It is woodworking. There are many plans for benches, both complicated and simple, plus methods outlined for holding work without the uses of vises. A simple Nicholson certainly would work and I believe you would be better served by it than the two you show from Amazon. Using construction grade lumber and some doubled up 2x4 legs, especially if you use carriage bolts for joinery rather than nails, will result in something very usable. Go for it.

**James Waldron** · 10-07-2019, 7:45 PM

**Jim Matthews** · 10-07-2019, 8:13 PM

I recommend starting with a sawhorse solution.

Josh Finn has an elemental design that can be stored easily and built with common, available tools and materials.

https://modernwoodworkersassociation...ch-update.html

**ken hatch** · 10-07-2019, 10:57 PM

LAP sells the "Naked Woodworker with Mike Siemsen" https://lostartpress.com/products/the-naked-woodworker?_pos=1&_sid=96d61b5bb&_ss=r

**ken hatch** · 10-07-2019, 11:00 PM

had to do it in two post formatting is screwed up.

Mike is a hoot to watch and you end up with a very good bench that is designed for the first time builder who doesn't have a bench to build a bench on and has limited tools and skills

ken

**Osvaldo Cristo** · 10-07-2019, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Brian Sommers

Well maybe what I should do is to build a simplified Nicholson bench, because to be honest that's what I really want.
I'm thinking 72" should be plenty long. I could do 3-2x8 or maybe even 3-2x6 for the top.

and maybe 1 - 2x12 on each long edge.

braced stacked 2x6's for legs. That wouldn't be that terrible to do.

Go to that direction.

Sometime in the close future I plan to replace my French style 25+ years old workbench by a Nicholson one, also. Actually a couple of weeks ago I received four hand forged holdfasters...

**Jim Koepke** · 10-08-2019, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Osvaldo Cristo

Go to that direction.

Sometime in the close future I plan to replace my French style 25+ years old workbench by a Nicholson one, also. Actually a couple of weeks ago I received four hand forged holdfasters...

Keep it simple. Unless you build your perfect bench, it will help you to refine your design for your needs to build your next bench.

Osvaldo, surely jealousy abounds on your holdfasts, greatly gloat worthy.

jtk

**Scott Winners** · 10-08-2019, 1:36 AM

Couple things.

1. Your first bench will not be your last bench. Build what you can afford, do it now, get going on the projects you want to make, learn the shortcomings of the bench you have, make another bench.

2. The Paul Sellers bench is going to last a long time and do a lot of things for the small amount of money it costs. You can build a stouter longer lasting bench, but it will probably cost more money. On quality - lifespan - cost it will be hard bench to beat for your second build.

3. Go ahead and buy a single inexpensive vise. Use it, adjust it, use it some more, just go with it. When you come to loathe it you will be ready to buy a more expensive vise.

4. If you want to use a hand plane on stuff you are going to need a heavy bench. Or a big pile of concrete on the low shelf of a light bench. Just build what you can and then pile your anvil collection on the lower shelf.

You will find some folks here seem to be in it for tool restoration or tool collecting and others are making various things. It is a big hobby with a lot of room in many directions. I am pretty well done restoring hand planes and will be buying from the guys who have restored dozens of hand planes in the future.

Build anything for a bench, just slap some wood together and get going. It is the experience of using that first bench that will help you figure out the second one.

**ken hatch** · 10-08-2019, 4:08 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Winners

Couple things.

1. Your first bench will not be your last bench. Build what you can afford, do it now, get going on the projects you want to make, learn the shortcomings of the bench you have, make another bench.

2. The Paul Sellers bench is going to last a long time and do a lot of things for the small amount of money it costs. You can build a stouter longer lasting bench, but it will probably cost more money. On quality - lifespan - cost it will be hard bench to beat for your second build.

3. Go ahead and buy a single inexpensive vise. Use it, adjust it, use it some more, just go with it. When you come to loathe it you will be ready to buy a more expensive vise.

4. If you want to use a hand plane on stuff you are going to need a heavy bench. Or a big pile of concrete on the low shelf of a light bench. Just build what you can and then pile your anvil collection on the lower shelf.

You will find some folks here seem to be in it for tool restoration or tool collecting and others are making various things. It is a big hobby with a lot of room in many directions. I am pretty well done restoring hand planes and will be buying from the guys who have restored dozens of hand planes in the future.

Build anything for a bench, just slap some wood together and get going. It is the experience of using that first bench that will help you figure out the second one.

Scott,

Have you been reading my mail?

Reading your post I wasn't sure who wrote it, I looked for quotation marks but didn't see any

.

If you can't tell, I couldn't agree more. The only quibble is the heavy bench part. A bench with a well designed base can be fairly light and not move. My portable Moravian benches are very light (my guess is a good bit less than two hundred lbs. Someday I need to weigh one.) and they are rock solid when using hand planes. My shop Moravians are a little heaver but still much less than a same sized Roubo and are just as stable as the much heaver bench.

ken

S

**Jim Matthews** · 10-08-2019, 6:51 AM

Originally Posted by ken hatch

The only quibble is the heavy bench part. A bench with a well designed base can be fairly light and not move.

This is an important point.
A bench can be easily counterweighted at the base, or fixed to the floor (or wall).

It need not withstand cataclysmic forces.

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