Project by Jarrhead | posted 05-13-2009 01:59 AM | 26867 views | 51 times favorited | 38 comments | ![]() |
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Well, I finally finished it! Started this workbench back in January. Woodworking is a hobby for me, so I don’t get to work on it every day. Before I decided to build this bench, I did a lot of research. For anyone thinking of building your own bench, I highly recommend Christopher Schwarz’ “Workbenches” book. Most of the reviews on Amazon for this book were spot on. This is the modern reference standard IMHO. I actually wanted to build the same bench that is featured on the cover of Chris’ book. However, I know I have at least one more move in my not to distant future, and I could not conceive on how to build his design and still be able to get it out of the basement when the movers came. Enter the October 2008 edition of Popular Woodworking magazine and the splendid article by Bob Lang on his “21st Century Workbench”. This design had the criteria I was looking for with regards to heft and workholding options. Most importantly, it is designed in a “breakdown” format, to facilitate ease of movement.
This is far and away the most intense project I have completed to date. In terms of size and complexity. I learned an awful lot along the way. Some of it the hard way. For those of you that have read that article, and maybe considered building your own version of this bench, I would say go for it! This bench is an awesome tool. I have already put it to use, and don’t know how I ever accomplished anything in the woodshop without it before. You may notice some slight variations between my bench and Bob Lang’s. First, and foremost, I elected to eliminate the shelf on the bottom. Two reasons for this decision: 1.) The plan did not really address how the cleats mounted to the bottom rail for support. I felt that for it to look decent the shelf must finish even with the bottom stretchers on each leg assembly. There just wasn’t sufficient material on the rails below that line to make mounting those cleats worth the trouble.; 2.) I was concerned that if I built a shelf down there, I would be damn tempted to use it for storage. I was worried that whatever I put on the shelf would eventually become a hinderance to clamping operations in the future. I also made my tool tray out of three separate trays instead of four. I wanted the option of hiding slightly longer tools in there.
What was the most important thing I learned? I would have to say that ash is not a very user friendly species. I am new to hand planing, and I have nightmares about tearout now. I know my next big tool investment is going to be a Lee Valley Low Angle Jack plane. I like the split top for the extra clamping options it provides. However, you should be be aware that flattening two separate slabs in the same plane may eventually be problematic, particularly if your floor is uneven. Let me know what you think?
-- trn2wud
38 comments so far
kiwi1969
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608 posts in 4895 days
#1 posted 05-13-2009 02:02 AM
very sweet! the rail joints look fantastic.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
a1Jim
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118322 posts in 5031 days
#2 posted 05-13-2009 02:02 AM
wow wow wow that’s one great bench fantastic.well done
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
Sean
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156 posts in 5069 days
#3 posted 05-13-2009 02:20 AM
Very nice…I particularly like the wedged tenons. Any in progress pics?
-- "Democracy is by far the worst system of government. Except all the others that have been tried." ~ Winston Churchill
CharlieM1958
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16292 posts in 5672 days
#4 posted 05-13-2009 02:22 AM
The level of perfectionism evident on this site constantly amazes me!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
joeob
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70 posts in 4783 days
#5 posted 05-13-2009 02:26 AM
Fantastic bench. well done.
-- To finish something you must first start!
flcopper169
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#6 posted 05-13-2009 02:31 AM
Wow… that’s all I can say..
Rob
-- Happy and safe woodworking, [email protected]
Durnik150
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647 posts in 4775 days
#7 posted 05-13-2009 02:32 AM
Droooool!! You have a creation you can be proud of. The neat part is that you get to put it to use yourself whenever you are in the shop.
Awesome!
-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO
woodworm
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14477 posts in 5044 days
#8 posted 05-13-2009 02:36 AM
Marvellous workbench that I will fetch if your shop is just 2 to 3hrs drive distance from my home.
Great job!
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
Francisco Luna
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1052 posts in 4847 days
#9 posted 05-13-2009 02:45 AM
spechless….
wow!
-- "Menos es mas" Ludwing Mies Van Der Rohe
blockhead
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1475 posts in 4762 days
#10 posted 05-13-2009 02:50 AM
Absolutely beautiful William! Are you sure you want to work on that? I wouldn’t want even the smallest dent or scratch in it. Again, wonderful job!
-- Brad, Oregon- The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first.
Beginningwoodworker
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13345 posts in 5127 days
#11 posted 05-13-2009 02:53 AM
Nice Workbench.
tmblweed0429
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44 posts in 4765 days
#12 posted 05-13-2009 03:04 AM
Incredible. Absolutely incredible. I now have workbench envy! Thanks for sharing.
-- Trent Tidmore, Grapevine, TX
Gary
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9433 posts in 4886 days
#13 posted 05-13-2009 03:14 AM
Great workbench….great work. Is that a LeeValley twin screw?
-- Gary, DeKalb Texas only 4 miles from the mill
DocK16
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1200 posts in 5540 days
#14 posted 05-13-2009 03:46 AM
I’m glad I haven’t built my work bench yet cause I’just found the one for me.
seriousturtle
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101 posts in 4784 days
#15 posted 05-13-2009 03:54 AM
Beautiful workmanship. Very jealous.
-- ~the turtle
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