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2K views 20 replies 12 participants last post by  controlfreak 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Has anyone used the Sjöbergs Nordic Plus 1450 Workbench SJO-33448? The reviews are good, but I trust this group more than anything. I'm looking for a good workbench that is flat and true, with decent thickness to do some cabinet making, picture frames, closet shelves, etc. I like the idea of making my own, but am not confident in my ability to make it perfectly flat and square, especially the dog holes which I think are critical. Would love some advice. Thanks in advance.
 
#4 ·
Buy door and throw it on some saw horses to get started. Gain some confidence and build your own.

Perfect is in the eye of the beholder. "Good enough" gets the job done and lets you get better on the next project.

You could also buy some butcher block counter top to get started. I've used a double layer of 3/4 plywood for many benches. Or you could use MDF topped with tempered hardboard. Building your own bench is an essential part of woodworking. You gain experience and end up with a tool you can use. As you develop in the hobby, your skills will improve and your needs will change. Your second bench will be better and more suited to your style of work. Your third will be even better and so on. I think i have averaged about one new bench every 4 years, but then I also average about one cross country relocation every 6-8 years.

Save your money, buy some tools or materials, and improve your skills.
 
#5 ·
I needed and wanted a bench badly. I looked at some that were available for purchase but they weren't cheap. After looking at some of the builds here and hours of YouTube videos I decided to give it a shot. It was clearly out of my skill level at the time but thought it was a good way to learn how to do it. I settled on the Will Myers Moravian build and after ripping the long top boards and milling the faces it became a mostly hand tool build. Other than the oak vice chop all the wood came from the BORG, SYP & red oak. The top was 2×12's ripped down to 4" and flattened with hand planes. It was perfect for my needs. I have it in my blog and probably in my projects too if you want to look.
 
#6 ·
Don't buy a bench.

I suspect that you want to get into your projects more than you want to build a bench. That is OK.

Build what you can. It doesn't have to be perfect to be useful. Another can be built when your skills develop and your interest / needs clarify.

IMO - Rob Cosman's MDF bench is a good starter candidate, requires only basic skills, and not much investment of time or money (if you don't spend a lot on a vise). An example LJ build : https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/415609

.. don't worry about dog holes, If you aren't building an MFT style table, minor imprecision doesn't damage functionality.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
some reflections about workbenches:
https://dblaney.wordpress.com/tag/moravian-bench/

other ideas about workbenches:
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2020/07/07/updated-anarchists-workbench-pdf/
his view about the Sjoberg workbench:
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2020/04/20/workbench-tour-no-10-lightweight-commercial-bench/

Personally I made a Paul Sellers workbench. I am happy with it. It was not that difficult.

You might just use a one afternoon workbench />https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/89659
 
#11 ·
Bandit571,
I should have pointed that even if it was made in one afternoon your workbench nevertheless allows you to be one of the most productive LJ as can be seen on your project page.
 
#12 ·
I am in the camp of "Build Your Own" workbench. Even if it is an advanced project.

WHY? Because it will/does build much needed skills in constructing with tongue and groove, dovetails, through mortise/tenon joints all in one project, not to mention all the milling of your chosen lumber, and it can expose you to thick laminate glue-ups for the top working surface. Great experience for building those skills for the first time.

My workbench was my VERY FIRST full woodworking project. Yes my first. I learned a lot from building my own. Please consider it.

My workbench:
https://horizontalheavens.com/21st_century_workbench_project.htm
https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/45812

 
#13 ·
Definitely build.

Dead-nuts flat is not something to obsess over. And drilling straight dog holes is easy, with ordinary care. Keep in mind, the first times you pound a hold fast into place, the hole is reaming out some. And that happens over the years you'll use them.

Bench builds are too often projects that fall victim to analysis paralysis. If I'd have known more of the build details I was supposed to agonize over before my bench, I may not have ever tried it. And it's still in use and is "the heartbeat of my shop." ;-)

Wood Machine tool Tool Flooring Workbench
 

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#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Do all you die hard, gotta make your own bench or you're not worthy, make your own:

bread?
grow your all your own vegetables or spices and herbs?
make your own soap?
pasta?
sew your own clothes ?
make alcohol if you imbibe?
bet you never go to a restaurant either (even before covid)

Of course not. But why ?

You could easily make or do all that stuff with very little experience and a minscule outlay in materials and tools. Much less than then it would take to make a workbench. ESPECIALLY with today's insane lumber prices and scarcity of many woodworking tools.

A bench is a tool or product. While I'm a believer in make what you can, I totally support those that want to buy theirs. Those of you that made your bench are no better than someone who choose to buy theirs.
 
#16 ·
Do all you die hard, gotta make your own bench or you re not worthy, make your own:

bread?
grow your all your own vegetables or spices and herbs?
make your own soap?
pasta?
sew your own clothes ?
make alcohol if you imbibe?
bet you never go to a restaurant either (even before covid)

Of course not. But why ?

You could easily make or do all that stuff with very little experience and a minscule outlay in materials and tools. Much less than then it would take to make a workbench. ESPECIALLY with today s insane lumber prices and scarcity of many woodworking tools.

A bench is a tool or product. While I m a believer in make what you can, I totally support those that want to buy theirs. Those of you that made your bench are no better than someone who choose to buy theirs.

- xedos
Table Outdoor bench Wood Outdoor furniture Creative arts


Well I made my Moravian workbench and learned a lot doing it. I also had a lot of fun in the process. I could have done it faster but I wanted to go old school using hand saws, planes and brace & bit for hogging out mortices and dog holes. I think I had about $300.00 in wood using SYP framing timber. Another $600 for the wagon vise and wood screw for the leg vise. So I had around $1000 total in the build and the benefits that go with it. Well your right, I could have not gone all "die hard" and bought the same workbench Here for $4000 not including any shipping. Not saying someone has to turn in their man card if they buy a bench because I was going to. I then stepped out of my comfort zone and said success or fail I am going to try. It was a great and fulfilling journey and saved some dough too. I love steak but don't raise cattle though.
 

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#17 ·
Do all you die hard, gotta make your own bench or you re not worthy, make your own:

bread?
grow your all your own vegetables or spices and herbs?
make your own soap?
pasta?
sew your own clothes ?
make alcohol if you imbibe?
bet you never go to a restaurant either (even before covid)

- xedos
Uh YES I do, to all of the above! And HEY! You forgot "giving yourself a haircut"!
 
#18 ·
Do all you die hard, gotta make your own bench or you re not worthy…

ESPECIALLY with today s insane lumber prices and scarcity of many woodworking tools…

Those of you that made your bench are no better than someone who choose to buy theirs.

- xedos
What is your problem?

Who said anything denigrating about those who buy benches?

Who said they were better than anyone else because they built their bench?

I don't see the negativity you do. I see enablers, LJs encouraging OP Mark to give it a try.
 
#20 ·
I have made two workbenches. One for me (Paul Sellers type) and one for the son (Moravian style).
Mostly from recycled wood. I didn't spend much money on them, except my quick release vise.
The Moravian one was done also for the challenge (the large or deep angled mortises).
The first one was also a challenge, I have procrastinated much too long before doing it.

Don't wait either to build one or to buy one.
 
#21 ·
I agree with Sylvain, don't wait for a bench.

OP: think about how you work in terms of work holding devices. Don't need all at once but as you add them on either a made or bought bench you will need to plan ahead. Things like thickness of top for holdfasts, flat clamping surfaces and weight of the entire bench will come into play. So be eyeing where a vise will go down the road and can you use some basic clamps to work until the major vise get purchased. Also be ready for changes, I started all power tool and plywood. I was looking at every dovetail jig on the market and they are not cheap. Now I like hand tool for the peace and quiet and enjoy the challenge of hand cut dovetails.
 
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