Woodworking benches

I purchased Jay Bates’ woodworking bench plans this week and plan to build it in the near future. It is simple design and will suit my needs with some room to grow with add on vices if needed. I want a leg vise for sure and maybe a tail vise for use with dog holes later. I plan to use the bench on rockler type castors where it will drop the base onto the floor. What woodworking benches do you guys have? Anyone want to do a bench build? I am not sure yet on what material I want to use. There is a sale at my woodshop this weekend for 15-20% lumber which might make it doable out of maple, ash,or something else. What do you guys recommend or what are yours made out of?

Here is the link to Jay’s article on the bench. http://jayscustomcreations.com/2016/01/build-a-woodworking-workbench/

Sorry, but I have to laugh as he’s using a Paulk bench to build his work bench.

I would rather have the Paulk bench.

I like the Rob Paulk bench too but if you want to chop wood with a chisel, I would rather have something with more mass.

I’ve been plotting and planning for months now and have gone so far as to purchase Chris Schwartz’ Workbench book. I’m not done reading but have been pretty inspired by the Nicholson and a modifed roubo with a crotch. Not sure what I’ll use but I’m thinking about actually doing pine for the structure and something hard for the top and vises.

Some of you may remember that last year I built a worktable from a piece of 3’x5′ butcher block that my dad found. Well that was great until he found a 4’x8′ piece of butcher block. So last week I built a new base and finished it last night. This piece is 4’x8′ and about 2″ thick. This is a sturdy bench and it is very heavy! I just recommend whatever size you think you will need…build it a little bit bigger, and after about a week, you will wish you went even bigger!!!;D

ChrisK wrote:

3 hours ago, ChrisK said:

I’ve been plotting and planning for months now and have gone so far as to purchase Chris Schwartz’ Workbench book. I’m not done reading but have been pretty inspired by the Nicholson and a modifed roubo with a crotch. Not sure what I’ll use but I’m thinking about actually doing pine for the structure and something hard for the top and vises.

ill have to check those out. which book do you have? he has a few workbench books

Just an idea, try looking on craigslist for bowling lane wood. The beginning is usually maple and then transitions into a hard pine. I once did all the floors in a small house out of bowing lanes. I even used it on the kitchen counter tops. They were 2 1/4 thick, about 42in wide. They would make a nice work bench top as well. 

@SetBuilder what do you think of an oak workbench top?

rrich1 wrote:

6 hours ago, rrich1 said:

ill have to check those out. which book do you have? he has a few workbench books

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

Its a great book be has a couple of really solid designs. The problem I have is do I build it now or wait to see if we build a garage. There is no way I can move the bench if I build it in my basement shop. If I build it now, it will spend its life downstairs if we decide it’s not reasonable to build the garage.

ChrisK wrote:

20 minutes ago, ChrisK said:

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

 

Its a great book be has a couple of really solid designs. The problem I have is do I build it now or wait to see if we build a garage. There is no way I can move the bench if I build it in my basement shop. If I build it now, it will spend its life downstairs if we decide it’s not reasonable to build the garage.

If it stays in the basement … it would make a hell of a laundry folding table !!!

Jronman wrote:

6 hours ago, Jronman said:

@SetBuilder what do you think of an oak workbench top?

I’m not that knowledgeable on hard woods. I know butcher blocks are usually made with Maple or Walnut. Red oak has an open grain.

For me a lot would depend on access / cost of materials.

I think its all about movement. There is a lot that goes into how you build a top.  Needs to be able to move seasonally as the weather changes.  And you dont want to go back and re level the top of a regular basis.

From a rigidity standpoint I think most woods will work. Even 2x4s on end. But from a movement standpoint you need to pick the right wood including how that species of wood is ripped.

If I could afford it, I would probably use maple or certain types of beech.

In my Rob Cosman workshop class I watched him build a bench out of vertically laminated MDF. Was actually pretty impressive and cant beat the cost,

Foneguy wrote:

2 hours ago, Foneguy said:

If it stays in the basement … it would make a hell of a laundry folding table !!!

Dude!!!!! That’s sacreligious!!!!

How’s this for some MDF?

We also used some “water proof” MDF recently. We put a set in a pool for a shoot and it held up surprisingly well.

I would say its a two man job working with a 4×8 sheet of that stuff. 3/4″ is hard enough

rrmccabe wrote:

53 minutes ago, rrmccabe said:

I would say its a two man job working with a 4×8 sheet of that stuff. 3/4″ is hard enough

wow 2 by mdf.

Went to my local woodworking store and got some prices and measurements of the available stock. they are going to open up their warehouse for their sale too with more stock in it. Trying to figure out what it would take to build it all out of hard wood or possibly just the top. mainly looked ash, maple, hickory, and even cherry. hickory and cherry would make for one sexy workbench! 

DaveJr. wrote:

14 hours ago, DaveJr. said:

I noticed you had a bin full of pencils. Is it fixed in one spot or can you move it around the bench?

Jronman wrote:

3 hours ago, Jronman said:

I noticed you had a bin full of pencils. Is it fixed in one spot or can you move it around the bench?

I was debating on putting it on a french cleat so I could move it around but I usually only take a pencil and maybe a marker when working on something. I just nailed it to the stretcher so it was out of the way.

DaveJr. wrote:

1 hour ago, DaveJr. said:

I was debating on putting it on a french cleat so I could move it around but I usually only take a pencil and maybe a marker when working on something. I just nailed it to the stretcher so it was out of the way.

I’m designing a bench with cleats. I’m not too far yet. I’m hoping I will be able to use the cleats for adding to the table. Maybe an extension wing for sanding, one for staining, or something small like a magnetized deal to hold loose screws and bits.

So I spent two hours today drooling over many different woods that would look great as a bench. All more than I would like to spend though. Then I was trying to figure out a good combo of woods one for the base and another for the top. Still more than I want to spend. In the end I am going to go with southern yellow pine. If I can find a good contrasting/complementary wood I will put a few strips in for accent. Will go back tomorrow to get it. Should still be there tomorrow. If not I’ll find something else. Lol

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I’m so indecisive

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Remember that it’s still a work surface dude! You’ll end up putting a Purple Heart inlay and then cry like a School girl when you hammer in a chisel onto the top!!!! Hahahahahahahah

ChrisK wrote:

Just now, ChrisK said:

Remember that it’s still a work surface dude! You’ll end up putting a Purple Heart inlay and then cry like a School girl when you hammer in a chisel onto the top!!!! Hahahahahahahah

True !

My projects and abilities are commonly hindered because I dont want to mess up my bench.

ChrisK wrote:

Remember that it’s still a work surface dude! You’ll end up putting a Purple Heart inlay and then cry like a School girl when you hammer in a chisel onto the top!!!! Hahahahahahahah

rrich1 wrote:

1 minute ago, rrich1 said:

Lol. I know it’s a workbench first. Little pizzaz wouldn’t hurt though. I was thinking one strip on the long sides and maybe one in the legs. Nothing overdone.

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Well….I’m not saying your bending to stylistic tendencies but….next thing you know you’ll be wearing Bosch chinos like yours truly and dancing in front of your furniture grade work bench like Kenny Loggins in Footlose !!!!!!!!!

Just kidding though, I can assure you when I smack the cash down for a Veritas chain vise and a benchmade tail vise my girl will be getting waxed regularly 😉

I am all for the bling and craftsmanship on a bench!

I just know I dont get as much done as I should because I am trying to keep things need. 

Kinda like my tractor when i first got it. Got to get past the first scratch.

ChrisK wrote:

Well….I’m not saying your bending to stylistic tendencies but….next thing you know you’ll be wearing Bosch chinos like yours truly and dancing in front of your furniture grade work bench like Kenny Loggins in Footlose !!!!!!!!!
 
Just kidding though, I can assure you when I smack the cash down for a Veritas chain vise and a benchmade tail vise my girl will be getting waxed regularly [emoji6]

I went off the track with this one. I bought southern yellow pine and hickory. Only pic I got right now. Plan is to incorporate the hickory into the legs and top. Also the front of the leg vise will be hickory. Got some good pieces and look really nice. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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How many board feet are you looking at bro?

ChrisK wrote:

How many board feet are you looking at bro?

few more pics of the hickory. the wide piece will be the front of the leg vise. Really want to get some of these pieces rough cut but wondering if i should wait a little longer before doing that or not. the syp is 8/4 pieces. the hickory is 4/4. 

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Nice dude, I’ve got some 4/4 hickory sitting and curing in my racks but still not sure what my bench will be. Can’t wait to see the progress!

Pics of the syp. Got the pieces for the top rough cut. Trying to mP out the rest of the pieces on the other. Board right now. I’m going to need to get another piece for sure. Not a big deal. It is cheap enough and thy have two smaller pieces that I saw that either would work. A whole 3 knots in 72bd ft of the syp. Really nice stuff. The Bosch 6 1/4 18v saw had just enough depth to cross cut it. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Got some progress done today in between dealing with the kids and the wife at work. Jointed two sides to each top board. Little late tonight to plane the other side. Will do that tomorrow and hopefully get them glued up as well. Over filled the jointer overflow a few times. 😀[External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Just finished this small work bench. Plans called for a 30 inch by 80 inch but that was way too big for what I wanted. So I reduced it to 24 by 48. Got the plan out of a “Wood” magazine article. Hoping to leave this one clear so I can do some  things on it. It was quick and easy and sturdy can’t ask for anything more than that.   

I’ve gotten 4 of the 5 sections of the top glued together. Will do the 5th when I get off work tonight or in the morning. The top should be between 3 1/2″ to 3 3/4″ when it’s all said and done. For the hickory strip I placed it one row in. I couldn’t decide on one or two. At some point I will make some dog holes and wondering if I should have done another row of syp before the strip of hickory. Oh well. It will still be fine. The eventual bottom is pointed up right now. I’ll do a quick pass on the jointer of the actual top side then plane down to actual thickness.

I’m currently looking for a leg vise screw and ma. They are expensive. Wood or metal kits are similarly priced. Any recommendations? I know the bench crafted would probably be my first choice but the wooden screw ones look nice too.

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Last set is in the clamps now. Borrowed my father in law’s biscuit joiner to use to help a little when getting the pieces together. Hopefully have a top by the end of the week.

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Got all the top glued and the top faces jointed. Tomorrow I will plane them to thickness and hopefully get them attached as one piece. Loving the hickory accent strips near the edges. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Looking pretty awesome bro!

Looks great. A job fit for a wide belt

Looks great.

I know this is a probably a newb question, but why did you use random shorter boards?  I presume you’ll trim it all down to a single length but why not start with boards more or less the same length to start with?

Cool guys!!

Southern yellow pine seems like one of those underrated woods, it’s nice and sturdy for many applications, I’ve seen many older houses trimmed out in syp…. It can take more abuse than white pine for sure

khariV wrote:

Looks great.
 
I know this is a probably a newb question, but why did you use random shorter boards?  I presume you’ll trim it all down to a single length but why not start with boards more or less the same length to start with?

I think this pic is a little better. After they were planed. Can see the contrast in wood. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Looks awesome dude!

I have the top on 3 sections right now. I left one of the sides smaller so I can drill bench dog holes easier with the drill press if I decide to out them in now. I will need to plane them one more time before final glue up. I forgot to put in biscuits on of these glue ups so it shifted vs the one with biscuits. That one barely raised up at all. I even tried to use cauls on the first one but it didn’t help. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied][External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Got the three sections planed for the last time and cut the lengthy got them at 5’2″. Gives me a little extra room and leeway if I need to cut anything off for more squareness. Got lines laid out for biscuits and I’ll get this glued up after work! [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Only got 2 of the three glued up tonight. I finished the last coat of clear on some book cases before I got to the bench. [External image (uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Looks great.  I have been putting off a bench and glad as I continue to get ideas.