I am going to use this method to build a Roubo inspired bench. This is an ingenious solution and since the legs, stretchers and top are all laminated, there’s no reason the entire design can’t use the technique!!
Not a new video, but what a beauty. Mr. Barron just strikes me as the modern day old timer. That perfect work is the result of many hours of hard work and the reflection of a precise and artistic mind. How fortunate we are to witness this.
This is an incredibly well-designed table. I am very happy that I chose this over the "highest recommend" table on Amazon that you have probably already looked at if you are on this page.Something I didn't realize when I bought this was when you fold the table top down, it becomes one saw horse. Also it comes with high quality rubber snapping straps that allow you to hook two tables together. So buying two of these would be a good investment.The plastic is very high quality. It is heavy, sturdy and soft to the touch (not glossy like a cheaper plastic would feel)The clamps work really well in their slots. They feel solid and there is a place to store them on the legs when you fold it up.I live in an apartment and I do my wood working on the balcony, so this is a perfect fit. It would also be a good fit for people who need to be able to move their equipment like a contractor. This table is definitely a contractor grade design and material.This table comes with a 3-year warranty that you can fill out online or send in the mail with postage stamp paid by you.I could not be happier with this table, it would be nice if it had a router mount add-on, but none of the competition (except one of the poor-quality Husky tables that I looked at) has this feature. I went to all of my home improvement stores, read all the reviews for other tables and couldn't find anything that I fell in love with. I impulse bought this one based on it's looks and it turned out to be the perfect table.
Brilliant! Described and demonstrated in a charmingly modest, understated fashion. Makes one want to find out what else Mr Barron has been working on in the intervening eleven years.
You always find a way to add a little something to common projects, and that little something is always extremely useful. I've seen the laminated Roubo before, specifically Stumpy Nubs channel if anyone wants to see the entire laminated roubo build. But adding those wedges makes for an easier joint that looks better imo. Keep the videos coming David. Thanks for sharing.
What you did with "wedge" issue is brilliant! In effect, you have created two pairs of sliding/fox wedges per joint! The sideways pressure this can exert is utterly phenomenal and with the "splitting" risk removed! David, you have outclassed them all here, even ole Schwarzy (only respect for him, mind)!
Kevin Chamberlain Thanks very much I'm glad you like the technique. Although I have to say this was taught to me at the Barnsley Workshop and harks back to the Arts an Crafts era. Very little is new! All the best, David.
I am writing to tell you about my soon to be workbench. Thought you would appreciate knowing that your video and ideas have influenced my workbench design I found your RUclips video (thank you for making it) to remind my thinking of the joinery that I would use You are correct in your assessment that this is not an easy project, as the plywood version bench has lasted until now Looking for a project to keep me busy, I am now moving ahead with my workbench Thank you much for instilling the desire to be good in fine woodworking
I have seen the "built up" joinery idea before for making a bench (plywood and 2x4 benches for beginners). Nice application of the idea for the Roubo's more difficult joinery. Nicely done video. Thanks
David, that is fantastic work. Clean, tight, precise. I appreciate what you've shown. Man I wish I'd had RUclips when I was building the cabinets for pipe organs 15 years ago. Anyway, thanks for sharing this info.
davidbarronwoodwork You would appreciate the detail that goes into the instruments. You can see the company and view pics of their work here: www.richardsfowkes.com I was responsible for the casework on Opus 1 and Opus 2. Anyone who's into working with wood will appreciate the beauty and grandeur. Lots and lots of mortise and tenon, box, finger, and other fancy joints, plus building custom tools in order to create these organs. Merry Christmas. :)
8 years on from your posting I am so inspired by this video...your work is really wonderful. I'm going to give it a go. I have two questions relating to the Benchcrafted hardware you mention. (I've just purchased the tail vise). 1/ Could I move the front right leg to the left on a version of your bench to make room for the tail vise as they mention on the BC website? 2/ Everyone who fits this vise talks about what a difficult and mammoth job it is to fit it properly - could I use your logic in the mortise and tenons, simplifying the joinery by making most of the necessary cuts before lamination? I know it would take careful planning but is there some pitfall which I might not be seeing? Sorry to trouble you so long after you posted this; I would be very grateful for any advice. Thank you so much.
Beautiful and a marked contrast to my bench which can best be described as a used outhouse door stretched across two 30 gallon plastic garbage cans. And where you have butterflies alighting in your garden outside the window I've got stray dogs defecating on the front yard.
Mr. Barron, I know this is an older video, but I wanted to drop in and say that your work is as beautiful as it is inspirational to me and I love listening to you teach me how to be a better craftsman. Thank you and keep up the strong work. And just in case nobody else has mentioned it -- That plane behind you is a BEAST ...
David, I find your work to be quite inspirational. The wedge design illustrates how you think about the quality of the end, right from the beginning. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the quality of the video. Really a first rate production, camera angle, lighting and sound... very well done. Thank you for taking the time to create this video.
That is a good project for me. I work with quite basic tools so this video simplifies it. Can you telle me if you have to glue your tenons or you just squeeze them in place ? Thank you David.
I greatly appreciate that you made and published this video, especially after so much care and effort to duplicate the joints for clarity. I have a couple hundred feet of scrap pine from a door shop where I used to work that I will be laminating up for my build. After trimming of the tongue & groove edges I'll have just over 4" of usable material. I wanted to use all of it and hoped it wouldn't be too thick. You've convinced me that it won't be. I have specifically been looking around to decide on my approach to joinery, particularly for flush legs. I believe that search is now over. Pine is obviously not ideal (not even "southern yellow pine"), but I have this and I believe at 4" thick it will be sufficiently rigid for my current needs. I don't have room for my dream bench in this home so this will suit me until I have room and budget for my dream bench. It won't look quite as perfect as yours but it will be nearly as solid. Thanks again!
+Jon Miller Hi Jon, That's great, I'm glad the video has been helpful. You can never have a top that's too thick! I'd love to see some pictures when you are done I could feature them on my Blog. All the best, David.
Certainly. I just finished planing all the stock last night. But everything is shy of 3/4" (19mm) so I'm going to laminate them in pairs with opposing grain, then plane once more to ensure consistent thickness, and then I can take on your style build. Lots of work ahead. But I've saved your video in a playlist of things I must make so I can find it for reference. :)
such a lovely simple solution to a complex joint. i do need to make a new bench shortly and will use this method. thanks for the time to make and share this with us.
great video, thanks. I have two questions, I know you mention that its better to angle the cut in your tenon for the wedges, but could you not bore a hole at the end of your cut to help mitigate that splitting or is that not as viable? My other question is why add all the holes to the track in the bottom of your leg vise? Is that to get rid of unnecessary weight or is there an alternative purpose?
I am in the beginning stages of building a Roubo bench right now. But my build is a bit old school. I have two 5" x 10" x 6' slabs of Oak that I am jointing together for the top. The whole project is being done with hand tools.
David, nice idea. I thought about your approach, and it seems to me the challenge is to get the top edge boards glued without having them move a bit. Everyone who has glued up knows boards slip; it's a challenge to keep them still. Using brads with the heads cut off can cause enough grab to keep the boards still as the glue cures. Did you do anything special to keep the boards from slipping when glued up? Maybe that's why the fourth joint was stubborn when inserting the leg? Thanks for the detailed video.
What a great video. 66 thumbs down and not a reason given of why. Thank you, I hope that all the likes will encourage you to continue teaching and brainstorming ahead of time because me too will build a modified version of your bench, Mr Barron you are making it possible for me.
Great bench. I really like the idea of constructing the joints using lamination, although I was surprised to see that you applied the outside board after assembling the bench. You could glue up the entire top first right? But I guess then there would be more fussing involved in getting the dovetail tenon to fit. The amount of taper in the wedge joint surprised me - my instinct would have been to go with much smaller wedges, but I can see your approach is the better one. Cool.
Thanks for your comments and yes it would be fine to glue the entire top first. It's just easier to get a perfect fit on the dovetail by gluing up afterwards. The taper is not that great at 8 degrees it's just the length of the wedge that results in quite a large piece showing on the top.
I'm glad you like the video. The construction method is nothing new but it's a great way of making a very stable bench without having to find massive chunks of timber. All the best, David.
davidbarronwoodwork I might actually try to build something like this now I have clear instructions. Your videos have been a life saver. That is a very nice tap and die set by the way, they do cost a surprising amount though, no wife on this earth would allow that purchase.
I like your videos very much. The topics are interesting, and your presentation is unusually clear and well organized. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
thanks David, I'd already realised that I could build the bench top laminated and to match up to the leg laminations but I hadn't spotted the easy way to make the dovetail. Does a top that thick work ok with holdfasts?
I love your work, neat and precise. I'm very new (the workbench will be my first project )so I want to make just one union, mortice and tenon, I want obviate the dovetail ( i think that wiill not be precise). Do you think that a single type of union will be equally solid?. Thank you
I find this method extremely useful as someone who lives in Europe where finding good timber and especially good timber of larger dimensions a challenge. 'Laminating' the joints solves a lot of the issues that arise from this lack of good source material. I mean honestly, go to any DIY store here and you will find only the most common stuff (often cheap knockoff in house brands too). Good luck finding, for example, a table saw. A job site saw (again of some non descript brand) sure, but a good table saw with a cast iron table and decent fence, never. All of that you have to get from a handful of people who import it from abroad in small numbers. Same thing with wood, you will find pretty much only pine (and not the better stuff either), and stuff like plywood and MDF. I literally have to drive 1 hour to find a place (specialized in wood) where they can provide me with other kinds of wood (often recycled wood which I love because you can really get good deals on it).
Brilliant David, you are so smart you make my brain hurt. I have had plans to build a Roubo for quite some time now. I'm glad I saw this video before I started.
Is the benchtop made out of Poplar? The big sticking point I have about going beyond 3" thickness is the cost of Oak or Maple. If Poplar is durable enough it would cut the cost considerably.
Firstly thank you......now you've been working with this bench and loving it.....how are you getting on with the size in relation to your Projects? please and thank you.
Thanks David. That was inspirational. I built my own bench just over a year ago and wish I'd seen your video before I started: I'd have taken a different path I think. Although I'm relatively happy with the end result, it is better than my old bench which I bought from a catalogue many years ago, there are definitely a few features I would have changed. You've planted a little seed all the same and maybe I'll build another at some point in the future.
Thank you. It's great making your own bench, but there is always something that can be improved. I'm on about bench number 20, so be careful it can be addictive! All the best, David.
Hi David, love the simplicity of this approach to a difficult joint! I'm trying to decide on the thickness of my bench top and was thinking about 90mm but I note yours is over 120mm. Do you think this joint will still work with 90mm? Thanks!
I've just started building a roubo and was scratching my head trying to work out the best way to cut the wedge slots. Your video answered that brilliantly. Many thanks for that. I was wondering what method you use for flattening the top?
+piggybladder Hi I'm glad the video was helpful. I hand plane the top, first at 90 degrees, then 45 degrees one way and then the other and then straight down the grain. It doesn't take long. All the best, David.
Sir, it would be great if you would make your Roubo Work Bench plan available. I would certainly purchase the plan. The Bench is perfect! Thank you for all the great Videos.
Many thanks for your design. We made a table and two legs 105 thick, of larch, plank sawn & laminated vertically, presenting the more radial edges to the viewer, and to the abuse. Larch has pronounced contrasts of sapwood and heartwood, and the effect is stunning. This we attached to the wall on French cleats, the upper and lower rails being each cut out to accept saws and chisels, etc., when they are aligned. The upper rail is glued projecting 3mm proud of the table, to prevent drill bits rolling off the back edge or into the cut outs, whereat a slip of wood is glued flush to the projecting edge to enclose these cutouts. Flawless instruction on your part. The top is planed flat and coated with shellac. The Gramercy hold downs work much better, ideally, wonderfully, when the 19mm holes are sized with full strength aliphatic resin glue - Titebond 'regular' for me, their old original formula, more open time, dries hardest (least mechanical creep), though it cleans up less readily than what Franklin calls classic Titebond. One may order from Franklin distributors. Before sizing the holes the larch didn't like to grab the hold down. The quantum change in the feel of work on this table is a real delight and a great help.
Looks really nice, I have a heap of maple from an old bowling alley that was salvaged. Unfortunately I lost the diamond sections on an old business I sold, the benches went with it! But I still have a ton of it. I'm debating on what kind of bench to build. I'm debating on a take down bench as I'm working out of my basement and I may move in the next few years (or not....) so I'd wonder if you have any words you could share on that? I notice that really nice double screw vice behind you, that's also up for debate. Looka great, thanks for the video.
Hi Adrian, The maple sounds just fine for a bench, it should be well seasoned by now! The Roubo bench is not really a knock down design, I don't think mine could ever be separated from it's base once those wedges were inserted. The bench behind is fitted with a Moxon vice by Bench Crafted and I did a video on this as well. This is a knock down bench and has been with to many shows. I hope this helps and sorry for the delay in replying. All the best, David.
Yeah man, I think that version behind you is more of what I need but I'm still not sure on what vices I'll be using yet. That stuff in my basement is like gold now, so I want to spend it wisely. Thank you for your reply.
I am going to use this method to build a Roubo inspired bench. This is an ingenious solution and since the legs, stretchers and top are all laminated, there’s no reason the entire design can’t use the technique!!
Not a new video, but what a beauty. Mr. Barron just strikes me as the modern day old timer. That perfect work is the result of many hours of hard work and the reflection of a precise and artistic mind. How fortunate we are to witness this.
Incredible that you took the time to show the 'cut-away'. Takes any guess work out for the average woodworker. Kudos!
I cannot tell you how impressed l am. A brilliant idea, beautifully executed and flawlessly explained. Thank you so much.
this is one of the most satiisfying build ideas I've ever seen. your video has made the "impossible dream" possible. Thanks!
This is an incredibly well-designed table. I am very happy that I chose this over the "highest recommend" table on Amazon that you have probably already looked at if you are on this page.Something I didn't realize when I bought this was when you fold the table top down, it becomes one saw horse. Also it comes with high quality rubber snapping straps that allow you to hook two tables together. So buying two of these would be a good investment.The plastic is very high quality. It is heavy, sturdy and soft to the touch (not glossy like a cheaper plastic would feel)The clamps work really well in their slots. They feel solid and there is a place to store them on the legs when you fold it up.I live in an apartment and I do my wood working on the balcony, so this is a perfect fit. It would also be a good fit for people who need to be able to move their equipment like a contractor. This table is definitely a contractor grade design and material.This table comes with a 3-year warranty that you can fill out online or send in the mail with postage stamp paid by you.I could not be happier with this table, it would be nice if it had a router mount add-on, but none of the competition (except one of the poor-quality Husky tables that I looked at) has this feature. I went to all of my home improvement stores, read all the reviews for other tables and couldn't find anything that I fell in love with. I impulse bought this one based on it's looks and it turned out to be the perfect table.
😂 wtf
Brilliant! Described and demonstrated in a charmingly modest, understated fashion. Makes one want to find out what else Mr Barron has been working on in the intervening eleven years.
You always find a way to add a little something to common projects, and that little something is always extremely useful. I've seen the laminated Roubo before, specifically Stumpy Nubs channel if anyone wants to see the entire laminated roubo build. But adding those wedges makes for an easier joint that looks better imo. Keep the videos coming David. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Leon, I'll have a look at his channel
An absolute pleasure to watch. Clever means of assembly.
Another Masterpiece created by David Barron. You're an inspiration.
Thanks.
Thank you!
Always a pleasure to watch your videos.
Best, R..
What you did with "wedge" issue is brilliant! In effect, you have created two pairs of sliding/fox wedges per joint! The sideways pressure this can exert is utterly phenomenal and with the "splitting" risk removed! David, you have outclassed them all here, even ole Schwarzy (only respect for him, mind)!
Kevin Chamberlain Thanks very much I'm glad you like the technique. Although I have to say this was taught to me at the Barnsley Workshop and harks back to the Arts an Crafts era. Very little is new! All the best, David.
I am writing to tell you about my soon to be workbench. Thought you would appreciate knowing that your video and ideas have influenced my workbench design
I found your RUclips video (thank you for making it) to remind my thinking of the joinery that I would use
You are correct in your assessment that this is not an easy project, as the plywood version bench has lasted until now
Looking for a project to keep me busy, I am now moving ahead with my workbench
Thank you much for instilling the desire to be good in fine woodworking
Thanks Sr. Your didactic style is amazing. I learn English while learn carpentry. Great!!
I have seen the "built up" joinery idea before for making a bench (plywood and 2x4 benches for beginners). Nice application of the idea for the Roubo's more difficult joinery. Nicely done video. Thanks
Simply a brilliant idea to lame ate the dovetailed legs, and well executed. Nicely done David.
Thanks for taking the time to present this. I'm glad I found this video before I had committed myself to building my bench.
What an excellent presentation. Clear and concise. Thanks David.
INSPIRING SOLUTION TO MY FUTURE ROUBO BENCH BUILD.....THANKS DAVID!
David, that is fantastic work. Clean, tight, precise. I appreciate what you've shown. Man I wish I'd had RUclips when I was building the cabinets for pipe organs 15 years ago. Anyway, thanks for sharing this info.
Hi Tom, That sounds like a major project! All the best, David.
davidbarronwoodwork You would appreciate the detail that goes into the instruments. You can see the company and view pics of their work here: www.richardsfowkes.com I was responsible for the casework on Opus 1 and Opus 2. Anyone who's into working with wood will appreciate the beauty and grandeur. Lots and lots of mortise and tenon, box, finger, and other fancy joints, plus building custom tools in order to create these organs. Merry Christmas. :)
Thank you for your time and very positive energy in producing this video! Best of luck to you in 2015l!
8 years on from your posting I am so inspired by this video...your work is really wonderful. I'm going to give it a go. I have two questions relating to the Benchcrafted hardware you mention. (I've just purchased the tail vise). 1/ Could I move the front right leg to the left on a version of your bench to make room for the tail vise as they mention on the BC website? 2/ Everyone who fits this vise talks about what a difficult and mammoth job it is to fit it properly - could I use your logic in the mortise and tenons, simplifying the joinery by making most of the necessary cuts before lamination? I know it would take careful planning but is there some pitfall which I might not be seeing?
Sorry to trouble you so long after you posted this; I would be very grateful for any advice. Thank you so much.
Amazing way to solve the joints. One question: once assembled, can it be disasembled for transport?
Beautiful and a marked contrast to my bench which can best be described as a used outhouse door stretched across two 30 gallon plastic garbage cans. And where you have butterflies alighting in your garden outside the window I've got stray dogs defecating on the front yard.
Mr. Barron,
I know this is an older video, but I wanted to drop in and say that your work is as beautiful as it is inspirational to me and I love listening to you teach me how to be a better craftsman. Thank you and keep up the strong work.
And just in case nobody else has mentioned it -- That plane behind you is a BEAST ...
Cujo Cooley - I went back to look. Wow. You're not kidding that plane is awesome!!!!
Cujo Cooley massive plane little brass hammer. had to rewatch to see plane
Thank you!
David, I find your work to be quite inspirational. The wedge design illustrates how you think about the quality of the end, right from the beginning.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the quality of the video. Really a first rate production, camera angle, lighting and sound... very well done. Thank you for taking the time to create this video.
Hi Terry, Thanks very much for your comments, I hope my approach has been helpful to your wood working. All the best, David.
Great bench David, I always enjoy your videos. Excellent idea on the legs, simple and sturdy.
I've been searching for an elegant joint for a workbench i want to make. Thanks for the clear explanations.
+Coop WH Hi, that's great, I'd love to see some pictures when you're finished. All the best, David.
Mister barron.thank you shring your knolige best build bench I ever see
David, thanks for taking the time to make parts just in order to demonstrate and acompany your explanation. Your effort is very much appriciated !
No problem, I'm glad it was helpful. All the best, David.
That is a good project for me. I work with quite basic tools so this video simplifies it. Can you telle me if you have to glue your tenons or you just squeeze them in place ? Thank you David.
This workbench is so nice and clean... Now you have to find out how to move it in to the living room :-) :-)
Awesome and great work.
+Rudolf Zaris Thank you, not sure the wife would be so keen!
Congratulations on producing a great joint, and the video also.
I greatly appreciate that you made and published this video, especially after so much care and effort to duplicate the joints for clarity. I have a couple hundred feet of scrap pine from a door shop where I used to work that I will be laminating up for my build. After trimming of the tongue & groove edges I'll have just over 4" of usable material. I wanted to use all of it and hoped it wouldn't be too thick. You've convinced me that it won't be. I have specifically been looking around to decide on my approach to joinery, particularly for flush legs. I believe that search is now over.
Pine is obviously not ideal (not even "southern yellow pine"), but I have this and I believe at 4" thick it will be sufficiently rigid for my current needs. I don't have room for my dream bench in this home so this will suit me until I have room and budget for my dream bench. It won't look quite as perfect as yours but it will be nearly as solid.
Thanks again!
+Jon Miller Hi Jon, That's great, I'm glad the video has been helpful. You can never have a top that's too thick! I'd love to see some pictures when you are done I could feature them on my Blog. All the best, David.
Certainly. I just finished planing all the stock last night. But everything is shy of 3/4" (19mm) so I'm going to laminate them in pairs with opposing grain, then plane once more to ensure consistent thickness, and then I can take on your style build. Lots of work ahead. But I've saved your video in a playlist of things I must make so I can find it for reference. :)
Great video. Thank you for taking the time to put this demonstration together.
such a lovely simple solution to a complex joint. i do need to make a new bench shortly and will use this method. thanks for the time to make and share this with us.
I would love to see some pictures of your bench when you're finished. All the best, David.
wow absolutely awesome. thought this was out of reach for sure. thanks for your sharing your passion of woodworking.
No problem!
great video, thanks. I have two questions, I know you mention that its better to angle the cut in your tenon for the wedges, but could you not bore a hole at the end of your cut to help mitigate that splitting or is that not as viable? My other question is why add all the holes to the track in the bottom of your leg vise? Is that to get rid of unnecessary weight or is there an alternative purpose?
I am in the beginning stages of building a Roubo bench right now. But my build is a bit old school. I have two 5" x 10" x 6' slabs of Oak that I am jointing together for the top. The whole project is being done with hand tools.
David, nice idea. I thought about your approach, and it seems to me the challenge is to get the top edge boards glued without having them move a bit. Everyone who has glued up knows boards slip; it's a challenge to keep them still. Using brads with the heads cut off can cause enough grab to keep the boards still as the glue cures. Did you do anything special to keep the boards from slipping when glued up? Maybe that's why the fourth joint was stubborn when inserting the leg? Thanks for the detailed video.
Great idea regarding the joinery. Thank you.
It is always the simple that produces the marvelous!
Brilliant stuff David, thanks very much for sharing this.
What a great video. 66 thumbs down and not a reason given of why. Thank you, I hope that all the likes will encourage you to continue teaching and brainstorming ahead of time because me too will build a modified version of your bench, Mr Barron you are making it possible for me.
Great bench. I really like the idea of constructing the joints using lamination, although I was surprised to see that you applied the outside board after assembling the bench. You could glue up the entire top first right? But I guess then there would be more fussing involved in getting the dovetail tenon to fit.
The amount of taper in the wedge joint surprised me - my instinct would have been to go with much smaller wedges, but I can see your approach is the better one. Cool.
Thanks for your comments and yes it would be fine to glue the entire top first. It's just easier to get a perfect fit on the dovetail by gluing up afterwards.
The taper is not that great at 8 degrees it's just the length of the wedge that results in quite a large piece showing on the top.
Very interesting video David. Can you talk about wood expansion? Is it an issue here?
Awesome job on that bench.
Lovely work and, yes, you have encouraged me.
Nicely done. I plan to incorporate your approach in the construction of my own bench. Thanks for sharing.
I'm pleased, you'll have to send me some pictures of the bench when you're done. All the best, David.
An exceptionally fine video that contains an unusually clear explanation of a very ingenious construction method! I'm glad I found your channel!
I'm glad you like the video. The construction method is nothing new but it's a great way of making a very stable bench without having to find massive chunks of timber. All the best, David.
davidbarronwoodwork I might actually try to build something like this now I have clear instructions. Your videos have been a life saver. That is a very nice tap and die set by the way, they do cost a surprising amount though, no wife on this earth would allow that purchase.
Well done fella looks bloody marvellous.
Thank you!
Gorgeous bench with brilliant construction.
Bravo!, what a great bench with beautiful joinery... I have downloaded this video and will refer to it while building my bench...
Brilliant idea sir; and a very well done video. You should be a woodworking instructor. Likely you are now, and you are good at it.
Beautiful job David. Thanks for posting this.
Very elegant solution to the joinery
+Claudio Chuaqui Thank you!
Very Nicely Done David! That was as clear and concise as anyone could ask for. Great job, Thank you.
I like your videos very much. The topics are interesting, and your presentation is unusually clear and well organized. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Whoops! I forgot I'd already commented on this video. I'm glad my opinion was at least consistent!
TitusLivy777 Thanks very much for your comments, I don't mind you doing it twice! All the best, David.
Beautiful craftsmanship!
Wondering if it would be a good idea to build this using more affordable materials like pine?
Excellent work. Very impressed.
thanks David, I'd already realised that I could build the bench top laminated and to match up to the leg laminations but I hadn't spotted the easy way to make the dovetail. Does a top that thick work ok with holdfasts?
I love your work, neat and precise. I'm very new (the workbench will be my first project )so I want to make just one union, mortice and tenon, I want obviate the dovetail ( i think that wiill not be precise). Do you think that a single type of union will be equally solid?. Thank you
great video... I love watching David, as he has a very friendly style and explains details clearly.
Beautiful work. Glad I found your channel.
Excellent job, very clever planning.
Thank you, I hope it was helpful.
I find this method extremely useful as someone who lives in Europe where finding good timber and especially good timber of larger dimensions a challenge. 'Laminating' the joints solves a lot of the issues that arise from this lack of good source material.
I mean honestly, go to any DIY store here and you will find only the most common stuff (often cheap knockoff in house brands too). Good luck finding, for example, a table saw. A job site saw (again of some non descript brand) sure, but a good table saw with a cast iron table and decent fence, never. All of that you have to get from a handful of people who import it from abroad in small numbers.
Same thing with wood, you will find pretty much only pine (and not the better stuff either), and stuff like plywood and MDF.
I literally have to drive 1 hour to find a place (specialized in wood) where they can provide me with other kinds of wood (often recycled wood which I love because you can really get good deals on it).
Nice Job Mate. Excellent tutorial. A fellow woodworker named Keifer uses a 10# workout weight for a vise wheel and it almost spins itself.
Wow, very very clever, thank you for sharing this !
Brilliant David, you are so smart you make my brain hurt. I have had plans to build a Roubo for quite some time now. I'm glad I saw this video before I started.
Great stuff David, almost too nice to work on! Thanks for sharing.
Just what I thought, but not for long!
Is the benchtop made out of Poplar? The big sticking point I have about going beyond 3" thickness is the cost of Oak or Maple. If Poplar is durable enough it would cut the cost considerably.
The whole bench is made from beech (similar to maple) so it did cost a fair bit. Poplar will work but will be less durable and a bit lighter.
so sweet! would love to see how you cleaned it all up.
Stunning 'Lego joinery' David.
Thank you!
Excellent vid. When laminating the legs into the top, how do you clean and plane the various pieces after?
Firstly thank you......now you've been working with this bench and loving it.....how are you getting on with the size in relation to your Projects? please and thank you.
Thanks David. That was inspirational. I built my own bench just over a year ago and wish I'd seen your video before I started: I'd have taken a different path I think. Although I'm relatively happy with the end result, it is better than my old bench which I bought from a catalogue many years ago, there are definitely a few features I would have changed. You've planted a little seed all the same and maybe I'll build another at some point in the future.
Thank you. It's great making your own bench, but there is always something that can be improved. I'm on about bench number 20, so be careful it can be addictive! All the best, David.
Its beautiful! Nicely done.
Excellent Video Very informative !!! This was one ot he issues i was battling in my head . A clever way of doing it without a lame lag screw !!!
Twanimoto Crostreet Thank you I'm glad you found it useful. All the best, David.
Lovely bench David
very nice... what kind of wood did you use??
Hi Eugen, the whole bench is made from beech. All the best, David.
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing it
Great presentation and explanation. Thanks for the knowledge and inspiration.
Hi David, love the simplicity of this approach to a difficult joint! I'm trying to decide on the thickness of my bench top and was thinking about 90mm but I note yours is over 120mm. Do you think this joint will still work with 90mm? Thanks!
I've just started building a roubo and was scratching my head trying to work out the best way to cut the wedge slots. Your video answered that brilliantly. Many thanks for that. I was wondering what method you use for flattening the top?
+piggybladder Hi I'm glad the video was helpful. I hand plane the top, first at 90 degrees, then 45 degrees one way and then the other and then straight down the grain. It doesn't take long. All the best, David.
Great video and a great bench. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, I'm glad you found it interesting. All the best, David.
Three years later, how have the laminated legs aligned with the same direction as the top held up? Any weakening of the joinery after heavy use?
Thanks David would love to know how legs to stretchers were joined in detail. Southern yellow pine for me Beech is a bit pricey here.
Amazing video! Thanks for sharing it!
Sir, it would be great if you would make your Roubo Work Bench plan available. I would certainly purchase the plan. The Bench is perfect! Thank you for all the great Videos.
Is there a need to glue the Wedge section of the joint? Great video, in the process of building my own. I like this method !
Great explanation when I built mine years ago I added an outside skirt to give the dove tail joint a more realistic look
Absolutely fantastic! Just curious, what kind of wood did you use for the table?
Sorry I should have said, the bench is made from beech throughout, which has similar properties to hard maple. The wedges are walnut.
yet again your work is fantastic well done
Thank you!
Jesus would be proud. That's a work of art my friend!
Great bench thumbs up my friend we have subscribed
Many thanks for your design. We made a table and two legs 105 thick, of larch, plank sawn & laminated vertically, presenting the more radial edges to the viewer, and to the abuse. Larch has pronounced contrasts of sapwood and heartwood, and the effect is stunning. This we attached to the wall on French cleats, the upper and lower rails being each cut out to accept saws and chisels, etc., when they are aligned. The upper rail is glued projecting 3mm proud of the table, to prevent drill bits rolling off the back edge or into the cut outs, whereat a slip of wood is glued flush to the projecting edge to enclose these cutouts. Flawless instruction on your part. The top is planed flat and coated with shellac. The Gramercy hold downs work much better, ideally, wonderfully, when the 19mm holes are sized with full strength aliphatic resin glue - Titebond 'regular' for me, their old original formula, more open time, dries hardest (least mechanical creep), though it cleans up less readily than what Franklin calls classic Titebond. One may order from Franklin distributors. Before sizing the holes the larch didn't like to grab the hold down. The quantum change in the feel of work on this table is a real delight and a great help.
Paul Mcnulty Hi Paul, Sounds intriguing! I'm glad the video was helpful. All the best, david.
Is there an advantage to using a wood screw, or is just more aesthetically pleasing?
I've got benches with both wood and metal screws (Bench Crafted). Both are equally effective it's just personal choice.
Looks really nice, I have a heap of maple from an old bowling alley that was salvaged. Unfortunately I lost the diamond sections on an old business I sold, the benches went with it! But I still have a ton of it. I'm debating on what kind of bench to build. I'm debating on a take down bench as I'm working out of my basement and I may move in the next few years (or not....) so I'd wonder if you have any words you could share on that? I notice that really nice double screw vice behind you, that's also up for debate.
Looka great, thanks for the video.
Hi Adrian, The maple sounds just fine for a bench, it should be well seasoned by now! The Roubo bench is not really a knock down design, I don't think mine could ever be separated from it's base once those wedges were inserted. The bench behind is fitted with a Moxon vice by Bench Crafted and I did a video on this as well. This is a knock down bench and has been with to many shows. I hope this helps and sorry for the delay in replying. All the best, David.
Yeah man, I think that version behind you is more of what I need but I'm still not sure on what vices I'll be using yet. That stuff in my basement is like gold now, so I want to spend it wisely. Thank you for your reply.
Thanks for sharing, certainly some great ideas.
I'm glad you found it interesting.
this was so simple! thanks for sharing!!