I built the bench about a month ago. I love it! Mine isnt nearly as pretty as Rex's but it is as solid and works great. By FAR the best bench on the DIY tubes. I did add a shelf at the bottom and a removable plane stop into the table top. I started the bench because I found a plane I had bought pre-internet and didn't know how to use it. Then I found Rex's "how to use a plane" vid and decided I needed a bench too! An easy build, highly reccomended!
@@RexKrueger thanks for the videos! We're stuck at home here in MA so it keeps me busy. I've built many of your projects. I'm about 50/50 success rate. It the execution, not the instruction. Keep them coming! Only thing is, I'm running out of wood and I'm not allowed out to get more. Oh well.
I built a version of Rex's bench a couple of weeks ago, and it is a tank. Rex, you explain everything SO well. I also appreciate your idea that simple changes are welcome. I used two giant 4" slabs of old white oak and the table doesn't move at all. I tested this by jumping on it and trying to twist it in all directions. It will surely outlast me on this planet. Oh, and I didn't realize that the cross braces are supposed to be on the front. I put them on the back and added the shelf access upfront for storage. I actually forgot about the cross braces initially, and still, the bench didn't move at all. Later, I added them. Simple and effective. Rex, you are a master teacher!
I love that comment ' I did just nail that into my benchtop...' Nice dry humour there Rex. Aside from a nice wine that's the best dry I can find. If you hadn't guessed, the weather is pretty ugly so working outside is less than ideal. Binge watching your videos I've already watched.
I 100% agree with you, making both bench’s this one and the low Roman would be your best option. Neither are very expensive to make and combined you can accomplish everything you’ll need to ever do. As far as your English bench having flaws, let’s be honest the vast majority of people pointing outs it’s “flaws” and comparing it to a hardwood bench should understand that it’s $100 to make and it’s not a professional bench. my opinion if you don’t like it don’t build it. Personally I like both bench’s 👍
I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great ruclips.net/user/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.
I am so glad I found your site Rex. I just broke my arm recently, so I will watch all your vids over Christmas and be ready to make your bench when I am back to full strength.
I want to build this bench but….a shrunk down version to accommodate my using a wheel chair or stool and sitting. I have the plans (thank you) and will set up a grid to change the measurements. The only thing is how tall to make it so I have some power while sitting. Any suggestions? By the way I am a 65 year old lady with wood work experience who is now doing miniature work and Japanese woodworking, along with my leather work and sewing. I try to keep busy as I can no longer stand or move around much due to a poor heart. (Ah I’ll get over it). It can’t be fixed anyway. I do some full sized work as well but not too big. Working on making my kitchen a better place to work. Thanks for your videos you are a marvellous teacher. 😘
I love that book! The way it starts with the basic bench designs and then discusses accessories separately is genius. Once I get a better workshop setup I've got a 12 quarter 20" maple slab that's going to be the top for a Roubo-style bench, and that book has given me so many ideas for what I can do with it... I've been thinking about getting Christopher Schwarz's other workbench book as well.
I built this bench after seeing your first video. No plan just winged it and am perfectly happy with it. Only real difference wasn't any workable 4x4 s in my area so glued 2x4s had to do. Being my first woodworking project it was a great experience, thanks Rex
Laminated wood is stronger. Wood laminates with an odd number of layers supposedly is the least prone to warp. I hear plywood always has an odd number of layers in it for this reason? Not that plywood doesn't warp. But maybe it warps less than it might?
@@1pcfred The odd number of layers in plywood is to have the grain run same direction on the 2 outside layers :) So it's not the even vs odd number of layers, it's the multiple layers in different grain directions (for plywood). Wooden laminated beams do nto have the grain direction thingy, different reasons fot the layer count there, beyong my knowledge. But laminated wood is indeed stronger.
@@avbauwel The odd number of layers in plywood is for stability. That's the primary reason it is done. Even just isn't stable. Although why that's the case I do not know.
Rex, I totally agree with you on your approach to making this bench, and your approach to woodworking in general. I haven’t made this bench yet, but the couple months I will be replacing my bench and this is what I plan to model my new one after. Also I will add that being one of your patrons has just been amazing. You treat us *really* well and the real life value to get to us in return for being a patron is just incredible. Thank you very much. Keep up the great work!
I remember being at school and the benches were styled exactly like these. That was only about 7 years ago. They must still be common place here in the U.K. but no so elsewhere.
Just ordered the plans. What a phenomenal job you do man, I just watched your videos for about 2 hours straight. This is the type of woodworking I am interest in learning, using classic techniques but when another avenue is available on the market (tool wise) you utilize that technology while keeping true to the roots. I'm a young buck (29) and am just getting started into woodworking as is the family tradition. I'm going to build this bench, and if it works out I'll become a patreon member. Expect to hear more from me soon, I appreciate these videos immensely and I'll keep you updated.
Great bench, Thanks. I built my bench similar to Paul Sellers with the skirts (2) wedged to legs and lapped into legs and have no movement. I built my bench with laminated 2x3 and a single cross support in the middle so it is very stiff.
Thank you for all the work and effort you put into the channel sir. I am very green when it comes to woodworking and your videos have helped me build the confidence I needed to keep at it. I used to have the misconception that I would need a workshop full of tools before I could do much. Watching how you used basic everyday tools and how to build tools kind of blew my mind. I'm currently building the basic joiners bench out of an old picnic table and heavy duty pallet wood for use as an outdoor workbench(I have no large indoor area to work in right now.) It will be good practice for when I get my garage cleaned out and build a serious one. Thanks again, keep up the awesome work.
I put about 30 or 40 bricks on a shelf on my bench to make it heavy. I like using the bricks because if I need to move it, they are easy to take out again.
@Maxx Kroes Yeah, bricks are expensive, too. I just happened to have a stack in the corner of the garage since the house was built 20 years ago. Finally found a use for some of them!
"Cheap and easy and fast?" There's a joke in there somewhere.... 😁 Great information Rex, thanks so much. I've been considering this style bench for a little while now as I'm not happy with mine. Youce convinced me! Mike T.
Here is another reason the English jointer’s bench is great. It is so cheap you don’t worry about damaging it. I designed a version of the bench and installed a woodworking vice in the front left. I needed to work on a set of 14 drawers each 20 inches long. The vise has a dog that slides up. Without hesitation I just screwed a small piece of plywood to the top of the bench as the back stop and I was able to easily clamp the drawers while working on them. When done I just unscrewed the block. Essentially invisible after a little sawdust got in the tiny holes. If I had an expensive hardwood bench I’d never have done that and would have had to develop some clamping system. Instead I just got the job done. Now that I’ve had the bench for a few months I realize it is too small. A 22 by 48 inch top isn’t as big as I need. This economical build encourages you to just try it and then learn what you do and don’t like about it so the next (cheap) bench will be better. I so like the solid build of economical material that is gentle on my hardwood projects that future benches will have a similar design.
Bench appliances - bench hook - make it extra wide then cut off about 2"(50mm) or so. Use this extra narrow bit to support the far end of the piece of wood you are working on. Much the same applies to the shooting board - make the base extra wide, cut off a bit and use it as a support for the loose end (unless you really like cutting compound miters all the time).
I was looking at the unsupported end of the plank and thinking "could do with something under there". Your idea makes more sense than scrabbling around for an offcut the right thickness each time.
Years ago I built a new bench to replace the POS I had been using. It was a toss-up between an English joiner's bench like this or Mike Siemsen's "naked woodworker bench". I went with Mike Siemsen's bench. It's not much different than what you have here and I have no complaints. I have a leg vise, planing stop and a gap between the top boards that allows dropping in a board for cross grain planing (or clamps as needed. A woodworker can't go wrong because either bench design is good. Like the Schwarz has said "It's the biggest clamp in your shop."
Thank you Rex , I have just finished building this bench in the basic form ( without any additions ) and i look forward to building tools and parts for it , you've got me interested in learning again. Again thank you . Time to make the sawdust :)
Thanks, just missed the live chat. I downloaded all the plans for the joiners bench, more than a month ago, and i even porches few items from Amazon and i was planning on building it at the spring time, but the Corona came and in Israel we are quarantine so we can't move more than 100 meter from our home except for work or buying food supply and health care😔. Thanks again be 💪, take care and keep your family health.
People unfamiliar with Southern Yellow Pine might underestimate its density and toughness. It is more dense than soft maple and red oak and is almost as dense as white oak. It can be very hard. I've had nails bend driving them into SYP and it wasn't faulty technique. A bench built exclusively of SYP will weigh 93% of an identical bench built of nothing but red oak. On bench size: Someone gave me a well built 4'x8' workbench. I had room for it in my shop so I accepted the offer but I could only use it by putting the 8' side against a wall. I thought it would be great for my larger RC airplanes. Of course, I couldn't reach across it. I've built four benches for ammo reloading and all were 24" deep. Sometimes I wish they were 30" deep so I could set small parts cabinets at the back but that would still result in about 24" of useful depth. More than 30" is not useful for most people, even for building quarter scale model airplanes.
Remember always build a shop twice the size you think you need. Because in a couple years you always wish it was twice as big. Right now if you held a gun to my head and demanded I said how much more room do I honestly need I'd say 50% more. But deep down I'm thinking double would be perfect bliss.
@@1pcfred I would love to build a massive shop like 20 x 30, but I am limited to a 12 x 12 because of cost and it's the largest size I can construct on my property without hiring an architect and getting permits in my county.
@@h3ro11mcintyre I hear ya. I am in a 20x20 garage and I have it all filled up now. 20x30 would be nicer. 20x60 would be massive. That's what I'll have in my next place. I'll hang a hammock in it.
I’ve really enjoyed your channel lately. I can’t wait to build my own bench. Have you ever considered building a Dutch tool chest? I would love to watch that
Building this bench now. I've made the tresses. I am a beginner woodworker and am getting my first real shop decked out. I decided to build it 27" wide instead of 24". Well see how that works once I start using it. One question I have is, no one seems to sell 4x4 lumber that is not pressure treated, so that's what I'm using for the legs. We'll see how that goes as well. I'm gonna make the top from 2" poplar boards that my friend just milled for me. Again, we'll see.
RUclips just decided to add your joiner’s bench to my recommended list, probably because I spent most of yesterday looking for workbench plans on the web :), so I watched it. Then I watched the other three in the series, subscribed, and bought the bench bundle plans. This is perfect for what I want. Thank you! BTW, one of the other Tubers I subscribe to is a hobby machinist guy named ThisOldTony. Your style is different to his, but you seem to me to be the ToT of woodworking. Keep up the great work! G
Thank you rex Iam planing to build a bench but this diagonals dont fit to my needs my Workshop is too small to waste this space so i think that paul sellers design fits more But i have to say you have made me love handtools before i have seen your Videos about handplanes i had no idea that it is so much fun By the time iam pretty good in handmade stuff but iam still a beginner Thank you a lot Stay healthy (My daughter loves the tic tac toe game and the rubber rifle you inspired me to make)
Nice job 😊 total agree with the narrowness of the bench I teach fe carp joneriry and wooden baot biulding and a nice narrow bench makes life so much Easyer 😊
“It’s really surprising how slender some historical benches are” - especially when half the bench is covered in old tut like scraps, half finished jobs, stuff you took in the shed and just put down, tools that havn’t been put away ...
A simple effective workmanlike bench, which unlike some of the beautiful creations that people build is easily customisable, and repairable if needed. 👍
Rex, This is not a comment about the bench, but is inspired by the first part of your test. I noticed that your hand is clamping the stock to the bench hook and later to the shooting board. Not only does your hand have to push the material into the hook to steady it, but you also have to clamp in order to keep the material horizontal. If you can find some scraps of the same thickness as the bench hook and the shooting board, you can support the other end of longer stock pieces without cramping your work holding hand. Just a thought!
if it wasnt for this dam corona and the unsure nature of things right now i would become a patron and supported you as much as i could we need more people like you on youtube
Just when you thought the world couldn't possibly get any crazier it exceeds expectations. No one alive has ever seen anything like what's going on right now. I mean ever. I think I have a grasp on what's happening but there's a nagging doubt in my mind at the same time. Like I haven't seen or fully appreciated it all yet. So all I can do is sit here waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I made my bench out of recycled timber (I think they are 2x10s or 2 x 8s) that was old decking. It was built to my own design and I didn’t have any idea what I was doing. It wobbles like jelly when I am planing but your videos have shown me how do do the various bracing which I think will improve things a lot.
I left the front and rear diagonal braces out. I lapped the 4x4 legs out to fit a 2x4 really snug so I could build drawers under the bench. I have no racking at all thankfully
I have a different style bench made from Clear Southern Yellow Pine (SYP). The wood has plenty of stiffness and hardness that I just don't need a "hardwood" bench. I copied the bench from my childhood. I am not certain if my Dad built it or it was in the house when he bought it. I suspect that he built it. He was a very skilled craftsman.
I began watching your channel 5 days ago (lots of time at home these days....) and have been completely captured by your honest, straightforward approach to us "humans", who never want to really admit they don't know very much about a subject and so they (we) throw money at it and hope for "skill" to follow the money. Very seldom happens. Thank you for your refreshing and enlightening and anti-elitism approach to woodwork. Now, a request: I have a 10' x 12' shed in my back yard that is full of "STUFF" which is really supposed to be my wannabe woodworking location. I have seen the layout of your workshop (I have watched almost ALL your videos!) and have seen the morphing and evolution of your shop. Could you reflect in a video about the layout and storage of a woodwork space?? That would be incredibly helpful.
Really, a small space is fine. I'm using about 15x8 for WW4H. Historical woodworkers often had space for a bench and the piece they were working on and not much else. Even an 8x8 space would do.
@@RexKrueger Thank you for the timely reply, I would expect nothing less from you. Can you talk some time about the layout and placement (philosophy, etc.) of tools (both power and hand) and the use of space, esp. when working on a project like the $30 work bench. That's going to be my first stab at power-less woodworking. (Were there any plans available for the $30 work bench?
Rex, thanks for bundling the plans for this bench, pretty sure I have enough stock in the basement, and while trying to build a lumber rack, I'm finding that a bench would be REALLY helpful lol...
Forget about doing hand joinery without a woodworking workbench. I'm sure it is possible but it's going to be so far from the ideal as to be not worth it. My bench sucks but I still love it for how useful it is. It's better than nothing.
Thanks for the build ,as always great info. If you want to get rid of the diagonal braces use a wedge and a dado for legs in the aprons like in he one Paul Sellers makes. Very solid leg assembly. Just an idea.
Just noticed your extension cable in the background. My grandfather used to make his own storage for these. He used to get two boards maybe a foot or two long, round the ends and join them with two wide pieces of dwelling a few inches wide. Then you end up with a nice frame to wind your cord around and keep it tidy. You can put an eye hook or drill a hole to hang it and put some oil on it or varnish it to make it durable
We usually have a lower centre board. It allows you to put your cutting block in the grove and pull towards you. It also allows you to store your tools under your work piece so you can't find them. You can cut the ends on long pieces with it, you can set a table edge into it, round tools don't roll off. Surprisingly little a detriment to have it missing. And you put your plane down so it isn't blade up, nor dulling the blade in it. You can clamp to it too. Its a shame you didn't try that traditional one. Theres other neat tricks like putting a bag off one end, you can brush your sawdust into the central lower area and brush it down into the bag. So many other tricks with it.
I'd love to hear Rex's perspective on the portable Moravian workbench. It's the one I'm most interested in currently; no offense to the English joiner but I'm not a home owner and something that's designed for easy dismantling and reassembly is really appealing. Mostly can be softwood, just ideal to have one solid slab of hardwood from what I can tell.
You can find old designs in quite a few old books on wood working. Cassell's Carpentry and Joinery (1913) for instance has three examples. Two are typical "ordinary joiner's" benches. A third is smaller, much more carefully made with dovetailed aprons, and both front and tail vises. It also has dog holes and a "bench slave." All three use flat or rift sawn boards for the tops. None use diagonal braces.
Maybe those angles braces on the legs could be moved closer to the center that way you could keep most of the benefits for anti racking but add shelves.
Historical benches being narrow makes sense if you think about it, walls would either have been plywood (once it was available) and before that just lathe and plaster, and in either case the joiners and carpenters on a job site simply would have no need for a wide bench. They could use saw horses to rip cut plywood, or have it delivered from the mill cut-to-size. Lathe just goes on as is.
5:30 re: flat bench top. The wood at the home center, though sold as "kiln dried" is only nominally so. If you get it and use it immediately it will move. If you let it acclimate, it can help. Unless you're in Ohio in the winter. Then it's going to move anyway.
Hey in one of your episodes can you show how to make a lockable opening window please ? I know it’s a very big ask but a lot of people may be thinking about building a workshop-shed if you will and a fixed pane of glass can get a bit warm especially if it’s well insulated
I have a couple options for the surface of my bench, I work at a door making company, and I have access to different kinds of wood, there are some doors that were rejected that are literally just a few pieces of laminated 3/8” thick wood. And I think I might use one of these doors and cut them to size instead of planing construction lumber flat. I just don’t know what type of wood to use.
The type of wood doesn’t matter. Use what you have. The benefit of several boards for the top is the ease of replacement and customizations. You could rip that top into several pieces. Just make the bench with that solid top. When you need to make it into planks just use a circular saw and make the cuts. This bench is so cheap there is no fear of damaging it. Just have fun using it.
I'm going with the Roman workbench myself, my workshed is very narrow and doesn't really fit a full table unless I want to stick it in a corner, which defeats any purpose of working with material over an edge. The Roman workbench I can move outside on hot days and it keeps my shed basically empty so there's space!
People get really hung up on details... like there's a million excuses NOT to just get out there and make something, I know. But you've shown time and again that perfection isn't needed to do good work; that's the whole point of the woodworking for humans idea. My bench top is not flat at all, and every once in a great while it's slightly inconvenient. I might flatten it, I might not. For now, I'm doing a lot of work on it, and I just don't care that much!
I'd like to know how the adjustable plane support was setup. That is pretty 'high-speed' tech. great video. I also like that free standing vice in the background. Keeping the vice off the bench is nice for open space.
I'm actually about done building mine. I'm making mine for a dual purpose woodworking and mechanics bench. I'm replacing the 2x10 spline in the center with another 4x4. I'm also replacing the two long diagonals on the one side (the ones discussed in this video) with four shorter diagonals, one at each corner to open up the bottom for storage and stiffen all four corners as opposed to just two. I don't have them installed yet, and I'm already impressed by the longitudinal resistance to racking. On one end, I'm going to have a removable mechanics vise. I'm also leaving every top plank full width and leaving an overhang on the front and back to aid in direct clamping of tools I already have that are designed for clamping to a table top. In place of the leg vise, I'm planning on two moxon vises. One mounted under one end, and a removable one that can mount on the front.
I'm working on (and youtubing) my own version of this bench that is sort of a cheaper Canadian cousin to yours. 2x4 and 2x6 construction only, etc... I hope it's still beefy enough to do the job but I think it will be. I'm not against adding some removable weight in a tray underneath (or drawers of tools) if need be for extra beef. Thanks for your continued great content and inspiration to get a regular guy doing woodworking!
wood shavings and sawdust - how many uses and reuses are there for them? paper mache? make your own press board? compact charcoal bricks? how to bet 120% out of every fiber of wood.
Hey Rex, love the bench. I had an idea you may like. Recess a 2x4 under the holdfast holes the entire length of the bench. It should allow you to add holes anywhere along that line and stiffen the bench even more. I would like to know what you think about this idea.
Wheight? Put a board underneath the Workface and put some bags of cement in the "Box" - not really expensive but adds (in Europe) 25 - 50 kg per bag to the bench (about 50 - 100 pounds)
What about instead of removing the diagonal braces, move them up and make them shorter? It would be a compromise between the support and having storage space under it? I'd me interested in see that...or trying it when I build mine
I just built the low bench and I'm fitting it out now. I am lucky in that I am helping a friend mill out some oak on some property he has so I was able to get a 7' x 14" x 3.5" thick oak slab to make the bench at the fairly decent price of $0. As soon as I am finished flattening it and fitting it out with stops, crochet, etc. I plan to use it to make the joiners bench. My one question is whether there is any reason I could not use this free oak to make a much thicker slab top on the joiner's bench? Is there a reason other than cost to make it thinner?
What about the "low thin" area on the original pictures you showed? i am curious what those low areas were used for. Thanks for all the great info, I've built a lot of scrap wood benches in my days and it's cool to see that following my gut seems to match a lot of what you point out about these historical benches, but still I've learned a lot and know now what i could and will do different the next time I find myself building one scrap wood or not.
Man, I wish I could make this bench. But I can't because of a pretty severe lack of space, so whatever bench I use spends pretty much 100% outside, with my low variant being an aluminum bench with a wood board on it so I don't cause massive damage to either what I'm practicing on or cut too deep and gouge both the aluminum or the tools if I go too deep. Full wood benches would just get wrecked by seasonal changes However, I do have another waist/up to the hip high aluminum or steel table that I think I can adapt using some thick plywood laminated on top with holes bored into the top layer for short dog holes and a simple and smallish moxon vise to clamp on when needed, then drape a tarp over the table for additional weather resistance after bringing the vise and pegs inside. Gotta figure out the side apron though.
I'm working a bench inspired by this one. I bought a bunch of 2x8s at Lowe's and some 2x4s (all Southern Yellow Pine). Cut off the round edges and slapped the 2x8s together in two massive slabs. That will be my top, and I'm hoping to avoid metal fasteners (just for the challenge). Thanks for the note on a narrow bench is probably better. I was planning to split my slabs lengthwise into 4 to make a wider top. But I was looking at it and it seemed wide enough. The two big slabs will have another un-glued board in the middle. It can be popped out for a slot or set high for a stop. Total cost is only $150 so far.
Buy a smooth plane such as a Stanley #4. $40-$80. If you really start doing projects you’ll quickly how much you are spending on wood. Tooling costs end up not being that much in the overall cost. If you make cabinets, for example, you end up saving thousands of dollars, and you end up money ahead.
I really dig this channel. Maybe you, or your viewers, can hook me up with some advice. So...I'm a total amateur. A couple years ago, I decided I wanted to make a little stash box for a friend. At the time, I was on a very tiny budget and only had my bedroom to work in, so I got some of those little craft boards at the depot, a little Japanese style flush cut saw, and a set of mini planes from Harbor Freight, and the hinges and latches I would need. It took me a few tries, but I ended up making a fairly decent little product. As I worked, I sort of fell in love with the smell, if that makes any sense. Since then, I keep getting this recurring thought of making an entire woodworking setup, but in total miniature. What do you think? Is that a workable idea?
@Maxx Kroes check out some of the older videos of Adrian Preda. He used to have a very small workshop. He also does a lot of tiny projects, like boxes, kumiko panels etc.
Rex, I'm asking this same question of a number of youtuber craftsmen. I have an old, cheap table saw, a miter slide saw, a few cheap hand tools, and a desire to learn and hone my skills. What is the very first tool/jig/accessory I should build? Buy?
@@xTatsuran there's some tools that everyone needs. Like a square. Can't get by without one of those. So far I've managed without a crosscut sled though. I just use my miter gauge.
You might as well just scale the highest mountain right off the bat and hand cut dovetails. As you work doing that you'll imagine all of the tools you may need to accomplish that. I'd say at a minimum you're going to need a bench with a vise along with a saw and a chisel. A marking gauge is also nice to have. Once you've mastered the hand cut dovetail you can tell everyone that you're a fine woodworker. I'll back you up on it too.
Hey Rex, I’m really enjoying binge watching your videos. I initially found them while looking for work bench ideas. They have been truly inspiring! I’m writing from New Zealand and I have 6 seven-foot lengths of 6x2 Jarrah. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, it’s a tropical hardwood from Australia. I’m trying to decide if I should use it for a low Roman bench or the English jointers bench. What would you do? Thanks again for the high quality content.
Hello u amazing man love from the uk, can u show some stuff using a bulk standard work mate, the closest thing I have to a workshop is my shed which is only 1150mm x 1820mm on the outside and I only have a workmate would greatly love tips on how to get the most out of it. Many thanks
Maxx Kroes I’m lucky i own some saw horses that are a little taller then my bench at full height and they fold away I like the idea of the extra weight as when I try and plane it tends to buck and rock so I’ve started to copy Rex when I can and sit on it to hold it down
I feel for you. My first 'workshop' was a semi-circular space with about a 4ft radius. I made my bench out of 2x4s and 3/4 ply using a workmate. It's only just over 4ft long but that's enough for my needs. It has 3 H-frame legs, each with two horizontals, draw-bore mortice and tenoned. The top is two, glued layers of 3/4 ply with twin 10mm dowels into each leg top and just held down by gravity. The 'leg' frames have a horizontal, inset 5" wide 3/4 ply stretcher front and back, about 6" up from the floor, held with 4 screws into each leg (I need to be able to dismantle this thing and carry the parts!). I have a 6" vice at the top left front, close to a leg. The whole thing stands on an upside-down off-cut piece of industrial heavy carpet with an apron area for me to stand on in front, as some kind of sound deadening function. This way, when I'm working, I stand on the same substrate as the bench. I know it doesn't sound very sophisticated, but it doesn't rack when I'm planing and doesn't run away from me! It's certainly not perfect, but it does what I need without flinching. :-) Btw, I used to do homemade pyro myself but had to give it up some years ago. Pity, I miss it. Takeaway: don't let a restricted workspace stop you!
Is there any way to know if he’s actually making a video about this ? He said he was going to dig his workmate out but haven’t seen anything on instagram so not sure.
@@pyrokiller4682 I dug one of my Workmates out yesterday. I had to wire wheel some paint off some outdoor metal chairs and didn't want the dust all in my garage.
hey rex. i live in washington. and i know this is kinda an older vid but i want to build a workbench but the prices of wood are super crazy right now. i am wanting to build one out of old pallets. is it possible for you to do a vid on how you would go about making a bench from pallet wood.
I'm building the bench now (slowly because I've been sick), using the original video & the plans Rex sells on his web site. The plans don't include the modifications he recommends in this video. That's kind of a drag. It's not so bad for me, because I'm going slowly but it's still a nuisance. How a out an updated set of plans, Rex? And, while you're at it, how about some instructions for us lefties? We have to reverse the work-holding gear, and, bei g a beginner, I'm not sure I'll do it right by myself.
Curious about sawing technique. Seems one might let the tool do the work for you and struggle less. Utilize the entire saw not just the middle third with a lighter grip. Would this be as effective?
I built the bench about a month ago. I love it! Mine isnt nearly as pretty as Rex's but it is as solid and works great. By FAR the best bench on the DIY tubes. I did add a shelf at the bottom and a removable plane stop into the table top. I started the bench because I found a plane I had bought pre-internet and didn't know how to use it. Then I found Rex's "how to use a plane" vid and decided I needed a bench too! An easy build, highly reccomended!
Thanks for the great review!
@@RexKrueger thanks for the videos! We're stuck at home here in MA so it keeps me busy. I've built many of your projects. I'm about 50/50 success rate. It the execution, not the instruction. Keep them coming! Only thing is, I'm running out of wood and I'm not allowed out to get more. Oh well.
Pictures?
I built a version of Rex's bench a couple of weeks ago, and it is a tank. Rex, you explain everything SO well. I also appreciate your idea that simple changes are welcome. I used two giant 4" slabs of old white oak and the table doesn't move at all. I tested this by jumping on it and trying to twist it in all directions. It will surely outlast me on this planet. Oh, and I didn't realize that the cross braces are supposed to be on the front. I put them on the back and added the shelf access upfront for storage. I actually forgot about the cross braces initially, and still, the bench didn't move at all. Later, I added them. Simple and effective. Rex, you are a master teacher!
You're not the only person to leave those braces out. They seem to be optional.
I love that comment ' I did just nail that into my benchtop...' Nice dry humour there Rex. Aside from a nice wine that's the best dry I can find.
If you hadn't guessed, the weather is pretty ugly so working outside is less than ideal. Binge watching your videos I've already watched.
The best part of the video is where he just nails the stock straight onto the surface
I 100% agree with you, making both bench’s this one and the low Roman would be your best option. Neither are very expensive to make and combined you can accomplish everything you’ll need to ever do. As far as your English bench having flaws, let’s be honest the vast majority of people pointing outs it’s “flaws” and comparing it to a hardwood bench should understand that it’s $100 to make and it’s not a professional bench. my opinion if you don’t like it don’t build it. Personally I like both bench’s 👍
I've had the chance to use this table a couple of times now. It's fun to whip out in front of people:) I can see what people are talking about when they say the legs are delicate, but they're design to support a "mostly" vertical load, not be torqued from the side or pushed back into place. If you just let the table open or close on it's own and don't force anything, it works great ruclips.net/user/postUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh Once it's set up, it's pretty solid. My only gripe would probably be related to the clamps provided. They're not the highest quality. They do the job, so no big deal, but they could be better. All in all, pretty cool gadget.
I am so glad I found your site Rex. I just broke my arm recently, so I will watch all your vids over Christmas and be ready to make your bench when I am back to full strength.
You are the best RUclips creator iv seen! Learned a lot from your channel! Keep it up!
I want to build this bench but….a shrunk down version to accommodate my using a wheel chair or stool and sitting. I have the plans (thank you) and will set up a grid to change the measurements. The only thing is how tall to make it so I have some power while sitting. Any suggestions? By the way I am a 65 year old lady with wood work experience who is now doing miniature work and Japanese woodworking, along with my leather work and sewing. I try to keep busy as I can no longer stand or move around much due to a poor heart. (Ah I’ll get over it). It can’t be fixed anyway. I do some full sized work as well but not too big. Working on making my kitchen a better place to work. Thanks for your videos you are a marvellous teacher. 😘
I love that book! The way it starts with the basic bench designs and then discusses accessories separately is genius. Once I get a better workshop setup I've got a 12 quarter 20" maple slab that's going to be the top for a Roubo-style bench, and that book has given me so many ideas for what I can do with it...
I've been thinking about getting Christopher Schwarz's other workbench book as well.
I built this bench after seeing your first video. No plan just winged it and am perfectly happy with it. Only real difference wasn't any workable 4x4 s in my area so glued 2x4s had to do. Being my first woodworking project it was a great experience, thanks Rex
Laminated wood is stronger. Wood laminates with an odd number of layers supposedly is the least prone to warp. I hear plywood always has an odd number of layers in it for this reason? Not that plywood doesn't warp. But maybe it warps less than it might?
@@1pcfred The odd number of layers in plywood is to have the grain run same direction on the 2 outside layers :) So it's not the even vs odd number of layers, it's the multiple layers in different grain directions (for plywood). Wooden laminated beams do nto have the grain direction thingy, different reasons fot the layer count there, beyong my knowledge.
But laminated wood is indeed stronger.
@@avbauwel The odd number of layers in plywood is for stability. That's the primary reason it is done. Even just isn't stable. Although why that's the case I do not know.
Rex, I totally agree with you on your approach to making this bench, and your approach to woodworking in general. I haven’t made this bench yet, but the couple months I will be replacing my bench and this is what I plan to model my new one after. Also I will add that being one of your patrons has just been amazing. You treat us *really* well and the real life value to get to us in return for being a patron is just incredible. Thank you very much. Keep up the great work!
Rex I made this bench last weekend. Couldn’t be more happier! Thanks for the videos!
I remember being at school and the benches were styled exactly like these. That was only about 7 years ago. They must still be common place here in the U.K. but no so elsewhere.
Just ordered the plans. What a phenomenal job you do man, I just watched your videos for about 2 hours straight. This is the type of woodworking I am interest in learning, using classic techniques but when another avenue is available on the market (tool wise) you utilize that technology while keeping true to the roots. I'm a young buck (29) and am just getting started into woodworking as is the family tradition.
I'm going to build this bench, and if it works out I'll become a patreon member. Expect to hear more from me soon, I appreciate these videos immensely and I'll keep you updated.
Great bench, Thanks. I built my bench similar to Paul Sellers with the skirts (2) wedged to legs and lapped into legs and have no movement. I built my bench with laminated 2x3 and a single cross support in the middle so it is very stiff.
I hate skirts on benches. I like being able to clamp work to the bench top. The Paul Sellers style is a sensible bench though.
Thank you for all the work and effort you put into the channel sir. I am very green when it comes to woodworking and your videos have helped me build the confidence I needed to keep at it. I used to have the misconception that I would need a workshop full of tools before I could do much. Watching how you used basic everyday tools and how to build tools kind of blew my mind.
I'm currently building the basic joiners bench out of an old picnic table and heavy duty pallet wood for use as an outdoor workbench(I have no large indoor area to work in right now.) It will be good practice for when I get my garage cleaned out and build a serious one. Thanks again, keep up the awesome work.
I put about 30 or 40 bricks on a shelf on my bench to make it heavy. I like using the bricks because if I need to move it, they are easy to take out again.
@Maxx Kroes Yeah, bricks are expensive, too. I just happened to have a stack in the corner of the garage since the house was built 20 years ago. Finally found a use for some of them!
A few pieces of metal are compact and easy to make removable too.
Cinder blocks are pretty inexpensive and heavy too.
"Cheap and easy and fast?" There's a joke in there somewhere.... 😁
Great information Rex, thanks so much. I've been considering this style bench for a little while now as I'm not happy with mine. Youce convinced me!
Mike T.
Sounds like the date I was looking for in high school.
Pick two. You can't have all three.
In project management, the joke is quick, cheap and good...pick two. In high school, the humor ran along similar lines.....
Here is another reason the English jointer’s bench is great. It is so cheap you don’t worry about damaging it. I designed a version of the bench and installed a woodworking vice in the front left. I needed to work on a set of 14 drawers each 20 inches long. The vise has a dog that slides up. Without hesitation I just screwed a small piece of plywood to the top of the bench as the back stop and I was able to easily clamp the drawers while working on them. When done I just unscrewed the block. Essentially invisible after a little sawdust got in the tiny holes. If I had an expensive hardwood bench I’d never have done that and would have had to develop some clamping system. Instead I just got the job done. Now that I’ve had the bench for a few months I realize it is too small. A 22 by 48 inch top isn’t as big as I need. This economical build encourages you to just try it and then learn what you do and don’t like about it so the next (cheap) bench will be better. I so like the solid build of economical material that is gentle on my hardwood projects that future benches will have a similar design.
Bench appliances - bench hook - make it extra wide then cut off about 2"(50mm) or so. Use this extra narrow bit to support the far end of the piece of wood you are working on. Much the same applies to the shooting board - make the base extra wide, cut off a bit and use it as a support for the loose end (unless you really like cutting compound miters all the time).
I was looking at the unsupported end of the plank and thinking "could do with something under there". Your idea makes more sense than scrabbling around for an offcut the right thickness each time.
Years ago I built a new bench to replace the POS I had been using. It was a toss-up between an English joiner's bench like this or Mike Siemsen's "naked woodworker bench". I went with Mike Siemsen's bench. It's not much different than what you have here and I have no complaints. I have a leg vise, planing stop and a gap between the top boards that allows dropping in a board for cross grain planing (or clamps as needed. A woodworker can't go wrong because either bench design is good. Like the Schwarz has said "It's the biggest clamp in your shop."
I'm going to start out with the low Roman first, then move up as I go. Great ideas! Thanks a bunch, man:)
Mee the same
Thanks a bench
Thank you Rex , I have just finished building this bench in the basic form ( without any additions ) and i look forward to building tools and parts for it , you've got me interested in learning again. Again thank you . Time to make the sawdust :)
Time to make the sawdust? Only after you make the doughnuts! 😀
One of the best how to videos I've seen. I'm building this bench thank you for an excellent instruction.
Thanks, just missed the live chat. I downloaded all the plans for the joiners bench, more than a month ago, and i even porches few items from Amazon and i was planning on building it at the spring time, but the Corona came and in Israel we are quarantine so we can't move more than 100 meter from our home except for work or buying food supply and health care😔. Thanks again be 💪, take care and keep your family health.
Good luck to you! Hope you stay safe.
Love your channel I'm retired at 71 yrs.
People unfamiliar with Southern Yellow Pine might underestimate its density and toughness. It is more dense than soft maple and red oak and is almost as dense as white oak. It can be very hard. I've had nails bend driving them into SYP and it wasn't faulty technique. A bench built exclusively of SYP will weigh 93% of an identical bench built of nothing but red oak.
On bench size: Someone gave me a well built 4'x8' workbench. I had room for it in my shop so I accepted the offer but I could only use it by putting the 8' side against a wall. I thought it would be great for my larger RC airplanes. Of course, I couldn't reach across it. I've built four benches for ammo reloading and all were 24" deep. Sometimes I wish they were 30" deep so I could set small parts cabinets at the back but that would still result in about 24" of useful depth. More than 30" is not useful for most people, even for building quarter scale model airplanes.
Hello from Ohio as well! Thanks for all the information!
Cleared the plot on my property for my workshop today. Can't wait to start construction so I can start building this bench and set up my tools
Remember always build a shop twice the size you think you need. Because in a couple years you always wish it was twice as big. Right now if you held a gun to my head and demanded I said how much more room do I honestly need I'd say 50% more. But deep down I'm thinking double would be perfect bliss.
@@1pcfred I would love to build a massive shop like 20 x 30, but I am limited to a 12 x 12 because of cost and it's the largest size I can construct on my property without hiring an architect and getting permits in my county.
@@h3ro11mcintyre I hear ya. I am in a 20x20 garage and I have it all filled up now. 20x30 would be nicer. 20x60 would be massive. That's what I'll have in my next place. I'll hang a hammock in it.
I’ve really enjoyed your channel lately. I can’t wait to build my own bench. Have you ever considered building a Dutch tool chest? I would love to watch that
I think I'm going to do a wall- mounted tool cabinet. I need the floor spac e
Building this bench now. I've made the tresses. I am a beginner woodworker and am getting my first real shop decked out. I decided to build it 27" wide instead of 24". Well see how that works once I start using it. One question I have is, no one seems to sell 4x4 lumber that is not pressure treated, so that's what I'm using for the legs. We'll see how that goes as well. I'm gonna make the top from 2" poplar boards that my friend just milled for me. Again, we'll see.
Purched the 10$ bundle. Except the top I laminated 3in strips od maple for the top. Rex really figured this one out ;) it works great
RUclips just decided to add your joiner’s bench to my recommended list, probably because I spent most of yesterday looking for workbench plans on the web :), so I watched it. Then I watched the other three in the series, subscribed, and bought the bench bundle plans. This is perfect for what I want. Thank you!
BTW, one of the other Tubers I subscribe to is a hobby machinist guy named ThisOldTony. Your style is different to his, but you seem to me to be the ToT of woodworking. Keep up the great work!
G
Thank you rex
Iam planing to build a bench but this diagonals dont fit to my needs my Workshop is too small to waste this space so i think that paul sellers design fits more
But i have to say you have made me love handtools before i have seen your Videos about handplanes i had no idea that it is so much fun
By the time iam pretty good in handmade stuff but iam still a beginner
Thank you a lot
Stay healthy
(My daughter loves the tic tac toe game and the rubber rifle you inspired me to make)
Nice job 😊 total agree with the narrowness of the bench I teach fe carp joneriry and wooden baot biulding and a nice narrow bench makes life so much Easyer 😊
“It’s really surprising how slender some historical benches are” - especially when half the bench is covered in old tut like scraps, half finished jobs, stuff you took in the shed and just put down, tools that havn’t been put away ...
Once again Rex great job, stay safe and well with COVID
A simple effective workmanlike bench, which unlike some of the beautiful creations that people build is easily customisable, and repairable if needed. 👍
Rex, This is not a comment about the bench, but is inspired by the first part of your test. I noticed that your hand is clamping the stock to the bench hook and later to the shooting board. Not only does your hand have to push the material into the hook to steady it, but you also have to clamp in order to keep the material horizontal. If you can find some scraps of the same thickness as the bench hook and the shooting board, you can support the other end of longer stock pieces without cramping your work holding hand. Just a thought!
I just built this bench, the one thing I'd have liked too is a shelf underneath. My solution to this is a tool well on the far side
if it wasnt for this dam corona and the unsure nature of things right now i would become a patron and supported you as much as i could we need more people like you on youtube
Just when you thought the world couldn't possibly get any crazier it exceeds expectations. No one alive has ever seen anything like what's going on right now. I mean ever. I think I have a grasp on what's happening but there's a nagging doubt in my mind at the same time. Like I haven't seen or fully appreciated it all yet. So all I can do is sit here waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I made my bench out of recycled timber (I think they are 2x10s or 2 x 8s) that was old decking. It was built to my own design and I didn’t have any idea what I was doing. It wobbles like jelly when I am planing but your videos have shown me how do do the various bracing which I think will improve things a lot.
I left the front and rear diagonal braces out. I lapped the 4x4 legs out to fit a 2x4 really snug so I could build drawers under the bench. I have no racking at all thankfully
That. That's what you should do. Came to say exactly that.
Johannes Werner I haven't been able to build the drawers yet, but with just the 2x4s lapped in, it's solid.
I have a different style bench made from Clear Southern Yellow Pine (SYP). The wood has plenty of stiffness and hardness that I just don't need a "hardwood" bench. I copied the bench from my childhood. I am not certain if my Dad built it or it was in the house when he bought it. I suspect that he built it. He was a very skilled craftsman.
I began watching your channel 5 days ago (lots of time at home these days....) and have been completely captured by your honest, straightforward approach to us "humans", who never want to really admit they don't know very much about a subject and so they (we) throw money at it and hope for "skill" to follow the money. Very seldom happens. Thank you for your refreshing and enlightening and anti-elitism approach to woodwork. Now, a request: I have a 10' x 12' shed in my back yard that is full of "STUFF" which is really supposed to be my wannabe woodworking location. I have seen the layout of your workshop (I have watched almost ALL your videos!) and have seen the morphing and evolution of your shop. Could you reflect in a video about the layout and storage of a woodwork space?? That would be incredibly helpful.
Really, a small space is fine. I'm using about 15x8 for WW4H. Historical woodworkers often had space for a bench and the piece they were working on and not much else. Even an 8x8 space would do.
@@RexKrueger Thank you for the timely reply, I would expect nothing less from you. Can you talk some time about the layout and placement (philosophy, etc.) of tools (both power and hand) and the use of space, esp. when working on a project like the $30 work bench. That's going to be my first stab at power-less woodworking. (Were there any plans available for the $30 work bench?
Thanks Rex.
Rex, thanks for bundling the plans for this bench, pretty sure I have enough stock in the basement, and while trying to build a lumber rack, I'm finding that a bench would be REALLY helpful lol...
Forget about doing hand joinery without a woodworking workbench. I'm sure it is possible but it's going to be so far from the ideal as to be not worth it. My bench sucks but I still love it for how useful it is. It's better than nothing.
Thanks for the build ,as always great info. If you want to get rid of the diagonal braces use a wedge and a dado for legs in the aprons like in he one Paul Sellers makes. Very solid leg assembly. Just an idea.
Just noticed your extension cable in the background. My grandfather used to make his own storage for these. He used to get two boards maybe a foot or two long, round the ends and join them with two wide pieces of dwelling a few inches wide. Then you end up with a nice frame to wind your cord around and keep it tidy. You can put an eye hook or drill a hole to hang it and put some oil on it or varnish it to make it durable
We usually have a lower centre board. It allows you to put your cutting block in the grove and pull towards you. It also allows you to store your tools under your work piece so you can't find them. You can cut the ends on long pieces with it, you can set a table edge into it, round tools don't roll off. Surprisingly little a detriment to have it missing. And you put your plane down so it isn't blade up, nor dulling the blade in it. You can clamp to it too. Its a shame you didn't try that traditional one. Theres other neat tricks like putting a bag off one end, you can brush your sawdust into the central lower area and brush it down into the bag. So many other tricks with it.
I love how he acts like fifteen bucks wasn’t already a great deal
I downloaded the plans. Look forward to building it!
Fantastic, Rex! 😃
Soon I'm going to have to build something like that as well. 😬
I'd love to hear Rex's perspective on the portable Moravian workbench. It's the one I'm most interested in currently; no offense to the English joiner but I'm not a home owner and something that's designed for easy dismantling and reassembly is really appealing. Mostly can be softwood, just ideal to have one solid slab of hardwood from what I can tell.
You can find old designs in quite a few old books on wood working. Cassell's Carpentry and Joinery (1913) for instance has three examples. Two are typical "ordinary joiner's" benches. A third is smaller, much more carefully made with dovetailed aprons, and both front and tail vises. It also has dog holes and a "bench slave." All three use flat or rift sawn boards for the tops. None use diagonal braces.
Maybe those angles braces on the legs could be moved closer to the center that way you could keep most of the benefits for anti racking but add shelves.
Historical benches being narrow makes sense if you think about it, walls would either have been plywood (once it was available) and before that just lathe and plaster, and in either case the joiners and carpenters on a job site simply would have no need for a wide bench. They could use saw horses to rip cut plywood, or have it delivered from the mill cut-to-size. Lathe just goes on as is.
5:30 re: flat bench top. The wood at the home center, though sold as "kiln dried" is only nominally so. If you get it and use it immediately it will move. If you let it acclimate, it can help. Unless you're in Ohio in the winter. Then it's going to move anyway.
He already did, actually. See his build video.
Hey in one of your episodes can you show how to make a lockable opening window please ? I know it’s a very big ask but a lot of people may be thinking about building a workshop-shed if you will and a fixed pane of glass can get a bit warm especially if it’s well insulated
Excited about how well this bench works out!
I have a couple options for the surface of my bench, I work at a door making company, and I have access to different kinds of wood, there are some doors that were rejected that are literally just a few pieces of laminated 3/8” thick wood. And I think I might use one of these doors and cut them to size instead of planing construction lumber flat. I just don’t know what type of wood to use.
The type of wood doesn’t matter. Use what you have. The benefit of several boards for the top is the ease of replacement and customizations. You could rip that top into several pieces. Just make the bench with that solid top. When you need to make it into planks just use a circular saw and make the cuts. This bench is so cheap there is no fear of damaging it. Just have fun using it.
You could also use a saw bench in lieu of the low bench. though I love the low bench.
I'm going with the Roman workbench myself, my workshed is very narrow and doesn't really fit a full table unless I want to stick it in a corner, which defeats any purpose of working with material over an edge.
The Roman workbench I can move outside on hot days and it keeps my shed basically empty so there's space!
People get really hung up on details... like there's a million excuses NOT to just get out there and make something, I know. But you've shown time and again that perfection isn't needed to do good work; that's the whole point of the woodworking for humans idea. My bench top is not flat at all, and every once in a great while it's slightly inconvenient. I might flatten it, I might not. For now, I'm doing a lot of work on it, and I just don't care that much!
That's pretty much my view!
Perfect is the enemy of good....
I'd like to know how the adjustable plane support was setup. That is pretty 'high-speed' tech. great video. I also like that free standing vice in the background. Keeping the vice off the bench is nice for open space.
We have a bench in the garage that's literally three large boards of wood on a pair of stands, those sort of triangular wood stands. It's Sawhorses.
Ohio! Columbus here!
I'm actually about done building mine. I'm making mine for a dual purpose woodworking and mechanics bench. I'm replacing the 2x10 spline in the center with another 4x4. I'm also replacing the two long diagonals on the one side (the ones discussed in this video) with four shorter diagonals, one at each corner to open up the bottom for storage and stiffen all four corners as opposed to just two. I don't have them installed yet, and I'm already impressed by the longitudinal resistance to racking. On one end, I'm going to have a removable mechanics vise. I'm also leaving every top plank full width and leaving an overhang on the front and back to aid in direct clamping of tools I already have that are designed for clamping to a table top. In place of the leg vise, I'm planning on two moxon vises. One mounted under one end, and a removable one that can mount on the front.
I'm working on (and youtubing) my own version of this bench that is sort of a cheaper Canadian cousin to yours. 2x4 and 2x6 construction only, etc... I hope it's still beefy enough to do the job but I think it will be. I'm not against adding some removable weight in a tray underneath (or drawers of tools) if need be for extra beef. Thanks for your continued great content and inspiration to get a regular guy doing woodworking!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the portable Moravian bench.
He briefly covered them in his video about various work benches.
ruclips.net/video/RMU4k1KTdnw/видео.html
Put a stretcher across the back and see if that fixes the racking. If it does, put one on the front and make it the basis for your shelf.
wood shavings and sawdust - how many uses and reuses are there for them?
paper mache? make your own press board? compact charcoal bricks?
how to bet 120% out of every fiber of wood.
Hey Rex, love the bench. I had an idea you may like. Recess a 2x4 under the holdfast holes the entire length of the bench. It should allow you to add holes anywhere along that line and stiffen the bench even more. I would like to know what you think about this idea.
Wheight? Put a board underneath the Workface and put some bags of cement in the "Box" - not really expensive but adds (in Europe) 25 - 50 kg per bag to the bench (about 50 - 100 pounds)
What about instead of removing the diagonal braces, move them up and make them shorter? It would be a compromise between the support and having storage space under it? I'd me interested in see that...or trying it when I build mine
I wonder if you can build the joiners bench and have the small bench that fit UNDER the large bench , my garage is full. btw love your work.
I just built the low bench and I'm fitting it out now. I am lucky in that I am helping a friend mill out some oak on some property he has so I was able to get a 7' x 14" x 3.5" thick oak slab to make the bench at the fairly decent price of $0. As soon as I am finished flattening it and fitting it out with stops, crochet, etc. I plan to use it to make the joiners bench. My one question is whether there is any reason I could not use this free oak to make a much thicker slab top on the joiner's bench? Is there a reason other than cost to make it thinner?
I'm pretty sure I'm building this eventually, without watching the results of this video, but I'm watching anyways cause i like your videos
When the top is ready to replace, flip the three boards and reinstall.
I made the bench top 4 inches thick and that prevents a lot of these problems
What about the "low thin" area on the original pictures you showed? i am curious what those low areas were used for. Thanks for all the great info, I've built a lot of scrap wood benches in my days and it's cool to see that following my gut seems to match a lot of what you point out about these historical benches, but still I've learned a lot and know now what i could and will do different the next time I find myself building one scrap wood or not.
Man, I wish I could make this bench.
But I can't because of a pretty severe lack of space, so whatever bench I use spends pretty much 100% outside, with my low variant being an aluminum bench with a wood board on it so I don't cause massive damage to either what I'm practicing on or cut too deep and gouge both the aluminum or the tools if I go too deep. Full wood benches would just get wrecked by seasonal changes
However, I do have another waist/up to the hip high aluminum or steel table that I think I can adapt using some thick plywood laminated on top with holes bored into the top layer for short dog holes and a simple and smallish moxon vise to clamp on when needed, then drape a tarp over the table for additional weather resistance after bringing the vise and pegs inside. Gotta figure out the side apron though.
I'm working a bench inspired by this one.
I bought a bunch of 2x8s at Lowe's and some 2x4s (all Southern Yellow Pine). Cut off the round edges and slapped the 2x8s together in two massive slabs. That will be my top, and I'm hoping to avoid metal fasteners (just for the challenge).
Thanks for the note on a narrow bench is probably better. I was planning to split my slabs lengthwise into 4 to make a wider top. But I was looking at it and it seemed wide enough. The two big slabs will have another un-glued board in the middle. It can be popped out for a slot or set high for a stop.
Total cost is only $150 so far.
Thinking about building the low bench but because of space concerns making it with foldable legs.
I am trying to get a plane to start wood working. Was the document as to buying and finishing budget planes ever published?
Buy a smooth plane such as a Stanley #4. $40-$80. If you really start doing projects you’ll quickly how much you are spending on wood. Tooling costs end up not being that much in the overall cost. If you make cabinets, for example, you end up saving thousands of dollars, and you end up money ahead.
Going to build English bench . Got most supplies, I'm guessing bolts are 6,7 inch in to go through 4x4 and 2x4.? Also wing nuts better?
I really dig this channel.
Maybe you, or your viewers, can hook me up with some advice.
So...I'm a total amateur. A couple years ago, I decided I wanted to make a little stash box for a friend. At the time, I was on a very tiny budget and only had my bedroom to work in, so I got some of those little craft boards at the depot, a little Japanese style flush cut saw, and a set of mini planes from Harbor Freight, and the hinges and latches I would need.
It took me a few tries, but I ended up making a fairly decent little product.
As I worked, I sort of fell in love with the smell, if that makes any sense.
Since then, I keep getting this recurring thought of making an entire woodworking setup, but in total miniature.
What do you think? Is that a workable idea?
Sure! Seems totally fine. Everything you need is available in a small size and you can make little stuff all day. Actually, sounds like fun!
@Maxx Kroes check out some of the older videos of Adrian Preda. He used to have a very small workshop. He also does a lot of tiny projects, like boxes, kumiko panels etc.
Rex, I'm asking this same question of a number of youtuber craftsmen. I have an old, cheap table saw, a miter slide saw, a few cheap hand tools, and a desire to learn and hone my skills. What is the very first tool/jig/accessory I should build? Buy?
@@xTatsuran there's some tools that everyone needs. Like a square. Can't get by without one of those. So far I've managed without a crosscut sled though. I just use my miter gauge.
You might as well just scale the highest mountain right off the bat and hand cut dovetails. As you work doing that you'll imagine all of the tools you may need to accomplish that. I'd say at a minimum you're going to need a bench with a vise along with a saw and a chisel. A marking gauge is also nice to have. Once you've mastered the hand cut dovetail you can tell everyone that you're a fine woodworker. I'll back you up on it too.
Could you move the brace too the centre of the bench? You could have a shelf on either side of it then
Hey Rex, I’m really enjoying binge watching your videos. I initially found them while looking for work bench ideas. They have been truly inspiring! I’m writing from New Zealand and I have 6 seven-foot lengths of 6x2 Jarrah. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, it’s a tropical hardwood from Australia. I’m trying to decide if I should use it for a low Roman bench or the English jointers bench. What would you do?
Thanks again for the high quality content.
You said it could be thinner than 24in. How thin? Also as a space saver could this be modified to a wall attached fold down table?
Just bought that bundle. Tyvm for the plans.
Why aren't the pages numbered? What happens if the plans get dropped and go everywhere?
I guess we just assume people will staple? I'll ask my designer to add some page numbers. Thanks for supporting us!!
@@RexKrueger my son dropped the papers b4 we could staple them. Took foreeeever to get them straight.
Hello u amazing man love from the uk, can u show some stuff using a bulk standard work mate, the closest thing I have to a workshop is my shed which is only 1150mm x 1820mm on the outside and I only have a workmate would greatly love tips on how to get the most out of it. Many thanks
Maxx Kroes I’m lucky i own some saw horses that are a little taller then my bench at full height and they fold away I like the idea of the extra weight as when I try and plane it tends to buck and rock so I’ve started to copy Rex when I can and sit on it to hold it down
I feel for you. My first 'workshop' was a semi-circular space with about a 4ft radius. I made my bench out of 2x4s and 3/4 ply using a workmate. It's only just over 4ft long but that's enough for my needs. It has 3 H-frame legs, each with two horizontals, draw-bore mortice and tenoned. The top is two, glued layers of 3/4 ply with twin 10mm dowels into each leg top and just held down by gravity. The 'leg' frames have a horizontal, inset 5" wide 3/4 ply stretcher front and back, about 6" up from the floor, held with 4 screws into each leg (I need to be able to dismantle this thing and carry the parts!). I have a 6" vice at the top left front, close to a leg. The whole thing stands on an upside-down off-cut piece of industrial heavy carpet with an apron area for me to stand on in front, as some kind of sound deadening function. This way, when I'm working, I stand on the same substrate as the bench. I know it doesn't sound very sophisticated, but it doesn't rack when I'm planing and doesn't run away from me! It's certainly not perfect, but it does what I need without flinching. :-)
Btw, I used to do homemade pyro myself but had to give it up some years ago. Pity, I miss it.
Takeaway: don't let a restricted workspace stop you!
@@alanmumford8806 having a workshop is quite the luxury. I should use mine more.
Is there any way to know if he’s actually making a video about this ? He said he was going to dig his workmate out but haven’t seen anything on instagram so not sure.
@@pyrokiller4682 I dug one of my Workmates out yesterday. I had to wire wheel some paint off some outdoor metal chairs and didn't want the dust all in my garage.
Hey Rex! Talk about Mora knives for woodwork for humans!
hey rex. i live in washington. and i know this is kinda an older vid but i want to build a workbench but the prices of wood are super crazy right now. i am wanting to build one out of old pallets. is it possible for you to do a vid on how you would go about making a bench from pallet wood.
I'm building the bench now (slowly because I've been sick), using the original video & the plans Rex sells on his web site. The plans don't include the modifications he recommends in this video. That's kind of a drag. It's not so bad for me, because I'm going slowly but it's still a nuisance. How a out an updated set of plans, Rex? And, while you're at it, how about some instructions for us lefties? We have to reverse the work-holding gear, and, bei g a beginner, I'm not sure I'll do it right by myself.
Curious about sawing technique. Seems one might let the tool do the work for you and struggle less. Utilize the entire saw not just the middle third with a lighter grip. Would this be as effective?
Hello! Is it ok to drill your holdfast holes through your 4x4 cross braces? Thanks!
Have you ever made a how-to video on chisel sharpening?
I think he has several, here's one: ruclips.net/video/EmyW8nFDLr4/видео.html