Portable Moravian Workbench Tour
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- Опубликовано: 5 авг 2024
- Take a tour of my portable Moravian style workbench! This is a fantastic bench for hand tool woodworkers. It was fun to instructive to build and is an absolute joy to use.
Based on Will Myers' research and teaching. See Will's blog posts on building the Moravian workbench here:
tmaking.wkfinetools.com/01-sho...
Other resources on this design, including an excellent instructional video by Will and free plans, can be found here:
woodandshop.com/moravianworkb... 
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![Watch me BUILD this beautiful WORKBENCH…[2 Month Timelapse]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ob-nEWnTTWI/mqdefault.jpg)
Best Moravian workbench I’ve seen on RUclips! Great tour. I’ve searched all of RUclips for explanation of tool tray. Yours is the only tour I found that showed the tool tray up close & how it works! The lower shelf is what makes this Moravian bench the best!
Best video on the subject. Clear enough that I could build the bench on the basis of it.
Great job on the build and the video. It’s much appreciated!
Thank for all the angles you took and the good explanation with it! Have a great day!
I'm in the process of building the same bench. You did such a better job on your legs than I did on mine. The tour of the bench was delightfully thorough. Thank you.
great tour, i'm even more convinced about making this my first actual workbench, thanks for sharing
Just a great explanation. You showed all the important points and I really like the video. Great job
Very nice workbench ! One of my favourite ! Good job
Very nicely done Mac, you have some great skills. Great explanation and video. Thanks for sharing!
Nicely done! Very nice workbench. Moravian workbench has one of the coolest design. And it is very portable and functional.
What an ingenious design, very adaptable to any application.
Great video. I love this style bench and can’t wait to build mine!
Looks great! Very functional.
Outstanding job and demonstration.
Stunningly beautiful workbench you have built there. Congratulations ☺
Very nice workbench my friend, my favorite of models was so far a traditional bench by Frank Klaus and a traditional bench by Will Myers, now I was surprised with this model of the Moravian workbench, I identified myself a lot with it in every way, I am convinced in to build it, it is an old dream to deconstruct my own workbench.
Hi Mac,
i just stumbled into your vid, while researching for a bench design. Thank you VERY MUCH for presenting your graceful adaption so clearly and understandable in the logic of it's beauty!
Congratulations... she's a true gem!
With best regards from Berlin, Germany
Holger
Smart bench, nice video too, concise and to the point. Look forward to more
pathfinda thanks! Hope you got to check out my Dutch tool chest video too. Couple of other videos in the works too.
Nice work and a great explanation.
Nice bench. I’m going to add a shelf, according to your addition, to mine. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. As an apartment dweller, I currently make do with a "Roman" low workbench. On a long enough timeline, I'd like to make myself a Moravian-inspired workbench.
Great job!
Great job mate.
Thanks for sharing this. Great bench!
UreaSmith thanks!
Great tour and explanation. I've just built my own with a couple of variations. Instead of the leg vice, I've installed a flush 9" quick release face vice with 12" white oak faces and also included a sliding deadman that runs along the front stretcher. Unfortunately my budget wouldn't run to the beautiful hardwood top Mac has used here but good 2x4 pine makes a pretty decent alternative.
This is a great bench for hand tool woodworkers and also good practice for beginner woodworkers with the draw-bore mortise and tenon, bridle and lapped dovetail joints. Those angled tusked tenons on the rails work beautifully and are also good practice for making large precise mortises and tenons.
Thx for this. I've been researching the Moravian bench for a few months and this is the most thorough look I've found. Seeing the chop assembly is especially nice.
Your bench is a beautiful example... Well done!
Thanks, lunaticprophet! Glad you found the tour helpful!
Great work, thank you for sharing
Great video!
Started building one myself but the shed got filled with usual junk, just getting back to it now and needed a reminder of what the process is, good tour, well built, good job man
Great video! Keep up the good work
I built this in '21 an really like it, it's heavy enough to stay put, has an Ash top an bits of Oak and Walnut connecting SYP legs and stretchers. The Ash top is only 12" wide x 3.5"thick to save on weight giving me a bigger tool tray, the Vise chop is Oak with a Maple screw. Yes, I followed W. Myers plan on this. I can disassemble, and take it anywhere!
thanks for the tour and your thoughts the bench turned out great
Baron Von thanks! Been using the bench daily for a while now and still think it’s the best design for me.
Great video. I learned a lot. Cheers .
Great video Mac! Nice work!
Thanks Jon. I appreciate the positive feedback.
Very nice. I have a Roubo, but would love one of these too!
As others have noted, your work is precision PLUS!
Thanks for sharing
Robert
Boulder CO
Outstanding job of presenting the structure of this remarkable bench. Wish I would have this in my small shop instead of the 300 lb behemoth I did build. Well perhaps that is a bit of an overreaction, but kudos to you and the other builders.
Nice job!
Looks like a very fine execution. I've considered building one of these.
Beautiful, man.
bravo! my dream bench!
Really beautiful. Serioulsy.
I saw the marovian workbench build after I built my first bench haha. But I guess I need a bench to do the joinery to make this bench anyways. This is definitely my next big project and that shelving addition was an awesome idea
❤this video, that’s the bench for me 🌞
Great job
Superb!
Thank you for sharing!
There is something about that kind of bench that i find so slick and handsome.
simply genius
That is an amazing bench.
Regards
One Handed Maker
Put in my favourite.
You’re bench looks great. I’m really thinking about building this model. Right now, we are renting a house with a basement and it would be great to have a workbench I can take apart when we eventually move.
Great job and very informative video. I don't think Will offers the vice anymore. After ordering, he kept putting my order off for 4 months, then never got back to me
Pura vida Mac great project can you show more details about that workbench
HI Mac, Thanks for the quick run through. First link from description is not working.
I really like your simple demonstration of this work bench. I was wondering just how long it actually does take to unload and assemble? I am curious because , if I was to go to weekend "fairs" and wanted to go and do some work, I would like to assemble quickly and disassemble quickly. I do realize that as time goes by, it would be less and less time. and how would one contain all those parts so that they could be reached for without even thinking about it. I think that if I could build a bench like that, I would want to show it off! lol.
Great build I’m fortunate enough to own the DVD set wood and shop put out of Will Meyers showing how to build this bench. Unfortunately I’m in South Florida and cannot find a source for the right wood for the build near me. The top is the most difficult wood for me to find I don’t want to make it out of construction grade pine.
Vladimir Lopez I actually made two tops for this bench, the one you see in the video (ash) and one of Southern Yellow Pine, construction grade 2x12 ripped down to 4” and then laminated. I would not hesitate to use that top. I think you should go for it. Best case scenario you love it. Worst case scenario, you are unhappy with it, but you have an awesome and functional bench to work on while you make another top later. The top is easily replaceable.
Trouble is I need a bench to build my bench on!! It looks good.
Best review I have seen on this bench no doubt. Would you mind sharing your experience regarding total cost to build and the number of hours?. Thanks again, Dave.
Hi Dave, really good question. I didn’t keep track, and actually made two tops (one out of pine and one out of ash), but I would estimate $200 would be the minimum, and that would be without the wagon vise or wooden vise screw. I would say reasonable guess would be $400-$700 depending on vise hardware and how much premium hardwood you use, versus pine. I think you really could do the whole thing out of southern yellow pine, with the premium vise screw and wagon vise for $400 or $500 and have an awesome, lifetime workbench.
@@macaustin2791 This is a really great video - thanks for taking the time to put it together (and nice build - it looks superb)! I'm curious about your choices of wood... I'm new to woodworking and am thinking this will be the bench I make. That said, what helped you decide to use the white ash for the top and red oak for leg splines? Do you prefer your Pine or Ash top? Thanks for your time and expertise!
How is the white pine bottom of the tool tray joined to the dovetail sides? Is it butt-jointed & glued?
Austin, do you recall how thick the pine floor is on the tool tray?
nice work bench! what was the cost of the materials?
How far from the front edge did you make the dog holes? 2 inches from the center of the hole or further out?
Mac, great video and great job on your build. Can you share where you purchased your Vise Screw? Thank you again.
Dennis Williams thanks Dennis. Leg vise screw and nut are from Lake Erie Toolworks.
Looks great! How does the "tool tray" base attach to the edge pieces?
darklightBoy there is a 1/4 inch groove in the side pieces and the bottom has a corresponding rabbeted tongue. I put just a little bit of glue on the long edge to keep it in place. No glue on the short sides because you need to allow for the wood movement (expansion and contraction without splitting).
Nice looking bench. How much does Will get for the wagon vise? I’ve been thinking of getting one.
$180 is what I paid. Steal compared to other end/tail/wagon vise options if you ask me.
How much did the materials cost you?
Wow. That looks fantastic. I am in the process now building a temporary bench to try out and see what I like and don’t like about it. Before I build real bench like yours I want to know that I don’t want to change it immediately. Anyway, how much does that top weight? Currently I don’t have the space to leave it up when I’m not using it.
Don Esry it’s quite heavy. I think around 100lbs if memory serves. It isn’t too bad to remove and store when you need to, but I wouldn’t want to do that daily
Are all pieces 8/4, top and legs?
It's been a couple months since you built your bench... any thoughts, positive/negative, about the design and how well it works? Anything you've discovered in its use that you hadn't expected? Anything that you'd add or change?
lunaticprophet I still think it’s the absolute best design out there for the kind of work I do. If I were redoing it, I don’t think I’d change anything. I should note, the one modification I HAVE made since the video is adding a couple more dog holes up near the tool tray.
Absolutely beautiful bench. Did you make a set of plans for the build? If yes, would you consider selling the plans?
Vincent Miceli Will Myers teaches classes and a video on how to make this workbench and has plans available for free here: woodandshop.com/moravianworkbench/
How 'bout building another one and showing how you did it? What were the problems? How did you solve them? I would DEFINITELY watch that series!
Hey, LynnsGarage, I appreciate the sentiment but a video of building this bench is already available from woodandshop.com by Will Myers. He does a far better job than I could and is much more of an authority on this bench’s construction and the techniques used in the build. See the links in the description. His video is worth far more than it costs! Hope you enjoyed my little tour though-it’s a great design!
Mac, nice job on the bench. I purchased the video and watched it at least 5 times trying to come up with some plans/drawings. What did you use to build it?do you care to share/swap drawings, I came up with almost 20 drawings....
Thanks,
RonW.
I don’t have any drawings. I worked primarily off the video but there is a drawing available for free from the video vendor here: woodandshop.com/moravianworkbench/
You have to give your email address to get the download.
Great bench and tour! Like the idea of shaking out the shaving from the removable tool tray. I really like the Moravian design but I’ve never used one. What made you go this style vs some other?
Thanks! I went with this design because it can be easily moved (I don’t feel like my shop space is permanent), and unlike all other portable/movable designs I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem to sacrifice anything. It is absolutely rigid and plenty beefy and weighty for hand planing, mortising, and other heavy hand tool work that made my previous benches wrack or scoot. And it’s beautiful and fun to build!
Cool! Makes sense! Congrats again on the beautiful bench!
👍👍👍👍
It would have been nice to see you do some heavy plane work in different directions to show if it's stable.
Wayne Dollery I’ve been thinking about doing a follow up video now that I’ve been working on the bench for a significant amount of time. I’ll try to work that in if I do. Thanks!
Hi fantastic overview. I am completely new to woodworking and step one is to get myself a portable bench. Do you think this is beyond an absolute novice? I am guessing you are pretty experienced wood worker but how long did it take you to build?
peterxrocks i wouldn’t recommend attempting it as an absolute beginner. It doesn’t require really any advanced skills, but I would say you would want your first dovetails and first mortise and tenon joinery to be on something you don’t mind being a little sloppy. But if you’ve done a little practice with the basics, don’t be too intimidated. If you buy the Will Myers instructional video it really walks you through are by step.
@@macaustin2791 good advice. I was thinking of building something smaller in first instance to test those joins , then move onto bench project. One other thing...for you following on with the video how long do you think it took you?
Beautiful bench, congrats. What's the height of your build? All the best
Pablo Ramírez Díaz the workbench is 35 inches tall. I’m 6 feet tall and it’s a good height for me.
@@macaustin2791 thanks for your answer. Just wondering, how big is your hand span? Jim Tolpin has a very interesting method for sizing workbenches in relation to the user's hand span (which relates to his height and reach) and the kind of work you intend to do on it.
Perhaps you find it interesting, here is a link to his explanation ruclips.net/video/bBS5-AV81lg/видео.html
All the best 👍🏼💪🏻
What wood is used for legs? It's a zebrawood?
southern yellow pine
I don´t know if you´ll read this but I´m set on building a violin, with zero woodworking experience, and you explained this design perfectly! Is it possible to scale down this design? What I mean is, for hand tools and gouging, would a scaled down version of this bench have enough structural rigidity to make it stable? I was thinking 3 or 4 feet of bench length! Many thanks from Argentina!
how tall are you Mac Austin?
6’0”
I made a metric plan that is free to downoad here : drive.google.com/file/d/1-dcifM24PVdLWTnB-1GDHG6NTIyQlypH/view?usp=sharing
Leg vice
How heavy is the heaviest piece? Could a woman manipulate it?
Well, I haven’t weighed it but I’d guess the top is around 100lbs, probably a little more. I am 6’ tall and average strength. It takes considerable effort to pick it up and carry it, but it’s doable. It could be made significantly lighter though. If you made it out 2.5” pine instead of 4” ash, it might weigh half. Remember though that weight is helpful in a workbench to keep it from scooting around when you plane. Make it is heavy as you can handle would be my advice.
@@macaustin2791 what if you added weight to the bottom shelf? The weight would be there just more manageable
Jennifer Zimmerman I think that works, but you just want to make sure you don’t reduce the thickness of the top too much. You want it to be totally rigid, no bounce or flex, when you are doing your most physical work, like chopping mortises. 2.5 inches thick is about as thin as I’d go on the top, and thicker for less rigid wood species.
Another option is the approach I took with my version of the Portable Moravian. I made a split double slab top (i.e. no tool tray) with a gap stop in the middle. Mine was also made mine from Ash so the overall weight is even heavier (especially with two slabs) however the slab tops are only 13in and 9.5in in width so that reduces the weight of each individual slab. Making them both 11.25in (with a 1.5in gap stop) would spread the weight even more. Of course you do lose the tool tray but in any case you can see details here: bit.ly/2X9QTj8
Terrible Audio. Good Audio Makes Good Video. Please see/listen to Paul Bertorelli video on Av Web channel from January 2017.
And consider seriously a ClipOn or Lavaliere-style microphone for your Audio in the future. Thanks.
Those vises screws are bloody expensive. No less than 300$ for the damm bloody screw
No, that’s not correct. They are currently $175 (just checked Lake Erie Toolworks). Well, what I should say is, not true about the $300, but still expensive, yes. Cheaper than tooling up to be able to make one yourself though I think. If you want to do it more cheaply though, you can grab a metal vise screw from Lee Valley for a LOT cheaper and it would work great!
@@macaustin2791 hmm. Might go with the metal one since it wont expand and contract, but i was going for an all wood bench build
Nice bench, but honestly I just can't take all the ahs. It's almost like every fourth word is ah.
Aah, um, aum, aah, um, aum, aa, hum, aum, aah, um, aum, aah, um, aum, aah. Thanks for watching.
Not everyone is a public speaker and I'd guess he didn't script the talk before filming, shooting on the fly. Where exactly are all your videos displaying your speaking prowess on camera?
childish comment Mr. Drives to Work
Ahh. Eee. Ammm. Euu. Eee, every second.