LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

After attempting to carve on my regular workbench for a few hours, I quickly realized my back didn't like that too much! I needed a surface that would bring my work up to a more comfortable level. Rather than building a whole new bench I decided to build a removable mini-bench that could clamp down to my regular bench and bring my work up to that height, but could easily be removed and stored when not in use. The top measures 36" x 14" x 3" thick and with the addition of the base and the cast iron end vise, it is heavy! It stores in the base of my existing workbench. I made the entire project from some left over hard maple I had around the shop. I intend to use it for all kinds of detail work, carving, stringing, planing small parts etc. Feel free to comment or leave feedback as usual!

www.jefftobertwoodworking.com

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
2,217 Posts
That looks really useful and well built. I wish I had one for joinery work, dovetailing really kills me on the current low bench.
 

· In Loving Memory
Joined
·
8,391 Posts
Beautiful work on this very fine bench Jeff. I understand that the height will spare you back pain while carving, but won't moving it up and down have the opposite effect?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,675 Posts
Real nice addition to your IMMACULATE shop !
 

· Registered
Joined
·
652 Posts
I built one this past year too. It definitely helps while dovetailing.

 

· Registered
Joined
·
211 Posts
Interesting build and a practical solution to a common problem. Well done.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,293 Posts
I wish you hadn't posted this… now I have to build one. Thanks! :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,619 Posts
Nice Bench, sure wish I could find Maple like that around here, or at least that I could afford to buy.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
5 Posts
Wow a bench for your bench…that's awesome! Are you going to add a front vise on it and make it a moxon as well?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
215 Posts
Thanks for posting. Great idea. Nice build.
Now is on my list too. Thanks again.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
48 Posts
GREAT job on a benchtop table/height extender. I'm planning to build Jeff Miller's benchtop bench, but this is a nice option too!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
7 Posts
Naughtypine, I don't think it will be necessary. I do more carving and inlay/stringing work and for that I prefer the end vise and a long row of dog holes. Thanks for the feedback everyone!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,242 Posts
Great idea and wonderful build
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1 Posts
nice workbench, such a time I would also have to build, because I do not have a large workbench
 

· Registered
Joined
·
29 Posts
Really great detail bench on and equally great work bench.. awesome job on both. Thanks for sharing.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,477 Posts
Very nice. That size could be useful to a lot of folks that dont have room for a full size bench.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
101 Posts
Really nice. Well done.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,045 Posts
Interesting project. Most of the benchtop benches are Moxon style for sawing and when I first saw this I thought who would want to plane boards that high (because of the end vise) but for carving and inlay that should work really well.
And as others have mentioned, what an immaculate shop!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
18 Posts
Obligatory: Yo Dawg, I heard you like benches, so you built a bench for your bench. Bench.

All kidding aside, I can see tons of uses for something like this, especially if you can store it on a shelf within the original bench. Clamping heaven.
 
Top