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This sawbench is only 18" tall which makes it perfect for sawing (crosscut or rip) and also serves double duty as my toddler's workbench. The rip slot down the middle also has a saddle to set in a 3' pipe clamp which can serve in a variety of ways. A couple of simple dovetails joints and a few dados are all the joints needed.

This was built from all rough sawn pine using only non-electric hand tools. This saw bench can be made easily with ordinary 2×8 lumber.

The finish is amber shellac.

These are incredible handy and I use them all the time. To see the full details along with SketchUp plans, you can read about the saw bench construction

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This a great idea the only thing I could not handle is the 18" part.
 

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Looks like winner,swirt! Thanks
 

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Second saw bench I've looked at today. Must be something contagious, I'm in the process of making on a couple of them too. I've got a rather strong affection for using hand tools too. Congratulations on finishing such a useful project.
 

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Very nice bench.
 

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thats a cool idea
 

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a1Jim, the 18" is just the height of the lower portion of my kneecap. Anyone building a set should adjust the height to match their own knee cap.
 

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Thanks … but its not perfect yet. Wait till you see the add on that turns it into a shaving horse. (coming soon … gotta go take photos of it)
 

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This is such a brilliant idea, I will have to make one!
Thanks.
Best thoughts,
MaFe
 

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6,838 Posts
this is awesome- also love the tool set ;) cute.
 

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Mafe, they work best in pairs. I'd be honored if you made one or two.
 

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Some good ideas here. Nice design.
 

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I don´t know how this one skipped thrugh the net with out any notice
sorry I will try to do it better Steve :) but thank´s to http://lumberjocks.com/SilverbackReef
who had pointed me to it from his sawbench project I got a second chance :)

I like this bench….I´m convinced that I did write a comment back then …. hmmm most have forgooten
to click on the post comment bottom :-(
well back to the subject … I like your sawbench as well and can´t say witch one is the best concept to have
both have some nice quality´s that would be nice to have on the other
please help me here Steve as soon as I have finished restoring a deason amount of the tools
I need to build both some sawbenches and sawhorse´s

take care
Dennis
 

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Glad you got to see it now Dennis ;)
I like SilverBackReef's variation on this design. I think mine is faster to make. His requires more glue-up laminations and joint cutting. The advantage of his is that the legs are thick enough to allow for the holdfast holes, which I think is brilliant. Whether it is worth all the extra joinery probably depends most on what you plan to use the side clamping feature for and how often. If I were in your shoes wondering which to build, I would probably build one of each, since they are most effective used in pairs AND they have some subtle differences in use. As I am sure you would realize, it would be great practice to build them both since the joinery is so different.

Both I think are plenty strong. His is probably stronger, but I have put mine through some pretty heavy tasks and never even once thought it was close to any kind of failure or weakness.

I think there are a couple modifications I would make to either one. I describe them more after I have had a bit more time to roll them over in my mind.
 

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thank´s for the infomation Steve I do preciated you did take your time to do it
I have favorited both so I proppebly will build on of each ….... as we say in Denmark with a bad translation
that time that joy :)
and I´m looking out for a realy lightwaight version my Doughter can use, I think will bee either a classic
box sort of constuction in plywood like a stepstol just higher or mr. Sw version with the birdsmouth

wrll we have to see what and how the framesaw will cut when the times come …. LOL

when it comes to the sawhorses I think you will like my study concept …..........
.... ups once again something slipped out

take care
Dennis
 

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In the construction link, I like the idea of flipping the bench and using the "V" notch as a log rack. The absolutely best feature of your build is spending time with your little man while building it.
 

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Good project! Did you ever post that shaving horse add-on?
 

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Eddie_T I thought I had, but on looking back for a post about it all I could find was Shaving JackAss version Alpha

Appeared in this post: Drawshaving Larger Posts
It used the integrated pipe clamp to hold a handscrew clamp, and then used a second handscrew to create the angle. It worked in a pinch, but was slow to turn the wood from one position to the other, unlike the near instant adjustment of the Shaving Donkey shown below.

I'll have to get some better photos together to show the construction, but these should give the basics:
The shaving Donkey in use: This was an early photo where I used two handscrews to secure it to the sawbench. I have since put two 3/4 dowels in place that go into the dog holes of the bench.

From the end view: Here you can see the hinge attaching the lower jaw as well as the center runner that sits in the rip saw slot.

From the side: Here you can see the moveable wedge (it is completely loose) and can be adjusted forward or back to adjust the incline angle of the lower jaw and the workpiece. The two bolts you see are threaded rod that run completely from one side to the other.


Disclaimer: The shaving horse attachment works fine, but it is by no means meant to be a dedicated shaving horse. It is best suited to a limited run of 10-15 spindles. If you are making a set of chairs, do your self a favor and make a dedicated horse.

The main reason I like this, is that when I am done with it, I can hang it or tuck it away and I get my sawbench back. A dedicated shaving horse takes up a lot of room, and this doesn't.
 
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