Tail Vise for my Roubo Workbench

It’s really nice looking. I would have forgotten to dado the runners before I laminated the top!

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Very nice bench. I want to build one too and right now i am calculating on the wood :)

So maybe this winter ill start on it:)

Weel done

-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith

Cool !! May I ask what’s the wood you used?

-- Jose, Tijuana MX. Practice makes perfection... or better said, Practice makes permanent... so be careful what you practice!

I used untreated southern yellow pine as did Schwarz for his first Roubo in Popular Woodworking. I made my bench 7 feet long and 25 1/4 wide. Pretty much followed his plan. The top is 4 inches thick and it is joined with drawborn white oak pegs.

I’m so jealous! I wish I had room for a monster like that. I love the looks of them and to have the that many solid vises would be great.

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

very nice

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

I’m thinking about making mine 6 feet long. When you look at yours and imagine a foot shaved off, does it still seem grandiose and spectacular? If not, I might go 7 like you did;)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Six foot length will be fine as long as the top and framework are heavy enough to provide stability in use. The main reason I built this bench in the first place was that the Abram’s style was too light and racked during hand planning (plus it was right handed – I didn’t know why I should have built it in reverse back then). The legs on this on are 5” square and the stretchers are 3 3/4” wide (3×1 1/4”) as opposed to Schwarz who used 2×1 1/4” – the bench probably weighs close to 300 lbs.

I’ve committed to a massive slab, 6” maple. Overkill, of course. I’ve waited long enough for this bench that I feel like I can justify going a bit over the top. In terms of length, however, my tiny shop will only afford so much. I might be able to eek out 7’ but at 6” thick, a foot represents a good bit of wood. Thanks! Al.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Glad to help – WV is my home state as noted by the center panel in my toolchest – Parkersburg. I believe I saw a pedal style scroll saw once on your site – My farther had one – my mother sold it after he died. Wish I had it today.

My wife is from Parkersburg and we go regularly to visit. Did you obtain your lumber the way The Schwarz recommends. Did you go to lowes and get clear 2 x 10 s or 2×12s and rip them? If so, what was your lumber cost?

I have read his workbench book and plan on building a Roubo bench soon. I have mentioned using southern yellow pine to my main lumber guy and he just looks at me quizzically. His opinion is that if you are going to go through the trouble why not use a “nicer” wood like maple and it wouldn’t be much more. I kind of agree with him but I haven’t priced it out yet.

-- I hate being bipolar. It's awesome! :^ ) ^:

Always glad to hear of another woodworking relationship to P’burg – bet you stop in at Woodcraft while you are there. I went back to my records and saw that I spent $165 for the Southern Yellow Pine in May of ‘09. I now live in the Pittsburgh, PA area and had to try several places to find what I wanted – untreated 2×12 in 16 foot lengths. I had the yard cut them to 8 ft for transportation. Bench is 7 ft. Getting extra long boards insures you getting the best quality as quality goes down some in shorter lengths plus you have good allowance for checking. Certainly, go with maple if it won’t cost a lot more. Better have a really sharp plane when you level the top. By the way, after two years as Schwarz noted, my bench shows some sinking down the middle requiring a replaning.