Left Handed Roubo Workbench

looks great. I’m sure you can feel the improvement much more than anyone could see from the pictures. it’s great having a proper bench that can work with you as opposed to leave you figuring things out

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Great looking bench. Nice Job

-- Just trying to build something beautiful

jealous. the work tables I have have all the problems you described with your old one.

-- Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. -Plato

I’ve been preparing to build a Roubo myself and I’m kinda torn between using old re-purposed/salvaged wood, which I have acces to through a local salvager, or building from Doug Fir like you did. The only concern I have with Doug Fir is will the bench top will stay flat? I don’t want to have to correct for twisting or warping down the road. There aren’t enough benches made from Doug Fir out there for me to get my concerns addressed so I pose that question to you.

How is the top holding up?

-- Just a man with his chisel.........

I just realized after posting my comments and question above I had already asked you that question while reading your blog on this project recently….so you don’t have to answer twice.

Thanks again, and very nice bench….btw.

-- Just a man with his chisel.........

Looks great. Must feel good to have a quality bench like that.

Very nice roubo. I am thinking of making one in Douglas fir also. Where did you get the leather? I have looked on line and couldn’t find anything acceptable or in small enough quanities (don’t need a box full). Enjoy your bench, and I agree with you that a shop should be nice since we spend alot of time there.

-- Nikki in Virginia

Very nice build. Iʻm sure you will like it as much as I like my workbench.

-- Tyvekboy -- Marietta, GA

Beautiful bench.

-- Sorry the reply is so long. I didn't have time to write a short reply.

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

DouginVA – I thought that question looked familiar :-) . It’s been a month, and its still flat. I think it’s fine material, you should stop worrying about it and build one.

Nikki – I had a hard time tracking down leather too. The local craft/fabric stores just had scrap bags of random pieces that weren’t larger than 6” x 6”. Eventually I tracked down an online place that sold me an 18” sq piece for about $12 w/shipping.

-- Douglas in Chicago - http://dcwwoodworks.com

Amazing job on the bench! Certainly an inspiration for me to stop procrastinating and build a proper bench.

-- Rafe Demers

DC, that is indeed a beautiful bench. I can relate to the ‘spend more time working vs. figuring out work holding;’ it’s amazing what you put up with, not knowing what a real bench can do.

RE: a flat bench. I’d suggest perfectly flat on a benchtop is about as necessary as perfectly flat sole and sides on a jack plane. It’s focus that is misplaced. And anything 3” thick or more isn’t going to suffer sag, even if it’s doug fir. At least not in our lifetime.

My .02.

Not said to offend anyone’s personal philosophy, but offered to encourage anyone thinking about building a bench but is hesitant for any of the reasons above.

EDIT: For leather, I grabbed a cushion from a green leather sofa that was put at the curb for trash pickup. It’s the source for all my leather needs, and was $0. So if that’s ever a possibility for you…

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive

Really very nice bench – I’m sure you have had lot of fun building it, and now enjoy using it!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

That’s a beautiful build! Enjoy that bench, I sure would if it was in my shop!

-- Will, Ontario Canada. "I can do fast, cheap and good, but you can only pick two... "

Nice!

-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.