First Woodworing bench -Joiner Question

You can make a knock down base by using bolts I did that with my bench. There are lots of different designs out there. Just find what fancies you and then modify it to what you like. Do you have any power tools? I know that a bench can be made by using hand tools but it takes a little longer.

-- Dont just dream it, get up and live it!

Lag screws would be my last choice.

I built a douglas fir workbench about a year ago (see: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/18261 and http://lumberjocks.com/projects/18929 ) ... it gets a lot of use, and is solid as a rock.

I used 2×12 stock for the top … ripped into 3.5” strips, jointed and planed to 1.5” thick, then laminated to form a top that is 3.5” thick and 22” wide. The end stretchers have mortise & tenon joints that are draw-bored and pinned with 3/8” oak dowels. The long stretchers are mortise & tenon and have bench bolts and brass cylinder nuts so it can be disassembled.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Check out Christopher Schwartz’s book on Workbenches. His book will address all your questions as he is a hand tool man as well.

-- "It's amazing how much can go wrong when you think you know what you're doing."

I’m going to second the suggestion to check out Chris Schwarz’s book. It covers many of the specific woodworking tasks and the work holding methods that work best. You should take a close look at the work you do and want to do and make sure you can handle of the work holding. Essentially your bench is your most valuable tool when it comes to hand tool work and it should act like a giant clamp. You should be able to secure your work quickly and easily and not have the bench move on you. Nothing is more frustrating than planing or chiseling on a wobbly bench. I have worked on a few trestle style benches and I was not happy as they were too spindly and wobbled. Granted the joinery was a little loose so I can say what a properly built trestle would act like. I built a 4 legged bench with 5”x5” legs in the Roubo style and it is a beast. You could design it to be knockdown but remember that it needs to be rock solid with the joints are locked in place. If you go with 4 legs then make them flush with the edges of your benchtop as this makes for great clamping ability. Also, if you add a 3 slab to the top I would not exceed more than 25 or 26” in top depth. If you cannot reach across the top easily it will become a hindrance. You will also want to be able to set a standard carcase on the top and be able to clamp from both sides. So pick up the Schwarz book, it will be invaluable to your build. You can watch my entire bench build on my own site if you are interested. Follow the link in my signature and let me know if you have any additional questions.

-- The Hand Tool School is Open for Business! Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.renaissancewoodworker.com

Thanks! Your bench is MASSIVE! I love it. Thanks for the tips. Looks like I do need to get that book by Schwarz.

Even if you don’t go for the Roubo style look at that bench and understand the benefits of having everything flush (legs and top) and massive.

Vise setup and types can be specific to what you do but ease of use and flexibility come from those 2 features.