Galootathon Today

I’m in the short rows on my Roubo build but…..

I used SYP, good stuff for benches, stiff, heavy, and most important cheap. I’ve made a number of benches out of SYP, its only draw back is until it settles it can do stupid wood tricks. Glue up into slabs or thicker pieces helps most times.

I build the top in two slabs, figured it would be easier to do the wagon vise, dog holes, and deadman grove working on half a slab instead of a full one. Took some winding sticks to the slabs today, the front slab had a little twist on the left corner face, top was good. It cleaned up pretty quick, I didn’t have to work too far back. The back slab top was good and it has no twist on either the top or face but the face had a good bow right in the middle.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to glue the slabs together or go with a split top but either way the bow had to come out. Can you say, “good workout, no need for the gym today” :-), BTW my wood scrub plane is a real work saver, what a great little plane.

Now to the real reason for this post: Those of you who have build Roubos with a split top would you do it again? I’m leaning toward joining the slabs for a solid top. Once finished the bench will not be broken down, I’ve always flattened the tops by hand, a plane stop in the middle would be handy as would chisel storage space but I think I’d rather be able to move the plane stop around. Chisel storage, shrug.

Anyway, any thoughts?