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January 22, 2008
What kind of workbench do you work on?Staying on the workbench theme, I thought I'd give everyone a chance to discuss what kind of workbench you have worked on in the past or are presently working on, and if you have plans to build a new one, what style are you contemplating? As I stated in my interview with Christopher Schwarz, I'm itching to start building a new workbench (other projects will probably push that back until summer). But, my current workbench has served me well for over 10 years. My current workbench is as basic as it gets. A solid core door on a inset frame with 4 x 4 legs. I have a quick release vise in the end vise position which is in line with a row of bench dog holes. I like this set up and will incorporate it into my next bench. I'm currently leaning heavily towards the Holtzapffel (the one that I butchered the name in the interview). It has many of the features that I want in a workbench. It's great for hand planing (as Chris says, it passes the kitchen door test with flying colors), and ideal for cutting dovetails, something that I love to do. Besides the twin screw vise in the side vise position, just looks plain cool! Like most woodworkers, I don't have an overabundance of shop space so the size of the Holtzapffel fits my needs as well. Now, all I need is 40 extra hours in my life and the wood to build it. I know I can get the wood at Home Depot, do you think they sell more time there too? So what's your story?
-Craig Stevens www.WoodworkersResource.com contactus@woodworkersresource.com
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Comments (4)
I used to work on a Black and Decker Workmate on the patio, out of a 4x6 shed. Very limited! When we bought our house it had a 12 foot long workbench, built of 2x4's in the garage. I installed several vices but it is far from ideal. I was encouraged by Chris' comments about the crummy workbenched used by some of the best craftsmen. When we move to a bigger house (necessitated by our growing family) I intend to seriously address the need of a suitable workbench. As big as my current workbench is, it often gets too cluttered to work on; then I resort to a solid core door on saw horses. I often cut plywood on a piece of foam insulation on the floor of the garage.
Posted by Joe Schwartz | January 24, 2008 7:17 AM
Posted on January 24, 2008 07:17
Hey Craig,
I just started building a Holtzapffel style bench. You can watch my progress over at lumberjocks.com. I like the simplicity of the design and the large twin-screw vise. I plan to do more hand-cut dovetails and the big vise should help.
http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/Koonan/blog/3247
Mike
Posted by Mike Lingenfelter | January 24, 2008 11:17 PM
Posted on January 24, 2008 23:17
Thanks Joe for the comment. I have the same trouble with my bench. No matter how big a surface I have to work with, I can still find a way to clutter it up with junk!
-Craig
Posted by (WR) Craig Stevens | January 25, 2008 9:53 PM
Posted on January 25, 2008 21:53
Mike,
I am so glad you wrote to tell us your plans to build the Holtzapffel style bench. I'm excited to see the progress you make on the bench and letting us know how it goes.
Be sure to let us see the mistakes too (not that I'm saying you may make any) they may help us who come after you to avoid them :)
-Craig
Posted by (WR) Craig Stevens | January 25, 2008 9:59 PM
Posted on January 25, 2008 21:59