Official Luthiers Forum!

Yo Michael,

check this short video out. Me gonna make me next bench like it. Is a simple build and me got the lumber and the vices ...so why nots. Only me not gonna be ordering no plans. Just seeing the video is enough.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/build-a-roubo-workbench-video-preview/

Here is what it look like.



Here is a link to a much simpler version in video.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/workbench

and what it looks like is...

and this is an example of a bench on top of a bench.


go here too http://www.finewoodworking.com/workbench

blessings
Padma

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

Personally I love my bench i put together, my secound woodworking project... i agree with those that say you should build the bench you plan to build things on because i really learned alot of good habbits and techniques for getting by with just a few tools.

The bench i built was Tom Casper's torsion box design, the thing weights 150+ lbs and is solid as a rock.

http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/03/04/tom-s-torsion-box-workbench.aspx

good set of plans are found here, as well as some other bench designs that are nice if you are into that spending a half grand on nice maple, personally i am not, would rather spend the money on tools

http://www.workbenchdesign.net/bench1.html

oh and i also recently made a parrot vice cleet that fits in my front vice so i can add it for working on frets and finished necks and take it off when i want to use the front vice for bigger stuff, very handy.

Even though I own a big Ulmia Bench, my other bench, the one I find most useful, is like the one you describe.

The old traditional benches are lovely to look at but just not nearly as practical, in my opinion.

This is exactly what I intend to do when I finally set up a shop. The bench will be constructed of a double layer of 3/4 plywood for the top, and the frame built with 2x4 or 2x6 boards. Instead of drawers though, it'll have open shelves underneath. I'm gonna beat the living daylights out of it anyway, I see no reason to spend $300-$400 on a maple top. Nothing wrong with them, just not where I choose to spend my cash.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Having a small shop. Space is always a premium. I solved some of this problem by making my table saw function as a base for my bench.

I have a bench top covered with formica on top of my table saw, when I need to use the table saw it slides to the side on top of the other bench. Most of my material is small enough that this has not been an issue, and when it is a problem I can completely remove it and lean it up against the wall while I cut and then put it back in place. The table saw is a Ryobi BT3000. It has a router table built into the table beside the saw blade. So really it is serving 3 uses.

The two benches pictured are where I do most of my work. The one on the right is a kitchen island made of particle board and is rock solid and seriously heavy. On the far right there is a leaf that folds up and down and this is my set up area. It is only put in the up position for this purpose so there is no worry of metal shavings, wood particles, glue or anything else damaging an instrument after it is finished. It is covered with a rubber mat to protect finished instruments. Also has tons of little cubby holes on one side, 2 drawers and shelves on the opposite side.

_________________
Tim

Tim, how do you like the router table side of your BT3000? I've got a BT3100 (and a small amount of space) and have thought about trying to use it. I think I have the router table accessories stashed away. Do you use a Ryobi router or did you have to make an adapter or something to fit another brand router?

_________________
______________________________
Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Jonathon,

I use the router table quite a bit. I mounted a craftsman router directly to it. Just drilled and counter sunk the bolts. I had a small free standing table top router table and removed the fence from it and threw it out. I mount the fence to table of the BT3000 and its all set. Takes about 5 minutes to go from work bench to ready router table.

_________________
Tim

Thanks, Tim.

I'm joying this thread. Right now I just use (2) 3/4" mdf pieces screwed down to a Black and Decker Workmate. Not very heavy, but it's got the step on the front if I'm doing heavy work. Certainly not an ideal bench, I'd like to build something better.

_________________
______________________________
Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Which Michael are you referring to? BTW, Very nice bench. My favorites here incorporate shelves below for storing templates, etc. Guess this one could be modified. What is that thing with all the holes in it?

Mike

Christopher Schwarz of "Popular Woodworking" has two very worthwhile books on bench building and design. The most recent, published this year, has a nice collection of detailed "plans" for building several kinds of good benches.

This is what I have right now. i got it second hand as a giveaway. I've made good use of it. I've already replaced the top once. Built my first guitar on it, and working on my second. The step is used a lot, especially when planing. I just open up the top as far as it will go, and use blocks of wood screwed to the top on all four sides of the piece I'm planing to hold the piece firmly while I plane. Works well and is portable. Fold it up when you're done, and stash it away.
I work outside on my front porch, and have no shop, nor a real place to build one. My solution was to purchase a small metal shed with a high ceiling. Next summer I'll build or pour a foundation/floor for it, set it up and put a well made low bench inside, along with drill press, band saw, table saw, etc, as well as whatever is needed lighting wise. I'll do all of my dirty work there, and glue up, fretwork, and other basically "clean" work in my music room, where I have a corner devoted to lutherie/set up, with a 36" high carpet covered bench.
Not the most ideal setup, but I think it will work for me. And it'll get me off the front porch, lol.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Mike, Mickie, Michale...what difference do it make?

blessings

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

I do a lot of work using my BT3100 as a bench. I ended up cutting up the table surface I had for another project with the intent to redo it. That day will come eventually. I'm thinking of making a large sled for it and having that double as a work surface.

The router table is nice. Just make sure your table surfaces are level with eachother. I need to adjust mine. I'm using the Royobi router and although there is no issue getting it to mount on the saw, it isn't a great router. Mine has problems with the tension collar (the part that secures the height adjustment) working loose while I'm routing. I secure it with tape every time. It was a gift so I'm going to use it till it dies, but I'm not going to cry when that happens.

You do have a point there Paddy.