My workbench gets a page of its own.
When I started my woodworking hobby, I quickly discovered that having a good way to hold your work is essential. Everything from hand planing to joinery, and even project assembly, all require a good solid flat work surface. I could “make do” without a traditional workbench, but it was not as easy or enjoyable as I knew it should be. So I decided to build a bench, and I eventually settled on the Lon Schleining design featured in FWW Tools & Shops issue (No. 167, Winter 2003/2004).
This design is also featured as a chapter in Lon’s book The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Building Your Perfect Bench.
DESIGN
It was not until I started building the top that I discovered a bit of a sticking point with the FWW article. The vise hardware used in that article actually will BARELY fit based on the dimensions in the article, but you would have to make some sort of modification somewhere along the line to get it done. I won’t go into the details here, but for more information about the problem and how I got around it, check out my workbench design page.
HARDWARE
I decided to go with the same hardware that Schleining mentioned in his design. The front vise is a Quick-Release Front Vise that Woodcraft sells. There is actually a bit of difference of opinion whether the QR feature is desirable. I have read arguments from some people who prefer the regular screw type, but I already had a QR Wilton vise on an old bench, and I like that just fine. Costs about double, though. The end vise is the Veritas Twin Screw vise. I decided to get the standard width, but I ended up making it about an inch wider than standard so it would easily accomodate a 16″ wide board between the screws. I ended up purchasing some go-cart style chain from the local Tractor Supply to provide for the wider spacing, and I built my own custom-made hardware cover out of cherry. (more on that later…)
I found some pointers to building this bench on the Canterbury Workshop - there is a great series of four videos showing the construction of one of these benches. It shows Joe DeBottis building a bench with a twin screw end vise and a face vise just like the Schleining design, but he upped the ante and added a third shoulder vise on the back corner! It’s really an awesome bench, and worth checking out.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Travis // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Monty,
I am getting closer to finishing my bench. Before I drill holes for the bench dogs I wanted to know where you got yours. I never tire if looking at your bench.
Thanks.
Travis
2 Monty // Apr 13, 2008 at 5:29 am
Thanks for your feedback! The bench dogs I used for the front vise are the standard 4-3/8″ long round bench dogs from Veritas. I picked them up locally at the Klingspor woodworking shop.
3 Doug Robbins // Jul 20, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I tried to watch your videos but was unable. I thought your bench was fantastic but would have liked to watched the videos
4 Monty // Jul 21, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Glad you liked the bench. I don’t host any videos on this site, so I assume you must be referring to the Canterbury Workshop videos. If you’re having a problem seeing their videos, you might consider notifying them (their site says you need to use IE 6.0, which I don’t have any more). I hope you get to see those videos - they’re pretty good.
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