Workbenches

You need a proper workbench. It is probably the single most important tool you can have for hand tool woodworking.

Chris Schwarz says that for most woodworkers, a workbench needs to be able to pass the kitchen cabinet door test. In other words, it should be able to hold the door in a position to work its faces, edges and ends with no fancy add on jigs or clamps.

Chris is right. Oddly enough, even most commercial benches somehow fail this simple test.

If you have read this far, you really need to take a moment and get Chris's workbench book.

A workbench should be solid, not rack, buckle, twist, turn, or scoot across the floor. Think "boulder" nor "folding table" here. Your bench should be massive.

If you want to use hard maple, Cumaru or Lignum Vitae, that is your choice, but even carefully selected construction grade species like fir and southern yellow pine can be great choices.

Remember that essentially, they are a work holding device.

One of the obstacles that a new woodworker runs into is how to build a workbench without having a workbench. There are no easy answers. My suggestion is to do what it takes to get it done as quickly as possible. If you have to "cheat" and use power tools, or build it in a friends shop, just do it, and get on with it.

While a workbench is a great item to practice hand sawing and and other techniques on, it is an exercise in frustration to do it with hand tools without having a workbench.

One idea is to make a couple of saw horses and put the thickest and stiffest plank of wood on it you can find. This is a concept similar to a Japanese workbench. If you straighten the top of the plank, it might make a reasonably decent surface to hand plane your boards on.

Another idea is to get a couple of portable workbenches from Blum Tool Company. It will cost you some money, but you will have a couple of nice portable workbenches when you are done.

One final thing. I think most people should make their own workbench. There are some who should not. If you are disabled, not physically strong, working by the hour, or heavily focused on making smaller projects, you should seriously consider buying a workbench.

It is non-trivial to manhandle the various components to put together a proper workbench due to their massive size and weight. Imagine with me what it would be like to drop your 300 pound workbench on your leg as you are trying to turn it over. Not only would you likely have to have your crushed leg set or amputated, you would also have to find a couple of stout fellows to get the bench off your leg before you could go anywhere. As I was saying, not everyone should try building their own workbench. In any event, be sure to have enough help around to move things around in a safe manner.

Whatever you do, make sure you get a decent workbench. To fail to do so could be dangerous to your physical and mental health!

Therapeutic Woodworking™ is about relaxation not aggravation.