Reddit mentions of Workbenches: From Design And Theory To Construction And Use (Popular Woodworking)

This bench is a poor choice for hand tools--it more of a workbench for a homeowner who needs to organize maintenance supplies, or someone who primarily uses power tools

For hand tools, really want something more traditional. Something that weighs at least 300lbs. Something with tree-trunks for legs that won't rack or walk all over the room when you put some oomph behind a jointer plane. Something that doesn't have a bunch of crud hanging above your head that will fall on you when you are putting your muscle into something.

This DVD from Mike Siemsen walks you through how to build a workbench for very, very limited money--$150-175 is feasible. It's an English design that doesn't require vises for work holding.

This video series from Paul Sellers walks you through building a reasonable workbench with a very limited set of hand tools and inexpensive materials. This is also an under-$200 bench.

This book, and also this one by Chris Schwarz represent a deep dive into workbench design. The books include plans for ten or so different benches, all of which are excellent for hand tool work. I built my bench based on plans in the second book. Schwarz also has a blog which, if you go through past years, contains hundreds of posts on workbench design.

Workbenches don't have to be expensive. You can use 2x8s or 2x10s from the home center and limited tools to build them. The first two benches I linked come in at under $200. Schwarz's have a bit more of a range. In general, if you chose inexpensive lumber and hardware, your bench shouldn't cost more than a few hundred bucks.

One last thing: if you're doing it by hand, use a softwood. One of the stiffer/harder/heavier ones like Douglas-Fir or Southern Yellow Pine. Avoid the mystery SPF/whitewood. Not saying you can't make a hardwood bench completely by hand, but it's a lot more sweat, time, and money, and the bench doesn't really work any better once it's done.

Workbenches: From Design And Theory To Construction And Use (Popular Woodworking) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1558708405/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Ywy4xbWGM2119

This is the go to I believe. It covers both types and is a great read. Just finished it myself ahead of my Roubo build

i think this bench will serve you just fine but if i may make a suggestion for others. looking for bench advice.

i found this book really interesting. If for nothing else click on the look inside. go to page 9 and look at the ten rules.

Heh. Just send him here. :)

What he needs and how he ought to set it up depends very strongly on what kind of woodworking he wants to do (cabinetry? furniture? chip-carving? bowl turning? hand tools vs. power tools?), and simple personal preference.

Without knowing any of that, it's hard to give much good advice. But if you're looking for a good book that will serve any beginner, you could get him Chris Schwartz' book on building your own workbench:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558708405/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1AFA3F624Y2S9N986GSR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

It's something of a rite of passage for every woodworker to start out building their own bench, and that book ought to give your man all the information he needs to figure out what kind of bench is going to work for him.

I second the previous recommendations for Roy Underhill's "Woodwright Shop" (there are 107 full episodes streaming and free!) and Renaissance Woodworker.

Chris Schwarz is another guy worth reading. His book on workbench design is worth a look, especially if you're going to be more hand tool-centric.

A few downsides to a trough:

It collects dust and wood shavings and is harder to keep clean, hiding the tools you placed there. The nicer ones have sloped or open sides so shavings can be swept out easily.

Eventually it'll get filled up with your tools, when you really should be working cleaner and putting tools back in their place. This depends on your personality.

Harder to add holdfast holes in the back of your bench, which could be good for things like battens which help with hand planing.

It makes your bench lighter. Yes the other comment said this was a benefit, but it can also be a drawback. Some people like a heavy bench so it has less tendency to move when hand planing or general bashing.

One issue however that is a non issue I think is that you need a solid surface in the back for hammering or doing other operations. I find that you tend to do 99% of work at the front 12 inches of a bench.

For further reading on workbenches, I suggest Chris Schwarz's Workbench book. The blue one.

Also consider getting (or borrowing) Chris Schwarz's two books on workbenches: The Workbench Design Book and Workbenches: From Design and Theory to Construction and Use

finishing Japan at War: An Oral History. it's exceptionally good, and profoundly depressing.

just started Edwin Mullhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer. seems good so far.

i read a page or two of Workbenches: From Design And Theory To Construction And Use when i poop. a woodworking book by someone who can actually write!

I sort of used plans. I highly recommend finding http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

My library had it, but I bought it because I found it so useful. Unfortunately, I found it after I had started my bench. I will probably end up making a new one in the style of his "French Bench" aka the Roubo bench. It has a lot of the same features, just different construction details and shortcuts. The bench is perfectly workable, but I could do much better next time.

And I'll make the bench top thicker next time. I'll probably shoot for 4-5" finished next time.

I would start here:

http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

You could be fine with pine. If you're using the cheapest stuff you can find, it will no doubt have knots right? that stuff will most likely not be flat and tends to warp bad - especially if you get it from a home center like home depot. You would have better luck with the select pine from HD but that stuff isn't as cheap. Also, check out the Janka scale. It is referred to in the book workbenches when choosing a wood.

I went with a planer at the time because I had other needs that a jointer couldn't handle. I plan to eventually purchase a jointer as well.

I would recommend reading Chris Scwarz's Workbench book if you haven't already.

http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

Clamps. Buy more clamps. When you think you have enough then get more still.

Buy this book. The workbench is the most often overlooked tool that people don't think about. The workbench is essentially one giant clamping station.

http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

Slow down.

Get this book. Read it cover to cover if possible. Reconsider your design. IMO it’s totally worth you reading this book before you invest your time and money into a bench.

I have no idea what kind of work you do? This will dictate what kind of bench you are going to want.

I honestly think there are some major flaws with the design you show. The top is way to thin. The legs are not flush with the top. How are you going to work on wide edge board surfaces? How are things clamped down, across.

People were wood working for thousands of years and the book is a good culmination of what we know about those old school benches.

Ask yourself this question “Is it really possible that I have more insight into designing workbenches than all the other people who have used workbenches for the past 2000+ years?” the answer might be yes… but if you’re like the rest of us then the answer is probably no.

Yeah I love this book. I have his "blue" book too https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

There are 9 or 10 bench plans in the red book and some extra material about workholding and other related topics. /u/IneffableMF mentioned below that this book is a 'free' kindle book for prime members.

If old timey wood working rocks your boat, I highly recommend following Chris Schwarz. He has done a lot to popularize the Roubo bench and other older tools and methods. He also wrote two of the best books on workbenches (https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405).

There's also a good video about the Roubo workbench at http://www.popularwoodworking.com/video/roubo_workbench_tour

You can follow Chris at:

• http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog
  
• https://blog.lostartpress.com/
  
  His latest research has him investigating Roman workbences (http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/christopher-schwarz-on-roman-workbenches-2) although that's probably not as useful in a home workshop as a Roubo.
  
  If you really want to go off the deep end into traditional woodworking, you also have to check out Roy Underhill's Woodwrights Shop, a show that has been airing on PBS for over 30 years. Chris is a regular guest on there.
  
  http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/home/
  
  If you couldn't tell, I'm a little bit obsessed by all of this traditional woodworking stuff.

From everything I understand, this is probably your best resource: Chris Swarz

There's also a video series that Paul Sellers did on making his workbench. Start here and work your way through all 10 parts. There is a ton of useful information on working with hand tools in this particular video series.

Chris Schwarz wrote a book - might be worth giving a read just so any advice you get, you can put into context.

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

Depending on your area, rift sawn white oak can be quite expensive. I'd highly reccomend making your first bench out of southern yellow pine / doug fir, depending on what region you are in. It will often end up 1/2 price or less. If you really like the look of the oak, or can pick it up super cheap, it will make a great bench.

Even if you decide to make your bench out of SYP / DF, oak is a great accent wood for your vice chop (if you go for a leg vice) deadman, or endcaps. I think the Paul Sellers bench as designed doesn't use any of those features, so maybe that's not super useful for you. Check out Chris Shwarz's workbench book for more ideas and a comprehensive review of woods and their use for workbenches.

If you're looking for workbench info, in addition to the Paul Sellers video that has been linked, I highly recommend Chris Schwarz's book on workbenches. I linked to the copy on Amazon, but my local library has it so maybe check yours as well.

He talks about a ton of different aspects of workbenches and runs down the pros/cons to a lot of different types of vises and designs. I found it super interesting.

Are you working with hand tools or power tools, primarily? Or, I should say, what will you be using on this bench?

For hand tools, you typically want a bench much lower, allowing you to keep your arms locked out and get the power from your body weight and legs. The rule of thumb is "the rule of your thumb." Stand with your arms at your sides. Stick your thumb straight forward. This is the height of your table. 30.5" for me.

For power tools, you don't have to worry about that sort of thing, and instead should have the workpiece closer to you for better visibility. 36" height is common.

Before you buy or build anything, do yourself a favor and pick up Chris Schwarz's Workbenches book. You're pretty much describing the English workbench in your post, and Chris goes into it in great detail, along with accompanying build plans.

you will need to a decent workbench.
Start here
http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405
Christopher Schwarz does a great job of laying it out. He studies old texts. His 18th century joiner's design hailing from France is outstanding. I made one a couple of years ago and it’s awesome. I also just recently read his book on hand planes and it’s also excellent.
The popular woodworking blog is also a good place to find stuff
http://blogs.popularwoodworking.com/editorsblog/
also try
http://www.lostartpress.com/
the fine woodworking forums also have excellent hand tool neanderthal section.
http://www.finewoodworking.com/
also try
http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDocs/Wood_How_To/INDEX_How_To.htm
I could go on and on but that should give you something to think about?

Yep there are! There is I similar, slightly easier to build bench in Chris Schwarz's workbenches book

This exact bench hardware and full size plans are sold by Benchcrafted

This book is awesome:

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483726386&sr=8-1&keywords=workbenches+from+design+and+theory

It's not step-by-step newbie friendly, but it should get you there. I learned a TON about benches from it. I haven't made a bench yet but plan to once I get enough time and space, and it's helped tremendously to understand different features on different benches. I doubt I'd ever buy a standard bench after learning about the different styles unless it was one made like OP's, which is a very good design.

Edit: revised edition here-

https://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Revised-Design-Theory-Construction/dp/1440343128

In Chris Schwarz' Workbench book, pages 14-17 are what you're looking for. Talks a bunch about SYP and alternatives, but ultimately he says it isn't that big of a deal what species you use.

Check here to see if there's any nearby: http://www.southernpine.com/

What are the 2x10s made out of by you? Douglas Fir would also be a great alternative.

This is all good advice.

My advice: http://www.amazon.com/Workbenches-Design-Construction-Popular-Woodworking/dp/1558708405

You could build a nice, sturdy, useful bench from lumber at Lowes for less than those benches. Plus you'll actually will do woodwork when you build it! Do some research and look around a little. Remember you are building a fixture to hold pieces of wood and to clamp wood. When you decide to build a split top roubo out of southern yellow pine, post pics!

This guys workbench is all you need, I would have wanted the legs flush to the table top. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/108012

I am currently in the research and development phase of my bench building right now. This book has been a great resource to set you thinking in the right direction.

Two books your brother might love are Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley (the "Yep, it's wood" guy), and Workbenches by Christopher Schwarz. Both are chock full of phenomenal information about how wood works and how to work it to suit your needs. I would even recommend the second one to someone who didn't want to build a bench, simply because it gives so much insight into the how and why of woodworking in general.

Chris Schwarz, who's one of the contemporary popularizers of hand tool woodworking, wrote a book where he tried to figure out the minimal kit he needed: The Anarchist's Tool Chest. He also wrote a popular book about benches which contains instructions for two different models. You'll need a decent bench and one of those is a sensible first project if you're really committed. If you don't want to make something that big to start off with the book has lots of good info on what features a bench needs so you can modify what you already have.

I didn't really follow plans, per se, but I did read Workbenches: From Design And Theory To Construction And Use and The Workbench Design Book Both by Christopher Schwarz. After studying these, I had all the design elements in mind and worked it out as I went along...which worked out for the most part, but I had a few hiccups due to lack of planning along the way.

The hardware is Benchcrafted, and they have plans too, which are popular, but I didn't use them.

I used Chris Schwartz's book, found here on amazon.

Great book, and an interesting read. Includes schematics and some very helpful step-by-step information.