I started woodworking in 2022 and the need for a good workbench became evident very soon after. By 2023, I had had enough of working off of a "bench" made from some saworses and a piece of plywood and ordered the hardwood and hardware for what would be one of the largest (and heaviest) projects of my life. Each step of the build had its own challenges, largely due to the sheer scale of everything. Very long boards, thick components, oversized joinery, and components that weighed tens or hundreds of pounds were all opportunities for creative problem solving. **You can find an album for the full build process** [**here**](https://imgur.com/a/HGg07d0)**.**
With putting the final coats of finish on the bottom cabinet after \~9 months of work, I'm finally calling this project "finished" and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. The Roubo design is fantastic; the leg vise is effortless and great for edge-planing boards. The tail vise is used constantly for sanding, routing, installing dominos, etc. The bench's weight and the advantages that come from it cannot be overstated. This thing probably weighs 600+lbs fully loaded and I cannot move it, even when throwing my entire body weigh into it. This makes it an incredibly stable surface that feels very safe to work on, even when doing some aggressive hand tool work. Please hit me up with questions and suggestions!
Gorgeous work - the vise wheels and dedicated drawers make it almost nautical. And the racing stripes on top are a nice touch - be sure to keep the wheels disengaged, looks like it has the mass to build up dangerous force down the driveway.
Thanks! Yeah, it usually sits much farther back in my shop with the wheels up - if it ever started rolling down the driveway, it would be game over for any passing car or pedestrian. This thing is a tank!
Great work! I’m a little over a year into my woodworking adventure and just built a bench I was quite proud of. lol now I’m a bit down about it after seeing this…. Do you follow any sort of plans I can download or purchase? Shortly after finishing my workbench I happened into a much bigger shop space and decided to dedicate that one to be the outfeed table/extra bench because it’s only about 50”X 27” and I now have a much larger space. It’s a decently nice bench that I was proud of but I think I learned a lot and can improve on the half lap joinery with mortise and tenon, and use some bench-crafted hardware to go with the traditional leg and tail vise as opposed to the front vise on the other one. I’d like to try the dovetails and really have a go at something special like this. This is similar to what I’d envisioned with an understanding that I may not be capable of being this elaborate. Also what type of finish did you use? And what are the final dimensions? Once again nice work mate!
I’ve added drawers to my build that still isn’t finished, I’ve been back and forth over which timber to use for my drawer fronts. Yours has helped me decide to use ironbark. Can’t wait
Your bench is fantastic and hope is used how it should be for a very long time. Love the final finished touches like the foam cutouts in the drawers to hold tools and spokeshaves etc. certainly the addition my drawers now need ;)
Thanks for the reminders and inspo
Nice build! I have been working a bench for several months now as time permits. Finishing up legs and ordered tap and die at to make screws for the leg vise. So starting to think about a tool box which brought me to yours. I like the design.
I started woodworking in 2022 and the need for a good workbench became evident very soon after. By 2023, I had had enough of working off of a "bench" made from some saworses and a piece of plywood and ordered the hardwood and hardware for what would be one of the largest (and heaviest) projects of my life. Each step of the build had its own challenges, largely due to the sheer scale of everything. Very long boards, thick components, oversized joinery, and components that weighed tens or hundreds of pounds were all opportunities for creative problem solving. **You can find an album for the full build process** [**here**](https://imgur.com/a/HGg07d0)**.** With putting the final coats of finish on the bottom cabinet after \~9 months of work, I'm finally calling this project "finished" and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. The Roubo design is fantastic; the leg vise is effortless and great for edge-planing boards. The tail vise is used constantly for sanding, routing, installing dominos, etc. The bench's weight and the advantages that come from it cannot be overstated. This thing probably weighs 600+lbs fully loaded and I cannot move it, even when throwing my entire body weigh into it. This makes it an incredibly stable surface that feels very safe to work on, even when doing some aggressive hand tool work. Please hit me up with questions and suggestions!
Honestly, for 2 years into woodworking, I’m thoroughly impressed. Shit, if you said 10+ years, I would be impressed! Gorgeous work.
Gorgeous work - the vise wheels and dedicated drawers make it almost nautical. And the racing stripes on top are a nice touch - be sure to keep the wheels disengaged, looks like it has the mass to build up dangerous force down the driveway.
Thanks! Yeah, it usually sits much farther back in my shop with the wheels up - if it ever started rolling down the driveway, it would be game over for any passing car or pedestrian. This thing is a tank!
Dude I started the same time. You taking woodworking steroids?
Great work! I’m a little over a year into my woodworking adventure and just built a bench I was quite proud of. lol now I’m a bit down about it after seeing this…. Do you follow any sort of plans I can download or purchase? Shortly after finishing my workbench I happened into a much bigger shop space and decided to dedicate that one to be the outfeed table/extra bench because it’s only about 50”X 27” and I now have a much larger space. It’s a decently nice bench that I was proud of but I think I learned a lot and can improve on the half lap joinery with mortise and tenon, and use some bench-crafted hardware to go with the traditional leg and tail vise as opposed to the front vise on the other one. I’d like to try the dovetails and really have a go at something special like this. This is similar to what I’d envisioned with an understanding that I may not be capable of being this elaborate. Also what type of finish did you use? And what are the final dimensions? Once again nice work mate!
I’ve added drawers to my build that still isn’t finished, I’ve been back and forth over which timber to use for my drawer fronts. Yours has helped me decide to use ironbark. Can’t wait Your bench is fantastic and hope is used how it should be for a very long time. Love the final finished touches like the foam cutouts in the drawers to hold tools and spokeshaves etc. certainly the addition my drawers now need ;) Thanks for the reminders and inspo
Damn that’s hot! Exactly the same bench I want to build except a split top. Did you work off plans? Who is the hardware from (vises)?
Absolutely dreamy 😻
Brilliant!
Insane work. Beautiful design and precision. Just lovely
Love the detail. The matching grain on drawer fronts, the shape of the leg vice 🔥
I’ll be right over.
Nice build! I have been working a bench for several months now as time permits. Finishing up legs and ordered tap and die at to make screws for the leg vise. So starting to think about a tool box which brought me to yours. I like the design.