Buying a workbench

[Gandalfs Staff]

Hi,

Still a relative newbie to woodworking and I am looking for a decent bench. I know there are many types of bench and lots of plans/videos to follow to build your own - but for the here and now and given time constraints I am most likely going to buy one. I have found a company in the midlands (Specialised Woodworking) who manufacture benchs for schools and they also make Cabinet Makers benches.

The one I am looking at is 1500 * 810, with a tail vice and a front mounted 9 inch quick release vice. It is a 44mm solid beech bench top. Cost is around £1,600. I have no comparison so no idea on whether that is reasonable. This is the bench (there will be no storage) ;

Looking for pointers on a) for the spec is the price reasonable (how long is a piece of string I know but any observations welcome) and b) are there any other bench making firms out there I should review that make similar type benchs?

Thoughts/observations appreciated.

Thanks

 

[thetyreman]

you could definitely build one for far less but ...warning it's a massive undertaking and I made mine with hand tools, no power tools at all, so it took ages, but it was worth it because I have been able to build some pieces I'm really proud of that wouldn't have been possible without it, the bench gets used a lot because I focus on hand tool work, I like mine higher than average because I do a lot of handplaning and was finding it being lower made my back bad, so it's worth taking the height very seriously before you commit to it.

 

[Orraloon]

The whole point of building your own bench as an early project is to develop those woodworking skills. It also saves you money that can go towards other tools. Looking at the site they dont go into detail with only the one picture of the bench and while the top looks ok from the angle we can see, the frame is a bit uninspiring. Price seems a bit hefty to me. Still at the end of the day if thats what gets you woodworking its your choice.
Regards
John

 

[Windows]

What kind of woodworking do you plan on doing?

What’s the weight of the proposed bench? Will you be relying on the weight of the bench for it not to move or can you attach to a wall or floor?

Height of the bench should be related to your own height. Is the height of your proposed bench appropriate?

Probably worth doing a price comparison against Sjobergs benches, but I don’t have the experience to help you judge.

 

[dzj]

The benchtop pictured doesn't look like 44mm. More like 4".
This bench does look sturdy, though. Most store bought ones just look the part, but are in fact
often on the rickety side.
Buidling your own bench doesn't have to be time constraining. There are simple and easy to make
ones that even a beginner can build over the weekend. No joinery required, just glue and bolts and screws.

 

[Spectric]

Keep it simple but functional, you don't mention if you are a traditional woodworker using hand planes and big mallets or like many just power tools and this has a big influence on your bench. For power tools you can use a lighter bench and debate the need for vices whereas otherwise you need something more substantial.

I would have a good think about what it is I am intending to do and the tools I will be using rather than just buying a pre made bench, there is a lot of info on these forums and a lot of youtube info to help on your journey.

To get you thinking more broadly look at these benches







and there are a lot of variations on these.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Whatever you buy you'll probably regret buying - you don't know how you'll end up using it and will find it deficient in some way. Knock something up quickly and cheaply, use it and some way down the line if you end up buying rather than building one at least you'll know what you need or don't need.
Jacob will probably be along with a recommendation for a trad. joiner's bench which while it's not my choice is a very good starting point.

 

[Jacob]

Hi,

Still a relative newbie to woodworking and I am looking for a decent bench. I know there are many types of bench and lots of plans/videos to follow to build your own - but for the here and now and given time constraints I am most likely going to buy one. I have found a company in the midlands (Specialised Woodworking) who manufacture benchs for schools and they also make Cabinet Makers benches.

The one I am looking at is 1500 * 810, with a tail vice and a front mounted 9 inch quick release vice. It is a 44mm solid beech bench top. Cost is around £1,600. I have no comparison so no idea on whether that is reasonable. This is the bench (there will be no storage) ;

View attachment 161048

Looking for pointers on a) for the spec is the price reasonable (how long is a piece of string I know but any observations welcome) and b) are there any other bench making firms out there I should review that make similar type benchs?

Thoughts/observations appreciated.

Thanks

Buying one is quickest way to get started. Go for it - then you can make a better one if you really feel the need!
Depends on the space you have but I'd prefer one longer and narrower - most of the work gets done on the front edge and 22" (560mm) width and a well seems to be recommended in various texts I've been looking at, even narrower than Sellers' 2ft!
Not sure of the value of the tail vice - I'd prefer a bigger main vice.

 

[pe2dave]

£1600 for that size / quality sounds quite reasonable. See if you can visit and have a nosy round, just to check the quality matches your expectations?
Should see you (and your children) out quite easily!

 

[Ttrees]

84" IIRC, is the length of the Klausz Scandi/continental bench, and by chance about the same as the bench countertop I use, and it seems just right to me.
i.e enough length to have, say yer shooting board on one end, whilst your working at the other, so not just for long stuff.

Tom

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Great if you've the room. I'd have one twenty feet long had I the room.

 

[Hornbeam]

If you are relatively new to woodworking, you probably dont know exactly what you want . Type of front vice. Do you want a tail or a wagon vice. Will you use holdfasts? What height suits you.
I would recommend buying a second hand bench and experimenting with it . You can pick these up very cheaply.
You can experiment with this and when you know what you really want either buy or make a new one. If you already have a bench making a personalised one will be much easier

Ian

 

[Gandalfs Staff]

Thanks to those who have replied thus far. In answer to a few of the questions ;

1) At the moment my woodworking has been pretty much based on power tool usage but the intention/desire is to improve my skills with hand tools.
2) I think I want one which is more traditonal with a vice/tail vice so as I improve and experiment I am not buying/building a second bench.
3) The concern with building my own bench is principally getting a dead flat bench top. I have a decent p/t machine so jointing should be ok but flattening it could well be a different matter. Sheet goods as a bench top seems to be universally frowned on?
4) In terms of space I have repuposed the double garage and the cars now sit on the drive so I have a reasonable space for the bench so longer (as some one suggested) is a possibility.
5) I'd be happy to buy a second hand bench that was in (semi) decent nick if one comes up before I buy one.

Any further insights would be welcome, especially any recommendationsd for companies that do make benches.

Thanks

 

[Jacob]

Thanks to those who have replied thus far. In answer to a few of the questions ;

1) At the moment my woodworking has been pretty much based on power tool usage but the intention/desire is to improve my skills with hand tools.
2) I think I want one which is more traditonal with a vice/tail vice so as I improve and experiment I am not buying/building a second bench.

Tail vice is more a European fashion I think. Some of the "continental" patterns are strictly for small stuff "cabinet" making etc and useless for general woodwork - you couldn't hold a long or heavy timber in the vice

3) The concern with building my own bench is principally getting a dead flat bench top.

There's a bit of an obsession with flatness at the moment. Has to be reasonable of course but not engineered precision! The underside of your sawn board workpiece won't be flat to start with, so flatness of the bench top doesn't matter at all at that stage

I have a decent p/t machine so jointing should be ok but flattening it could well be a different matter. Sheet goods as a bench top seems to be universally frowned on?

Nothing wrong with sheet material as long as it is thick and firmly laminated, otherwise it can be springy. A heavy laminated fire door makes a good top as sheet material.
Those sheet-made turbo torsion box designs + dogs are just for use with light hand machines - tracksaws, routers etc. not for ordinary woodwork.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I have a small tail vice fitted, it came cheap a few years ago. I've never used it.

 

[Jester129]

Ignore the 'frowned on' brigade, it's your bench, you make it or you pay for it! I used 2 18mm ply for the top of my bench and it's great for me.

 

[RobNichols]

I found The Anarchist's Workbench a useful read when I was building my bench. Though I like the way Chris Swartz writes. Not only did it give me food for thought regarding workbenches, but it also got me into reading woodwork books.

 

[Windows]

You can use sheet goods to get a flat top. No problem.

 

[Orraloon]

Thanks to those who have replied thus far. In answer to a few of the questions ;

1) At the moment my woodworking has been pretty much based on power tool usage but the intention/desire is to improve my skills with hand tools.
2) I think I want one which is more traditonal with a vice/tail vice so as I improve and experiment I am not buying/building a second bench.
3) The concern with building my own bench is principally getting a dead flat bench top. I have a decent p/t machine so jointing should be ok but flattening it could well be a different matter. Sheet goods as a bench top seems to be universally frowned on?
4) In terms of space I have repuposed the double garage and the cars now sit on the drive so I have a reasonable space for the bench so longer (as some one suggested) is a possibility.
5) I'd be happy to buy a second hand bench that was in (semi) decent nick if one comes up before I buy one.

Any further insights would be welcome, especially any recommendationsd for companies that do make benches.

Thanks

Actually sheet goods are not frowned on, especially as a first bench. A few layers of MDF ply or chipboard glued and screwed together is a recognized way to get you a good flat working surface. You can attach a nice wood trim around the edges to spruce it up if you like. Consider what a bench is. A good solid surface to work on set on a base that wont wobble around too much. Add some work holding like a vice or 2, holdfasts and the like and away you go. As you progress in woodworking you'r needs change. The first bench gets you started and after a while you get to know what the next bench needs to be like. It does not need to look like fine furniture it just has to be functional. Over the years I have used an old office desk, a solid core door on trestles then 3 benches that finally got me to the point of saying I'am there. I will still be tweeking this last one where and when required because unless you make the same thing all the time needs change. By the way the old door on trestles still gets a bit of use now and then.
Regards
John

 

[Peter Sefton]

I have some of my school benches for sale, these were all made by me and have been used in my workshop. All with 40mm thick beech work tops with a deeper front apron and vice end, they are also re-enforced with stretcher rails front, back a going across the underneath of the workshop. They have softwood heavy under frames and MDF panels on all faces for rigidity and extra weight, carpenters front vices and tale vices with two rows of 19mm dog holes. I have designed them with a back tool well, flush front frame and 25mm vertical leg dog holes

£650 for the blue and black vice version 1980x800x890h overall sizes, these do have wear and tear from general use but after a sand down and re-oil would last for a years. Some are already sold to past students.

I also have one newer at £950 with green Veritas vices 1860x 830x890h overall sizes including vices, this one has only been used for storage and demonstrating, a couple of dents on the top but nothing major.

I think they would be best picked up and taken home assembled but any buyer could take them apart and rebuild at home.

@Gandalfs Staff

let me know if you are interested.

Cheers

Peter