The workbench is the heart of any well-equipped shop, the most important tool in any craftsman’s woodworking arsenal. Anyone who suffers a bite from the woodworking bug will eventually come to the realization–one way or another–that building atop a sheet of plywood set on some 2×4 sawhorses just isn’t going to cut it.

With that in mind, take a gander at Lon Schleining’s seminal book on “all things workbench.” Aptly named, The Workbench, it contains gobs and gobs of useful information on everything from vises and accessories, to the all-important decision of whether to build or buy. You can flip through a free chapter excerpt by clicking on the link below. Enjoy!

Click here to download your free chapter!

More on Workbenches • Guide to Workbenches  • Adjustable Height Workbench  • Tage Frid’s Workbench  • Build a Hybrid Roubo Workbench  • Hybrid Roubo Workbench Plan