Replies

1. 
   nazard | Jan 08, 2009 06:44am | #1

   Orville,

   Use the search function in Knots to see what has been discussed here.  Check the SketchUp library over in Popular Woodworking for a downloadable model.

   -Jerry 

2. 
   BG | Jan 08, 2009 01:21pm | #2

   orville,

   I'm attaching a link to The Woodwright Shop. The episode your interesting in is The French Work Bench I & II. Also, Popular Woodworking has free plans fo the Roubo Bench.

   http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/schedule/27season_video.html

   
   

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   Edited 1/8/2009 5:22 am ET by BG

3. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 08, 2009 02:43pm | #3

   The Roubo style bench was apparently used in the millwork shops of the day.  It's great for holding large workpieces, not so good for the small workpieces a furnituremaker often needs to secure at the bench.  If you are opening a door and stair shop you couldn't do much better than one of these - especially if built to the proportions of the 'originals' ten feet and over I believe.

   Your best bet for furnituremaking, if that's even what you have in mind, is still a European style bench - Frid, Klausz, et al being a common 'go-to' source for plans. 

   Popular Woodworking's companion, no ad magazine (Woodwork(ing) I think) has complete plans for a Roubo style bench in a back issue.

   
   

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   Edited 1/8/2009 6:58 am ET by TaunTonMacoute

4. 
   GW52 | Jan 08, 2009 07:39pm | #4

   Check out the Woodworking Magazine. They had an article about the bench a few issues back. I built the bottom using their techniques and it is very solid.

   Greg

5. 
   Napie | Jan 09, 2009 12:08am | #5

   The is a whole chapter devoted to it in Scott Landis' "The Workbench Book" (Taunton, 1986)

6. 
   Tom7 | Jan 09, 2009 05:28am | #6

   Woodworking Magazine has complete plans for the Roubo and Holtzapel work benches.  Go to the website and you can download the issues with complete plans.  Chris Schwarz's Workbench's book is a companion and really worthwhile.  Chris Schwarz, magazine editor, is as close to a work bench expert as one can get.

   I just finished building the 24" x 96" Holtzapel work bench based on the Woodworking Magazine plans by Chris Schwarz.  After 25 years of working on a Tage Frid design bench with a shoulder vise, the Holtzapel is a dream come true.  It weighs about 400 pounds with a 3" thick top and is solid as a rock.  It holds wood of any size for any operation easily.  I built mine from hard maple but many other species would work as well.  I highly recommend it.