If I build a workbench using materials I have on hand for the top, buy material for legs and buy a couple of vises and dogs, it seems that I will have spent within $100 of what I could buy a Sjoberg on Amazon.
It doesn’t seem worth building it——–any thoughts?
Thanks,
Randy.
Replies
Randy,
Here are a few things to consider:
If you buy, you have instant work bench (after it's delivered) and can get to work on projects immediately, but you're pretty much stuck with the commercial configuration of the bench. If the bench configuration suits the way you work and the available space in your shop, then that's a real bonus. But one of the last things you want to do (if you can avoid it) is have to work around the limitations of your bench. There are some things that you can do to customize a commercial bench, but it's fairly limited in comparison to what you can do if you build your own bench.
If you build your own, you can:
Build it to the exact size you want/will fit in your shop: as long, as wide or narrow, and as tall you want (bench height is real important for comfort and ease of work...);
Build with or without a tool tray;
Put as many dog holes in as you want, in any configuration, and use round or square bench dogs (or both);
Choose the wood and the finish;
Put as many or as few vices on your bench as you need, and choose the type(s) of vices you use;
Build in storage under the top, and choose the type and configuration of the storage units;
Etc, etc, etc.
Essentially, you get to build your bench exactly how you want it, given financial and time/skill constraints. It also has the advantage of being a skill-building exercise, where you will undoubtedly learn some new skills, regardless of your present skill level. And, :-) it might even be an excuse to acquire some new tools!!!
(For truth in advertising purposes, I bought a Sjobergs bench -- their 93 X 24 inch bench with the traditional European L-shaped vice on one end), and I love it; it happens to suit the way I work, but I had to think long and hard about it.
For a lot of good info on benches, try this link:
http://www.jlatech.com/rob/Woodworking/Knowledge%20Base%20Workbenches.htm
James
Edited 12/9/2005 11:08 am ET by pzgren
Thanks for the link.. I do not need ANOTHER bench but looks like a 'good read'...
I'll assume you're looking at the bench for $309 (?). Lee Valley sells this bench as well, and they use them at the courses held in the store and a few other places.
In my opinion this bench is a little flimsy. The bench didn't really wobble... just slid across the floor. It was very light. The top is only an inch thick, with a thicker skirting on it. I didn't think too much of the vises either...
If you build you may get a little bit more for your money. As the other poster said you can customize it too you needs and workspace.
Since you will not be saving too much, and if the bench suits your needs... $300 isn't that much to spend.
Edited 12/9/2005 1:13 pm ET by Buster2000
Personally, I would never buy a workbench. I really enjoy the process of designing and building them - I am on my third in 20 years, and I am dreaming about what my fourth will look like.
I think the height, width and length need to be fitted to your size and the size of your shop, garage, etc. I would not have one that was not on locking wheels. I have also built dust collection into it.
Anyway, good luck with your choice.
TTF
My first bench was a Sjoberg, as I recall a mid priced one about 6 feet
long with tool bench and tool storage underneath. The top is light, the front vise would not close completly on the left side due to wood expansion at times of the year. The one you build will probably be much better, but it will take more time than you think and cost more than you estimate (my experience -- but I learned a lot).
Rod
For some folks, building their own bench is very important. They take a great deal of pride in them. A bench is a tool, basically a big versatile clamp. One bench in the shop just isn't enough. If you are developing woodworking skills, I say, buy an inexpensive bench. You can sell it or use it for something else in the future. The store bought bench will give you some experience about what works for holding your work, what modifications you would make and give you a bench to work on when building your own masterpiece. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time building a bench, not when I can buy one from Ulmia or Diefenbach for a couple grand. My time is money and I would exceed those costs quickly. There is a lot of work and materials in a good cabinetmakers bench.
http://www.workbenchdesign.net/rreadymade.html
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You build it, just like your toolbox, because you SHOULD. It's just what woodworkers do.
One of the most accomplished woodworkers on this forum, Richard Jones, works at a manufactured bench. Those who have engaged Richard in a debate about whether or not "real woodworkers" build their own benches have not fared very well.
They are an intermediate project. No big deal. If you have a more scintillating furniture project in mind or perhaps even a paying job then buy a bench and move on.
They're a tool just like anything else. You didn't build your tablesaw and bandsaw did you? The workbench manufacturers have been in business for decades. Somebody is buying them. And the prices are sometimes very hard to beat.
I'd let economics help you make your decision next time.
Customised dog-holes as somebody else mentioned?
Maybe Richard will have a go at that one.
There are the crowd whose woodworking to date consists mostly of shop furniture. I'd advise you to shy away from that crowd assuming that you don't consider outfitting your shop as your terminal destination in the craft.
Others have assumed that you need to build a bench as an exercise in learning (although I believe you've already built your bench) and along that vein, I'd suggest as a good project a small Federal lamp table (end table) with a veneered drawer front and hand-cut dovetails on the drawer. You'll learn mortise and tenon joinery (on a scale that ports well to other furniture projects), dovetail joinery, drawer fitting, and a bit of veneering all in the context of building a really fine piece of house furniture. Mike Dunbar did this project in an issue of FW and I've used it in a class that I taught to a men's group at a local church.
This project is also on a perfect scale for one's first foray into inlay and marquetry.
Edited 12/13/2005 3:16 pm ET by BossCrunk
Boss, I'm not aware that I've really hammered into anyone that wants to build their own bench. It's true of course that I use a manufactured bench. For me time is money and if I'm not building furniture for customers then I'm building furniture for my own pleasure, and a workbench falls into that 'my own pleasure' category.
As you say it's just a tool, and it's economically more viable to buy a bench than it is to build one if your perspective is that of a business man first and furniture maker second-- that sums up to a T my attitude to this whacking wood for a living thing one way or another.
On the other hand I can understand an amateur wanting to go through the rite of passage of building their own bench. It doesn't cut the mustard for me, but each to their own. It's a bit like the endless anal debates about hand tools, name brand this and name brand that, micobevels-- oops, microbezels for the purists, handle angles on tenon or dovetail saws, and mirror bright cutting edges that take an hour to get just so. I don't give a rats arse about any of that stuff really. It's just a plane, saw or chisel. Tune it up a bit if needed, sharpen the bloody thing and use it is the way I tend to think of it rather than going all ga-ga, glaikit faced and drooling spittle all over the damn thing, ha, ha. Slainte.
Richard Jones Furniture
Edited 12/13/2005 3:56 pm by SgianDubh
Your last paragraph says it all and in your own inimitable way.
After considering all of the input on this forum and looking at the flimsy offerings at Woodcraft, I built my workbench last weekend. It turned out fine, I made it to be fully functional, it's not a work of art, and I didn't learn anything.
I am happy with it.
Thanks to all.
The one I'm currently using took an easy morning to build. By the afternoon I was back at the real project at hand.
Boss! You and I have been at this before... But this time I have to agree with you...
They are an intermediate project. No big deal.
A woodworker NEEDS a bench. But that bench does not have to be anything fancy. I think too many people get caught up with the 'traditions'. "A bench has to have a 3" thick maple top." "It must have a shoulder vise." It has to have square dog-holes." And so forth. Give us all a break. As you say it's a tool!
I'd let economics help you make your decision next time.
Exactly. As a professional Mr. Jones states this best in his follow up to you. As an amateur my time is free... so my economics are a little different. As amateurs (?) our economics are probably different than each other as well. I say all things equal go the cheapest route, save the money for the materials for you good projects.
There are the crowd whose woodworking to date consists mostly of shop furniture.
I think you're generalizing a bit. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a reasonable established woodworker (who's been in his shop for a few years) who only builds shop fixtures. There is a place in fine woodworking for making shop fixtures... but it goes back to the economics, availability, and suitability.
Others have assumed that you need to build a bench as an exercise in learning...
There is something that can be learned from every project... Would I say you NEED to build a bench. No. See above. My first project was a small side table... By no means complicated. I learned more from that than I did my bench. In fact the things I learned from that little table, taught me how to build the bench.
Anyway, good comments.
Buster
Edited 12/14/2005 2:27 am ET by Buster2000
Mike Dunbar did this project in an issue of FW and I've used it in a class that I taught to a men's group at a local church.
It's curious to see you use Mike Dunbar's name in this thread... to it I'll add two anothers... Frank Klausz... Konrad Sauer...both highly respected and successful professionals... and both build their own benches...
Buying a bench gets you something that meets the manufacturers commercial needs... a commodity he can build for a profit. Building your own gets you a bench that suits your needs. Near as I can tell there is no wrong answer to this question... merely differing circumstances...Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
I currently work at a bench I made myself.
Buying a commercially made workbench is a viable alternative.
Nobody need feel embarrassed one bit about buying a bench.
Both Frank Klausz and Mike Dunbar have worked at commercially made benches. The workbenches in Dunbar's school are commercially made.
I bought one. Making an heirloom one would certainly be satisfying but quite frankly, I had other projects that I wanted to get to, like dining room chairs and tables.
I got a Veritas, and ordered an oversized table, 3 slabs to precise, and made a custom one with stock parts. I'm very happy with my set up.
Regards,
Scooter
"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
That pretty much sums it up for me. Any chance of posting a pic of your 3 slab Veritas bench?
-robert
Happy to. I don't have a digital camera, but will snap a picture. Send a private message with your email or physical address.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Scooter,
I tried sending you a private email message but got an error to the effect that your profile doesn't give permission to send messages. I checked the two profile areas I'm aware of and didn't see where to manage that setting in my profile.
Thanks for the offer. One thought: I have received private messages in the past under the old Knots, so it might still be possible to send one to me. If you want to try sending me a private message that might work, but if it's a hassle I'd rather not take up your time for no good reason.
Regards, -robert
Just popped you an email.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
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