Woodworker: Christopher Karpenko

Christopher Karpenko spent over a year and a half and more than 425 hours crafting this workbench based on Jon Leppo’s Rock Solid Workbench article (FWW #162). “I knew the first time I saw the workbench in the magazine that I wanted to build it for myself,” he wrote in an e-mail to family and friends–one of several detailing progress on the bench. He modified Leppo’s plans by using mortise-and-tenon joinery instead of biscuits. He also dovetailed all the drawers to test out his new Akeda jig. The base and drawers come from red oak, while the top and end vise are made from hard maple. The finish is Waterlox satin finisher and sealer, rubbed out with synthetic wool.

Photos: Christopher Karpenko

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