The Last Workbench
Wikimedia Commons - “Man Reading in Carpenter’s Workshop”. Although I think it’s a Pattern Maker in a Workshop
During my career I've mainly worked from a sturdy work table, made from stud and joist material with a full 8’ X 4’ OSB or MDF top. For work holding, a 9 inch quick release vice, speed clamps along with battens and sacrificial scraps fixed to it as required have served me well. It's never let me down, but my eye was turned, I wanted to have a go with a more traditional design. Perhaps I was missing out? The traditional designs looked much more alluring, they were the Ferrari to my jalopy.
But which style? The curse of choice! Famed styles from historical authors and woodworkers, modern masters who advocate their own solutions, which one would be my bench mate for life? I ended up making a British style bench. It's an easy style to spot thanks to its deep sides, down to earth look and clever engineering.
This clever engineering means an excellent workbench can be made using wood that isn't obscenely thick and expensive, or joinery that's fiendishly complicated. It also excels at real, practical work holding. So briefly, the key practical highlights;
I think it's the easiest traditional bench to build. I like to mortice and tenon the leg frames, but halving joints would work just as well.
The top is so strong, and in fact more rigid than slab tops just where you need it. This is due to the aprons that act like massive lintels supporting the top.
The aprons provide 9” to 12” of support while working edges with unique clamping possibilities that you don't get with other designs.
It doesn't rely on just massive sections of wood to make it strong and stout. Ingenuity and a distribution of the right sections of wood in the right areas make it a winner.
Fast construction. No need for multiple laminations or handling awkward sections. Get it made and get to work!
Although looks can't be included as practical, something that looks pleasing and is well made is motivating and can show others that I care about my work. I also like the feel of pure utility and honesty, it says I'm here to work! Modern benches with their unique joinery, contrasting hardwoods and shiny vices are very special and a credit to those that make them, but I fear after using them heavily the designer suit look would look tattered, whereas the straight forward blue jeans bench looks better with some mileage.
I’m going to embark upon my 8th bench build at some point this. Eight benches does sound ridiculous but let me finish. 4 have been for clients, one is in my garage for the rare time I get a moment, one I gave to my brother, the other is a reminder not to go near cheap materials just to prove a point.
With extra research and reflection I'm confident number 8 will be the last for some considerable time.