Please show me your workbench(es)

[Christian Aufreiter]

Hello folks,

my former main work bench (beginner’s grade Sjöbergs, nothing really great) has been abused as a storage place for wood for several months now. As a consequence I only used the front wise and work that required more space was done on the floor or on saw horses.
I know that I need to find a better place to store my wood but this isn’t the topic of this thread.
What I’d like to know is what you guys use as your main workbench. A traditional woodworking bench, a sturdy assembly table, a …? What are the pros and the cons?

Right know I can think of two options:
A) Get rid of the Sjöbergs and build a heavy-duty traditional-style woodworkers’ bench.
B) Get rid of the Sjöbergs and build a sturdy mobile workbench equipped with a front wise and Veritas clamping stuff.
Please note, my shop is small and will get “even smaller” due to additional tools and although I like handtools I don’t think I’ll become a Neander any time soon.

Thanks in advance.

Christian

[Michael Pfau]

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachme...8&d=1120001195

Christian, here is my workbench. Made of red oak, I can wheel it in the corner or anywhere I want. For me it works great. Since this picture was taken I built drawers in the center where the planer is. Its all finished off. Veritas twin screw vise. I hope this might help.

[Jeff Murphy]

Here is the top of mine. I since have "beefed" up the undercarriage.

[Bob Noles]

Don't know exactly what you are looking for in a bench Christian, but here is a link to mine with some pictures. It is a brute and can hold up to about anything. Like you..... my shop is small also.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=17648

[Bob Marino]

Here is the top of mine. I since have "beefed" up the undercarriage.

Wow! That's almost too beautiful to use!! Very nice!

Bob

[Peter Pedisich]

Christian,

The workbench I made several years ago is actually just a utility bench and not a true woodworker's bench.
If I had the chance to do it over again I would certainly make a traditional bench with the Veritas end vise and proper dog holes.

Good Luck!

Peter

[tod evans]

christian, here`s mine. tod

MVC-302S.JPG

[Steve Ash]

christian, here`s mine. tod

Tod, did you make that one? It looks massive, used and cluttered...I like it!

[Vaughn McMillan]

Jeff, it's a shame you couldn't find any good-looking wood for your bench.

- Vaughn

[Jim Young]

I have two, both purchased, one old and unidentifiable and the other a Diefenbach. Write up on my web site.

[Jeff Horton]

Southern yellow pine construction (read tooby's). And I love it. Only one thing I would change and may someday. I would make the base larger so the drawers could be deeper.

But in my defense when I built it drawers were not even thought of. Just a shelf was all I planned and then I outgrew it and added drawers. And I recommend the drawers too! Still need to build the large bottom drawer.

finished_bench.jpg

Just after I finished the drawers on it. See how clean it is??

bench_finished.jpg

This is more like it. I use hand tools a lot and I dare say there is hardly a project that goes through my shop that doesn't spend some time on this bench. I have the leg vice and an end vice with the square dog holes and I just can't imagine working without out. I use it all the time! I have a large shop and was given a 10' oval conference table. It's a great space to work on too. If I had to just pick one it would be a woodworking bench because you can use it for so much more.

[Jay Knoll]

Christian,

Here's a link to mine -- plans from ShopNotes

I like it a lot. It stands in part of the garage -- which is only a garage when we aren't here. Having it stand out from the wall makes for efficient working, but not efficient space utilization.

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=15811

Jay

[lou sansone]

here are a couple of photos of my bench

lou

[Hank Knight]

Christian, my shop is small too. My small workbench was located against a wall. When I needed to work on something large, I set up sawhorses with a plywood top. I liked being able to work from all sides of he sawhorse table and I found myself using it more than my workbench. Finally, I decided to replace my small bench with a large one and put it in the middle of the shop floor so I could get to it from all sides. I love the setup. I wish I'd done it years ago. Here is a photograph of my bench.

[Jim O'Dell]

Here is the top of mine. I since have "beefed" up the undercarriage.

Jeff, I usually don't point out my fellow Creeker's shortcomings, but I think you missed something in Christian's post....He said work benches, not dining tables!

Seriously Jeff, that is some beautiful wood. I bet it makes working in the shop that much nicer (and harder to stay focused on the task at hand). Jim.(with no current work bench)