Woodworking bench

[Rick Levine]

Looks like GarrettWade has come out with a new bench and it looks like what I'm looking for at the right price.

I'd like some other opinions. Does anyone have any idea who makes it for them? And no, I don't have time to build one myself. I have too many other projects in the works.

Here is a link to the bench:

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=105755

[Jim Young]

The top looks pretty good. I think the base is a little flimsy, that may be why the bench only weighs 260#'s. Seems like a good value.

[Don Baer]

And no, I don't have time to build one myself. I have too many other projects in the works.

Here is a link to the bench:

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?...&itemID=105755

I don't know, for $1100 I could find the time and make the bench out of maple. And it would have the changes I wanted.

[Dennis Peacock]

One thing I've found by reading a few books on workbenches for a woodworker? They need to be at least twice as heavy as the person using the bench. So my bench, when I make it, will need to weigh in at just over 450 pounds for a minimum weight. Besides that, it will need to take strong lateral forces and not wrack on ya. I have a cheap bench now, and it's like trying to hand plane a wet noodle on the back of a bucking horse.

[Dennis Peacock]

I don't know, for $1100 I could find the time and make the bench out of maple. And it would have the changes I wanted.

Make that Solid Walnut and still have money in the bank.

[Norman Hitt]

Since it only weighs 260#, the base looks to be made from fairly light material and the stretchers don't look to me like they are wide enough to do a good job preventing racking if you were going to do some heavy hand work on it. I wonder how thick the top is, since they neglected to mention that in their specs and many times mfrs put a wide board on the outside to cover up just how thin the top really is unless you look UNDER it. The European Red Beech part is good, but I'll just bet it isn't very thick.

Let's see.......$1099 + 199 shipping.......hmmm....$1299.........I think I would definitely want to see it in person and shake it around a bit and REALLY look it over before I threw any Plastic at them, (even IF I were inclined to buy a "Store Bought" Bench).

[Jay Knoll]

As in many other things sometimes it comes down to time versus money. Many of us have built our own workbenches and saved considerably in the process. Personally, I had a great time building mine, it isn't perfect but it does the job.

If you have the time, build one!

Jay

[Frank Pellow]

My concern would be quality, particularly of the vises and the support structure If I were going to buy a bench, I would opt for a Veritas bench in the same price range (see http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...2&cat=1,41637). Lee Valley's benches are of proven quality.

[Rick Levine]

My concern would be quality, particularly of the vises and the support structure If I were going to buy a bench, I would opt for a Veritas bench in the same price range (see http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...2&cat=1,41637). Lee Valley's benches are of proven quality.

Actually, I prefer the Diefenbach design better than the Leevalley bench. There is something about the round bench dog holes that bother me.

[Tom Henry]

This seems like a great bench for the price...

http://www.lagunatools.com/5workbench.htm

Its around 420lbs

[Frank Pellow]

Actually, I prefer the Diefenbach design better than the Leevalley bench. There is something about the round bench dog holes that bother me.

To each his own! I am going to make my own bench (this winter is the plan), and I am going to make it with round holes. One of the reasons is to be able to use all the great Veritas stops, holds, etc. that fit into those round holes.

[Paul Held]

Seems like a lot to me. For 1300 you could buy yourself another cabinet table saw and use the saw as you table. Keep your dada blade set up in the saw so when you need it, your work table becomes a dado cutter. Paul

[Art Mulder]

Rick,

I can see no mention on the Garret Wade page of how thick the top is. Sure it looks good in the photo, but we know that is just the skirt. How thick is the top? How thick is that skirt?

And Heavy is good. I built myself a lightweight bench. No good. I added built-in drawer unit. Better. But I can still shove the thing around without that much effort.

I'm starting to think that it would be simpler to just bolt a bench directly to the concrete floor. (simpler than trying to make it weigh 500-700lbs )

...art

[Jim O'Dell]

Seems like a lot to me. For 1300 you could buy yourself another cabinet table saw and use the saw as you table. Keep your dada blade set up in the saw so when you need it, your work table becomes a dado cutter. Paul

Paul, I like the way you think!! Jim.

[Jim Tobias]

I'm like you, I don't want to use shop time to build a bench. I want a good, heavy bench, but would rather buy on ethan spend the time to build it. I also like the look of the Diefenbach benches. Still saving up at this point!!!

Jim