Woodworking Workbenches

Workbench in the Furniture Shop Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Moderated by John Jones

Panel members: Bill Bowser, Ken Kraft, Tom Melcher, Jim Milam, Roger Moister

April 9, 2018

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Advancing the art and understanding of fine woodworking!

This presentation on Woodworking Workbenches is a panel discussion format that allows the individual participants to talk about and discuss information that is most important to them on their journey to their current workbench, and beyond.

The common denominators of a workbench are flatness, stability, dimensions, and holding power, none of which are represented in the photo to the left. :)

The panel discussion should provide valuable information for the new woodworker, as well as the more seasoned woodworker.

This presentation is by no means a comprehensive discussion on the subject of workbenches, but much of the information discussed is contained in this booklet, including numerous photos of different types of workbenches, from 2x4s to Roubos.

There is plenty of room to take notes as each panelist discusses their journey, and audience participation will be encouraged.

We hope that you enjoy the presentation, and that it will help youadvance in the art and understanding of fine woodworking!

Bill Bowser, Ken Gregg, John Jones, Ken Kraft, Tom Melcher, Jim Milam, and Roger Moister Woodworkers’ Guild of Georgia

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 2 ...................................................................................................

Workbenches Have Many Faces 4-9 ..................................................................

Workbench Types and Styles, Roger Moister 9 ...............................................

Roger Moister 10 ...............................................................................................

Bill Bowser 11 ....................................................................................................

Ken Kraft 12 .......................................................................................................

Jim Milam 13 ......................................................................................................

Tom Melcher 14 .................................................................................................

John Jones 15 ....................................................................................................

Vises 16 .............................................................................................................

Resources 17 .....................................................................................................

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Workbenches have many faces…

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Workbench Types and Styles There are 5 bench types: 1.Build yourself plywood & 2x4’s. 2.Purchased portable or folding

bench, similar to a WorkMate. 3.Inexpensive purchased bench

like Harbor Freight, Big Lots, etc.

4.High-End purchased bench like Lie-Nielsen, Sjöberg, or Hofmann & Hammer.

5.Build yourself the bench of your dreams.

Common denominators for all benches are: 1.Flatness 2.Stability 3.Dimensions 4.Ability to hold stock

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Roger Moister 1. How long have you been a woodworker: 7+ years. 2. What is your woodworking skill level? Hobbyist and repair man

mentee, learning from others. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? Various projects

mostly initiated by a class. Several tables and boxes. 4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench? Work

surface, planing, holding with clamps, hand sawing with bench hook, fasten vise to it to gain additional height, sharpening area.

5. Describe your current workbench(s): Based on Roubo design using Home Depot wood. 6. How long have you used your current workbench? Since 2010. 7. What are you future workbench plans? Additional efforts to get to flatter or dead flat. Devise a

way to adjust height. Maybe build another one.

Email: moisters2@yahoo.com Phone: 678-576-7263

Shop made from yellow pine 66” x 22”

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Bill Bowser 1. How long have you been a woodworker: 15+ years. 2. What is your woodworking skill level? Advanced hobbyist. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? Design & build

furniture. 4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench? Used as an

outfeed table and for shaping and assembly. 5. Describe your current workbench(s): Designed and built my own. 6. How long have you used your current workbench? 4 months. 7. What are your future workbench plans? Current configuration fits my needs.

Email: william.bowser@comcast.net Phone: 678-736-9455 Shop made 72” x 32”

Shop made 72” x 32”

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Ken Kraft 1. How long have you been a woodworker: Woodworking has

been a neglected hobby for sixty years. I bought my first tool in high-school.

2. What is your woodworking skill level? Skilled hobbyist. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? Small and simple

furniture projects or things like shelving for the garage. 4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench? It is

the center of my activity since I’m concentrating on hand tool work.

5. Describe your current workbench(s): Shop made. 6. How long have you used your current workbench? Since 1992.

Email: kenkraft100@me.com Phone: 262-894-1725

Shop made 72” x 22”

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Jim Milam 1. How long have you been a woodworker: Since the late ‘50s. 2. What is your woodworking skill level? Advanced. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? 18th century

American period reproductions. 4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench?

Joinery, planing, temporary tool & wood storage. 5. Describe your current workbench(s): Designed and built my own. 6. How long have you used your current workbench? Since 1980’s. 7. What are your future workbench plans? Keep on using my current bench.

Email: jimmilam1@gmail.com Phone: 404-550-0110

Shop made 64” x 47” with

Noden Adjust-A-Bench base

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Tom Melcher 1. How long have you been a woodworker: 50 years, more

seriously the past half dozen years. 2. What is your woodworking skill level? Skilled hobbyist. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? Boxes, frames,

furniture, veneering, marquetry, carving, repair work, finish repair work, general home fix up like trim and cabinets.

4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench? Clamping, planing, sawing, sanding, finishing, joinery, place to put most anything, tool storage.

5. Describe your current workbench(s): Sjöberg and a Noden assembly table.

6. How long have you used your current workbench? 5 years. 7. What are your future workbench plans? Upgrade existing with new vises, may build a

new one eventually when I have time.

Website: WoodWisherDesigns.com Email: ttmelcher@gmail.com Phone: 770-851-1098

Original 2x4 workbench >

Sjöberg 72” x 23.5” with cabinets and holdfasts from Black Bear Forge

Noden 4’ x 8’ assembly table

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John Jones 1. How long have you been a woodworker: 20+ years. 2. What is your woodworking skill level? Hobbyist to skilled. 3. What type of woodworking do you usually do? Build furniture,

boxes, restore antique furniture. 4. What are the ways that you use your current workbench? Planing,

finishing, hand sanding, hand sawing, bench hook, sawing, assembly, dying, staining, top-coating.

5. Describe your current workbench(s): 2 purchased Sjöberg’s, 1 el-cheapo, and a shop made assembly table.

6. How long have you used your current workbench? Various since about 2007.

7. What are your future workbench plans? No plans at this time.

Website: ProWoodWork.com Email: John@ProWoodWork.com Phone: 678-576-7263

Sjöberg 96” x 24” Sjöberg 64” x 20

White Gate (cheap) 64” x 20” Printer’s type-setting cast iron top

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Vises Leg vise Tail vise

Front, Shoulder, Face, or Side vise

Veritas twin screw vise

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Resources

Rules for Workbenches - Chris Schwartz: www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/rules_for_workbenches

Workbench Helpers, Tips on holding work: www.finewoodworking.com/2017/11/29/workbench-helpers-tips-holding-work

How To Build A Heavy Duty Workbench: www.finewoodworking.com/2017/10/25/how-to-build-a-heavy-duty-workbench

A Small, Sturdy Workbench: www.finewoodworking.com/2016/11/02/a-small-sturdy-workbench

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