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# Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Bob's Bench: A Free Video, DVD and SketchUp Model
Our October issue is reaching subscribers, and should be on newsstands soon. The cover story is about my new workbench, a blend of historic designs that is an ideal work holding solution for hand and power tool woodworkers alike. I've written about it here on the blog as I designed it, and during construction. I'm happy with it-it's nice and solid and will hold just about any piece of work for any task.


I designed the bench using Google SketchUp, a 3-D modeling program that I've been using for the last year or so. The nice thing about using SketchUp is it's similarity to building something, without the dust and the noise. You can put things together, take them back apart, and quickly make changes or see what different variations will look like. My upcoming book features a lengthy section on using the program for designing cabinets and furniture, and I'll be teaching a course or two on using it effectively next year. The price is also right-it's available as a free download by clicking here.


These two images were taken from my SketchUp model of the bench. If you have SketchUp on your computer, you can download the Sketchup model of the workbench and take a closer look from any angle you want to. If you want to build a version of the bench that differs in size, you can start with my model and make whatever modifications you would like. The model is compressed as a .zip file, but it's easy to open it on almost any computer. Download the SketchUp model by clicking this link: WorkbenchModel.zip (332.76 KB)
The model is also available on Google's 3Dwarehouse. You can download it in SketchUp (.skp) format by clicking here.

We also had the video camera running during the building process, and we have an hour-long DVD available in our store. In addition to the video content, there is a printed set of construction drawings, an enhanced PDF version of the article, a PDF slide show of additional step photos, and the SketchUp model on the disk. Finally, there is a free five-minute video available showing some of the many ways to hold work on the bench. This video is available by clicking here.

If you have any questions or comments, you can post them here on the blog by clicking "comment" in the lower right, or you can send me an e-mail by clicking on my name.

--Bob Lang

Read other entries by Robert W. Lang
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008 4:58:14 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #  Comments [19] 
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:08:14 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Very nice. Got the mag yesterday. Thanks for the SketchUp model. Removing a toolbox to allow using a saw on the right side of the vise is sheer genius. I've often wondered how to provide that capability without adding another front vise at the right-hand end of the bench's backside.

I'm thinking about using the lapped dovetails for both the top and bottom rails on the front to keep the entire front flush. I might use them on the back too or use the slotted half-dovetails for both upper and lower rails on the back just because I like the look of them. Do you see any problems with these variations? Thanks again. This is definitely my new bench
S Jones
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:24:01 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Oops. The bottom rails ARE flush. Sorry.
S Jones
Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:33:34 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
What are your thoughts on a second QR vise and dog holes on the back section of the workbench like you have on hte front?
Russell Bookout
Thursday, August 28, 2008 8:28:58 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
There was a time in the design process, as I was struggled with making a final decision as to what vise would go where, that I almost did that. This bench is really too wide to go against a wall (the way Chris prefers) but it's a good size to be out on the floor. I prefer having all four side of the bench accessible, with what I call a "back bench" up against the wall for tool storage and as a staging area. I'm hoping to get that part done in the next couple months.

I was tempted to put a Tucker vise somewhere, but figured two was enough. That or another quick release vise could be added easily.

Bob
Bob Lang
Thursday, August 28, 2008 9:37:15 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
I enjoyed the article and was looking at the "plans" and was a little dismayed at the pitch of a $20 DVD.

I was under the impression that the magazine was for the how-to and plans and that your site was for the "extras" like video footage. Is this the way of the future for this magazine?

Please don't get me wrong. If it is, just please do it for items like a Green & Green piece, a block front chest or the like.
Jack Schmidt
Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:38:25 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Jack,

Everything that most people need to build that bench is in the article and free on the web.

Some people, however, really like to have video. And video costs us a lot of money. We've hired an extra person this year and bought a lot of expensive equipment. And while we give away a lot of free videos (just check our video player on the web site), this is a business and we do have to balance our books. And that's why we chose to produce the DVD. We won't be doing a lot of that, but we will be doing enough to pay for all the free video we already give away.

I hope this helps explain what we're up to.

Chris Schwarz, editor
Christopher Schwarz
Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:56:47 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Chris,

Like I said, don't get me wrong. I just hope to see some DVDs on some high end furniture as well.

Jack
Jack Schmidt
Friday, August 29, 2008 9:46:34 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Bob, great looking bench. I was about to pull the trigger and build a Schwarz inspired Roubo bench and now I'm reconsidering.

Will
Will Simpson
Friday, August 29, 2008 11:57:28 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Hi Will,

Thanks for the kind words. I think that Chris' book is the key to figuring out a bench that will work for you. I thought I was done designing mine, and then made several changes after reading it.

Bob
Bob Lang
Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:07:09 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Bob,

Was wondering about how you installed the twin screw vise. Do you think 2 glue blocks will be sufficient to hold up that vise in the long run? Did you consider installing some lag bolts?

Chris U
Chris U.
Saturday, August 30, 2008 1:47:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
That very subject was a lengthy debate between Chris and me. I think the blocks, 2 1/4 thick and glued to the underside of the top will be just fine. My boss, on the other hand thought there should be some sort of mechanical reinforcement in there somewhere. Time will tell, and if they ever do fail, I'll admit I was wrong and bolt them back on.

Bob Lang
Bob Lang
Sunday, August 31, 2008 7:25:02 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
I noticed in the article that the end frame tennons are wedged across the grain - did you have to take any precautions against splitting (clamping, light touch, etc.), or was the cross-section heavy enough that this wasn't a concern?
Russell Bookout
Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:36:08 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
I can't imagine the wedges splitting the legs. The tenons are a bit more than a third of the width, leaving about an inch outside the wedge. When you drive wedges like that in, you can hear an feel when they tighten, and since the wedges are so thin, they start to smoosh long before they could split the surrounding wood.

Bob Lang
Bob Lang
Monday, September 08, 2008 11:09:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Bob,

I wondering why you chose two different methods for attaching the upper and lower rails? Would it cause a problem to use the half lapped dovetail on both upper and lower? Or conversely the wedged half dovetail on both?

By the way, the idea of turning the toolboxes upside down is brilliant. I've been thinking about how to put in a center tool tray and still be able to have a full flat surface for assembly when needed. Your solution was simple and elegant.

Thanks.

Cliff
Cliff Polubinsky
Monday, September 08, 2008 11:17:06 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
That's a holdover from way back when. My original intent was to build a Nicholson Bench, and I was taken with the joinery from an old drawing. In the Nicholson, the top rail is about a foot wide, and meets up with the edge of the top. The typical joint is a half dovetail into the outside of the leg. The lower rail on my bench is close to the size and location of the Nicholson's, and the wedged joint was used down there.

I don't think there would be any problem with using either joint at both the top and bottom rails.

Bob Lang
Bob Lang
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 1:30:19 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Bob,

I ordered the video and it is great! Both the presentation and production are top-notch.

You mentioned in an earlier post that you considered adding the Tucker vise to the bench. Just out of curiosity, where would you have mounted it?

Regards,

Guy
Guy Morgan
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 12:29:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
I never really nailed that down. It could have gone in the same spot as either of the vises I used. Because I have it away from the wall, it also could have been mounted diagonally opposite either of them. In a moment of vise exuberance, I even contemplated putting on four vises.

Bob Lang
Bob Lang
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 10:55:15 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Bob

I am still concerned about the glue blocks for the front vise. In the instructions that accompany the twin vise Lee Valley suggests using full sized chops for the front and back and to anchor the rear chop using long lag bolts horizontally into the side of the workbench top. I know that this would bring the vise forward and effect the side dog holding. If you think of the potential stress across the glue blocks wouldn't that overcome the glue strength or potentially crack the glue blocks along the grain orientation? And hypothetically if one were to mechanically anchor the glue blocks what would you suggest.
John Craig Brown
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:45:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
That’s great, I never thought about Bob's Bench: A Free Video, DVD and SketchUp Model like that before.
Jane Church
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