Workbench: Episode 9

Posted 23 February 2018

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We’re ready to fit the jaw liners on the vise. Precision fitting is required to make sure they don’t touch the bars and sit in the correct position. Paul adds leather on the outside jaw to increase grip.

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Previous: Workbench: Episode 8

80 Comments

  3. Absolutely loving my bench. Have done a few small tasks on it already.

    I knicked the edge of it cutting a piece of wood the other day and was gutted. Still, benches are made to be used, and i’m sure it’s only the first knick of many!

    Darren.

    1. Think of a Fender guitar which already comes with nicks and scratches! Which you usually pay more for, than a perfectly finished one.
      Have fun with your bench!!!

      (As soon as the weather here in France gets warm enough to use my garage. then my bench build will commence!)

  5. I really love the timelapse in these videos, it helped answer a question I had earlier (does Paul finish *all* of the underside?). Great series of videos, I’ll be starting on my bench very soon !

    Thanks to all who help make Paul’s work so accessible.

    Simon.

  6. My laminations are almost done. It’s just a bit too cold to do the last ones. About -3 degrees Celsius and the glue needs 5 degrees. Zt least I can watch the next steps here. Can’t wait to see what you’ll make on this lovely bench.

    Will there be holes for bench dogs?

  8. Thanks for all your work on workbench design and construction. I built larger on last summer (7′ x 34″ – so I can lay out door and bookcases on it) with a deep box in the center. I added a long board by the box that can be popped up as a stop. And I made the 2 aprons from more laminations as thick as the top because I like to have holdfasts on the apron.

    As big as it is I really wanted it to disassemble for transport and your leg wedges are an excellent way to do that. Four long lags counterbored into the aprons are Ll that need removal to take the bench apart! It is rock solid!

    I thought I might not want a vise, but I am going to get one. It seems too efficient to pass up on it.

    A question: Do you always put the vise off center? Why, and exactly how do you decide where to place it? I was thinking I might want mine centered, but I can’t imagine its effect on workflow.

    1. Hi Michael,
      From my limited experience, having the vise nearer to a leg provides additional stability and a solidness when working the piece that you might not find being in the center. As for which end, generally depends on your dominant hand…left side if right handed, right side if left handed. If the vise is placed in the center, you might find supporting very long pieces using a clamp at the end cumbersome as you have effectively cut in half the reach of supporting the end of the piece from the vise.

  10. It’s not enough, but a simple thank you is all I have. I personally feel this is the most significant project you nave ever put out and will have the most impact now and forever going forward for new guys like me. Not just the fact that I will always have this bench that I actually built myself but all projects from now on will come off of this bench. So many things to learn here, from actual skills to principles and philosophy. All I can say is: Thank goodness you didn’t go into some other trade and not woodworking.

  11. OUCH!! I felt that! I was hoping that there might be a bonus video on a bench drawer installation and some of the other fitments? Maybe? Even though I have already added an apron drawer, saw recesses, and end tills to my bench (YouTube version), it would be informative to know how you approached these additions.

      1. Hi Philip,
        just wanted to add a “+1” to Kurt’s request, I think the drawer and probably a shelf underneath would be two most wanted additions for everyone! I really appreciate the work you do and hope you can film those additional videos in some foreseeable future. Thanks!

  12. Absolutely beautiful! Great video ,great presenter. I’m just beginning mine. Trying to build it on the cheap. Lot’s of home construction in my neighborhood. I’m dumpster (skip) diving getting free scrap lumber.
    Will Paul have a video on drawers for the work bench. I bet lots of viewers would love to see one.
    Thanks so much for the great video.

  14. I’m so excited to finally finish my bench this week. That last video was the ultimate cliff hanger, lol. I already made a table on my bench this past week since I couldn’t wait to get started. Thanks for all your answers and support Phillip. This project has been truly life changing, and I’m so glad I chose to follow along with the new series. Please pass on my thanks to Paul and the rest of the team as well.

  18. I really love the tools and techniques Friday videos, almost as much as the projects. And yes I concider a good workbench a tool. I hope you keep giving us more of them. After the scrub plane I wanted to rush out to the shop and spend the day using both my No. 5 and No. 6 scrubs just to make bunches of big chips.

  19. Fantastic video as usual Paul.
    Your enthusiasm is contagious and must inspire so many youngsters, and old cronks like me alike.
    It’s so relaxing to watch you, and I always learn something every time.

    (I wonder how many people ‘winced’ and shouted “Mind your head” at the screen as I did when I realised you were going to bang it on the bench leg?)

  20. I have to confess I jumped the gun and fitted my vice a few weeks ago, so eager I was to get up and running!

    Thank you for this, Paul & team, you’ve not only inspired me to create and work with hand tools, but shown me how to build my very own workbench; something I am very proud of and show off to anyone who visits! Here’s to many projects forged in the jaws of its vice!

  21. Great series! And, even though it was probably obvious to all but me, the fitting of the wooden liners with an extra inch on each end to increase the width from 9″ to 11″ is a great idea! I’m looking forward to future videos showing the additional fittings. As always, great job on the series!

  23. Great work. Question: with the leather at the top of the jaw between the vise and the wooden liner, but not at the bottom, are the jaws then slightly racked? Paul hand tightened the outside jaw face with a screwdriver and thus there was hardly enough force to compress it. If the material compressed to 1/16 inch, the top of the vise would close sooner than the bottom. Or is this just handled by the looseness of the jaws when tightening?

    1. Having the thickness of the leather will give a very slight toe in towards the top of the jaws. This is a GOOD thing, as it helps when gripping smaller, thinner pieces, getting hold at the top of the jaws as they close; as you tighten the vice further, any slight tendency for the jaws to deflect (because the vice screw applies pressure at the bottom of the jaw) is less likely to pop the workpiece out of the vice. Also, if you’ve used solid timber for the jaw, any slight cupping of the jaw with changing humidity is less likely to cause the first point of grip to be in the middle of the jaw, rather than along the top edge.

  24. This series was pure magic I have watched these videos; each one with a cup of coffee and a wee biscuit marvelling at the craftsmanship but tonight it was with a glass of fine wine and I salute you Paul sellers and your team for your enthusiasm in the art of woodworking and lot has rubbed off on me My tools have never been so loved and I enjoy using them with the hints and tips you have given us thank you once again for a great series.

        1. Hello Pete,

          my answer referred to the “panel saw” part of Olivier’s question.

          If you mean the dovetail saw Mr. Sellers uses in episode 9: I think it’s unlikely that the saw is a Lie Nielsen, because the Lie Nielsen handles are much finer craftsmanship than the clunky on the saw in the video.
          It could be also a S&J, a predecessor of that one: http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/product/woodsaws/professional-tenon-saws

          I might be wrong.

          E.

  34. I appreciate Paul’s ability to teach and to inspire. And even more important I appreciate his willingness to share his knowledge.

    I did have one question however. In this latest episode Paul was sawing boards held in the vice at an angle. I would have expected him to instead use a bench hook to produce more accurate right angles and to avoid risk of cutting into the bench. Is there a reason for not doing so?

    1. I think Paul doesn’t used bench hooks—he uses clamp in vice for holding material. I personally dont like huge holes on my bench top either. It’s not practical…but again, it all depends on a task.

      This bench is great for joinery as you can tell from the size. For cutting, roughing planing work probably much lower bench will be ideal. This bench would also need hooks and such for quick clamp downs…

      Angled ripping has lots of benefits on small stock (up to 5 feet long stock) on this bench. Mainly has to do with the strength of your upper body plus two handed power strike…

    2. Paul has a treasury of great tips along his project videos. The ones I found to have more tips are in paid subscription series. Because there are many projects in that sector, Paul often brings up details on the technique he uses as he goes. That’s why I love the monthly subscription videos. Plus it’s fun to boot

  36. This is so great! Mine is almost done!

    A couple or quick questions for anyone who might have some insight:
    Does having the leather pinched between the top of the outside jaw and the wood pad cause any undesirable amount of toe in between the two faces of the jaws of the vice? Also, any idea why Paul sticks the leather to the wood instead of allowing it to be freely flipped in and out of the jaws as needed?

  39. I’ve watched most episodes 3 or 4 tiems at this point. Also then going back again as I get to each stage myself.

    I’ve got my aprons laminated and I’m very nearly out of twist on the underside of my benchtop so once I finish that I can get on with the wellboard and legs.

    Looking forward to the “Workbench addons” videos whenever they surface.

    I just wanted to say thank you. Watching Pauls videos on YouTube over the last 6 months has poked me into giving this a go and made me feel like I actually might be able to do it.

  40. Thank you Paul and team. Just to echo what others have said, you are absolutely an inspiration for doing what one likes, whether that’s woodworking or some other activity. I love the fact that you use handtools, and very basic one at ones at that. You don’t need a $2500 bench and a $400 plane and $65 mortise chisels (each!) to get started. Start with what you have. Do not wait to get started. Antique tools, second hand tools, and learn to sort them and sharpen, you’ll have to know how to sharpen anyway. I really have to credit James Krenov for the “why“ I like woodworking, but I give you just as much credit for helping people with the “how” to do woodworking. Thanks again!! R.

  41. Hello all, thank you for your kind comments. We’re glad so many of you have been enjoying and following along with this project. We love seeing your progress and completed projects in the forums and gallery. There will be a number of follow up posts on common questions and additional features, so keep an eye out for those.
    Thanks again, Phil and the Woodworking Masterclasses Team

  42. Thank you Paul. I have so greatly enjoyed your videos. While my workbench is a little different than yours I still used many of your ideas and the videos were a great inspiration. Since I finished my bench several weeks ago I did a lot of research on how to finish the top, and found this interesting recipe. Used it and am highly satisfied with it. Just another idea if anyone is interested. Mix 1/3rd equal parts of Mineral Spirits, Polyurethane Varnish and Boiled Linseed Oil. It does not produce a slick finish like varnish will, but brings out the beauty of the wood grain and helps seal the wood to protect and make easy clean up of spills and drops of glue.

  45. Thanks for this great series! I have some vise hardware in my basement that has been waiting a couple years for a workbench. I will start soon!

    Quick question – I like the rolling clamp stand in the background. Is that discussed in any videos?

  46. Just put the first cost of finish on my bench last night! Can’t wait to start some of the 1.5 million projects I have planned now that I have a sturdy bench. I started my bench watching the You Tube series and then you started putting out these videos so I finished it with these. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge for free!

  47. I’ve got 1 question regarding the vise.
    I’ve installed it, it’s well against the apron (just a little gap at the bottom) but when I clamp a piece in it, it is not vertical. There is a little angle.
    So if I clamp a board horizontally, it is not perfectly horizontal. It comes from my vise because it was the same in my previous workbench. I tried to correct but it was not perfect.
    In this case it will me more difficult to correct because if I put shims, the back jaw won”t be in good contact with the apron.
    I wonder if it is important. I used to have difficulties to plane boards without putting an angle different from 90° (with previous workbench). But maybe it is not due to this but only to my technic.
    Maybe I shouldn’t try to plane horizontally but just register correctly the plane to the board and correct (by overhanging) if it is not at 90° ?

    How are your vises?

  48. I think an idea for a new series might be “bench tweaks” or something. Include such things as building the shelf on the side, the one on the back for the marking gauges, the front drawer, the bottom shelf…. They’d all go well together as a series of shorter videos.

  50. I’ve finally finish my workbench and i really enjoy the process. I was really amaze to see all the things you can do with only a hand saw, chisel, hammer and an old stanley no 4. Your enthusiasm is contagious! I’ve never work wood before but I remember being awake by the sound of the bench saw early in the morning, woodworking was the hobby of my dad. A lot of lost memories of my childhood came back to me because of the smell of wood. Thanks to all the members of Mr. Sellers team!

  51. Bonjour Paul et toute l’équipe.

    Je tenais à vous remercier pour le courage que vous m’avez transmis. Votre sympathie et votre motivation m’a donné envie de travailler le bois.
    Vous avez l’air si heureux !
    Je me lance dans l’aventure en commençant par la création de mon établi. En plus le prix est abordable ! Cela fait vraiment défaut sur l’internet.
    Merci et merci encore.

  55. Mr. Paul Sellers and the rest of the production team
    I saw the series from start to finish. Very enjoyable, great bench, strong and sturdy. A bench like that in any shop would be a great benefit to your work. Cheers
    Take care and may God Bless
    Your friend from Canada Dennis

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