Get BOTH sawbenches in one set of plans: www.rexkrueger.com/store/traditional-saw-benches Build the English Joiner's Bench: bit.ly/2QZls9T Build the Minimum Timber Bench: www.rexkrueger.com/store/minimum-timber-bench Build the Lightweight Traveler Bench: ps://www.woodworkforhumans.com/store/p/lwtravelbench
My father-in-law had a bench like this. We still use it all the time. He put carpet on the top of the bench, which made it easier on the knees, keeps wood unmarred, and nails and screws from rolling off the top.
Yeah, I'm just using chairs for this kind of stuff. I never thought much about it, my body just figured that out somehow long time ago. And because I'm just a WW, I get by :-)
I like big cuts and I cannot lie, you other woodworkers can't deny, when a big rip cut is in your face, the saw bench is the perfect place, it's spruce, two two by fours, enough to get you out the door.
I love that sort of video on your channel. No non-sense, you make a point of having people save money, you choose your words to clearly express that everyone watching can build it with ease while still growing as a woodworker. I have my own benches already, but if I didn't, I'd use the english style you show here - heck, I might actually modify my low bench. Wonderful design. Cheers, Rex!
In my opinion, Carpenter, Joiner, Cabinet Maker, etc., all could benefit from either one - or preferably one of each - of those benches. I like the design of the English bench for onsite carpentry work (especially outdoors), where it would frequently prove invaluable with its sturdy stance, tool tray to keep tools and a radio safe in and - importantly - somewhere to sit at lunchtime. At home for my project work, either would suffice but again, the English has the sawing notch, which is a very nice feature (not that it couldn't be added to the Swedish bench). Large or awkward assembly procedures could also be done on a pair of benches because it would raise a project up to a nice working height, rather than bending down or crawling around on the floor (think installing a hinged top on a six-board chest, for instance, which might be too low on the floor and too high on a workbench). Throw on a couple of scaffolding planks and you have a solid step-up or platform for working at a convenient height, too. All-in-all, a versatile pair of benches - and better still, not expensive to make!
You demonstrate a number of valuable general purpose concepts in this video, Rex. I stopped and rewound at several key moments. Thank you for giving so much advice and encouragement to us beginners!
Hey Rex, love the videos! I learn so much from you, it has helped my wood working a ton, can't thank you enough! You should do a book with all of your plans in it, I would buy it for sure!
Great benches that are straight forward to build. Thanks! I can recommend putting the handle hole off center by one inch. That puts the "handle" exactly in the center of the bench, so when you pick it up it hangs straight down instead of canting. I have done this now on several of your bench designs and everyone loves how they can pick them up and easily keep them level when shifting their position without a lot of thumb pressure. All four legs hit the ground together. It seems minor until you try one built this way. No, it no longer looks symmetrical but form should follow function.Thanks for all you do.
@@clementm5417You can pick it up from the other side but it cants more. This could be a plus carrying it down a hall or narrow path. The legs cant much closer to your body so it's less prone to bumping into walls and other obstacles.
Use a saw bench so you don't have to do large cuts at the work bench. Proceeds to do comically large cut on a massive piece of wood well above the vise on the work bench. Well it made me laugh.
Rex, this is awesome, but maybe instead of having two low benches (one of the ones of the video and the Lightweight Traveler Workbench) may be you could mix the best of two worlds, and have the corner and notch ability of the Lightweight Traveler Workbench?
I made the English version as my second woodworking project - my first was an English Joiner's Workbench. Both were from your plans and both have turned out pretty well. The "EJWb" was rushed in spots and I certainly see a need to measure more accurately and thoroughly- it's surprising how much a slight error can magnify. I am now a better AMATEUR woodworker. The plan was not followed completely - there are always compromises right? Materials are not exactly the same as indicated in the plan: we take what is available and reasonable . My local Home Depot supplies 2x6 stock but it's really 1.75" by 5.5" or something - you know. Same with the Saw Bench - all of my cuts were slightly off - but hand tools can be very useful in allowing you to make slight corrections. My Jack plane is now my best friend - why didn't I use my fancy new shooting board and make the angled blocks more square (that's what it for stupid!) ?? I added work holding (dog holes) to the saw bench and used the same technique as with the EJWb - gluing 2x4 as support under the Top. (a' la Chris Schwartz) - this adds stability and longevity for the Gramercy holdfast. I really appreciate your work here - it's really helping me become a woodworker.
Another great project Rex. I was watching the example of the old bench you refered to as reference. In the picture it looks like the rear legs are not splayed but vertical with no angle? Is this an optical illusion? (I dont think so) or might this be the way it was constructed for some reason? Very curious. Thanx. -- Greg
My grandfather apprenticed in London between the wars. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, so he wasn't doing fine cabinetry. He remade horses quite regularly as old ones became too beaten up to use. His horses were similar to your English sawbench, but without the stretchers so they could stack.
Hello, Mr. Kruger! Thank you, sir, for another great video. I'm always amazed at your work & how it's well thought-out. I already bought "Stumpy Nubs'" saw bench plans but I like your's a lot. If I hadn't bought "Stumpy's" ... I got his partly because it has some 'practice' features I want to work on. Dovetails, mortises, & tenons, oh my! James Wright's version is similar, but w/ angled ends which I really like, all pointy & all. Your's is a bit simpler so it's faster to build but I'm not in a rush & I really need the practice. I really appreciate your advice RE: flattening & squaring the parts. I think that'll help me, a lot (I need all the help I can get, don't you know?). It is great practice which can be done on most all projects. I'm 68, w/ asbestosis & COPD so I'm just sorry I waited to get started. Thank you for all you do. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
Hmmmm need practice....build one of each from Stumpy, James, and two from Rex ! Then you can do a review on which one's are better for what especially the learning curve 🪝 Blessings my friend Friend Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
@@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740 Good idea, Crawford. Thank you for your comment for the ALGORITHM! But I'm already planning on building a 'regular' workbench, Rex's "Traveler" bench & 1 sawbench. That may be enough 'practice' but at my age I doubt it. I already know I don't want the 'Swedish' bench. The "Traveler" will do everything the "Swedish" will do & more besides. I've already started doing some 'practice' cuts. I want to make a Gottshall Block next for practice. (I'm tired of practicing on my thumb & fingers, etc.) At least I can sharpen my tools. Now if I just knew enough to know which workbench to build. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
I'm wanting to build either one or both of these, but I can't get this idea out of my head, those round metal stools in auto shops that roll around but when you put weight on them the wheels move up and becomes stable and wont roll. I'm thinking about using gate casters and putting a lighter spring in them and put them on the benches' legs. That way I can roll the benches around easily and can be used as places to simply sit, and I can just push them under a small English jointers bench that I made from your video.
At the 10:30 mark, you screwed about 12" of long grain against 12" of cross-grain. While they weren't directly glued to each other, wood movement will definitely stress those screws. Let us know how the bench feels six months from now.
I've got limited space in what I would like to be my mixed-use workshop (including for hand-tool woodworking). I don't have a workbench at all, although I have some old desks which I can use as a makeshift workbench. I also wouldn't mind buying one of those portable workbenches just to have something to start with. What would you say would be the best route from having no workbench to having a good workbench + one of these. At some point I thought of going Japanese saw horses -> low Roman workbench -> English joiner's bench but this would leave me with no space for the low Roman workbench. I was wondering if there's a better route with the end goal being that I have a nice full size workbench without too many intermediate steps. Also, would you still recommend the English joiner's bench or do you think there's a better revision?
Rex, while researching benches, I came across designs like your English bench with a slight difference. That is the legs on one side are perpendicular to the bench top and ground while the ones on the other side of the bench are splayed out like in your design. I believe this is intended to give support on the sawing side while simplifying construction a bit. Have you seen this kind of design? Do you think it to be a reasonable modification?
Being the old fart that I am, all my shop furniture is one of two heights. This includes the shave horse, the spoon pony and carving bench, my four assembly cubes and now the English saw bench. I also have a roller equipped pair of saw horses the same height as the "main bench" and metal working station.
In regards of the comment about the legs sticking out on the light travel workbench (2:18).would it be practical to use the same type of legs than the ones used on any of these saw benches?
I built this bench and I used a piece of pegboard for the bottom of the shelf. It was a great idea! it's a great saw bench and it doesn't get too full of sawdust underneath because of the holes.
They use something very similar in traditional Japanese wood shops, just its even closer to the floor. They either kneel or sit on the board or for big timbers they tie it to the bench. For some reason the Japanese almost never used screws in anything (so no screw vises or clamps) until after the fall of the Shogunate although they knew of them since the 1500's at least, from the Portuguese and Spanish.
@@RexKrueger it doesn't look that much different to your traveler workbench though. If I made it a little longer but kept the same leg design as the English saw bench. With one end the same as the L shape on the traveler's bench it could be something usable, no?
@@RexKrueger cool. I've seen all your videos. Just saying I prefer a more even mix of building with the other bits i.e. furniture forensics. But that's just me 😃
I have this wooden stool that's built just like that english bench, only it has a square top, and it is completely covered in saw marks because it too is used as a saw bench for the last 20-30 years. Also you can flip it and saw up the branches for firewood, the legs keep it from rolling away. Guess a good design just floats up everywhere.
Rex - I have an extension project to this for you. A design and build for two English saw benches that stack (lower bench is wider than upper) so that separately they are the same height but stacked the top surface comes up to your main work bench. When I was a teenager this was in a DIY magazine and my dad got me to build them out of various scrap that was available (e.g. off cut roof timbers from next door's extension). I still have the top half. It even incorporates wooden sash cramp rails each side for Record sash cramp heads.
Very good plans, thank you so much! I was hesitant to start hobby woodworking with full-sized workbench, and other sawbenches didn't appeal to me that much. These two sawbenches are just perfect - good designs, fairly easy to build, and will take up less space than workbench. Appreciate your work in general, Rex :) Excellent content overall, thank you! :)
My current bench is basically the Swedish, and imo it looks nicer but is VERY wobbly. Don’t stand on it, be careful sawing. Going to rebuild it as an English bench soon
I was really excited when I watched last week's video, these builds exceeded my expectations. Can't wait to give one of these a crack, your timing couldn't be better!
I've been thinking about how to build a good workbench, and I think these would fulfill almost all my needs. The only thing it needs is a shaving horse. I know that a shaving horse isn't really needed for some types of woodworking, but if you have a need for one, nothing else really comes close. My idea is that it should fit on one end of a bench, and would be removable when not needed. The bench might need a couple of peg holes, but otherwise I think one of these benches should work perfectly.
Serious question here: do US Americans actually order furniture and other woodwork from actual hand workers like you? Who can even afford this? I mean I love love love the Idea. But here in Germany for example everything is disposable throwaway flimsy Chinese IKEA garbage. Ordering handmade furniture would cost an arm and a leg in labor alone 🙏
Well you make points. But....if you order his plans.... honestly you can build a whole house full of furniture made by your own hands. Perhaps kinfolk or neighbor would order some from you!!! Blessings my friend Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
@@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740 I absolutely adore the idea. But Rex mentions from time to time that he actually does woodwork for a living and for clients. That made me wonder. Here in Germany older people still have their old oak furniture. We call it "rustikale Eiche". Ages old, massive, indestructible. However, most Germans look down upon this, get rid of it and stuff their homes with IKEA cardboard "furniture" that doesnt even survive until next year. Very unfortunate. Seems to be a cultural difference in mindset.
@@ArniesTech so goes the younger set to a large extent here in USA. Many craftsman try to disued (-5sp...change the mindset) from IKEA junk bought n rebought to buy once cry once. Not to popular here either. Shame too. Because only the rich in spirit, culture, and pocket book seem to have the money they would have spent rebuying IKEA. Example. My son. 31yo has purchased multiple items bed frames in particular. B4 I knew of these hand tool channels...I used some really nice clear pine n built him a bed frame n headboard. Of course it has some hand forged nicknacks n doodads. Not especially pretty nor of any joinery other than fit together and screwed to dimensional lumber. Since..yes added some lights and a stereo with speakers under the mattress decking....tied to his TV and stereo. I guess one needs to feel the movies as well as watching...lol.
Yah, it is the curse of the young to think everything should be new, like they are. Glad I lived long enough to outgrow such foolishness. Have a GREAT day Neighbor!
Young folk and poor folk tend to go more for the IKEA-style furniture. It's cheap and, for most young folk, lasts long enough. Older folk with a higher income tend to buy better furniture, but usually buy it from furniture stores. It's all factory made but with better materials. The type of folk that can afford handmade furniture tend to be well-off professionals, such as doctors and lawyers and such.
I had a sawbench that I built from Chris Schwarz's plans in PWW after a few years I got rid of it. I use handsaws a lot and it was nice when I needed it, but it took up a lot of space on the shop floor. I'm planning to make a collapsible one so I can get it the heck out of my way when I'm not using it (ideally up on the wall). I don't need another thing to bang my knee into.
Well i wish i had seen these benches before i started on the roman bench build. The legs combined with my own need for perfection have caused it to go into a stand-still. I could very well see myself finish one of these. Would take up way less space in my shed too.
Get BOTH sawbenches in one set of plans: www.rexkrueger.com/store/traditional-saw-benches
Build the English Joiner's Bench: bit.ly/2QZls9T
Build the Minimum Timber Bench: www.rexkrueger.com/store/minimum-timber-bench
Build the Lightweight Traveler Bench: ps://www.woodworkforhumans.com/store/p/lwtravelbench
💜💜💜
Use 1/2inch hardware cloth in stead of plywood for the shelf. No sawdust collection!
My father-in-law had a bench like this. We still use it all the time. He put carpet on the top of the bench, which made it easier on the knees, keeps wood unmarred, and nails and screws from rolling off the top.
Thats a great idea. I was considering using some EVA foam floormats to achieve the same thing!
Very nice, Rex. Another very useful build.
Yeah, I'm just using chairs for this kind of stuff. I never thought much about it, my body just figured that out somehow long time ago. And because I'm just a WW, I get by :-)
That comment about flat surfaces collecting junk really hit home.
I like big cuts and I cannot lie,
you other woodworkers can't deny,
when a big rip cut is in your face,
the saw bench is the perfect place,
it's spruce, two two by fours, enough to get you out the door.
I love that sort of video on your channel. No non-sense, you make a point of having people save money, you choose your words to clearly express that everyone watching can build it with ease while still growing as a woodworker. I have my own benches already, but if I didn't, I'd use the english style you show here - heck, I might actually modify my low bench. Wonderful design. Cheers, Rex!
In my opinion, Carpenter, Joiner, Cabinet Maker, etc., all could benefit from either one - or preferably one of each - of those benches. I like the design of the English bench for onsite carpentry work (especially outdoors), where it would frequently prove invaluable with its sturdy stance, tool tray to keep tools and a radio safe in and - importantly - somewhere to sit at lunchtime. At home for my project work, either would suffice but again, the English has the sawing notch, which is a very nice feature (not that it couldn't be added to the Swedish bench). Large or awkward assembly procedures could also be done on a pair of benches because it would raise a project up to a nice working height, rather than bending down or crawling around on the floor (think installing a hinged top on a six-board chest, for instance, which might be too low on the floor and too high on a workbench). Throw on a couple of scaffolding planks and you have a solid step-up or platform for working at a convenient height, too. All-in-all, a versatile pair of benches - and better still, not expensive to make!
Many classically brilliant ideas.
👍
Blessings y'all
Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
You demonstrate a number of valuable general purpose concepts in this video, Rex. I stopped and rewound at several key moments. Thank you for giving so much advice and encouragement to us beginners!
Is there a reason you couldn't easily add a shelf to the Swedish saw bench? Or is the draw of the Swedish version its simplicity?
I love that Rex made a special mention for the scatterbrained instinct to pile things on flat surfaces in the workshop, man knows his audience...
yeah, those darn flat surfaces just attract 'stuff'. the low roman bench is worse cause its longer.
@@orbitalair2103 NHS filing system... Nearest Horizontal Surface. We all do it :D
It’s also great that he’s still concerned about space even though space isn’t much of a concern for him these days.
Very optimistic of him though to expect that making a matryoshka of workbenches would mean no stuff accumulating on top.
This video reminds me of the old "woodwork for humans" days and i can't quite express why
Hey Rex, love the videos! I learn so much from you, it has helped my wood working a ton, can't thank you enough!
You should do a book with all of your plans in it, I would buy it for sure!
You know what? That's a pretty great idea. I might do that.
Great benches that are straight forward to build. Thanks! I can recommend putting the handle hole off center by one inch. That puts the "handle" exactly in the center of the bench, so when you pick it up it hangs straight down instead of canting. I have done this now on several of your bench designs and everyone loves how they can pick them up and easily keep them level when shifting their position without a lot of thumb pressure. All four legs hit the ground together. It seems minor until you try one built this way. No, it no longer looks symmetrical but form should follow function.Thanks for all you do.
If I understand correctly, you can only pick it up from one side, right?
@@clementm5417You can pick it up from the other side but it cants more. This could be a plus carrying it down a hall or narrow path. The legs cant much closer to your body so it's less prone to bumping into walls and other obstacles.
You significantly underestimate my ability to pile junk on things, even if those things are under other things
😂😂😂
Amen.
Great stuff.
Do you thing one could build the Swedish saw bench as a knock down bench?
I thought about that, but if you don't glue those joints, the bench quickly gets wobbly. It looks like it would work, but sadly, it wouldn't.
Use a saw bench so you don't have to do large cuts at the work bench. Proceeds to do comically large cut on a massive piece of wood well above the vise on the work bench.
Well it made me laugh.
Rex, this is awesome, but maybe instead of having two low benches (one of the ones of the video and the Lightweight Traveler Workbench) may be you could mix the best of two worlds, and have the corner and notch ability of the Lightweight Traveler Workbench?
That's exactly what I'm thinking about building!
Another ditto here. Work holding on a saw bench. Or is it easy cutting on a low bench.
Awesome I feel like im gonna build 1 of each for sure ... but I kinda want to try a hybrid as well Swedish style and add rails and shelf !
You underestimate my ability to pile junk on flat surfaces, even better if it's hidden out of sight under something else
I made the English version as my second woodworking project - my first was an English Joiner's Workbench. Both were from your plans and both have turned out pretty well. The "EJWb" was rushed in spots and I certainly see a need to measure more accurately and thoroughly- it's surprising how much a slight error can magnify. I am now a better AMATEUR woodworker. The plan was not followed completely - there are always compromises right? Materials are not exactly the same as indicated in the plan: we take what is available and reasonable . My local Home Depot supplies 2x6 stock but it's really 1.75" by 5.5" or something - you know. Same with the Saw Bench - all of my cuts were slightly off - but hand tools can be very useful in allowing you to make slight corrections. My Jack plane is now my best friend - why didn't I use my fancy new shooting board and make the angled blocks more square (that's what it for stupid!) ?? I added work holding (dog holes) to the saw bench and used the same technique as with the EJWb - gluing 2x4 as support under the Top. (a' la Chris Schwartz) - this adds stability and longevity for the Gramercy holdfast. I really appreciate your work here - it's really helping me become a woodworker.
"I'm tall so my legs only needed a little trim." Is a great line. Especially out of context.
Another great project Rex. I was watching the example of the old bench you refered to as reference. In the picture it looks like the rear legs are not splayed but vertical with no angle? Is this an optical illusion? (I dont think so) or might this be the way it was constructed for some reason? Very curious.
Thanx. -- Greg
Just saying this would be a good woodworking for humans video.
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
Why not cut a notch in the Swedish bench, too?
Probably because of the flared legs but I'm guessing. I wondered the same thing.
You totally can, I just didn't.
That sprung joint blew my mind. Why have I never seen that before? Or maybe I have and forgot it?
Rex, thoughts on a knockdown version for those of us crammed into a shed?
It's possible. The English design could be knock-down.
My grandfather apprenticed in London between the wars. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, so he wasn't doing fine cabinetry.
He remade horses quite regularly as old ones became too beaten up to use. His horses were similar to your English sawbench, but without the stretchers so they could stack.
I like the point that this is a tool, not a storage surface! -I know myself about that situation. :D
Hello, Mr. Kruger!
Thank you, sir, for another great video.
I'm always amazed at your work & how it's well thought-out.
I already bought "Stumpy Nubs'" saw bench plans but I like your's a lot.
If I hadn't bought "Stumpy's" ...
I got his partly because it has some 'practice' features I want to work on.
Dovetails, mortises, & tenons, oh my!
James Wright's version is similar, but w/ angled ends which I really like, all pointy & all.
Your's is a bit simpler so it's faster to build but I'm not in a rush & I really need the practice.
I really appreciate your advice RE: flattening & squaring the parts.
I think that'll help me, a lot (I need all the help I can get, don't you know?).
It is great practice which can be done on most all projects.
I'm 68, w/ asbestosis & COPD so I'm just sorry I waited to get started.
Thank you for all you do.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
Hmmmm need practice....build one of each from Stumpy, James, and two from Rex ! Then you can do a review on which one's are better for what especially the learning curve 🪝
Blessings my friend Friend
Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
@@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740
Good idea, Crawford.
Thank you for your comment for the ALGORITHM!
But I'm already planning on building a 'regular' workbench, Rex's "Traveler" bench & 1 sawbench.
That may be enough 'practice' but at my age I doubt it.
I already know I don't want the 'Swedish' bench.
The "Traveler" will do everything the "Swedish" will do & more besides.
I've already started doing some 'practice' cuts.
I want to make a Gottshall Block next for practice.
(I'm tired of practicing on my thumb & fingers, etc.)
At least I can sharpen my tools.
Now if I just knew enough to know which workbench to build.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
I'm wanting to build either one or both of these, but I can't get this idea out of my head, those round metal stools in auto shops that roll around but when you put weight on them the wheels move up and becomes stable and wont roll. I'm thinking about using gate casters and putting a lighter spring in them and put them on the benches' legs. That way I can roll the benches around easily and can be used as places to simply sit, and I can just push them under a small English jointers bench that I made from your video.
At the 10:30 mark, you screwed about 12" of long grain against 12" of cross-grain. While they weren't directly glued to each other, wood movement will definitely stress those screws. Let us know how the bench feels six months from now.
As you explained, this is the perfect companion for the english jointers bench. looks like the next addition to the shop. Thanks!
you could also add a holdfast hole and some reinforcement for it to make clamping stock easier.
Do you do the plans in metric too for people who live outside of the USA? Not that I see why you would need plans to build them!
Yes he does - both systems on the same plans.
Nice build. I love the idea of using an old bed frame to save money. Cheers Rex.
Brilliant work, Rex! Really well made! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
I've got limited space in what I would like to be my mixed-use workshop (including for hand-tool woodworking). I don't have a workbench at all, although I have some old desks which I can use as a makeshift workbench. I also wouldn't mind buying one of those portable workbenches just to have something to start with. What would you say would be the best route from having no workbench to having a good workbench + one of these. At some point I thought of going Japanese saw horses -> low Roman workbench -> English joiner's bench but this would leave me with no space for the low Roman workbench. I was wondering if there's a better route with the end goal being that I have a nice full size workbench without too many intermediate steps.
Also, would you still recommend the English joiner's bench or do you think there's a better revision?
Made mine today with a few variations! Went for a thicker slab top, but struggling to get the top of the legs flush. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rex, while researching benches, I came across designs like your English bench with a slight difference. That is the legs on one side are perpendicular to the bench top and ground while the ones on the other side of the bench are splayed out like in your design. I believe this is intended to give support on the sawing side while simplifying construction a bit. Have you seen this kind of design? Do you think it to be a reasonable modification?
Now I want to see a moravian style sawbench :-)
😂😂🎉
Being the old fart that I am, all my shop furniture is one of two heights. This includes the shave horse, the spoon pony and carving bench, my four assembly cubes and now the English saw bench. I also have a roller equipped pair of saw horses the same height as the "main bench" and metal working station.
Sounds like you may 'bench poor'.
"stop what you are doing and watch this" on a woodworking video? really?
pathetic.
In regards of the comment about the legs sticking out on the light travel workbench (2:18).would it be practical to use the same type of legs than the ones used on any of these saw benches?
I built this bench and I used a piece of pegboard for the bottom of the shelf. It was a great idea! it's a great saw bench and it doesn't get too full of sawdust underneath because of the holes.
Oh they fit under your workbenches, great detail.
Did I just buy the traveler bench plans, got all set to do it tomorrow and use it for hand planning, only to hear that it’s a little bit off :)?
Ok, but with all those beautiful old tools, why on earth do you own, let alone use, that ugly plastic handled crosscut?
What is the purpose of the hole in the middle of the bench and the triangular cut made between 6:10 and 6:35?
Thank you Sir.Just gave ne an idea how to use some left overs.🎉🎉
Hi Rex.
Whats the saw called that you cit your notches with ? . Many thanks
I like the torsion box structure on the English one. It seems like it will work well.
Is there a way to combine the travelers bench with the English saw bench?
For the storage, adding a saw till could be a neat touch, as well as a place to keep saw files.
I guess you wouldn't be sharpening the saw at the bench, unless you're sitting on the floor.
@@ricos1497 you could clamp the saw to the top and sharpen it with the file vertical...
@@pettere8429 that would be crazy. I like to put the saw handle into my neck, and use the file like a violin bow to sharpen.
This feels like it would be awkward with my Japanese hand saws. Neh?
They use something very similar in traditional Japanese wood shops, just its even closer to the floor. They either kneel or sit on the board or for big timbers they tie it to the bench. For some reason the Japanese almost never used screws in anything (so no screw vises or clamps) until after the fall of the Shogunate although they knew of them since the 1500's at least, from the Portuguese and Spanish.
Yup. Not made for those.
Always thought these were called a “saw horse”…
No, saw horses are the smaller ones with only something like a 10cm/4inch top. Used in pairs. Or, certainly, that's the general usage of the term.
Looks great. I use a "bent" as well
Rex how many are your childrens?
Would you say its a good idea to make the english style bendch as the first woodworking specific workbench?
Maybe, but it's pretty limited. It's not a workbench.
@@RexKrueger it doesn't look that much different to your traveler workbench though. If I made it a little longer but kept the same leg design as the English saw bench. With one end the same as the L shape on the traveler's bench it could be something usable, no?
the audio clipping in your vid is really bad.
Why not put a handle cut on the Swedish Bench?
When you are old with bad knees it is better to make the bench higher and clamp the wood down
Or keep a knee pad on the shelf at all times!
@@ricos1497 it's the bending at 70 lol
Nice to see you building something again 🙂
I built a fair bit of stuff this year.
@@RexKrueger cool. I've seen all your videos. Just saying I prefer a more even mix of building with the other bits i.e. furniture forensics. But that's just me 😃
Just noticed that you have a tat on your left hand.
Careful, before you know it you will be adding bench stop holes etc to enhance it. That's what happened with my shave horse. 😉
I have this wooden stool that's built just like that english bench, only it has a square top, and it is completely covered in saw marks because it too is used as a saw bench for the last 20-30 years. Also you can flip it and saw up the branches for firewood, the legs keep it from rolling away. Guess a good design just floats up everywhere.
In the spirit of Halloween, would you please consider building a Toe-Pincher coffin?!?!?
Rex - I have an extension project to this for you. A design and build for two English saw benches that stack (lower bench is wider than upper) so that separately they are the same height but stacked the top surface comes up to your main work bench.
When I was a teenager this was in a DIY magazine and my dad got me to build them out of various scrap that was available (e.g. off cut roof timbers from next door's extension). I still have the top half. It even incorporates wooden sash cramp rails each side for Record sash cramp heads.
Very good plans, thank you so much!
I was hesitant to start hobby woodworking with full-sized workbench, and other sawbenches didn't appeal to me that much.
These two sawbenches are just perfect - good designs, fairly easy to build, and will take up less space than workbench.
Appreciate your work in general, Rex :) Excellent content overall, thank you! :)
My current bench is basically the Swedish, and imo it looks nicer but is VERY wobbly. Don’t stand on it, be careful sawing. Going to rebuild it as an English bench soon
I was really excited when I watched last week's video, these builds exceeded my expectations. Can't wait to give one of these a crack, your timing couldn't be better!
I've been thinking about how to build a good workbench, and I think these would fulfill almost all my needs. The only thing it needs is a shaving horse. I know that a shaving horse isn't really needed for some types of woodworking, but if you have a need for one, nothing else really comes close. My idea is that it should fit on one end of a bench, and would be removable when not needed. The bench might need a couple of peg holes, but otherwise I think one of these benches should work perfectly.
Serious question here: do US Americans actually order furniture and other woodwork from actual hand workers like you? Who can even afford this? I mean I love love love the Idea.
But here in Germany for example everything is disposable throwaway flimsy Chinese IKEA garbage. Ordering handmade furniture would cost an arm and a leg in labor alone 🙏
Well you make points. But....if you order his plans.... honestly you can build a whole house full of furniture made by your own hands. Perhaps kinfolk or neighbor would order some from you!!!
Blessings my friend
Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼♂️
@@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740 I absolutely adore the idea. But Rex mentions from time to time that he actually does woodwork for a living and for clients. That made me wonder.
Here in Germany older people still have their old oak furniture. We call it "rustikale Eiche". Ages old, massive, indestructible. However, most Germans look down upon this, get rid of it and stuff their homes with IKEA cardboard "furniture" that doesnt even survive until next year. Very unfortunate.
Seems to be a cultural difference in mindset.
@@ArniesTech so goes the younger set to a large extent here in USA. Many craftsman try to disued (-5sp...change the mindset) from IKEA junk bought n rebought to buy once cry once. Not to popular here either. Shame too. Because only the rich in spirit, culture, and pocket book seem to have the money they would have spent rebuying IKEA.
Example. My son. 31yo has purchased multiple items bed frames in particular. B4 I knew of these hand tool channels...I used some really nice clear pine n built him a bed frame n headboard. Of course it has some hand forged nicknacks n doodads. Not especially pretty nor of any joinery other than fit together and screwed to dimensional lumber. Since..yes added some lights and a stereo with speakers under the mattress decking....tied to his TV and stereo. I guess one needs to feel the movies as well as watching...lol.
Yah, it is the curse of the young to think everything should be new, like they are.
Glad I lived long enough to outgrow such foolishness.
Have a GREAT day Neighbor!
Young folk and poor folk tend to go more for the IKEA-style furniture. It's cheap and, for most young folk, lasts long enough.
Older folk with a higher income tend to buy better furniture, but usually buy it from furniture stores. It's all factory made but with better materials.
The type of folk that can afford handmade furniture tend to be well-off professionals, such as doctors and lawyers and such.
I had a sawbench that I built from Chris Schwarz's plans in PWW after a few years I got rid of it. I use handsaws a lot and it was nice when I needed it, but it took up a lot of space on the shop floor. I'm planning to make a collapsible one so I can get it the heck out of my way when I'm not using it (ideally up on the wall). I don't need another thing to bang my knee into.
Thank you very much for metric measurements! Comment for algorithm.
These are classic. Often rip them from plywood when on site. By jobs end covered in cement and peeling from the rain it goes into the skip.
Well i wish i had seen these benches before i started on the roman bench build. The legs combined with my own need for perfection have caused it to go into a stand-still. I could very well see myself finish one of these.
Would take up way less space in my shed too.
Thank youSir 😊
Love the project videos. Always make me feel like building.
If you do detail work at your workbench, you can sit on your sawbench while you do it. That's one less stool you need for your shop.
Those remind me of short versions of the low Roman work bench you did awhile back.
Excellent, thanks Rex, I like both designs so thanks for sharing more great content !
Looked like a new more compact shooting board. How are ya liking it?
I don't lack project Ideas Rex, I lack time :P
Didn’t you cook this meal before?
Thank you for all the knowledge you share with us amateurs ❤
A foldable version for a small garage would be perfect.
Best woodworking channel for intermediate maker hands down
07:34 context is everything, folks 😂
I love these types of video and realised how much I've missed them from your channel
Once I built a saw bench I rarely use saw horses anymore.
12:44 - sound like a challenge to me! I'm game.
Amazing work rex and Co. !
Handy as a pocket on a shirt
I like wood furniture!
Another banger, Rex!!!
Try add vise to saw-bench.
The Romans did - square notch in the long side and wedges. You can also put dog holes in the top and use wedges between the dogs to hold work.
thanks
FANTASTIC