Could the diagonal brace be more towards the back of the bench instead of being right behind the front apron? That would make a shelf underneath more useful.
I need an april fools video from you with the title "No Material Workbench" and it's just you working while sitting on the floor struggling to hold things for 20 minutes.
@@bwood6337 I think Paul Sellers told a story about a new joiner who didn’t have a bench at a shop. He improvised by pulling up floorboards so he could stand between the joists and work with the floor as his bench.
I love how my procrastination keeps getting rewarded with new workbench options. I guess I struck a nerve! I bet Rex wouldn't encourage anyone to sit around not making stuff, waiting for the perfect design, and that's not what I'm doing (I promise). I just love making things of all sorts and woodworking is sadly a little ways down the list of what I'm currently set up to tackle. My grandfather was accomplished in this, though, and I've inherited some of his tools and some of his attitudes, and I do very much appreciate this easier entry into what I'm sure will become a consuming, lifelong pursuit.
@@scottsept86 Same here...been putting off my bench build for months now,was about to try the Paul Sellers version a go and suddenly...Rex comes up with a new design....let's see
Thanks Rex. I was all set to build your English Jointers Bench as a second bench in the workshop. To the point that I had gone to the local big box store with my moisture meter just to see how wet the material was. As soon as my next paycheck hit I was going to buy the lumber. Then, my cousin called me. My grandfather was his godparent. My cousin was cleaning out his garage and wanted to know if I wanted to have the workbench my grandpa had built him. Do I want it?!?!?! Of course, I was grateful and excited. Don't have a lot of things from my grandpa. All I would need was a vise and I would be set. When I got there to pick it up, I saw it already had a vise. Best. Workbench. Ever. Free and my grandpa made it 50+ years ago.
Family heirloom tools are priceless. I have my grandfather’s Stanley #4 plane and his carpenter’s square. They have pride of place in my growing tool cabinet.
When I built your original jointer's bench I opted to go tool tray down the middle and loved it. When I sold my house the buyer asked for it (which felt good!), so I said goodbye to it. But absolutely going to build another and excited to implement some aspects of this lighter version!
I'm a DIY woodworker but do not have a bandsaw, jointer, or table saw 🤣 Looks like a fun project so I might just build it using my tracks saw, circular saw and hand planer.
Wait until you find out we also only have 110v AC, too. Here's where it gets weird: It too has been _our_ standard for a really long time ... because _standards_ can be regional.
You're not kidding about Britain having less readily available timber than the US. I've literally never seen a 2x12 in a wood yard or DIY store here, and 2x10s can be hard to find. I literally laughed out loud when Rex said "You'll just need one 12ft 2x10", I've never seen a 12ft anything for sale.
In Australia - 2.4m unless its treated landscaping timber, which is full of knots and corkscrewed. There are a few yards which cater to house builders ($$) or boat builders ($$$$)
When living in Belgium, was always able to find lumber at a reasonable price. However, lumber was not S4 and required extensive work to bring to final dimension.
UK here. I'd love the mm so I can just adapt from what's available. I guess it's 1 of 45mm by 250mm by 3600mm, 8 of 45mm by 90mm by 2400mm, plus the flat and the stretcher which I'd have to calculate? Can anyone confirm? Thanks.
A great tip i use is to buy 2 bags of play-sand and put one on the left and right cross beams between the legs. I saw another TH-camr do this and it makes the bench incredibly stable and each bag is less than $5 and they weight 75lb each.
My 2 cents. If you are on a super tight budget look around your area for someone giving away a wood kitchen table and cut the top down for the top of your workbench. I got a square solid oak table for free and reshaped the top into a rectangle. So now I have a workbench with a solid 1-1/2" thick top. I look around for free wood and free furniture like dressers and nightstands to get a lot of my wood for free. I use drawer sides to make nice little boxes and you can do all kinds of stuff for a low cost. PS I absolutely love this channel! GO REX
You've put more thought and effort into getting folks "benched up" at a very reasonable cost than just about any other woodworker out there. Thanks for all the work.
I really wish this design had been out 5 years ago when I built my bench. This would have saved me time and money. But then, what would Chris Schwarz have written about all those years?
All right, Krueger. You've thrown down the gauntlet. This is an AMAZING piece of furniture, not just because of what you achieved but because of the audacity of what you tried to solve. For me, this is why I harp that lack of options is what fuels creativity and NOT abundance. You have just shown it.
I think a general vibe works best for benches, just a few points about support and cross bracing to fit whatever material you got to work with. I raided the scratch and dent lumber at a big box store to get a few split 2X4s, the widest chunk they had in the pile for an apron and sides, and some simple hardware. Dirt cheap, ugly as sin, and sturdy enough for everything I've thrown at it so far.
Made this today, first time building anything like this and it took me from 12pm to 8pm with a few breaks. Only used a circular saw, mallet, chisels, glue, impact driver and screws. You can definitely tell I’m a beginner from the craftsmanship but I was able to get some really tight cuts with the chisels. Thanks 👍🏼
Very simple and inexpensive. Perfect for most newbies and someone with tight budgets. I just bought enough poplar to build 3 of these benches for $360. Hard woods haven’t gone up that much like construction lumber did accept walnut and exotic woods.
Your timing is terrible, I literally just made a bench a month ago… What’s actually nifty is I was able to resaw my low Roman bench top to become the top of my new bench.
My timing is terrible because I took nearly a year to design and build this bench! I may be slow, but I'm careful. Glad to hear your new bench is working out!
@@RexKrueger sorry my comment on timing is in jest, I’ve been watching since the Roman bench and I’ve always enjoyed the level of detail you take them to. Merry Christmas and i look forward to more video ideas in the new year
This looks great. However, I built your last bench and aside from the top and skirt, I did it with all reclaimed wood from wood pallets. It works great to this day and, my wife thinks it is ugly. That's a 2fer
I still like your cheap low roman workbench. the only thing I'd do differently would be to use 1x4 instead of 2x4's so there is less rounded corners to try to get out a 4 foot version is great for small apartments and can double as a sturdy coffee table, although mine is used for a PC building workbench
I made your original joiners bench and I absolutely love it! I'm going to be adding a tool well to it very soon, coincidentally. I've got a crochet made from scrap 2x4 from the build with some hold fasts and a face vise, filling that gap on one end. I absolutely love the bench and building it with hand tools was a perfect entry project! I had a ton of fun making it based on your plans If I didn't have that already built I would build this, it's simple and looks very customizable
I’m at the store looking at wood, and I realize how many workbench videos you have because I spent about 20 minutes going through all your videos looking for how much wood this takes. Honestly, I wish I had this problem with more projects.
I bought the plans and built the bench in a weekend. I did change the tool tray. I put it in the middle of the bench and made it 2 inches wider. It came out nice. I'm very happy with it.
Started wood working about 4 months ago and have still not spend any money on wood. There is a lot of free wood lying around from pallets to old construction lumber. My latest haul was five 4x4 and 17 2x6 all ten feet. They were weathered but still fine. I plan on making another bench out of them over Christmas break.
My ity informed me that we aren't allowed to deconstruct pallets in our yards and that I had to get rid of mine. I only had 3 of them so I sawed them apart and put them in the garage. Sheesh!
I've got the lumber in the basement acclimating. We are fortunate here in north America, especially east and west coasts, to have a ready supply of lumber. The bench looks like it measures 34-1/2" tall. I checked Paul Sellers's opinion, and he says 38" is his choice. Looking at the plans again, and it looks like the Krueger Bench can be built to 36" tall with the same plans and parts. Just cut all leg pieces 1-1/2" longer and take care of the cuts you make in the rear leg pieces in boards D and E. Oh, and patrons get the plans without charge. Did Rex mention that? Well worth it!
I wish you all the luck with your build and thanks for promoting the community!! You can totally make your bench taller, but I would double check those calculations. I didn't have much wood left over and I'm not sure you can make all 8 pieces longer. I've been wrong before, so I can't say for sure.
Rex, I bought the plans a few days ago and built it over a few hours each weekend using all dumpster found lumber minus one 2x10x8. Easy to follow, great graphics. My only critique would be to list the wood screws needed (not that I needed to figure it out). I added an end vise based on another video of yours by attaching a section of scrap 2x6 on one end with some heavy construction grade 3 inch screws also.
@RexKrueger, if you cut the 12' 2"x10" into two 60" pieces, wouldn't the 3rd piece be less than 24" once you subtract the blade thickness from the cuts?
Funny timing, I currently have my lumber sitting in the basement to build my version of the MTB after the Holidays. I'll definitely try incorporating some of those ideas!
Rex, I just bought the course and I'm excited to build my bench. My wood is acclimating in my shop, but while I'm waiting, I have some planning questions. I know you are 6'2", but I'm only 5'6", so do you think I should lower the height of my bench, and if so, how much? My fifth knuckle is 29" from the ground, so if I go by that, I'd be lowering the bench about 6" which seems like a lot. What do you think? Also, would you still leave the braces 6" off the ground? Thanks!
2:08 - Can vouch for that. I started woodworking with a background in unrelated factory work. So naturally, I envisioned assembly line processes. I had to also become a process engineer. And that is totally doable... but on a small scale, it's terribly inefficient. I was spending so much time designing and building jigs (designing takes valuable time), and I thought to myself "There's gotta be a better way". In the course of my TH-cam education, I found myself amazed at hand tool woodworkers. I'd see what needed done in their project, ponder the jigs and setup required... and then be stunned when they just picked a saw and made their cut. 🤦🏻♂️ So now, I'm buying lots of hand tools. 😆 I find that practice is a necessity, in order to do what the old-timers easily manage, but it can be done. And it's much quicker than I would've previously imagined. 🫡🍻
I like the design and will probably buy the course. I'd note that when I make it I'll probably make the tool channel but then also cut down a couple of 2x4s so that they will be flush with the rest of the bench top if I lay them into the channel. Then it can be a bit more useful if I want to use the bench as an assembly table.
I just came across this channel today, and I've been binging. The format, the editing, the cheesy jokes, all remind me of the wood working shows I watched as a kid with my grand father. I miss him dearly and your channel makes him feel closer.
Hey Rex, I saw another carpenter who incorporated a removable strip of long table top 2x4 or something similar to act as a dog and has a several cut outs that act as steps to adjust hight, he placed it into a English bench. Please make one so I can put it into my bench. Thank you.
If I have a shop, I would've built this bench in a heat beat. Great content and it's very inspiring. I probably build a much smaller bench to fit my need.
I have a tool well in my current "Norm Abram" bench. it's just a s*** collector tbh. Recommend a future Rex Krueger economical tool cabinet video :-D to keep tools off the bench and out of harm's way.
Question: I'll be cutting the lumber and assembling the bench at a totally off-grid location - no computer, no wifi -- generator-power. The plans/drawings are all I need for the cutting, but I'd like to be able to refer to the videos when assembling. How hard is it to download the course's lessons to my iPhone, or to a (not-yet-purchased) tablet?
Gateway to spending 6,000 USD on a bench. Don’t do it. Seek help. Wood prices are normal now. This is the new normal construction wood prices. Now if Baltic birch would come back down after a certain person stopped being a butthead.
Love the content Rex! I love your breakdown of everything, it made woodworking more accessible! I finally built a Moravian workbench for its breakdown capability - having limited space, I usually work outside. I will put out a video of it eventually, but I wanted to say thank you for all of your useful videos on workbenches!
Seems like an excellent design. Very similar to what I ended up building. I used two 2x2s in the center of mine and left one unfastened so I could lift it and use the gap as a place for my pull-based bench hooks to go. It lets me have pretty small bench hooks that work with my Japanese pull saws. I have several jigs that are on bench hooks and little space to store them, so being able to make them smaller is very nice. You could probably leave the center 2x4 unfastened or use two 2x2s and leave one unfastened if you don't want to move something as heavy as a 2x4.
Rex, your bench plans have the leg height at 33" and another 2" from the planking gives a total of 35" of bench height..I know your tall, how is that bench height working for you? I'm 6' wondering if I should add an inch or two to the legs
Hi Rex, I am thinking of making this bench with no prior experience. I am using both power tools and hand tools with which I have a little experience, but I don't have all the right tools. For instance, no drill press and no jointer. I will be jointing on my table saw. I am short; just 5'6" and given your height this bench seems much too talk for me. But I am not sure how ;best to reduce the size in a way that keeps the bench strong and stable. Just cutting down the legs seems obvious but could pose problems if I am not aware of repercussions based on where I cut. Any suggestions on which modifications I need to be cautious about when cutting height?
It looks like you just screwed the 2x4 table top directly on to the frame. Like deck boards. How do you allow for seasonal changes so that nothing cracks. And how do you keep the boards from developing gaps since the 2x4 table top isn't one solid glued together piece?
Why do you cut those two 3" x 3" miters on the front apron? I've almost finished the bench, but I can't see the need to cut those miters. Am I missing something?
I have a very small workspace and would modify the plan to achieve a 4' length. My concern is that it will need more mass. I currently use a portable Skil workbench that rocks and moves when working on it. Would I be better off choosing one of your other bench designs that has more materials for weight to keep the workbench from moving?
Hello Rex, we recently purchased the plans for this build and I noticed that there were no screw length recommendations. I did see that one gentleman used 3# construction screws... do you agree? New to woodworking and have not bought the wood yet. Thanks.
Great build! Just a side note: the entire workbench doesn't have to be made from wood. You can use metal fence posts for the legs and all the braces. It just takes a different method of attaching things.
Sell the jointer and table saw, keep the bandsaw, buy some hand tools and some white oak for your bench, and use the band saw to mill up freely available logs and get them drying now to have free hardwood for future projects. Problem solved.
Rex, if I cut the front leg short pieces at 67.5 degrees instead of 67 degrees would that be the worst thing? I have a miter box with a preset position.
Great video. I love any of your videos on benches or planes. That being said, I should would have like to see the full build in this video. Thanks for all your content! A lot of what I do and have is based on what you have taught!
I just bought some of your plans at the Xmas discount price (not the first ones) and I must say you never cease to amaze me with the quality of these. I know that I will have lots of fun with them next year! Thanks for your content and have a merry Christmas!
I had to laugh at basic DIYer woodworkers having a band saw, table saw and jointer? You have to be truly dedicated to have a shop large enough for those let alone to get 3phase power installed to run them! Certainly here most DIYers will only have handheld power tools, drill, impact driver, jigsaw, sander, that sort of thing , maybe circular mitre saw if they are dedicated... I don't even have a permanent workshop. I use either the attic or the garden shed!
None of those tools are 3 phase. My shop doesn't even have 3 phase. I don't even have 220v. In the future, try to have even a basic grasp of what you're talking about before you comment. It really helps.
I built a rob cosman bench. With an mdf top. The top was pretty cheap and very flat. Might worth considering putting 2 or 3 layers of 3/4” mdf. On your bench if you can stomach the whole idea. Lots of mass and stays flat
So I respect your opinion and the question I am about to ask I know had no correct answer however I do need something to go off of. I have the opportunity to bring one hand tool and one chunk of wood back from Japan. Which tool do you recommend? For the wood I am thinking Hinoki, but again open to suggestions. I know you're going to say depends on what you do and the truth is a little bit of everything for someone that's a homesteader and amateur family hobbyist needs. So things like violins, chicken coops, storage, benches, dressers, etc are all present and future projects. I would eventually like to get good enough for a side hustle so what tool do you think? At first I was thinking of a wood chisel, then a plane and now thinking a pole saw. For the wood is there any other unique hard to obtain wood from Japan that might be great for one project? Any help you and anyone else might suggest I am open to ideas. Thanks in advance. (
I love giving my opinion, but i don't love enough about Japanese tools to even have an opinion. Oh, wait, a naga dai kanna (jointer plane) you can get the other sizes easily enough, but the long planes are hard to get in the states. See, i DID have an opinion! (But i probably shouldn't. It's really not my area. )
This video made me laugh because I have the English bench plan, and was in the process of making most of these modifications in my planning process. I like the explanation for the tool well. It makes far more sense now why that would be practical. I'll start on this soon after I finish the traveler's bench. Portability is king in my workshop.
Cool bench, and lumber price wise this is a great deal, but I hate to break it to you... the vast majority of DIY, entry woodworkers absolutely do not have a jointer. It's arguably one of the last power tools that most people buy. That being said, this bench can easily be made without one. Will it be as good? No, probably not, but I've made a lot of stuff over my three years in woodworking, and I still don't own a jointer. It's the final piece of the puzzle on my list.
Thanks Rex. I had it in mind to build your original English joiner's bench. But this design will meet more of my needs. About the course; when purchased, is it a once and done kind of thing, or is the course available as often as desired? Thanks again for making this bench design available.
All of my plans (including this one) are HALF OFF right now...but only until Christmas!
I'm a new viewer to your channel. Do I need a code to get the sale price or is $29 the sale price? I want to buy it before the sale ends! Thank.
That's the course. It's not on sale. The plans are on sale. BUT, if you buy the course, the plans are FREE. Good deal no matter what.
@@RexKrueger thank you for the reply... I bought the course!
Thank you for your support! I don't do sponsorships, so your support is what makes this channel possible.
Could the diagonal brace be more towards the back of the bench instead of being right behind the front apron? That would make a shelf underneath more useful.
I need an april fools video from you with the title "No Material Workbench" and it's just you working while sitting on the floor struggling to hold things for 20 minutes.
You mean, Rex goes to Japan to learn how to work on the floor from a traditional joiner.
@@gm2407 That would also be good.
"Planing my basement floor into a workbench"
@@bwood6337 I think Paul Sellers told a story about a new joiner who didn’t have a bench at a shop. He improvised by pulling up floorboards so he could stand between the joists and work with the floor as his bench.
I felt this comment in my jewels
I love how my procrastination keeps getting rewarded with new workbench options.
I guess I struck a nerve! I bet Rex wouldn't encourage anyone to sit around not making stuff, waiting for the perfect design, and that's not what I'm doing (I promise). I just love making things of all sorts and woodworking is sadly a little ways down the list of what I'm currently set up to tackle. My grandfather was accomplished in this, though, and I've inherited some of his tools and some of his attitudes, and I do very much appreciate this easier entry into what I'm sure will become a consuming, lifelong pursuit.
I don't usually agree with many TH-cam comments. But here I am with my words in someone else's comment!
@@scottsept86 Same here...been putting off my bench build for months now,was about to try the Paul Sellers version a go and suddenly...Rex comes up with a new design....let's see
I wish it didn't came with the lumber price increase
This looks like the Moravian bench I was gonna build cough cough
I never get around to procrastinating.
Thanks Rex. I was all set to build your English Jointers Bench as a second bench in the workshop. To the point that I had gone to the local big box store with my moisture meter just to see how wet the material was. As soon as my next paycheck hit I was going to buy the lumber. Then, my cousin called me. My grandfather was his godparent. My cousin was cleaning out his garage and wanted to know if I wanted to have the workbench my grandpa had built him. Do I want it?!?!?! Of course, I was grateful and excited. Don't have a lot of things from my grandpa. All I would need was a vise and I would be set. When I got there to pick it up, I saw it already had a vise. Best. Workbench. Ever. Free and my grandpa made it 50+ years ago.
THAT is awesome! Good on ya lad.
That's awesome!
Family heirloom tools are priceless. I have my grandfather’s Stanley #4 plane and his carpenter’s square. They have pride of place in my growing tool cabinet.
@@JamesWilliams-en3os Exactly the same as me. Mine are under the stairs though.
When I built your original jointer's bench I opted to go tool tray down the middle and loved it.
When I sold my house the buyer asked for it (which felt good!), so I said goodbye to it. But absolutely going to build another and excited to implement some aspects of this lighter version!
I'm a DIY woodworker but do not have a bandsaw, jointer, or table saw 🤣 Looks like a fun project so I might just build it using my tracks saw, circular saw and hand planer.
This. What beginner or "on-a-budget" woodworkers have a jointer!?
Rex trying to trigger the civilised world by saying "standard and metric". :D
Metric IS standard.
But a great bench and a great project as always!
Wait until you find out we also only have 110v AC, too. Here's where it gets weird: It too has been _our_ standard for a really long time ... because _standards_ can be regional.
You're not kidding about Britain having less readily available timber than the US. I've literally never seen a 2x12 in a wood yard or DIY store here, and 2x10s can be hard to find. I literally laughed out loud when Rex said "You'll just need one 12ft 2x10", I've never seen a 12ft anything for sale.
In Australia - 2.4m unless its treated landscaping timber, which is full of knots and corkscrewed. There are a few yards which cater to house builders ($$) or boat builders ($$$$)
I guess it's time to laminate some 2x6's, or possibly 2x4's!
When living in Belgium, was always able to find lumber at a reasonable price. However, lumber was not S4 and required extensive work to bring to final dimension.
UK here. I'd love the mm so I can just adapt from what's available. I guess it's 1 of 45mm by 250mm by 3600mm, 8 of 45mm by 90mm by 2400mm, plus the flat and the stretcher which I'd have to calculate? Can anyone confirm? Thanks.
@@fluscim Not like learning a new language, 25.4mm per inch. 23 inches per foot. But you know that by now. Enjoy your bench.
A great tip i use is to buy 2 bags of play-sand and put one on the left and right cross beams between the legs. I saw another TH-camr do this and it makes the bench incredibly stable and each bag is less than $5 and they weight 75lb each.
My 2 cents. If you are on a super tight budget look around your area for someone giving away a wood kitchen table and cut the top down for the top of your workbench. I got a square solid oak table for free and reshaped the top into a rectangle. So now I have a workbench with a solid 1-1/2" thick top. I look around for free wood and free furniture like dressers and nightstands to get a lot of my wood for free. I use drawer sides to make nice little boxes and you can do all kinds of stuff for a low cost.
PS I absolutely love this channel!
GO REX
You've put more thought and effort into getting folks "benched up" at a very reasonable cost than just about any other woodworker out there. Thanks for all the work.
Ha, Britain. Not a lot of trees? There is plenty of trees in north of england, people just protest to keep them for conservation.
I really wish this design had been out 5 years ago when I built my bench. This would have saved me time and money. But then, what would Chris Schwarz have written about all those years?
Without chris, I wouldn't have made any of these benches... but chris isn't so focused on affordability, so there's some good work left for me to do.
@@RexKrueger Chris also wrote about the Roman workbench!
@@RexKrueger And I'm still using my recycled jarrah Roman workbench from 3-years ago. I sent you a picture. It's great! Matthew, South Australia.
All right, Krueger. You've thrown down the gauntlet.
This is an AMAZING piece of furniture, not just because of what you achieved but because of the audacity of what you tried to solve. For me, this is why I harp that lack of options is what fuels creativity and NOT abundance. You have just shown it.
I think a general vibe works best for benches, just a few points about support and cross bracing to fit whatever material you got to work with. I raided the scratch and dent lumber at a big box store to get a few split 2X4s, the widest chunk they had in the pile for an apron and sides, and some simple hardware. Dirt cheap, ugly as sin, and sturdy enough for everything I've thrown at it so far.
Rex , is it possible to show us how to make this minimum bench portable?
Thank you for all your advise and guidance
Rex you absolute tease! I lept out of bed this morning so pumped up to make this bad boy in my basement and it's just an announcement xD
I'm sorry! We're polishing it up. I might even have the plans out Monday .
@Rex_Krueger. No thanks. You're a phoney
Made this today, first time building anything like this and it took me from 12pm to 8pm with a few breaks. Only used a circular saw, mallet, chisels, glue, impact driver and screws. You can definitely tell I’m a beginner from the craftsmanship but I was able to get some really tight cuts with the chisels. Thanks 👍🏼
Also, not sure a jointer or a bandsaw is really a basic DIY power tool. Heck, most people I know don’t even have a planer.
‘YOU can afford it, YOU can build it’ thank you man that’s more valuable than anything! You’re a legend, love from UK 🇬🇧
Very simple and inexpensive. Perfect for most newbies and someone with tight budgets. I just bought enough poplar to build 3 of these benches for $360. Hard woods haven’t gone up that much like construction lumber did accept walnut and exotic woods.
Your timing is terrible, I literally just made a bench a month ago…
What’s actually nifty is I was able to resaw my low Roman bench top to become the top of my new bench.
My timing is terrible because I took nearly a year to design and build this bench! I may be slow, but I'm careful. Glad to hear your new bench is working out!
@@RexKrueger sorry my comment on timing is in jest, I’ve been watching since the Roman bench and I’ve always enjoyed the level of detail you take them to. Merry Christmas and i look forward to more video ideas in the new year
Has anyone who's made this bench tried using holdfasts with it (or with any bench top that's only an inch and a half thick)?
This looks great. However, I built your last bench and aside from the top and skirt, I did it with all reclaimed wood from wood pallets. It works great to this day and, my wife thinks it is ugly. That's a 2fer
I still like your cheap low roman workbench. the only thing I'd do differently would be to use 1x4 instead of 2x4's so there is less rounded corners to try to get out
a 4 foot version is great for small apartments and can double as a sturdy coffee table, although mine is used for a PC building workbench
@Rex-Krueger message sent, "rex"
I made your original joiners bench and I absolutely love it! I'm going to be adding a tool well to it very soon, coincidentally. I've got a crochet made from scrap 2x4 from the build with some hold fasts and a face vise, filling that gap on one end. I absolutely love the bench and building it with hand tools was a perfect entry project! I had a ton of fun making it based on your plans
If I didn't have that already built I would build this, it's simple and looks very customizable
Your work lately has been stellar! Great content, exciting new ventures, and a whole new level of excitement for what you do.
I’m at the store looking at wood, and I realize how many workbench videos you have because I spent about 20 minutes going through all your videos looking for how much wood this takes. Honestly, I wish I had this problem with more projects.
i'm from the UK and this is the type of bench we had at schools woodworking class. PS great vid
I bought the plans and built the bench in a weekend. I did change the tool tray. I put it in the middle of the bench and made it 2 inches wider. It came out nice. I'm very happy with it.
Started wood working about 4 months ago and have still not spend any money on wood. There is a lot of free wood lying around from pallets to old construction lumber. My latest haul was five 4x4 and 17 2x6 all ten feet. They were weathered but still fine. I plan on making another bench out of them over Christmas break.
My ity informed me that we aren't allowed to deconstruct pallets in our yards and that I had to get rid of mine. I only had 3 of them so I sawed them apart and put them in the garage. Sheesh!
"Britain doesn't have a lot of trees." Hahahaha.
I literally don't have room for a workbench just now...
...but I do have room for a PDF. So, done.
Paul sellers has a similar bench.
I've got the lumber in the basement acclimating. We are fortunate here in north America, especially east and west coasts, to have a ready supply of lumber.
The bench looks like it measures 34-1/2" tall. I checked Paul Sellers's opinion, and he says 38" is his choice. Looking at the plans again, and it looks like the Krueger Bench can be built to 36" tall with the same plans and parts. Just cut all leg pieces 1-1/2" longer and take care of the cuts you make in the rear leg pieces in boards D and E.
Oh, and patrons get the plans without charge. Did Rex mention that? Well worth it!
I wish you all the luck with your build and thanks for promoting the community!! You can totally make your bench taller, but I would double check those calculations. I didn't have much wood left over and I'm not sure you can make all 8 pieces longer. I've been wrong before, so I can't say for sure.
I'm getting weird audio clipping on your last couple videos. Doesn't seem to happen on anything else, just yours.
im hoping his next video will be Real Wood, Less Bench
It's painful watching you bend down to access the top of the bench. Add more wood; 4 to 6 inches at each leg should do the trick.
Rex, I bought the plans a few days ago and built it over a few hours each weekend using all dumpster found lumber minus one 2x10x8. Easy to follow, great graphics. My only critique would be to list the wood screws needed (not that I needed to figure it out). I added an end vise based on another video of yours by attaching a section of scrap 2x6 on one end with some heavy construction grade 3 inch screws also.
@RexKrueger, if you cut the 12' 2"x10" into two 60" pieces, wouldn't the 3rd piece be less than 24" once you subtract the blade thickness from the cuts?
Funny timing, I currently have my lumber sitting in the basement to build my version of the MTB after the Holidays. I'll definitely try incorporating some of those ideas!
BOM: Can anyone tell what size/kinds of screws (and how many) and how much glue will be required?
Rex, I just bought the course and I'm excited to build my bench. My wood is acclimating in my shop, but while I'm waiting, I have some planning questions. I know you are 6'2", but I'm only 5'6", so do you think I should lower the height of my bench, and if so, how much? My fifth knuckle is 29" from the ground, so if I go by that, I'd be lowering the bench about 6" which seems like a lot. What do you think? Also, would you still leave the braces 6" off the ground? Thanks!
2:08 - Can vouch for that. I started woodworking with a background in unrelated factory work. So naturally, I envisioned assembly line processes. I had to also become a process engineer. And that is totally doable... but on a small scale, it's terribly inefficient. I was spending so much time designing and building jigs (designing takes valuable time), and I thought to myself "There's gotta be a better way".
In the course of my TH-cam education, I found myself amazed at hand tool woodworkers. I'd see what needed done in their project, ponder the jigs and setup required... and then be stunned when they just picked a saw and made their cut. 🤦🏻♂️
So now, I'm buying lots of hand tools. 😆 I find that practice is a necessity, in order to do what the old-timers easily manage, but it can be done. And it's much quicker than I would've previously imagined. 🫡🍻
I like the design and will probably buy the course.
I'd note that when I make it I'll probably make the tool channel but then also cut down a couple of 2x4s so that they will be flush with the rest of the bench top if I lay them into the channel. Then it can be a bit more useful if I want to use the bench as an assembly table.
Do you have any tips for adding a few drawers to one side of a work bench,? ( Specifically I am making a jeweler's work bench)...thanks!
I just came across this channel today, and I've been binging. The format, the editing, the cheesy jokes, all remind me of the wood working shows I watched as a kid with my grand father. I miss him dearly and your channel makes him feel closer.
''in normal and metric mesurment '' lol imperial is not the norme 😉😂... 2x4 isn't 2x4 I think.. it's 5x10 metric ..no?!
joking... thx 4all
Hey Rex, I saw another carpenter who incorporated a removable strip of long table top 2x4 or something similar to act as a dog and has a several cut outs that act as steps to adjust hight, he placed it into a English bench. Please make one so I can put it into my bench. Thank you.
If I have a shop, I would've built this bench in a heat beat. Great content and it's very inspiring. I probably build a much smaller bench to fit my need.
I LOVE minimalism in woodworking and the ability to get aomething as awesome as this with as little as this. Amazing. Gonna try it myself 💪🙏
I have a tool well in my current "Norm Abram" bench. it's just a s*** collector tbh. Recommend a future Rex Krueger economical tool cabinet video :-D to keep tools off the bench and out of harm's way.
Question: I'll be cutting the lumber and assembling the bench at a totally off-grid location - no computer, no wifi -- generator-power. The plans/drawings are all I need for the cutting, but I'd like to be able to refer to the videos when assembling. How hard is it to download the course's lessons to my iPhone, or to a (not-yet-purchased) tablet?
Gateway to spending 6,000 USD on a bench. Don’t do it. Seek help.
Wood prices are normal now. This is the new normal construction wood prices. Now if Baltic birch would come back down after a certain person stopped being a butthead.
Love the content Rex! I love your breakdown of everything, it made woodworking more accessible! I finally built a Moravian workbench for its breakdown capability - having limited space, I usually work outside. I will put out a video of it eventually, but I wanted to say thank you for all of your useful videos on workbenches!
Seems like an excellent design. Very similar to what I ended up building. I used two 2x2s in the center of mine and left one unfastened so I could lift it and use the gap as a place for my pull-based bench hooks to go. It lets me have pretty small bench hooks that work with my Japanese pull saws.
I have several jigs that are on bench hooks and little space to store them, so being able to make them smaller is very nice. You could probably leave the center 2x4 unfastened or use two 2x2s and leave one unfastened if you don't want to move something as heavy as a 2x4.
Rex, your bench plans have the leg height at 33" and another 2" from the planking gives a total of 35" of bench height..I know your tall, how is that bench height working for you? I'm 6' wondering if I should add an inch or two to the legs
Hi Rex, I am thinking of making this bench with no prior experience. I am using both power tools and hand tools with which I have a little experience, but I don't have all the right tools. For instance, no drill press and no jointer. I will be jointing on my table saw. I am short; just 5'6" and given your height this bench seems much too talk for me. But I am not sure how ;best to reduce the size in a way that keeps the bench strong and stable. Just cutting down the legs seems obvious but could pose problems if I am not aware of repercussions based on where I cut. Any suggestions on which modifications I need to be cautious about when cutting height?
Hi all, would you recommend using glue forbthis build or construction adhesive as you said in your English workbench video? Thank you
It looks like you just screwed the 2x4 table top directly on to the frame. Like deck boards. How do you allow for seasonal changes so that nothing cracks. And how do you keep the boards from developing gaps since the 2x4 table top isn't one solid glued together piece?
Can this be built without a jointer ? I would like to build this but I have no jointer and there is not one in my future.
Most of Rex's builds can be made with use of hand tools
Yep, if you have a jack plane (#5), a fore plane (#6), or even better, a try or jointer plane (#7 or 8), you can edge plane all of this stock.
Why do you cut those two 3" x 3" miters on the front apron? I've almost finished the bench, but I can't see the need to cut those miters. Am I missing something?
did he really say that a jointer, a table saw and a band saw are basic power tools that most DIYers already havy?
I have a very small workspace and would modify the plan to achieve a 4' length. My concern is that it will need more mass. I currently use a portable Skil workbench that rocks and moves when working on it. Would I be better off choosing one of your other bench designs that has more materials for weight to keep the workbench from moving?
Hello Rex, we recently purchased the plans for this build and I noticed that there were no screw length recommendations. I did see that one gentleman used 3# construction screws... do you agree? New to woodworking and have not bought the wood yet. Thanks.
Great build! Just a side note: the entire workbench doesn't have to be made from wood. You can use metal fence posts for the legs and all the braces. It just takes a different method of attaching things.
Garden sleepers?
Sell the jointer and table saw, keep the bandsaw, buy some hand tools and some white oak for your bench, and use the band saw to mill up freely available logs and get them drying now to have free hardwood for future projects.
Problem solved.
I bought all the wood today, paid .75 a cut for 14 cuts and paid about 54.00 total.
Rex, if I cut the front leg short pieces at 67.5 degrees instead of 67 degrees would that be the worst thing? I have a miter box with a preset position.
I think my roubo bench made from 6x8 red oak cost less than this. the log was like 20$ and of course, no cost for fasteners.
Meh. The video itself should've shown the construction, like your previous video. Bleh.
Can someone give me the workbench dimensions before buying the course? Need to make sure it fits my space. And cost on the vice???
Great video. I love any of your videos on benches or planes. That being said, I should would have like to see the full build in this video. Thanks for all your content! A lot of what I do and have is based on what you have taught!
I just bought some of your plans at the Xmas discount price (not the first ones) and I must say you never cease to amaze me with the quality of these. I know that I will have lots of fun with them next year! Thanks for your content and have a merry Christmas!
I completed mine, with some modifications, which included a quick release woodworkers vice, and some other mods
Here in Brazil we have the word "carpinteiro" for carpenters and "marceneiro" for furniture makers
Ref power tools: yyyeeaaah, I have a circular saw and a drill.
Impressive design, Rex. Lot of thought put into this!
This is a terrific design! Love it. Looking forward to building it.
Just brilliant, Rex! Fantastic work! 😃
The workbench looks amazing!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Merry Christmas and happy new year!
I had to laugh at basic DIYer woodworkers having a band saw, table saw and jointer?
You have to be truly dedicated to have a shop large enough for those let alone to get 3phase power installed to run them!
Certainly here most DIYers will only have handheld power tools, drill, impact driver, jigsaw, sander, that sort of thing , maybe circular mitre saw if they are dedicated...
I don't even have a permanent workshop. I use either the attic or the garden shed!
None of those tools are 3 phase. My shop doesn't even have 3 phase. I don't even have 220v. In the future, try to have even a basic grasp of what you're talking about before you comment. It really helps.
This is actually a high quality infomercial. Thank you.
I have some 4x4's already should I adapt this or build your original design?
I built a rob cosman bench. With an mdf top. The top was pretty cheap and very flat. Might worth considering putting 2 or 3 layers of 3/4” mdf. On your bench if you can stomach the whole idea. Lots of mass and stays flat
@Rex_Krueger Contact you how? via telegram?
So I respect your opinion and the question I am about to ask I know had no correct answer however I do need something to go off of. I have the opportunity to bring one hand tool and one chunk of wood back from Japan. Which tool do you recommend? For the wood I am thinking Hinoki, but again open to suggestions. I know you're going to say depends on what you do and the truth is a little bit of everything for someone that's a homesteader and amateur family hobbyist needs. So things like violins, chicken coops, storage, benches, dressers, etc are all present and future projects. I would eventually like to get good enough for a side hustle so what tool do you think? At first I was thinking of a wood chisel, then a plane and now thinking a pole saw. For the wood is there any other unique hard to obtain wood from Japan that might be great for one project? Any help you and anyone else might suggest I am open to ideas. Thanks in advance. (
I love giving my opinion, but i don't love enough about Japanese tools to even have an opinion. Oh, wait, a naga dai kanna (jointer plane) you can get the other sizes easily enough, but the long planes are hard to get in the states. See, i DID have an opinion! (But i probably shouldn't. It's really not my area. )
If I dont have a lot of space could I shrink the design to be about half the size it is? Or would that not work well?
Now design a sturdy work bench that folds up on a wall for us diyers that don't have the space
Is that a granfors bruks large carving axe hung on the wall or do my eyes deceive me?
England used to be covered in Oak Trees , most of which went towards building the Royal Navy .
And iron working until they found out how to coke from coal.
What are the dimensions for this bench? Can’t seem to find it anywhere. Thanks !
your logo is so close to narex richter 's logo hope that won't be a problem for your business ....best regards
Wait. How do I make a workbench without a workbench to work on? Can I borrow one of yours?
This video made me laugh because I have the English bench plan, and was in the process of making most of these modifications in my planning process. I like the explanation for the tool well. It makes far more sense now why that would be practical. I'll start on this soon after I finish the traveler's bench.
Portability is king in my workshop.
I love my tool well. Now that I'm used to it I wouldn't want to do without.
Cool bench, and lumber price wise this is a great deal, but I hate to break it to you... the vast majority of DIY, entry woodworkers absolutely do not have a jointer. It's arguably one of the last power tools that most people buy.
That being said, this bench can easily be made without one. Will it be as good? No, probably not, but I've made a lot of stuff over my three years in woodworking, and I still don't own a jointer. It's the final piece of the puzzle on my list.
Thanks Rex. I had it in mind to build your original English joiner's bench. But this design will meet more of my needs. About the course; when purchased, is it a once and done kind of thing, or is the course available as often as desired? Thanks again for making this bench design available.
It will stream forever!
Cool! Thanks.
Your bandsaw is not a typical power tool a start up joinery shop would have
This is great! What vice do you recommend?
Thabks for another great video! Can someone share a link to this vise please?
Rex, how would you modify this design if you were going to make it viseless?
What happens if I try to make this from greenwood?