Shane Jimerfield Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 I had just built a nice split top Roubo style bench with a pair of twin turbos that I lost in the fire. I'm thinking, I might at this point buy a bench, as I'd rather focus on making furniture to replace some of what I lost. Other than Benchcrafted and Sjöbergs who else should I be looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Shane Jimerfield said: I had just built a nice split top Roubo style bench with a pair of twin turbos that I lost in the fire. I'm thinking, I might at this point buy a bench, as I'd rather focus on making furniture to replace some of what I lost. Other than Benchcrafted and Sjöbergs who else should I be looking at? If your looking for a showpiece check out http://www.strazzafurniture.com/workbenches.html He is quite the craftsmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 So sorry about the fire!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Jimerfield Posted April 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 4 hours ago, pkinneb said: If your looking for a showpiece check out http://www.strazzafurniture.com/workbenches.html He is quite the craftsmen Indeed, he is quite the craftsman. I'd probably have to drop my entire insurance settlement to get one of those. I'm not saying it's not worth every penny he charges for one, whatever that may be, but I'm guessing it's not within my budget. I'm also rough on benches, so I'd be afraid to go near one of those things with my tools and bohemian work style. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardA Posted April 19, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 Rather than blowing big bucks on a new bench. Just build one that will take the beating you expect to give it. A nicloson style is easy to construct and will take a long time to destroy. Mine is a combination of the things I needed. Finished furniture leaves the shop, it doesn't live in my shop. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted April 19, 2021 Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 Before I had moved to this shop and built my roubo I had a used solid core door on a couple saw horses I used the sh__t out of that old door. If I had built a base for it instead of putting in on saw horses I'm sure I could have mounted a vice on it and it cost me nothing, and after I built my bench I gave it to my next door neighbor and he's still using it. that's at least 35yrs of hard use if you slop paint on it or, get glue on it so what if it bothers you sand it smooth and keep on going till you have time to build your dream bench again. Good luck losing a shop to a fire has got to hurt, I can't imagine starting over but then I'm 68. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted April 19, 2021 Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 @Shane Jimerfield, I have seen at least a couple of other companies out there at woodworking shows, but the names don't come to mind. A quick google came up with this from Highland: https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/workbenchsale.html The thing I've always noticed with manufactured benches is that the base structure always looks a little weak and the tops have aprons making them look thicker than they really are. Looks may be deceiving and the performance might be great, but it'd be nice to try before you buy. If you decide to build again, but don't want to go full Rubo, Christopher Schwarz has at least two books on building benches and some place in them discusses simpler designs like the Nicholson. You might find them in your public library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted April 19, 2021 Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 (edited) There was a good woodtalk episode on bought benches vs built. Look that one up. I remember all three guys mentioning that the purchased benches had a lot of racking issues and required bracing etc. *I think it was this one. https://woodtalkshow.com/episodes/wt496-put-a-ring-on-it/ Edited April 20, 2021 by Chestnut Link to show Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 Also a recent Shop Talk Live episode talking about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Ragatz Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 I bought a Sjobergs "Apartment Workbench" (based on the documentation that came with it, I think Sjobergs considers it a "multi-function bench") from Lee Valley about a year ago, to give me something to use while a shop-made bench is in (very slow) progress. I was pleasantly surprised at how solid it was after I assembled it. Rack resistance seemed good - but it was newly assembled. First time I tried to use a plane on some stock in the face vice, the real problem became apparent. The bench is just way too light - about 80#. Even a light stroke with the plane made the legs at the opposite end want to jump. So, I added sides, back (leaving space at the top for clamps), a middle shelf and a bottom shelf of 3/4" ply - no more worries about racking. Then I added three 60# bags of sand to the bottom shelf, and I have a bench that weighs ~ 300#, with a low center of gravity. It's not nearly as pretty as it was when I first assembled it, but it works quite well. My only hesitation in recommending it is that when I bought it last year, I paid a little under $500, delivered. Right now, Lee Valley is asking $845. Apartment Workbench 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted April 21, 2021 Report Share Posted April 21, 2021 On 4/18/2021 at 6:08 PM, Shane Jimerfield said: Indeed, he is quite the craftsman. I'd probably have to drop my entire insurance settlement to get one of those. I'm not saying it's not worth every penny he charges for one, whatever that may be, but I'm guessing it's not within my budget. I'm also rough on benches, so I'd be afraid to go near one of those things with my tools and bohemian work style. I think I saw on a Fine Woodworking post that those benches are about $5k. Maybe a Matt Cremona kit would speed things along? https://mattcremona.com/product-category/workbench-kits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 21, 2021 Report Share Posted April 21, 2021 Why did my little workbench seem confusing? It ain't pretty, but it's heavy, inexpensive to construct, and it does what I ask of it. And I assure you I abuse it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 22, 2021 Report Share Posted April 22, 2021 I get not wanting to spend time building a bench, but I have yet to see a commercial bench that would fit my needs and workflow. In that respect, I favor @RichardA. A kit like Cremona sells might be a good head start on a fully custom bench, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 You might want to take a look at the lie-Neilsen workbenches. I have planed on them and they are rock solid. Very good vise's too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 The more expensive Sjobergs are good. Also Lie-Nielsen are fantastic. Just don't treat it like a piece of furniture it is purely for working on and a bit of stain, glue, drill hole or saw mark is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 8 hours ago, TerryMcK said: ...Just don't treat it like a piece of furniture it is purely for working on and a bit of stain, glue, drill hole or saw mark is fine. Say what I don't think so LOL with help and support i'll get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Belle City WW Posted July 5, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 5, 2021 If you have the funds, the Lie Nielsen Bench in my humble opinion would be the best store bought option. I couldn't afford to buy one of theirs so I am currently in the process of building one. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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