Pbmaster11 Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 I finally got moved into the new house and was putting out some smaller projects and felt comfortable to taking on something big... a workbench. I am a guild member and would dream to have a roubu. I email benchcrafted and the offer expired for vises and hardware. I read it wrong going through the months of saving and putting the shop together. With the deal expired I took a step back and revisited the idea. I think the robu is a great bench but way to nice for what i need and it will cost A LOT! If i could afford it, I would in a heart beat. I need something more affordable without sacrificing the great features. my question... I would like to build a bench with these vises. Vise 1. Vise 2. I have access to close to free white oak that I will be making the top with for sure... the bottom might go with a way cheaper option... dimensional lumber, red oak, or something cheaper. I would like to save some white oak for some projects in the future. I have dabbled with sketchup with this project. I am very good with sketchup and am not afraid of designing a full bench. I am seeing what the online community has as an opinion or if there is a design/plan/sketchup file that you would recommend and save me some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 I built my entire Roubo workbench leg vice and end vice for about $3-$400 I made mine out of construction grade lumber I got from Home Depot, the leg vice screw I got from Lee Valley for $40 the end vice is sold at Grizzly for $50+ I'm sure you can afford it if your willing to compromise. Good luke, Dave Here's the tread of my bench Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthearted Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 I would avoid that Rockler Vise. I did not have good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I just gotta say - when I hear "roubo a no go", I picture an early 1960s movie (in Technicolor!) with Elvis Presley playing Christopher Schwarz and Bob Denver playing Marc Spagnuolo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onboard Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well, I can’t top Beechwood Chip’s post, but if you haven’t yet, take a look at the Woodsmith magazines 200th Anniversary issue (No. 200). It’s called the “Heirloom Workbench”, a very nice Roubo workbench build. I calculated the cost of the special hardware, including vise hardware, and it comes to about $195. That price does not include things like lag bolts, carriage bolts, etc.. The rest is wood. I think it’s a nice looking bench and very functional as well. The storage drawers are optional. I see higtron’s bench would be a serious contender as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbmaster11 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I built my entire Roubo workbench leg vice and end vice for about $3-$400 I made mine out of construction grade lumber I got from Home Depot, the leg vice screw I got from Lee Valley for $40 the end vice is sold at Grizzly for $50+ I'm sure you can afford it if your willing to compromise. Good luke, Dave Here's the tread of my bench I think i am going to go this route! can't go wrong! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Fine woodworking also has a good bench build in their shops issue - I think they have a dedicated workbench issue out at the moment http://store.finewoodworking.com/workbenches-digital-issue-d17022.html. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpLev Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I think i am going to go this route! can't go wrong! I think that's a wise decision. I made my bench for a total of less than what you had originally planned on spending on the vises alone by making my own leg and wagon vise (total cost for hardware was ~$80 for both screws from leevalley) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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