British Made Workbenches

[woodbloke]

Rob, I can see that you feel very strongly about the argument of people building their own bench over buying. This certainly seems to be a controversial subject between woodworkers that gets touched on from time to time with many agreeing that to build your own bench is a right of passage. There was a time of course when us woodworkers would be making many of our tools ourselves as well but we live in the modern world and are very lucky to have a huge range of products available to us that meet all needs and budgets.

As this can be a very passionate craft I notice that the majority of us give constructive criticism with both positive and negative comments to help and support others. There is also a minority like with everything that do jump to any old conclusion without thinking it through which can cause unnecessary upset.
This is a new business built with passion that represents products hand made in England so it seems a shame to me if I can't gain your support. I have a very interesting list of clients to whom I am truly grateful and have always received 100% positive comments. In fact it is always a pleasure to make the deliveries and see their response to my work.

I certainly don't wish to upset anyone with this post but I'm sure you will all appreciate I have a true love for what I do and I will stand by my craft. I can also assure you all that there isn't money to be earned by this, all I achieve by these long hard hours of graft is fulfilment and a greater understanding of my work.

On a more constructive note, I do a lot of research in to the history of our craft and have become somewhat fascinated in the way people used to work wood; the methods they used and ways they adapted their tools etc. This extends beyond benches although these were of course a major tool for our historic counterparts. I'm hoping to set up a blog anytime soon that aims to explore the heritage of our craft... nothing too serious but surely of great interest to many woodworkers today. I'll keep you updated once I go ahead with this and would really appreciate if anyone has any pointers or knowledge that they would like to share with me.

All the best,
Richard.

Hi Richard - possibly I was being a little too dogmatic and for that I apologize, it's just that building a really good bench is not all that difficult a project and possibly one that some woodworkers might shy away from. For sure, if I had a lot of spare cash and wanted to get into this hobby in a serious way (as if I'm not already :roll: ) then a custom made bespoke bench might be on my 'must have' hit list. In fact it probably would because I reckon that the workbench is the most important important bit of a woodworks arsenal as without one, you ain't going to achieve very much IMO. In any case, I wish you the very best of luck with your new business venture and look forward to the forthcoming blog - Rob

 

[OPJ]

at the end of the day its worth what people are willing to pay for it - and compared to sorjberg (which arent individually handmade) these arent that much more.

Exactly. Some of the components Richard uses are almost double the size of the same on other benches (note the true thickness of the tops) and you can't ignore the top-quality accessories on offer either.

 

[Stevie-Raw]

Stunning workbenches Richard! They go beyond being simply utilitarian. I guess as woodworkers if we have the tools at our disposal we probably should make our own benches. Benches like these however represent a serious investment in time and timber. If I were a hobbyist my time in the workshop would probably have to be justified to the missus by producing something for the house rather than a masterpiece for the workshop, so I can see a reason for them. As for the price...we all know how long it takes to work wood - I'm suprised at the reaction. Given the price of a full on sjoberg, mass produced in a factory, Richards benches are not much more investment for a superior product. Right, I'm off to feed the nipper and walk the dog.
Steve

 

[matt]

I reckon that the workbench is the most important bit of a woodworks arsenal as without one, you ain't going to achieve very much IMO.

Like be able to make your own workbench?

More seriously... I'd buy a workbench because I don't have the time to make one.

 

[woodbloke]

More seriously... I'd buy a workbench because I don't have the time to make one.

That of course is the other issue...time and it does take a lot of it to make a good bench. If someone doesn't have the time (or even equipment for that matter) and can afford to buy a bench, then one of Richard's would be worth considering - Rob

 

[lurker]

Richard

Nice benches

As a business man if you have found a niche to fill & customers willing to order, then its a done job.

Also its great to hear of anyone helping UK balance of payments by providing a british made product.

Long may you prosper

 

[wizer]

Richard

Nice benches

As a business man if you have found a niche to fill & customers willing to order, then its a done job.

Also its great to hear of anyone helping UK balance of payments by providing a british made product.

Long may you prosper

hear hear

 

[marcus]

I think that these benches look wonderful, and will make many owners very happy! I don't feel it's fair to compare them to either a workaday shopmade bench, or one of the run of the mill manufactured ones (ie Sjobergs).

The point is that it is a genuinely handmade reproduction period bench, and looks it. You can see it's beautifully made, and as far as I can see the techniques used and the workmanship exude quality - unlike the cheap and cheerful bolts that hold my (not inexpensive) Sjobergs together. The price is an accurate reflection of how long it takes to make something like that properly, while also marketing them and running a business. It is entirely reasonable in my view. The fact is that real craftsmanship costs real money. None of the commercially available benches you can buy have the character and appeal - or solid quality for that matter - of Richard's as far as I can see. By the same token, if you made your own bench to the same design and the same standard, valued your time at a realistic level, and factored in the cost of running the workshop while you were doing it, then I doubt you'd save anything very much.

I think that, for a start, these benches will appeal to many of the increasing number of people who love the whole period woodworking thing, and find it a wonderful escape from their day job - but perhaps don't have the time or the skills - yet - to build their own. I think that these people will love the look, and will quite possibly be willing to pay a premium for a bench that looks the part and reflects their own approach to their craft.

Good luck with your venture Richard!

Cheers

Marcus