Rutlands Cabinet Makers Beech Workbench

[Mike.C]

When I first saw the advert I thought £219, it would cost you that for the timber, but after going on the website and seeing a 50" x 20"Dakota with only one vice I am not to sure :roll:

Unlike any other pre made bench's it does come with four drawers and a cupboard, and the leg is pre drilled for various supports, but it all looks a bit feeble. Or is this all in the mind because of the manufacturers and dealer?
I just cannot make up my mind.

I am not after buying one because I have one of the big Axminster Jobie's, I am just after everyone else's thoughts.

By the way I have just try to find my one on Axminster but it looks like they must have stopped selling their own brand ones.

Cheers

Mike

 

[OPJ]

While the legs look a bit 'spindly', the addition and fixing of the drawer and storage units could help to beef up the frame a bit - I've seen a very similar looking one in the flesh (identical, but without the lower units) and it didn't take much to sway it from left to right! :shock:

If you spent £200 on a load of steamed beech, you'd probably end up with a bench that has more weight to it, regardless of what you put inside the drawers.

No mention of how thick the top is.

Not sure what those vices are like but, if the worst came to it, they can easily be replaced with an affordable, second-hand Record vice.

If the bench is 500mm wide overall then, once you subtract the width of the tool well, that doesn't seem to give you much of a working surface at all (some may disagree, though, depending on the type of work you do....).

Just my thoughts.

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks Olly. As I said I don't need one myself, I just could not make up my mind if it was any good or not :roll:
But you did point out one thing I missed and that was the weight of the timber if you bought and made your own, which would make a big difference to the stability of the bench.

Cheers

Mike

 

[laird]

I've got one Mike, although I only paid £99 for it (sold as "damaged in transit" - b"*(%$£!s - someone had made a mess of trying to assemble it and returned it, claiming "damaged in transit").
It's good and solid, nice thickness to the beech top - but was too low for me, I've had to highten it,. (I'm 6'3"+) as I have had to for a lot of other stuff.

 

[Mike.C]

I've got one Mike, although I only paid £99 for it (sold as "damaged in transit" - b"*(%$£!s - someone had made a mess of trying to assemble it and returned it, claiming "damaged in transit").
It's good and solid, nice thickness to the beech top - but was too low for me, I've had to heighten it,. (I'm 6'3"+) as I have had to for a lot of other stuff.

Well there you go from the horses mouth, or in this case Phil's :wink:

For £99 it has to be worth it, well done mate. =D> One mans mistake (whoever messed the assembly up) is another mans treasure.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Alf]

Link for same (it'd be so, so useful if youse guys would provide a link for what you're talking about, y'know)

Initial reaction, based on my experience with a not dissimilar Sjorberg's, went:

1. Is the face vice really at that end - in which case it's the first commercially-made workbench for lefties that I can recall.

2. The legs are horribly spindly; I'd expect it to sway sideways every time you exhale. On the plus side the storage beneath will hopefully stop it actively walking across the workshop.

3. 4ft's a bit on the short side.

4. That vice is going to wrack like a b*tch, bet you a fiver.

Again, based on the Sjorbergs (and the assumption it'd be used for actual planing and chiseling and such), I'd expect to have to build a new base, probably slap an extra board on the back edge to increase the depth of top a bit, and seriously look into replacing the vice. On which basis, it's quite pricy just for a top that's a bit too small. :?

 

[Mike.C]

Link for same (it'd be so, so useful if youse guys would provide a link for what you're talking about, y'know)

Initial reaction, based on my experience with a not dissimilar Sjorberg's, went:

1. Is the face vice really at that end - in which case it's the first commercially-made workbench for lefties that I can recall.

2. The legs are horribly spindly; I'd expect it to sway sideways every time you exhale. On the plus side the storage beneath will hopefully stop it actively walking across the workshop.

3. 4ft's a bit on the short side.

4. That vice is going to wrack like a b*tch, bet you a fiver.

Again, based on the Sjorbergs (and the assumption it'd be used for actual planing and chiseling and such), I'd expect to have to build a new base, probably slap an extra board on the back edge to increase the depth of top a bit, and seriously look into replacing the vice. On which basis, it's quite pricy just for a top that's a bit too small. :?

Of course Alf is right, but surprisingly some members knew what I was talking about. If the truth be known this is because they got the same Rutlands email that I did :roll:

Sorry guys I usually do place a link but old Studders maybe correct when he says I have Alzheimer's. Now what was I talking about

Thanks for the link Alf.

Cheers

Mike

 

[studders]

what was I talking about


Mike

Ten past One.

HTH

 

[Mike.C]

what was I talking about


Mike

Ten past One.

HTH

Nope :-k in fact that has confused me even more 8-[

Cheers

Mike

 

[studders]

Success. :lol:

 

[Mike.C]

Success. :lol:

:evil: I think a slap is the order of the day :evil: But please be gentle :lol:

Cheers

Mike

 

[Benchwayze]

When I first saw the advert I thought £219, it would cost you that for the timber, but after going on the website and seeing a 50" x 20"Dakota with only one vice I am not to sure :roll:

Unlike any other pre made bench's it does come with four drawers and a cupboard, and the leg is pre drilled for various supports, but it all looks a bit feeble. Or is this all in the mind because of the manufacturers and dealer?
I just cannot make up my mind.

I am not after buying one because I have one of the big Axminster Jobie's, I am just after everyone else's thoughts.

By the way I have just try to find my one on Axminster but it looks like they must have stopped selling their own brand ones.

Cheers

Mike

I think we have all been put wise by chaps like Chris Schwarz and Scott Landis, et al. So anything we see, (short of some of the fine bench-builds we have on the forum) is going to look feeble. The problem is if manufacturers decide to over-engineer their benches, they could end up with a bench that few can afford. So we stay with making our own if we can. It's a vicious circle I suppose Mike.

One way around it is to buy a reasonably priced bench, and then modify it. But of course, having paid for it, why should we have to do that?
I am still going to make my own - the timber in my shop has done all of its moving, so it's time to fit a new saw-blade and get cracking! The main thing for me is, the bench will be how I want it. And that's important, even though it's probably my Son who will get most use out of it; and with luck his Son too!

Regards
John

 

[Mike.C]

Good on you John, keep us uptodate with your progress.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes Mike...

Do my best. I charged up my digicam batteries ready for lotsa pics. (Now all I need is to charge up my grey-cells to remind me to stop and take some pics!

If it's of any interest, the design will be similar to the one in my avatar, sans leg vice and with SYP for the top as opposed to cherry.

Regards
John

 

[laird]

I probably should point out that it's not the only bench I've got. T'other is home built, and a lot heavier, with a heavier vice. But the Rutlands one is good quality wood, solid enough, , useful for a lot of jobs, and well worth what I paid for it. (IMVHO)

 

[Mike.C]

Yes Mike...

Do my best. I charged up my digicam batteries ready for lotsa pics. (Now all I need is to charge up my grey-cells to remind me to stop and take some pics!

If it's of any interest, the design will be similar to the one in my avatar, sans leg vice and with SYP for the top as opposed to cherry.

Regards
John

That looks a beauty John. I can't wait until its finished :wink:

Laird wrote

I probably should point out that it's not the only bench I've got. T'other is home built, and a lot heavier, with a heavier vice. But the Rutlands one is good quality wood, solid enough, , useful for a lot of jobs, and well worth what I paid for it. (IMVHO)

Different members with different opinions, but all that matters is that you are happy with it. :wink:

Cheers

Mike

 

[Benchwayze]

Laird,

I've had no problems with Rutlands whenever I order from them. My workshop 'revolves' on their 1/2 price castors! :lol:

I wasn't saying that their bench wasn't good. mainly 'cos I don't know. I was advising Vormulac to make a bench if he has space, but small enough to suit his shop was all! :lol:

John

 

[OPJ]

I think we have all been put wise by chaps like Chris Schwarz and Scott Landis, et al. So anything we see, (short of some of the fine bench-builds we have on the forum) is going to look feeble. The problem is if manufacturers decide to over-engineer their benches, they could end up with a bench that few can afford. So we stay with making our own if we can. It's a vicious circle I suppose Mike.

I agree, John. If we can afford the time as well as the cost of decent timber, in an ideal world, all woodworkers would build their own benches. If you're primarily in to making furniture and small items then, you'd probably find it quite a challenge (The Wood Whisperer touched on this, recently). Otherwise, it's like building a large joinery item.

Richard Maguire has a fast-growing reputation and represents the value of what we would expect to pay for top quality benches, made using traditional techniques and construction. His benches looks as though they're built to last several lifetimes.

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Mike & Olly,

I can't wait either Mike. That's why I have to get on with it! Not today though.. I am off to sunny Salisbury and looking forward to it.

Olly,

I agree about McGuire Esquire. Some fabulous stuff. But then I think about his prices (Well worth it I think) and then about my own design. Providing I work with care, I'll put it alongside one of his, and leave it for others to decide! (Oooo! Mind me 'ead' folks...)

Thanks for the link as having had my PC expire last week, I lost all my bookmarks!

regards

John :lol:

 

[PerranOak]

Sorry to resurrect a venerable old post but I just saw the mail from Rutlands for 10% off + free delivery.

I considered the Dakota bench but think not now.

I only have a small space but I do like to thump that chisel so a sturdy beast is a necessity.

Any ideas for around the same price-ish (£200-£300)?

Cheers.