Tell me how to build the easiest workbench possible

[dedee]

I'm not going to debate the merits of one bench over another, of aprons, tails vices or any other add on.

I put this together earlier in the year based on the "Chapman" bench.

A M&T Frame at each end, chipboard back to stop racking, chipboard lower shelf also aids stability, frames also have panels screwed to them to add rigidity.
Top 1" chipboard, and 3 18mm MDF lipped with beech.
NB No fixed vices

Dog holes in the top for surface planing. Edge planing curtesy of a couple of wotsits (sorry Bugbear I've forgotten what you called them)

surface planing

I can clamp a "lathe" to it

A Gripmaster also comes in handy

Metal work vice

Simple and cheap to make, versatile in use.

Cheers

Andy

 

[marcros]

Interesting "lathe". It would probably do most of the jobs that a non turner might want to do, eg making tool handles etc.

 

[Jacob]

Agree.
But Landis does omit the apron style bench which we all know so well and, to get back to the OP, is the probably the best answer to his question.
There is a big fashion element with benches, as with so much other woodwork kit, which can be misleading.

Its not about the bench?

Absolutely!
Landis has a big omission IMHO. The chapter 6 "A Basic Bench" is a peculiar thing and not basic at all. The British bench as per Seller's example above (somewhere) would have been perfect for this slot. It just doesn't look very sexy, unlike the Shaker bench on the cover!

 

[WoodMangler]

Here's my bench - built by me 37 years ago from a book called "The Complete Home Carpenter" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Golden-Home...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327053952&sr=1-1). It's moved house with me several times, living everywhere from a damp cellar to a purpose-built hobby-shop. About the only changes I've made to the original design are the addition of bench-stops and holes for a Wonder-Pup, sockets for a holdfast in the top and on the right front leg, and a hollow base to contain 50 Kgs of sand and ballast for stability. The top layer of chipboard has been replaced twice so far, and is about due to be replaced again. I'm certainly no master-craftsman, but it's served my needs well for nearly 4 decades, being used for everything from building large A-frames for obscure horsey contraptions to tiny dolls-house type things to keep my mother-in-law sweet. It has an apron on the front, but the ends are clear and overhanging, so workpieces can be held down with g-cramps if required.

 

[Bale]

There is a big fashion element with benches

You got that right.

Pete

 

[bugbear]

I'm not going to debate the merits of one bench over another, of aprons, tails vices or any other add on.

I put this together earlier in the year based on the "Chapman" bench.

Here's a couple more workholding ideas for a simple bench:

http://web.archive.org/web/200901140249 ... rtice_hold

As shown, it's being use for mortising, but it works really well for edge jointing, holding the end of a workpiece that is fully support vertically by the bench top.

A Stanley #702 can serve in a similar fashion, and is readily available s/h.

http://swingleydev.com/archive/get.php? ... =1#message

Here's an old Stanley advert (excerpt)

BugBear