Announcing our June 2016 Workbench Idea

Our June 2016 Workbench Idea is an amazing Shaker Style Workbench that comes to us from Al B. from Poultney, Vermont.  Al’s combination of a wooden leg and wagon vise really makes this workbench pop.

Hi Nick,

My bench is nearing completion and I thought I would let you see where you vises ended up.

The bench cabinet was designed by Ron Briese and I purchased the plans for it from Benchcrafted. However since I am not to far from the Hancock Shaker Village and have looked at their bench many times I wanted wooden vise screws on mine.

Boy they work nice. Very pleased.

Thank you

Al B.

Announcing Our May 2016 Workbench Idea

Our May 2016 Workbench Idea comes to us from Dave P. from the United States.  Dave has provided us with a literal step by step approach to the construction of his tremendous Roubo Workbench.  We know that you will all enjoy this month’s workbench idea from Dave.

My new bench has been about two years in the thinking and wishing. In January I started its’ construction. A 24 inch by 8 foot top 4 inches thick was sourced from Baird Brothers Hardwood Lumber in Canfield, OH as well as the ash and poplar for the base.

The design is mostly from Chris Schwartz’s books on benches. I wanted to build it with hand tools and all the mortise and tenon joints were done by hand with saws and chisels and a mallet. The laminated maple top was a real challenge. All joints in the base were glued and every joint was pegged with oak dowels.

The Lake Erie screw and thread block were coated with 4 coats of Watco oil and then waxed. I worked about four hours per day for most of six weeks all upside down. Turning the bench over was done with an engine hoist and some slings. The bench came out just as I had hoped it would and the Lake Erie leg vise works like a charm. I’ve got a backed up list of projects to put it to good use.

A lifetime bench made all the better with the help of Lake Erie Toolworks.

Dave P. – USA