Lake Erie Demo Workbench With a European Flavor

Whenever we attend a trade show or woodworking event we normally haul around our small Lake Erie Toolworks Demo Workbench to demonstrate the feel and functionality of our wooden vises (shown below here with the amazing Frank Klausz in action).  We usually hear phrases like “smooth like buttah”, “fast as lightening” and “holds tighter than two coats of paint” when someone gives the vises a test drive.  The challenge has always been, how best to replicate this very tactile vise experience so that people could try it out.

Our distributor in Germany, “Dictum” decided to provide this experience to their customers by commissioning a fully functional replica of our demo bench for use in one of their showroom floors in Germany.  The bench was built by Jarek Ostaszewski who also happens to run a successful DIY construction and tool review YouTube Channel called “Domidrewno” in Poland.

Here’s the fantastic end product for your review.

The workbench is made out of solid beech along with Hard Maple for the vise components and is extremely sturdy and heavy.  It also makes the perfect workbench for people who have limited space in their workshop, garage, basement or apartment but still want a fully functional and robust workbench.

For those of you who have further interest in this type of workbench, here is the link to access a series of nine (9) YouTube videos from Jarek on Domidrewno that will show you how he constructed the bench.  If you don’t speak Polish, you will still be well served in watching the videos to see how he made this great workbench.

If you have any other comments on this workbench that you’d like to share with us, just drop us an email or give us a call.

Best regards,

Jeff Dombrowski – Lake Erie Toolworks

Announcing Our January 2018 Workbench Idea

Here’s a great way to start out the new year with a workbench idea featuring a retrofit Shoulder Vise added to a 24 year old workbench by Jesse H. from Kingsport, Tennessee.  Jesse also built an amazing chest using the shoulder vise.  As he says below, the proof is in the pudding. Enjoy!

This past summer I had purchased a shoulder vise screw from you guys and using your detailed instructions (I did dovetail the nut to the arm instead of using lag bolts, but I am sure the lag bolts would have worked just as well), I retrofitted a shoulder vise on my existing bench, which has been through several metamorphoses through its 24 year life!

I had always just dealt with my front vise racking and slipping.  I had kept blocks on my bench to keep the vise from racking and there was always a bunch of fiddling. Lots of times I was trying to saw and hold the work with the other hand so the stock wouldn’t slide around in the vise.

Not so with my shoulder vise! The screw is smooth as silk, and the slightest turn will release or grab the stock. My bench is not much to look at….I believe in building furniture, not a shop.  But the “proof is in the pudding”…in this case in the using.  I built the chest of drawers in the pictures using the shoulder vise for all the joinery. Cutting dovetails and tenons was a joy!  Great work guys! ….and for me, money well spent!

Here are some pictures of my old bench, retrofitted with the Lake Erie shoulder vise…and as you see in the pictures, no leg under the shoulder vise.  So far, no problems from the absence of the leg.  Now, it may seem like a little thing, but even though I didn’t replace my rigged-up wagon vise when I installed the shoulder vise, I did order an extra handle….love the  handles!

Jesse H. – Kingsport, TN

Traditional Wooden Leg Vise Install

Here’s a great Traditional Leg Vise install video provided by James Wright from “Wood By Wright”.  This video also features a Lake Erie Toolworks Wooden Vise that is used for this installation.

We hope you enjoy the video – great stuff!

Roubo Workbench Build From Crafted Workshop

One of the things that we’ve needed to do for a long time now was to make a good video on how to build a Roubo Workbench using our Lake Erie Toolworks wooden wagon and leg vise kits.

I guess we can check this one off the list now as our good friend Johnny Brooke from Crafted Workshop has done an amazing job with this fantastic Roubo build video (Part 1 of 2).  He will also be adding the workbench build plans for sale to his website very soon along with the Part 2 of 2 video to finish up the workbench.

Great job Johnny – job very well done!

Announcing our January 2017 Workbench Idea

We have another great workbench idea for a Split-Top Roubo workbench from Kim B. from Indian River, Michigan.  Kim just started getting into woodworking this past year and has built a tremendous workbench to help realize the many projects to come.  Fantastic job for a relatively new woodcrafter – keep up the great work.

Thanks for the great vises, I purchased the Bench Builder’s Bundle and am really happy with how they look and perform.

I am semi-retired and have just started getting into woodworking this past year. I have been particularly interested in learning how to use hand planes. As I was studying woodworking, workbenches, and hand plane use I came across Chris Schwarz’s book on Workbenches and was inspired by the Roubo he had outlined in his book.  I wanted to build that workbench but then I came across a split-top style that someone had online.  I really liked the utility of having a split-top then I found Benchcrafted sells drawings that are Roubo with a split-top.

Using their drawings I was able to easily incorporate your vises (Their drawings utilize their vises, obviously).

This my first project with rough lumber.  The bench is hard maple with the
Deadman,  Gap Stop, and Wagon Vise Dog Block made out of walnut.  I am very pleased with how the workbench came out considering my level of skill.  I made some errors along the way but nothing too drastic.  My bench is not as refined as all the other benches you have on display but I’m happy with how it looks and how great those vises work.  Now that the workbench is done I have some cabinets I need to build which will be much easier with the new workbench and vises.

The dimensions are 87″L x 24″W x 35″H at about 350# with one coat of BLO and Lacquer Thinner.  Two coats of wax on the threads polished.

Thanks again, Kim B. – Indian River, Michigan

Announcing Our December 2016 Workbench Idea

Our latest Workbench Idea comes to us from James P. from Hurricane, West Virginia. James built a great English style workbench as well as a Moravian style workbench that he constructed at the Woodwright’s School in North Carolina.  We think you’ll agree that he did a great job on both workbenches.  So here’s your year end 2016 two-fer workbench idea!

Hi Nick,

I wanted to thank you for the technical assistance and information on the face vise build for my English style work bench.  The screw is working great and I love this vise.  I wanted to share some pictures of my new bench and my Moravian style work bench that I built at the Woodwright  School a couple of years ago.  Both have Lake Erie vise screws and both are fantastic.

Thank you,

James P. – Hurricane West Virginia

Another Great Workbench Idea – October 2016

This Workbench Idea is from Christopher Schwarz who is the Editor of Lost Art Press and is also a principal at Crucible which is a new woodworking tool company.

Chris had been blogging about this new “Roman Workbench” that he constructed prior to the Woodworking In America 2016 Show held in Covington, Kentucky in mid September.

Since we were exhibiting in the booth directly across from Lost Art Press & Crucible, it was a perfect opportunity to see the workbench first hand as well as to test out how smooth and amazing the unique wooden vise worked that was installed on this bench.

I’m also going to provide a link directly to the Lost Art Press Blog where you can see some additional detail on this very unique workbench and how it was constructed bringing us an exceptional workbench idea from over 500 years ago

Best regards,

Jeff Dombrowski