5 reasons EVERYONE should build a WORKBENCH

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I'm almost done building my new workbench, and I reckon everyone should build one...
Enjoyed the video? Give it a LIKE and leave me a comment with what you think of my project, and what I could have done differently.
If you'd like to follow along with my future projects.
Consider subscribing: / @northernworks
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Hi, I'm Pete. Northern Works is all about DIY furniture and home improvement projects that help us to consume less, and create more. I've got an ever-growing list of projects, and I'm excited to learn how to build things that I want to use, and that we'd love to see around our home.
If you value great design, but want to consume less of the fast furniture, then I'd love for you to join our community here on KZbin where we can learn together and share ideas.
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What I use:
My cordless drill: amzn.to/3Cd6dBZ
My circular saw: www.diy.com/de...
My trim router: amzn.eu/d/5FVgFI5
A hand saw: amzn.to/3Sjkbbh
A flat file: amzn.to/3r8Prxs
Clamps: amzn.to/3SzoYVM

[@andywatt8699]

Appreciate you taking the time to make your videos. I’ve found the inspiration needed to start a project this weekend after watching a few this week, only some under-stairs shelves, but I’m less concerned about making mistakes now. It’s a learning process and a few hours later they’ve not fallen down yet! 😂 cheers

[@djcr_91]

Great video. Love the idea of the removable center section. Having it go flush or proud as a bench stop is brilliant!

[@northernworks]

Aye, it works great - so helpful to get some extra clamping options too

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Your are absolutely correct in says that the workbench build is a good time to practice your jointery. I have been saying this for decades that your shop furniture is an opportunity to hone your skills. Ive been woodworking for 50 years, and every piece I make for the shop I make I try something new that I have learned to build it. Since you seem interested in learning new joinery methods, might I suggest Japanese or Korean style joinery. Every couple of weeks I learn and practice a new joint until I'm satisfied with it. Both cultures use some very interesting and fun joinery to learn. The attention to detail, and seamless joints is amazing. Just look at some of the structures still standing after a 1000 years! It's very challenging and at 62, I still have a lot to learn and perfect. Congrats on choosing woodworking for a hobby. It will change your life, and if your ever out of work, you have a skill that is always in demand. Cheers mate!!

[@northernworks]

Thanks for taking the time! Really appreciate it. I’m definitely interested in learning new techniques - I’d love to apply some of those Japanese joinery techniques to more modern styles of furniture. Hope you pop by again soon!

[@teamvtube]

Decent first go at the dovetails. Pine is really difficult do them on because it's so soft it just compresses, and you can end up cutting past your line pretty easily. If you can find some small offcuts of hard wood to practice on you will likely see a huge improvement. I have a workshop that is exposed to the elements on the sides like yours and the biggest issue I think you may have is moisture affecting projects and causing the wood to move. I had a serving dish that was fine one day, the next day it rained pretty heavily and when i went to work on the dish it had warped so much it had cracked into 3 pieces just from the rapid changes in humidity. Can't offer a solution but just something to consider if you are looking to do more fine/delicate work as it may need to be done or left in the office space after completed.

[@northernworks]

Thanks for the reassurance! I thought it was all down to my awful tekkers. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would - looking forward to using them more. Might buy a guide for the next ones though…

[@lutzkunstler1297]

A very good video and presentation, Peter , well done !

[@gripps2211]

nice bench. good editing.

[@northernworks]

Thanks!

[@SwearingenTurnings]

Love your attitude towards bench building! I've been at it off and on for decades, and only been a semi-pro builder for about five. I'm *finally* about to build my first proper workbench. It's gonna look a lot like yours. I'm a huge fan of those other folk you mentioned, too.

[@northernworks]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@boneheadworkshop8126]

Love it. Epic Upcycling did a great workbench made out some some old doors!

[@northernworks]

Ooooh, I’ll have to check it out

[@williamdgmartin]

Marvelous altogether, I never comment on videos but this bench is brilliant

[@northernworks]

Thanks, I’m really glad you enjoyed it

[@UFMilkman]

Came to echo the comments from @djcr_91 re. the brilliance of the center section doubling as both a bench stop and a gap for clamps (and that I'm probably stealing that idea for my next bench). Also, that my first bench was my first foray into both large glue-ups and mortise & tenon joints as well (though I've yet to venture as far as dovetails -- you're a braver man than I). Love the attitude, hope the channel keeps growing for you.

[@VertexCarver]

Appreciate the grounded & practical approach. My workbench is one ugly duckling... I'm quite exited to simplify & try building something with better workholding after watching this. Cheers!

[@northernworks]

Love that. Hope it goes well

[@robarmstrong6066]

Looks fantastic

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

I would strongly suggest that you seal the wood if it will remain in a damp enviroment to prevent the top boards from warping. Those are great dovetails, especially for the first time. I'm impressed with the style you chose as well. Not usually a first time choice , but well done. And like you said, it will serve as a reminder of how far you have come down the line. Man, it's like your in my head. Great minds think alike, LOL!!!!

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍.Thanks Pete

[@kevinhigh8161]

Finally! a great video on a workbench

[@Dynamic_Custom_Woodworking]

I’m new to your channel and I’m new to woodworking so I really enjoyed this. I’m just getting ready to build my own bench and liked your take about what to build. Thanks and congrats on one year.

[@northernworks]

Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your bench build!

[@troyboy4345]

Crispy !

[@iainrutherford184]

Great build. I'm looking forward to seeing how you add to, and improve (for you) your bench. Respect for sharing your dovetails... over 40yrs since I tried a dovetail, and it wasn't half as tidy as yours 😉

[@northernworks]

Oh man, I appreciate that Iain. I thought they were awful when I first fitted them. Now I wander past the bench and am actually pretty chuffed at how they turned out. Glad I put in that little bit extra effort for them

[@startmaking1]

Great video. Really well thought out and informative. Thank you. PS Love the dove tailed end.

[@northernworks]

Thanks so much!

[@johnthresher259]

Nice job!

[@jimrosson6702]

Great job

[@TechLord2099]

Love the no pressure approach! Refreshing to see/hear.

[@northernworks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brayworkshop427]

Hi Love your workbench and philosophy. I definitely found building my workbench one of the most enjoyable projects ever and my subsequent work was substantially improved afterwards. My workbench design was inspired by both Paul Sellers plywood workbench bench and my favourite woodworker Richard Maguire, also known as The English Woodworker. He made a living making very fine workbenches, but his attitude to woodwork is similar to yours. He does some great value online woodworking courses too.

[@northernworks]

Thanks for the tips, I’ll be sure to check them out. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@awantamta]

Very nice indeed

[@northernworks]

Thank you kindly

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Thank you for practical, non-snobby advice. This is what beginners need to hear (it’s also good for pros to remember - build what your client needs, and only what they want if they insist & are willing to pay for it). Another suggested maker when your audience is ready to upgrade their bench: C R Reeves. His benches are a bit fancy, but all the fancy bits have a practical function.

[@northernworks]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it

[@thefinchworkshop]

Loving what you are building and the videos you are making. I thought I was laid back but now I have a new level to aim for 😂😂 Looking forward to furniture builds in a good old Manchester winter 😮

[@northernworks]

Glad you’re enjoying them! I’ll need to wear a few more layers before the end of October, that’s for sure. Glad I’ve got this roof now!

[@orbitalair2103]

I built Rexs easy low roman bench from his book, cause i had the 2x10 and no room in my garage really. Its still pretty handy tho not as flat as i would like. But its definitely very portable

[@northernworks]

Yeah, it looks a great little bench, especially if you don’t have a lot of space.

[@AndrewMillar001]

Loved this and I'm especially enjoying your presenting style. Relaxed but entertaining. Well done!

[@northernworks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@oliverandrews2446]

Great job! I don't have a permanent space, so made Peter Millard's folding workbench a couple of years ago. It's served me well, but is a bit too unstable for vigorous hand sawing.

[@northernworks]

Yeah, hand tools are the killer. I was going to build something similar to Peter’s MFT, but I just don’t think it’d stand up to a bit of chisel action. Hoping this torsion box keeps everything solid

[@johnford7847]

Nice bench. Good discussion, too. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@northernworks]

Thanks for watching!

[@xlfive]

I've always maintained "you live within your means ",my bench is ten years old now built from scraps salvaged from skips ,I have often thought should I buy some decent wood and make another but to be honest I don't need to Your bench looks great pal

[@northernworks]

Too true! I loved my little ragtag OSB bench, but every time I use a chisel the whole thing wobbles 😅

[@dannybaker2763]

Leave it to a Yorkshireman to tell it how it is. Great vid. Loved it. Definitely subscribing.

[@northernworks]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Not sure who this Yorkshireman is though - I’m a Cumbrian living in Lancashire 😅

[@dannybaker2763]

@northernworks , ah well. I've been out of the country for 25 years, so my accent radar is a little off. Could've gone with 'Northerner', but somehow that sounded off somehow! 🤣 Anyroad, loving the videos and the presentation is great.😁

[@northernworks]

Haha, fair play, and it’s all generically northern, to be fair! Glad you’re enjoying the videos, appreciate you taking the time

[@dannybaker2763]

@northernworks my pleasure.👍 We are all in the same boat, trying to build our channels and share our experiences and what we learn along the way. I prefer channels like yours to the majority of my North American neighbours with their full and very expensively outfitted workshops. I like their stuff, but it's just unattainable, and unrealistic, for most of us.

[@weatherbywoodworks]

Hi Pete great workbench. Where do u get your lumber from

[@northernworks]

Thanks chief. I get most of my pine and sheet goods from Howarth Timber here in Manchester. Always good service and prices. Not big on hardwoods though, so I’m still on the lookout for a solid local supplier, if you know of any?

[@richardmichaelhogan]

Mad how bin things is the 1 thing not crossed off the list yet. I think a lot of us have problems with that.

[@northernworks]

I keep just chucking them out into the driveway instead of actually dealing with them 😅. It’s about time to sort them though, I’m bringing the neighbourhood down

[@guentherkoffler9408]

Hm...missing Paul Sellers on your list, I think he made a workbench from spruce, with a little more elbow grease...

[@northernworks]

He keeps coming up, I’ll be sure to check out his work. Might keep the tools plugged in though

[@michaelwillson6847]

Pete that bench is mint. I have watched john maleckis workbench video few times and mark from dainer makes is an amazing one think I've watched that one dozzen times gonna be starting build my own one next week. Although be no fancy dovetails or mortice and tennon in mine will be bolt and halflap as mine is gonna get the snot beaten out it with the slabs am working on. Great video hope all is well. Sponsors coming in yet?? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@northernworks]

Cheers Mike, look forward to seeing it! I’m hoping this one’s going stand up to a fair beating too, like. No sponsors yet, but we’re only a year old!!!

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@northernworks no sponsors no offers free stuff very surprised at that. It'll come. Yea must say big well done on making it year. Your well on way to full time KZbinr!! Yea hopefully get nice chunky one done.

[@tomrichardson7792]

Really good take on the workbench video. I think you've missed a trick not doing a full detailed one, just seen Tamar3x3 bringing out one. Just think it might get more people to the channel.

[@northernworks]

Funny you should mention that, I’m just finishing one up! Glad you enjoyed this one

[@tomrichardson7792]

@@northernworks ahh marvellous :). Hope it will bring some traffic :).