Building Schwarz's "Herculaneum" Low Roman Workbench

I need a new workbench for greenwoodworking, and I think the low roman style bench is the perfect fit.
My last bench was a shorter one with only four legs. This time I'll be following the instructions in Christopher Schwarz's 'roman workbenches' article, eight legs and all.
I'm starting with a large board of merbau, just over 2m long, 300mm wide, and 45mm thick.
I'm going to add workholding to the bench only as needed, so expect follow-up videos whenever relevant!
#traditionalwoodworking #handtools #romanworkbench

[@claudioruvalcaba102]

Please, video 2! I built this bench and my self esteem sky rocketed I used your video as a reference, thank you so much

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

That's great! Part two was supposed to be adding workholding to the bench, but to be honest I never did apart from some dog holes and the planing stop.

[@jackw9034]

Really like the top surface wood, looks like mahogany, and planes nicely.

[@christianstamm608]

Nice build. Congratulations!

[@nointegritydotorg]

That lathe is friggin' DOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE show a video build!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

I don't have any footage of that, but there's a story highlight about it on my Instagram @littlebear_sloyd

[@AaronTWas]

Did not want this build video to end! Excited to see more of how you will put it to use. I have this nice slab of 2 inch thick by 6 foot white oak sitting in the corner of my shop. I have seriously considered using that for my low bench, except that it’s only just over 8 inches wide. Not sure if that would provide enough work surface.

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

Thanks mate! A skinny one could definitely work if you Mostly use it for planing and sawing, occasional joinery. My advice is to make it as wide as you can comfortably straddle and no more.

[@AaronTWas]

Thanks, I’ll likely mock it up by clamping it to some chairs and see how it feels. Most joinery I do at a standing bench with a vise, but I’ve wanted a low bench for sawing and rough planing, as well as other green woodworking tasks as you have built yours. Great work again, thank you for your videos and responses to comments and questions!

[@Rossco242424]

I have a similar style combination square, I think it's a stanley no. 21. I have no idea where I got it, and I have not seen anyone else with one before. Anyway, inspirational video, thank you for making it!

[@Wyonsvd]

Video 2 please!

[@adrianmeredith7619]

Very interesting. Well made too.

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

Thanks!

[@JohnColgan.]

I plan to build a variant of this. I'm disabled and 90% of the time need to be seated, so the bench is ideal. But I will put a raised platform one end and make that a portable workbench aka Pask Makes at a more suitable work height. Most of my work is small scale 16in/model/ornament size

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

That sounds like a great idea. Best wishes with it. Feel free to email me if you need any guidance.

[@DesconectadoOaxaca]

You can clamp a simple box onto one end to have a higher workspace if staying super simple is your goal. You could even clamp a piece of plywood with a bench vice screwed into it

[@NoOne-fe3gc]

15:44 flats the whole surface true, first hole splits the wood. classic

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

isn't it always the way

[@enochpage1333]

Very good work!

[@rawr2u190]

So nice

[@ferenclazar7215]

nice toolshelf in the back

[@bubbajimemmons8388]

Please do a video on the tool chest on the floor at 19:43 and 22:55 time stamps

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

What about it?

[@bubbajimemmons8388]

@@jones_trees_and_treen It is a good looking tool chest in a style I normally see as a larger upright version. Looks like it has great access and storage and could go on the floor or bench or be lugged into a car seat. I bet even a simple short video will be very popular for you. Thank you.

[@cocodij]

I have seen this style of bench. According to you, do you think the eight legs add something compared to four ? Nice video by the way, always happy to see a new one :)

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

Yes it's significantly sturdier! Much more support for things like mortising, or what I often do which is splitting and riving logs with a froe and club.

[@cocodij]

@@jones_trees_and_treen That's interesting ! I might try it one day, but I will have to explain my wife why I built another bench :D

[@scott8351]

Still using and liking your bench? Would you make any changes? I have a taller bench but thinking of adding this since I got some free slabs by luck and I like the idea of sitting for some tasks, looks good for alot of things I do standing. That was a great build.

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

Thanks! Yes I'm still married to this concept of bench. I haven't ran into anything I couldn't do. I even made a second slightly smaller one.

[@canobenitez]

sweet, how do you deal with neighbors regarding the impacts from the mallet and sound in general? sweet lathe!

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

this was in an artists studio I had at the time, so by agreement with my neighbours it was fine.

[@ronin2963]

Can you link the plans you used?

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

lostartpress.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/roman-workbenches-1.pdf Not exactly plans, more of a discussion and and example.

[@ratatatat7173]

Has anyone made a shave horse setup that removable for the workbench? I need both and it would be great to not have two pieces to store

[@orbitalair2103]

yes look at the 'unplugged woodworking' use of bench pt 2, near the end. he made the shave horse parts removeable.

[@wesleyyoung4063]

What wood did you use?

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

Merbau for the top and spotted gum for the legs.

[@awshelley]

I groaned in sympathy when the top cracked.

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

I have to say, two years of constant use and it's still totally fine. I didn't butterfly it or anything.

[@johnjude2685]

What are you building

[@СергійСергій-э2ю]

Сороконожка. Більш стійка.

[@СергійСергій-э2ю]

Роблять хто що хоче.

[@chrisbagley8104]

Some speech (English?) might be helpful. Measurement too!

[@jones_trees_and_treen]

All the explanations and measurements you could need are in Chris Schwarz's articles, one in particular is available free of charge as a pdf. I'm not reinventing the wheel!

[@chrisbagley8104]

@@jones_trees_and_treen Thanks, I was unaware of that. Some audio would be welcome however. Apart from the sound of a saw etc!

[@pietjepuk9575]

😴😴😴😴😴👎👎