Making the ULTIMATE Power Tool Workbench | Part 7

[@MattEstlea]

If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to press the *LIKE* button. It really helps me out! Can't be asked to watch the whole series? See the finished workbench here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnaThoSrr7xqhMk&t

[@clivesmith3127]

To cramp the end aprons in the centre, plane a slight bow in the centre of the cramping block that goes between the cramps at each end. That way you apply a little extra pressure to the centre which is exactly what you need and where you need it. This technique can also be used to cramp wide panels in the centre for cabinet construction.

[@dougywilson2911]

Suggestion. Drill the holes in the table first before clamping mitres then use hole with a peg in it to clamp mitre join to.

[@MattEstlea]

I did consider that, but the bench dogs I’m using fit into the holes to an incredibly fine tolerance. I was worried that pressure of the clamps would slightly distort the holes without me noticing, thus creating some inaccurate holes in certain places on the bench top.

[@dougywilson2911]

Fair enough. I wouldn’t of thought it needed much pressure

I think the holes in the MDF would be distorted long before the steel plug is damaged, and it would ruin your precision. However, I guess you have several bench dogs so you could have used a small wood beam maintained by several bench dogs aligned. Also, why not clamp a piece of wood on top of the bench and use it to clamp the side, or just use a ratchet strap?

[@sandervandijk2373]

Just use a regular 15” clamp in de hole on the side! Over thinking it, Mat. But I like your perfectionisem👍

[@reggiesmith6423]

I love this build. Great idea with the clamping mechanism. Your work is truly awesome.

[@joelharris6158]

Hey Matt! Two planks the width of your table, one edged jointed with a gradual curve either end would have applied pressure across the entire joint without needing so many clamps. It's a wicked workstation so far!

[@rossaddison5342]

Awesome as always keep up the great work 👍

[@julienmercier4852]

"Brilliant!" Yes! It is! Amazing work so far, love this series, great inspirational videos and craftsmanship

[@brownk2]

I love seeing your work-space evolve from a mucky garage to a nice place to practice your craft.

[@clydedecker765]

Rather than pay so much for those Bessey clamps to get long clamping, BUY pipe clamps and then its only a matter of buying lengths of pipe long enough to do the job. I'd venture to say that for the cost of ONE Bessey,(regardless of size) you could get two complete 8-10 ft pipe clamps. Yes, buy the best you can afford BUT not always in this case.

[@68HC060]

To make a cheap ultra-long clamp, you could use a long string or rope and two long pieces of wood. Drill 4 holes in each wood piece and pull the (multiple layers of) string/rope through, finally put winding-sticks through each end of the string/rope. You do not have to cut the string or rope at all; just leave a relaxed amount of string between each hole. Now wind the winding-sticks and you'll get a nice strong clampling pressure for very little money. :) (Same system was used in the old frame-saws. It can also be used when clamping when gluing frames or chairs).

[@68HC060]

Matt, great video as always! You might want to save those hooks for later use; they'll very likely come in handy, lots of possibilities there for attaching useful stuff like jigs, vises and more!

[@privateportall]

RATCHET STRAPS MATT!

[@charlesarnold4963]

Matt, i really admire your determination to keep going with this project. Drilling those holes and the finishing must have been mind numbing! The result so far is looking good. Are you planning on doing anything to those huge doors to the workshop?

[@dan__________________]

You should be able to get clamp extenders for your clamps. Most of the manufacturers who make parallel clamps make extenders. It simply makes one long clamp out of two shorter ones.

[@robertgaut9396]

Beautiful work!

[@basanistes359]

Pipe clamps are good to have on hand. You can make them as long as any pipe you can find. Another way is wedge clamps that you can make out of any long timber. As long as you want. Watch Izzy Swan's videos. He's brilliant.

[@-_AjB_-]

I used to have a massive meyabo ROS like you. They day I tried the Mirka was a game changer. No looking back. Best tool I own.

[@JimboJet737]

Anthony James Brown ROS?

[@-_AjB_-]

@@JimboJet737 Random Orbit Sander

[@heyimamaker]

That's a nice looking bench Matt, great work!

[@john-austinsmith8388]

looking good Matt!👍 I would slightly round off the mitered corners of the sides. You’ll be running around working... and I’m sure they’ll get bumped into....with materials and tools...

[@wingsley]

Looks like work is progressing on Bessie, the big worktable. (You named the vice-equipped solid wood workbench Bertha, right? Why not name this project Bessie, after the Whomobile?) I notice you drilled a complete grillwork of 3 mm pilot holes, but you only put in a partial network of 20 mm dog holes to date. Are you simply leaving the rest, or are you going to rout and install universal clamp tracks on the table top as well? I know some woodworkers prefer a worktable/workbench to offer a mixture of dog holes and tracks, so I was curious.

[@hogthrob]

Did it need a lot of clamping, with all those dominoes? Anyway, what I'd have done is glued an end on, then stood the whole table top on it's end.

[@jake196.21]

Why not use some racheting clamps since those come in long lengths and can have corner grind on then to provide pressure to the miters

[@deandauplaise2225]

I don't know if you ever thought about this but for me the idea of using glue to attach the top (and the entire torsion box top assembly) to me sounds a bit silly because for me I know the top is going to be cut up, scorched by routers and destroyed by tools, so what would you do if you have to replace the top? Inevitably you will have to replace the top but since everything is glued would you do a full rebuild of the torsion box top? I would of made it so all you need to do is unscrew a couple of screws, drop in the material you are using for the top and that would be it. Wondering what you are going to do when this problem arrises.

[@68HC060]

An easy fix could be to just add a thin MDF on top of the damaged one (filling the holes first of course). Adding a few extra "dog-holes" could be used for "clamping down" the new top, so you wouldn't have to glue it on (resulting in a MDF-tower after a few years).

[@barry99705]

You make the side pieces the thickness of a second sheet of mdf taller than the glued down sheet. Once everything is dry, you cut the second sheet to fit and drop it into the cavity. Once it gets too chewed up, you can just pull it up and either flip it over, if it's not too bad, or just replace it. Also lets your dog holes have a bit of extra thickness.

[@Ssssshhhhh1885]

Amazing.video as always mate. Bench is stunning. Almost to nice to use in anger.

[@doubledarefan]

The top might still warp, causing 8 spots that are high or low, depending on humidity. I would put some finish on the inside (paint roller will make that easy).

[@JontyAshWoodworks]

Holy crap, just went to buy a sheet of Valchromat to make a similar bench - £125 for 18mm!!! MDF it is then - lol

[@MattEstlea]

Yeaaaaaaa, I used 15mm and it still wasn’t great.

[@davidchait6010]

Why is plywood so expensive in the UK? I would imagine it is a better option than mdf.

[@alangaffney7186]

Is valchromat plastic composite ply haven't seen it befor

[@thomashackett9833]

Love the videos and appreciate the comments, too. Quick question. Assuming I have the essential hand tools, plus drill, router and sander, what in your opinion are the three essential power tools? Trying to decide whether to go with Festool circular saw, band saw, table saw or domino. Obviously, depends on what I build. But just generally, what can you not live without? Thanks!

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

Table saw!

[@logicalChimp]

@@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn I'd argue for the band saw actually - it's a bit harder to get straight cuts, but it can do stuff the table saw can't (mostly around thickness of material it can handle). Mind you, it's not so good for sheet material, which is probably why Matt also has the track saw.

[@Felipera_]

Good job Matt! Your shop is looking good. It's cool watching another fellow young woodworker for a change! (Also, one that also plays the bass :p) I'm learning a lot from your videos, since I'm a hobbyist, not a trained professional life you :p Keep it up!

[@rayfischer9936]

Hi Matt! I enjoy your content. I do not see the entire series of the workbench build. I saw episode 6 and 7 and would like to see the series starting at episode 1. Can you send me a link to the first one? I did not see this series on your home page either.

[@Entropy72]

Hey Matt. What was that "dogleg" thing you had in the drill when you drilled back through the holes to secure the top?

[@68HC060]

You mean something like these ... Festool: www.amazon.co.uk/Festool-DD-ES-Fast-Eccentric-Attachment/dp/B0017VF1GE Bosch: www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-1600A00F5L-FlexiClick-Adapter/dp/B06WV9X4HZ -They likely exist for one of the accu-drills you may have.

[@thepeginator2556]

Really enjoying the series, although I know it’s not new at this point! Just wanted to ask about the parf guide system in such a big bench. John McGrath did a large mft style build (you might well be aware) and ran into some issues, but he started in one corner and worked across. I noticed you stated in the centre and appeared to do the 10x10 grid in the middle and then work outwards to the edges, I assume that was intentional to maximise accuracy? Is this the recommended way to use the system if doing anything bigger than a standard MFT? (Which isn’t very big!)

[@StuffUCanMake]

One day I am going to have something like this!

[@stevepratley]

Could have just used a ratchet strap over the long length.... Nice work mate, giving me ideas..

[@MoscaWoodworking]

one of the best power tool table on YT. One question, are you going to buy a table saw in the future or do you prefer to do your job with track saw and bandsaw?

[@darronsmall6321]

Hi matt I don't know if this was suggested but the issue with clamping the central part of the end how about something like a 4x4 to bridge the gap between the blocks on the face then reverse clamping pushing from the 4x4 against the face in the centre

[@TheMillstone99]

Love your work. Would you consider listing the tools and attachments you use for each video in the description? I get tool envy every episode and would like to know exactly what you're using.

[@MattEstlea]

www.kit.com/mattestlea Hope that helps ;)

[@matthewharding6245]

Thats an amazing piece of work, I'm very envious. I was wondering what drill press attachment you were using for your bosch drill?

[@guyjones4936]

I like the workbench although I plan on making a classic Nicholson style bench for my shop. I was wondering what drill guide you were using on your power drill. I went to your site and I didn't see it there. I am not very steady when drilling and that guide looked to be very steady with a good base on it.

[@thenuptse8827]

Hi Matt. Couldn’t you have just put the clamp through the gap itself without the hook device you made?

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm96]

without the device, the flat head of the clamp would had left some unaesthetic prints on the radius of the gap

[@stevebosun7410]

Hi Matt, Good series, awesome bench. Would like to do something similar, but just don't have the room. Why the rounded ends on the long bit of the "hooky thing"?

[@tommyaleks100]

Hi Matt. I have not seen all of the videos yet, but I ask anyway. How do you use the holes in the table? regular clamps? Great videos and I love how you work, this is master class.

[@jondavies450]

Hi Matt, how come you drilled pilot wholes all over the top but then only drilled dog wholes on two rows on the edge ?

[@JimboJet737]

You could’ve used a length of timber between your corner clamps on the outside corners, then wedges to ‘push’ the middle part into the table.

[@cluelesscleric]

Hey Matt. Loved the episode, looking forward to the next one. I was just wondering if you could show us that sweet looking, top of the range drill press. Thanks.

[@chillyspoon]

Great build - mahoooosive bench, wish I had the space for something like that! Your point about applying finish to both sides of MDF is great advice. Do you think that would that be necessary for two panels of 18mm MR MDF which are about 1200 x 700 in size and have been laminated together using Cascamite (I'm in the middle of doing a new bench top for my much, much smaller bench!!)?

[@chriscaswell3433]

As you’ve reached a status quo with the build I suggest you call it Rick, after Rick Parffet. Just a thought!!!

[@nathanwooldridge85]

late to the party, but a great build. regarding your extra long clamping technique, why could you not place a piece of timber across to the width, through the "sausage holes" . Then just place a clamp on the inside of the torsion box to hook onto the timber and onto the mitered pieces? Am I missing something?

[@MattEstlea]

I guess at this point I should probably start thinking of some names to call this thing. Suggestions?

[@ziyaaddocrat5185]

looks good

[@rdocking]

It's like a ron paulk bench on steroids! Arnie? 😂

[@ssavlashah]

The Power Estlea

[@dickydoes]

DenchBench?

[@raysmith1992]

The Holey Grail

[@garymiller1216]

wow this is turning out to be a great work space/ top "ART", I watched the vid on your extraction system too, confused as to why you keep using the chop saw without extraction attached, ??

[@ArcHandmadeCajons]

What is the drill press device you’re using? Looks like it works well...

[@JimboJet737]

Arc Handmade Cajons wolfcraft

[@SteveZodiac777]

Good work Matt! Like your corner clamp idea. Saw you using the hand drill guide - wonder what you think of it. I have one and find it sufficiently accurate and very useful but I've read some terrible reviews of it that I don't get.

[@ericluba6287]

Those little metal Corner spring clamps that people use

[@68HC060]

Hmm, yes, those could be handy in those dog-holes. :)

[@gabro8661]

Hi Matt, thanks for great video! Would you please tell: what material did you use on the top of this worktable?

[@MattEstlea]

Valcromat :)

[@JontyAshWoodworks]

It was Valchromat 15mm in Black

[@stevensmith1246]

Maybe invest in some pipe clamps? It would save you the trouble of disassembling your parallel clamps. Also if you need them to be longer, the Mobil jaw easily slides on and off to reverse it. lol I wrote this before looking in the comment section. Yea, what they said.

[@raysmith1992]

That is nearly as big as my whole workshop

[@maglub]

Where did you find that copper colored dog hole drill jig/guide?

[@dmueller1875]

Gertrude works for a name... :)

[@electroritz]

Ratchet straps?

[@boldwinbeanbaker3033]

where does one get that contraption at 11:04? and what brand etc?

[@trevorperryworks]

Where do you get your machinist squares from? I bought a cheap one and it was horribly not square lol .

[@roevskagg]

I don't know where Matt gets his (although my guess is Bridge City) but I got a new one from www.fine-tools.com/ which is a German shop, delivering at least all over Europe. It wasn't very expensive, but more so than the ones you find at your local hardware store. So far I'm pretty satisfied, although in retrospect I should've chosen a smaller one. =)

[@trevorperryworks]

@@roevskagg hey thanks man, I'll check then out! I got one off Amazon and it was horrible lol.

[@adrianbrewer1708]

Nice one Matt. Looking good. The workshop is getting there slowly hay. Q. What is the pine wood you are using. The grain looks so linear and top quality. Is it just your supplier or should one ask for a certain something. Thanks

[@MattEstlea]

Cheers Adrian. It’s Southern Yellow Pine. Nothing special about this stock, it pretty much all looks the same! I got it from Tyler Hardwoods but any big timber supplier will sell it. And it’s cheap!

[@logicalChimp]

@@MattEstlea It's certainly better looking (and better quality / apparently nicer to work with) than the Pine they sell in B&Q - which is *evil* stuff... warps / twists just on the journey home, splinters / starts blowing out as soon as you pick up a saw... just plain nasty.

[@jessewestlund5159]

When I was in the market for a chopsaw, my local big-box store was selling those robo-arm Bosch saws for about 50% off. They were getting 1 star reviews all over the web because the arm simply didn't line up straight. You seem to really like yours, any comment on that? Have you ever had any issues?

[@JimboJet737]

Jesse Westlund unlikely you’ll get a clear cut response to this as I believe Matt is ‘sponsored’ by Bosch. Would be interesting to know the truth though.

[@taylo256]

Could you have drilled the holes in top and used them in someway to clamps ends on.

[@j.s.8819]

I had the same idea

[@normanboyes4983]

Did you fit wheels to this Matt?

[@jeffforbes3772]

Pretty cool Matt. What is the finish called...Ozmo??

[@Hank8482]

Jeff Forbes osmo

[@hogthrob]

Osmo polyx kit.com/MattEstlea/consumables

[@tartanvandal96]

Anyone know what the make / name of the orange drill guide Matt unboxes at 14:07?

[@tartanvandal96]

I guess its a Parf guide system!

[@tartanvandal96]

OK now just watched the remainder of the video and Matt confirmed it - in his video - any other uses than drilling holes into workbenches?

[@edvickery958]

Whole lot simpler to order some Bessey pipe clamps and lengths of black pipe.

[@joshuas1767]

I agree, and snag some ratchet straps as well.

[@mikemarr1877]

six minutes of sanding before you take us on your journey. thanks for the nap

[@68HC060]

Hmm, I'm a bit concerned about the dog-holes. Since the table-top is MDF and that MDF isn't that thick, you can't really use the dog-holes for things that require high strength. They'd be fine for drilling holes through boards and perhaps also for clamping down to the table-top. I'm also thinking about sawdust "snowing" down on your tools below. You could probably make the dog-holes stronger by coating the table-top with epoxy, but it won't make it extremely durable. On the other hand, you could make some long 'bars' or 'rulers' that have dowels in them, which fit into those dog-holes. That would distribute any clamping pressure. All this of course depends on how you use the workbench. ;)

[@clamage]

The top is not MDF, it's Valchromat which is much denser and stronger than standard MDF

[@68HC060]

Sorry about that, you're right, my mistake. :)

[@logicalChimp]

No worries with the sawdust - it will just collect inside the table-top... there's no holes through to the tools below.

[@68HC060]

The wide holes in the sides - they're there for temporary putting hand/power-tools. -I guess it won't be a big problem, just a little tedious now and then.

[@jakethesnake9528]

I guess I missed the explanation for top holes layout?

[@murphymmc]

Could have just run a 2x4 through the side slots and left about 6" sticking out, then you could use the slots in the end panel and clamped from all sides without worrying about full length clamps.

[@MattEstlea]

There’s a sliding dovetail in the way. I couldn’t run a 2x4 through the side slots

[@jamiesinteriors]

Lol I find it funny that there are more comments on this thread questioning your method for clamping the ends than there is acknowledging you for the incredible workbench you just built and for spending all the time you did film it and editing all so others could learn. I think you did an incredible job and I personally couldn’t care less how you chose to clamp your ends on. Well done Matt and thanks for sharing 👍

[@MattEstlea]

James Horton 😘😘

[@gizanked]

I don't know if your new pen is better or worse than the jesus pen. At least it works.

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Your carpentry is better than your turning, I'm crap at both though! Beautiful job Matt!

[@vmoutsop]

This was great but it seems like it would've been easier to just use straps. One big strap going around the whole table with blocks on the end and blocks in the middle and then crank down and tighten it and job done. I know you made this a long time ago and your way is more interesting but I'm just saying.

[@MaysWoodworking]

Gluing up big pieces is always a pain. I don’t have clamps long enough so I use the technique I used in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWa3cppmj6qJgZo that an old timer cabinet maker showed me. Maybe call it The Pathagrian Table sounds like something you would learn in math class even though I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist.

[@SirBenJamin_]

What I love about Matts videos is that he doesn't use stupid clickbait titles for his videos, like ULTIMATE THIS or ULTIMATE THAT!

[@titosrevenger]

You should check out Mike Farrington's "Very good router table" video. Mike knows where it's at.

[@Kami8705]

Just curious, given the small size of your shop, why go for such a large single table? Wouldnt it be more useful to have multiple smaller tables(maybe split that table into 4 pieces) all the same height that could either be put all together, or slid to the side if you need floor space or something?

[@68HC060]

If you're going to make things like a door, you must have one large surface. This will avoid the final product twisting. Someone I know once ignored the warnings and used two sawhorses ... ending up with a barn-door twisting 5cm (50 millimeters, yes!). After that, he got a new nickname: "5cm". -So either make sure your table is absolutely flat, or use the floor (which of course needs to be flat for this to work).

[@thethirdman225]

I’d use a couple of ratchet tie downs to clamp those ends. Just sayin.

[@matheusclarkson3358]

why those holes on the top are needed?

[@hogthrob]

They're for hold down clamps

[@smerd1]

Nice video Matt but how do you justify a £165 for a jig to drill some holes in a straight line🤔

[@billystray7007]

It doesn't just drill holes in a straight line it drills them at a perfect 90 degree angle with cnc like accuracy so you can use the holes for referencing your track saw and various other things

[@ericluba6287]

Sorry I didn't know the exact name of them but they're called miter spring clamps

[@lolaa2200]

and god created screws !! Or was it just a guy with no clamps long enought ?

[@heathminett]

Ratchet strap for a clamp

[@onlyme7939]

Glad to see the bench build coming along nicely👍 but what’s with the thumbs down?

[@patrickbishop8361]

Whatever happened to the Jesus pen?

[@MattEstlea]

Ran out of ink!

[@williamsimpson2083]

@@MattEstlea It should be full of ink after 3 days though

[@tommiestrydom973]

Ratchet straps

[@stevechandler2630]

PLEASE, PLEASE stop that horride music... EErrrrrrrr

[@barry99705]

bowchickabowwow!!

[@Kikilang60]

I'm not fond of miter joints. You can see the smallest mistakes across the room.

[@stanhawkins1023]

Finally! Hooray for not using the lathe.

[@intjonmiller]

Good grief, the music is bad. I mean even if this sort of thing is inexplicably your favorite style, at least use something less repetitive.

[@robertherzog2087]

I suggest when using background music that you don't play the same riff over and over. Play a complete piece at a low volume, otherwise it is so annoying, I don't watch the entire video.