Mike Siemsen, Workholding on Viseless Bench

[@MartinMMeiss-mj6li]

This is one of the best, if not the best, video on traditional hand-tool woodworking I have ever seen.

[@Caleb-vr1mi]

I got more information out of this video than I have ever watching any other KZbinr. This is quite refreshing and actually inspires you to become a better woodworker. Great information!

[@mikesiemsen7125]

I am glad you all have enjoyed the video.

[@Roganberg]

+Mike Siemsen Just found this today. Great video! I'm going to implement some of these methods on my bench. Please upload some more, Mike! :-)

[@lebensschueler]

Thank you a lot!!

[@redwolf7929]

Hi was that first holdfast wooden? Was the joint the only metal part?

[@mikesiemsen7125]

@@redwolf7929 The first holdfast is all wood just a tree branch where it leaves the trunk.

[@robbiekavanagh2802]

Ye

[@whyohwhy357]

The "whistle" of a sharp plane 😍. How can anyone downvote a man humbly sharing his knowledge?

[@lbeau061]

Good question!

[@polbecca]

Watching the ease at 10:10 for flattening the board makes me realise my big old wooden plane really needs a bit of sharpening.

[@thesawdustmaker.david.1182]

How refreshing to see another woodworker in the mould of Paul Sellers making excellent videos rather than the endless supply of videos featuring all the latest electrical gadgets.A video showing what is possible with the minimum of hand tools, old school style.Although I watch most of the current crop of videos I get the view that most are very skilled and talented machinists rather than dyed in the wool carpenters.Many thanks for an excellent tutorial Mike.

[@jubilantyogurt]

"the mould of Paul Sellers" - that would be, elite woodworker. Top 1%

[@Giganfan2k1]

I have Rex's Woodworking for humans series might be a thing you would really like.

[@jubilantyogurt]

Sum Arbor already subscribed, love his videos

[@Giganfan2k1]

@@jubilantyogurt we are getting spoiled. :)

[@jubilantyogurt]

@@Giganfan2k1 Indeed

[@jamescooley7849]

You carry on a timeless art my friend. My grandfather taught me woodworking with hand tools almost 50 years ago. I just finished a new workbench in my garage and the first project is going to be a birdhouse as I teach my grandson. Thats 4 generations of sawdust!

[@johnzx14rk94]

How is your new bench working out for you? I am building my first wood working bench.

[@jamescooley7849]

@@johnzx14rk94 just fine, I had trouble with cast holdfast failures but after I ordered some forged ones from Blackbear not a problem since. Already put on a cabinet makers vise. Plan to add a tail vise this year.

[@richwallace4632]

I’m tickled to watch an instructional video that doesn’t insult me, or bore me with 20 minutes of talk before touching a piece of wood. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning old school traditional wood working. Can’t wait to see more. Thank you.

[@jimherchak7505]

Great video! There are countess others on BUILDING a workbench, but this is the best one I've found on how to USE one.

[@daveclarke175]

This guy just blew my mind. I have been watching lots of videos on using a work bench. Always involved a lot of very expensive clamps etc. Mike just showed me more with a board with a notch in it. I'm going to have a drink and contemplate life.

[@stauffap]

Then you might like Roy Underhills content as well. He also talks about such stuff.

[@drumboarder1]

I'm certainly interested in this myself but I will point out that you can make rather cheap and effective vises yourself

[@koboskolors]

Mr. Siemsen, this videos was absolutely riveting. In todays woodworking world, everyone is led to believe that a beautifully crafed and stupidly expensive bench is a must have. I think it's horseshit. It would be impossible for me to express how important the content and absolute knowledge this video contains. I salute you sir.

[@jocelynbeauregard4456]

Totally agree!

[@Dunc2222]

@@jocelynbeauregard4456 So very well said.

[@davidrobinson7112]

The shrewd and technical aspects of woodworking seem to be unending. The more I studly it becomes more and more obvious that what I have used is a really small sampling of this woodworking world. I have found an all new hobby. I don't think I will run out of new skills to learn and develop. I thank all the presenters for the treasures you have offered.

[@VincentSmith1776]

My opinion, one of the top 5 best woodworking videos on KZbin. Thank you sir.

[@hassleoffa]

That was one of the best wood working videos I've ever seen. I was about to build a bench ... and I'm really tempted to go with a viseless bench. Thanks for your time and experience.

[@thisandthat176]

I can only say THANK YOU so much for sharing your knowledge! I often come back to this video as a reference. It's like an old book. Everytime fascinating!

[@houstonsam6163]

This is an amazing demonstration. For the first time this Reb wishes he lived up north so he could learn from Mike in person. Anyone building a workbench (as I am right now) must consider this mandatory viewing.

[@Dunc2222]

The depth of sophisticated knowledge and creativity here is remarkable. I never could have imagined that a holdfast would hold so effectively, or could be put to so many uses. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and inspiration, Mr. Siemsen.

[@LitoGeorge]

Exceptional video Mr Siemsen. Humour, ingenious information on how to make woodworking a pleasure, demonstrated skills in dimensioning wood for days. My only request would be that you upload in 1080p. Please. I think this may be the best video on the net on workholding. Thank you.

[@harrymason1053]

This is just about the best video, on this topic, on the internet. Good job Mike Siemsen. Others pay careful attention.

[@TheWrena440]

I swear these are the sharpest hand saws on the internet! Good job.

[@kmherethere]

Mike - just completed my viseless bench and I'm really happy with it! Thanks so much for the enthusiasm for this style of bench. I'm sure it will give years of service.

[@MrAdnauseam]

This is the best thing I've seen on the internet in ages. Love how informative, and peppered with dusty dry humor, this video is. I'm in the process of building a bench and will no longer be considering expensive vises. Thanks!

[@CreativeCarpentry]

it's a solid video with so much knowledge, unfortunately not many woodworkers I see use these techniques but rather have an expensive solution made by their video sponsor , and hands up I've got plenty of those solutions- each with their own problems!! I did learn from this and can't always say that so thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@61mab]

Really a great reward for time spent watching this extremely condensed informational vid! I've am sans bench with little room to have one, so I can see myself working in that direction. Went out and looked in my rollaway, found two very very old rusty tenon saws that might have been from my grandfather and I'm 74' so, old .. now I guess I'll be looking up 'how to sharpen a tenon saw' (rebuilding a rusty old drill press and an equally rusty circular saw so here's another project!) Thanks for the lesson! Now I know more than what direction to saw.

[@jwswt]

He just ripped a quarter inch 5 foot long strip without a guideline using only a handsaw and some pegs. That might be the most impressive thing I have ever seen.

[@bobhudson3286]

You said it.

[@mikejustice1196]

James Sweterlitsch You meant 3’?

[@svendmusic]

I thought the same thing. And he was so casual about it, too... a subtle flex, but an effective one. Respect.

[@jevincox166]

James Sweterlitsch rumor has it he was asleep when he planed

[@rorylobban4789]

You don't get out much huh?

[@donalfredisaac]

I watch lots of woodworking videos, and this is the first time I see how easily and securely a hold fast works and since I have no vise, that is what I´ll do. I know I´ll never cut as straight as you or Paul Sellers, but I´ll give it a try. Thanks Mike.

[@karlgibson7654]

42 years I've been working with wood & never seen so much that I never new in such a short vidio. Thank you now it's time to put all your add-VICE, on my new work bench. Chears from THE COFFIN MAKER.

[@pela2601]

Mr Siemsen, This video is really useful, I'm glad I found it. At the naked eye, I can see you have many years of experience. Just watching you cut wood is very rewarding, and it seems easy, but it's not! Thanks a lot! Diego

[@TitusLivy777]

An almost uncountably large number of ingenious ways to hold work without a vise! Thank you!

[@shamu7014]

Thank you for sharing your superb knowledge. I built a very solid MFT to use with my tracksaw and then became increasingly interested in hand tool woodworking. I had started to think the MFT was a mistake, as I was struggling to see how I could fit a traditional vice, but I think almost all of your methods can be made to work on it. This is a brilliant resource! Thank you!

[@wigennazarov6009]

Wonderful video, that's how it was done before the invention of vices. I didnt realise there is so much you could do without a vice. Thank you for this very informative video.

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

One of the best woodworking videos on youtube and believe me there are some awesome videos out there.

[@gregzoller9003]

Great video, thank you! I’ve accepted the “truth” that you need a leg vice and tail vice, at least, in order to perform necessary operations. You’ve relieved me of those misconceptions. Thoughtful use of some sticks, stops, and holdfasts will do the trick at a fraction of the cost vs fancy vices.

[@mandojr.torres6134]

Simplicity at its finest. I'm surprised the Aztecs didn't invent that. Thank you for such rich knowledge, Master.

[@goransteen5411]

Extreamly good video production on how to be self sufficient with the simplisity of handtools. Instructive and pedagogik presentation how to handle all needs of traditional Woodworking. Thanks for ideas and tradition you spreading around. To my disappiontment I did not find more videos on the subjekt on the Chanel.

[@Rocketninja200]

I thought I might not able to afford a good bench. This video has changed my entire way of thinking.

[@thethirdman225]

With everyone building elaborate Roubo benches with expensive vices, you kind of get forced into that way of thinking until you see something like this.

[@thomasabraham8988]

Simply fabulous 👍👍👍..as a beginner I cannot tell you how helpful this video has been..thanks plenty..😊👍..

[@johnraffensperger]

I’ve been looking at different bench designs for a long time, this is it. Many thanks for the excellent tutorial.

[@paramedialab]

I should spend many days watching hundreds of videos to get this knowledge. Thanks for saving my time. Great video.

[@oakfat5178]

Thanks for a fascinating and inspiring walkthrough of viseless options. I'm planning to make a Nicholson bench.and it seems lie the perfect candidate for going vise-free.

[@orbodman]

I keep coming back to this. I have a bench under construction as I write and now I must change the design so that I can accommodate hold-fasts on the front and rear aprons which I didn't have before in the plan. Love the no-frills approach

[@orbodman]

I think I'll even reply to myself. You see I do keep coming back to this.

[@beauxtx1959]

A MOST excellent bench video and that has to be the sharpest scrub plane that I've ever seen anyone use. WOW!

[@fisharmor]

I incorporated a lot of the ideas on this bench into mine. In particular the plane stop in the middle. This video is easily in the top-5 must-watch videos for anyone looking to get into hand tool woodworking.

[@mikesiemsen7125]

The sides or aprons are 1 1/2 inches with a 3/4 inch build up to give you 2 1/4 inches or 57 mm. The tops are 1 1/2 inch with a build up of 1 1/2 inch for a total of 3 inches or 76 mm.

[@LotharOstertag]

Thanks a lot from Germany! You just answered a lot of my questions!

[@linzierogers6227]

Several years ago i was in Ghana and observed a woodworker there. He used a similar type of workbench. The sides were different and used an adjustable board. This is a very informative video.

[@buzzmooney2801]

A terrific and EXTREMELY educational video! Also, if you ever do a video on sharpening tools, I want to see it. That's an art I've neglected for too long!

[@j.d.1488]

Nice, after retiring at 65 I just got into some woodworking. Man I wish I seen this earlier. Great video. Awesome bench

[@1HeartwoodSurgeon]

Mike knows his stuff. Thanks so much for sharing and teaching. My bench made it back to South Dakota just fine and is ready for work.

[@mikesiemsen7125]

+1HeartwoodSurgeon Glad you made it home ok. Great group of guys! Mike

[@Heseblesens]

Just came by this video today. Have to agree with all the other comments on here - great tutorial in the "old school stuff", the kind that never get old or out of date. I am to make me a workbench and there was a lot of good pointers and food for thoughts in Your video. Thank You for sharing with us!

[@phooesnax]

May be the most well done and interesting woodworking video I have ever watched. WOW......10 stars

[@joejamesmonroe1854]

Now this is what Im talking about when I speak of how things were done BACK IN THE DAY!!! Thank You so much Mike for giving me a view into what it was like to work back when hand work was THE ONLY WORK!

[@bluekingfisher1416]

I've watched this video before and came across it again today What a great bench, a practical workhorse, which looks simple and inexpensive to build. I am sure it would last a life time but if parts wear out or break it wouldn't be the end of the world to replace them I'm sure. Many of the benches show cased in KZbin land look like decorative furniture pieces with timber, hardware and vices in need of a small mortgage to finance the build, each to their own I guess but that bench is built for using. Really enjoyed the video and the methodology of work. Well done.

[@zacharyyoung1083]

Well, I’ve landed on a Nicholson Style bench now. I had been leaning toward a Moravian Style before but the versatility of this bench for hand work is beyond reproach. I can also see this style being far better for incorporating jigs and track style power tools, I could easily and quickly fasten router tables, track saw guides, drill templates, hinge templates, pocket hole guides... The innovations and expansion possibilities are endless really. Thank for the video!

[@bobhudson3286]

Subscribed after watching Mike for the first time.

[@kishorekrishnan9085]

I really think that this was the finest exposition of working on a classical workbench. Thank you

[@lestercantem7740]

Thanks Mike for an excellent and well explained demonstration on a Viceless Bench. Kind Regards, Lester

[@thebeav79]

Great video, Mike. Thanks a lot. I've gotta tell you that watching you cut wood so easily makes me really want to sharpen my tools. It looks like a lot more fun that way.

[@mark2designs607]

Excellent video! Watching a true craftsman at work.

[@Rideeon]

Truly amazing i'm just making a bench and was annoyed about having to have a vice etc and thinking of a few work around's, and suddenly this pops up. I know it's a few years late but this is exactly the way I was thinking of doing things myself. You've just proved my theory's. Awesome that new minds and old tested techniques still come together in a few places.

[@TaoDeInsane]

wow... for what I'm wanting to do in woodworking, this is a perfect style of bench. I was about to start building a proper woodworking bench, rather than a garage table with clamped vises, and now I know exactly what I'm going to build. Thanks a ton for this video, probably one of the more educational for overall woodworking that I've seen.

[@738polarbear]

I have come back to this as I am VERY impressed with it.That cloche hook is great.Understated man who really knows what he is talking about . You can just tell.

[@JacobLehman-ov4eu]

I am looking at making one of these. I've thought about using Rex Kruger's simple affordable design. I really enjoy thinking of woodworking in this way, getting away or minimizing power tools. very creative, and very well-done video. Thank you.

[@Huntfitter]

I ended up here because this was the next video after the one I actually selected. What a great video. So glad I found it...Like the others said, please do more videos...Really enjoyed it and definitely learned from it.

[@HWoodCreations]

Geez!! That old wood plane is a beast!

[@jeffnovak2565]

I love, love this video. Once again, it proves the folks in antiquity knew EXACTLY what they were doing and the work they did is still unequaled today. Thanks for an extremely informative video that makes me WANT this style of bench to compliment my hand approach better than what I'm currently using.

[@indigogolf3051]

Wonderful. Interesting, inspiring and educational. I have watched this several times now and still love it. Thanks.

[@leandersmith6184]

Great to see a guy actually working with his hands love the details of laying down the plane on the bench after finishing, love the finger guiding the handsaw but I have to find out where he bought that saw it cuts great thank you for sharing

[@jameswarner6105]

Great video Mike. Really appreciate your clear description of how to perform each operation.

[@embwee]

"a few dollars left to buy your favorite malt beverage"! thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@mtlvlgmnfishing]

Very awesome. I been building my work bench and been dreading buying a good vise because of limited funds but now no need to worry I will be useing this method instead for now anyway. Thank you

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

The first time you moved the Crochet, it totally caught me off guard. Love the subtle techniques!

[@jimcsnr]

Pure genius! very informative and entertaining, it's giving me lots of ideas. Cheers mate!

[@stefanopassiglia]

Superb video. Thank you so much. It deserves millions of views.

[@dont_wanna_tell]

Wow, so inspiring what is possible without a vice. Thank you so much!

[@Spthomas47]

I was watching his plane stops and how, fidgety? they were and thought it might be helpful to set them in the bench at a 45 (or degree of choosing, but a 45 gives the most support underneath) so they don't try and drop when changing/flipping boards. Kinda wish I'd seen this, and other, vids years ago. 🤘🏼✌🏽

[@paulmouradian8968]

So impressive, no vices and you have shown a variety of planing skills and use of this joiner bench without vices, I really like this video excellent

[@Ezpeazie]

"It lays there and behaves itself..." best line in any woodworking video ever.

[@scottmartin7717]

"it puts the finish on its board!"

[@GaryBowen73]

I have been watching woodworking videos on KZbin here for as long as KZbin has been playing them, and this is the FIRST time I have ever seen a "crochet"! Have you made a video on here about how to make this miracle bench you are using???

[@jimbucket2996]

Go to lost art press and get Nicholson's book. These benches are all over. I think rex kreager built one.

[@a.v.2242]

Many thanks for the excellent woodworking and carpentry lesson! Hats off to you, sir.

[@jordanrenaud-pq7rx]

In just 30 min. you have taught us more than most others. I think I prefer your teaching because it's so dead simple and so immediately obvious to the mind. BTW have you ever had a doe's foot split while using it?

[@cyohara4961]

This was a revelation to me. Many thanks for showing this skill

[@markwilkinson2250]

Thanks so much for the new perspective. I have been redesigning a shop wall to add bench space, within limits, and your video helped influence my design decisions. I can add hold fast and dog holes without concern for adding a vice for nearly all of my working needs. Great video.

[@odrade1]

Thank you for making this video, and for sharing it on KZbin. I have worked on a vise-less bench before; however, I still learned some new things from your video.

[@grendel4711]

What a brilliant video! I am currently collecting ideas for my first "real" workbench, and this gave me a lot to think about. Thank you very much for this great lesson!

[@jungsomewhat]

Wow quality, craftsman and Sharp tools go hand in hand ..so interesting to watch..

[@gijoe1682]

Absolutely marvelous bench and design.

[@TheHeraldOfChange]

Thanks for this. I found it very interesting and there are several ideas here that I will integrate into the making of my own work bench. I find vices to be tricky to make and expensive to buy, so this video has shown me a whole new way of looking at the situation and achieving a very respectable workaround. Brilliant! Thanks.

[@bigwaywardbill]

I was reading , the Lost Art Press Blog and found you from that, I don,t know how I missed you before. I have been puttering about a few years now , not very well lol. Any way I never understood the Nicholson benches , until now. I see its a very effective bench without a Vise wow. I shall indeed take some of my saving for a favorite malt beverage . Good Job Look forward to more.

[@sensebio]

About to build my own, best video ive seen, thank you for sharing

[@DaveBardin]

A wonderful demonstration and good start to finish. Thank you sir for your time and effort.

[@hippychippie1]

Knowledgeable, information packed half hours first class instruction Head and shoulders above most. Thankyou

[@brisco4072]

The best channel on KZbin only has two videos?

[@maineiacacres]

Mike, thanks so much for your videos, I really wish you would make some more for us. Your laid back style makes it easy to follow you. I recently bought your NWW video set (downloadable) and have enjoyed it immensely, especially the tool hunting. Its well worth the $27 just to catch your jokes. Pretty sure this will be my first bench and I can easily see myself not installing a vise.

[@billholt8746]

Excellent video. Clear, concise and useful. Thanks.

[@Studiofilos]

The best video i've ever seen about wood work

[@pauldixon6654]

Sir i am at present finishing my first ever bench and have been following Paul Sellers. The problem i have is a vice to finish my project off with. That before i saw your video that is. What a splended video well thought out well made. well done sir. Iwill be keeping an i on your future videos. THUMBS UP. Many thanks for shareing and will be byeing your video.

[@zekearchuleta6061]

Mike, I'm currently making a bench similar to yours, Excellent ideas, Couldn't figure out what Novisatol was, Then realized as I was going to Web MD when it hit me, DAH ! Great Video thanks for sharing your knowledge, Blessings from Apple Valley, Ca.

[@avg2212]

A minimalistic workbench, beautiful! Thanks for sharing the simple way.

[@AndrewMorgan666]

Thank you for the video, very helpful indeed, I am lucky enough to have an excellent carpenters vice, but even then they are not always capable of doing everything we require of them, and that's where your video helps to educate.

[@tummy_fritters]

great video. I would have never known about the versatility of holdfasts and such. And seeing as I've just started getting into woodworking, it's nice to know I can save a bit of money

[@bunnylovenuts8680]

A friend sent me the link to this and - wow - I'm sure glad that he did. Even if someone has little to no interest in hand tool woodworking, it is so fascinating. Easy and interesting to watch, good pace .. just great and informative viewing. Thanks for posting!