My home office Moravian workbench with new custom add-ons and mods

Since finishing my Maple & Mahogany Moravian-style workbench about a month ago, I'm still hooked and I can't stop tinkering... These are a few recent custom additions and a few quirks of my home office Moravian hand tool workbench.

[@nickmastro9287]

Very impressive! Whatever keeps you interested in hand tool woodworking is worth doing. I stopped woodworking about 30 years ago and regret it. I’m now retired and have decided it’s time to restart. Watching your videos are an inspiration. Keep up the good work!

[@benconstruct]

Good stuff Sean-can’t fault the Lie Neilson purchase- sentiments go with you with the used & abused look 🙂

[@drivethru1835]

Great job A.

[@MichaelGershman]

If you're still "dialing in" your #4, I suggest you come to a drop in class Urban Woodworker school. Owner/teacher has a relationship with Lie Nielsen and he is super knowledgeable about hand tools. The shop is fully stocked with LN and Veritas tools that you can try before committing to a large purchase.

[@edalling]

Wow. This is unreal. Love how thoughtful you were with the little bowl and extra tool holder. Will be adding one to my bench.

[@jcsrst]

BEautiful!!! Was curious about the leg vise attachment, any issues with it being angled?

[@999Eikes]

Not really, pretty smooth operation until about 6” out and then it bogs down a tiny bit

[@redC16]

Happy you're uploading and sharing again. Inspired me to go down the Moravian route myself

[@999Eikes]

That's awesome!! I've never seen a Roubo in action, but the Moravian has been surprisingly sturdy so far.

[@nholly86]

Beautiful work, a Piece to be proud of!

[@colemine7008]

Such lovely work. I hope to make something that lovely in the future.

[@steverochon1620]

Let me start by saying how beautiful this bench is! I've been planning a workbench for years now, and two things have stopped me: I have no sense of urgency, as I do have a maple bench I made 25 years ago when I did more machine work (it is not great for hand tool work, but I can get by with it), and, I'm constantly putting other projects in front of a bench build. Yours is inspiring, and I've been leaning towards a Moravian style bench crossed with Roubo characteristics (I suppose most benches are hybrid mutts of some sort!). Your video provoked two thoughts: 1.) The mark of a craftsman (I'm told) is the ability to hide and/or fix their mistakes. You don't need to apologize for anything that you had to "adjust." With the investment you're making in your craft, you'll be better in one year than you are today (but not as good as you'll be in 10). You should feel good about the level of work you've achieved, and it's no one's business as to the path you took. The bench is awesome! As for investing in fine tools before "you're ready," I've gone that route of buying and refurbishing old hand planes, saw, etc. Unless you're a collector of ancient tools, it's not worth your time. I have several LN tools that I've purchased (and Bad Axe, and Starret, and....), and the quality of tool speeds up your learning curve. The expression is "always buy the best tool you can afford," and there's nothing said about your skill level. The only ones who have to apologize for buying expensive tools are the ones who don't use them regularly! You've earned a new subscriber. Your work is appreciated!

[@999Eikes]

Wow, what an amazing comment! Really appreciate the time it took you to write that out. Your kindness and support means a lot, especially starting out!

[@cerberus2881]

L&N planes are sweet, so is that bench, great work. Making use of sacrificial plywood scraps when sawing and chopping takes care of the tool you worked hard to build.

[@999Eikes]

Great tip

[@zephyr-s]

Love the bench, the contrasting woods look amazing. The fill ins also look brilliant. There are no mistakes, only re-designs! :)

[@johncbrownmd]

Great build and you are obviously very proud. I liked and subscribed.

[@999Eikes]

Thanks John!! Yes, very proud. It represents a big milestone for me personally in my development as a woodworker. Appreciate the sub!

[@kurtstubenhofer9704]

Just discovered your videos tonight, I love the bench as a smaller but very functional cousin to a roubo. Already dreaming about making one. Also like your "just you" narration, keeping it real. Thanks!

[@999Eikes]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@richardthompson1225]

Outstanding job

[@jonbontz]

In the final stages of my Moravian workbench build. I have my Benchcrafted Glide Vise assembly, but Benchcraft is advising me NOT to install it on a angled leg, but rather they insist it needs to be installed vertically. I love your design, so wonder about any impaired functionality with the angled installation of the glides?

[@999Eikes]

Good question, that was one of my concerns as well, but it’s great. It’s at about a 15 degree angle and it’s smooth as butter until about 8 inches out from closed and then it seems to bind a tiny bit past that. But it’s perfect for my use case since I rarely need to clamp something bigger than 8 inches

[@PhoenixRising-nm1he]

Lovely work. Function over form but form well considered. One small point; there is a (contentious) belief that a plane should be rested on its side, never be laid with the blade down. In fact I, and many others (hence that contention), very much doubt it makes any difference, but that is what I was taught, and it has stayed with me for 70 years!! I feel uncomfortable when I see one sitting upright! :o)

[@999Eikes]

Thanks so much for commenting! I do know where you're coming from regarding the plane resting on it's sole. I'd certainly be careful not to lay it on a steel surface, but wood is probably ok since it's a lot less hard than steel? Either way, something to be safe with rather than sorry! Thanks for the tip

[@Rudimentary007]

Damn nice.👍🇺🇸

[@brianpeers]

Your comment about that mistake reminds me of an old woodworking mantra slightly exaggerated but true according to my experience is that “there is no mistake, just a design opportunity”. Being there, done that more than once. Often with thought the end result is better than the original intention.

[@999Eikes]

Well said!

[@robertfontaine3650]

Definitely overkill. As a desk its great decoration.

[@chipreier1]

How is it overkill? It looks like a great blend of form and function to me.

[@randypowell4799]

It shows his craftsmanship.

[@Justin-fb7ni]

yeesh