The incredible English Joiner's Bench

[@MyFilmfan]

Hi Im a retired English Joiner sometimes called a time served (Bench) Carpenter, starting an apprentership in 1975, my first job at 15 was to make a complete bench in this style for my employer, from the start I worked at that bench for the next 48 years, making and assembling bespoke windows and doors for old English houses, "Never is your work a better lesson than surviving to the day you retire". I had to perchase my tools with my wages each week more than 50%, I retired after my employer his son gave me the bench now more than 50 odd years later I still have it and use it regularly.

[@vlat]

My grandfather was a cabinet maker in Yugoslavia from before the second world war till he passed in the 80's. Im not sure where his bench came from but it sure looked like it could tell some stories! Would be great to see your bench after 50 years of use!

[@Thisismetman]

Amazing!

[@29jug11]

From aged just 15 years, then for the next 5, I was apprentice in a traditional English joiners shop, with no power, and only GAS lighting... The three benches, were circa 12 feet long, with wooden, screw vices on opposite ends. Two joiners worked on each one, they could construct a standard door each without hindering each other. Each bench had a deep central well for tools etc, including a linseed oil pot for making the wooden planes slide like silk. ALL sawn joinery timber was strapped square, straight and out of winding using looong Jack Planes... The sounds of singing super-sharp blades, plus the smell of freshly cut finest Red Deal stays with me today. ....I very pleased to see that you have bedn taught to point your finger whilst using a saw.....brilliant! I was a professional jobbing joiner and then an exhibition joiner for over 25 years..... at 82 I still use my tools and lathe in my tiny 8ft by 12ft workshop.

[@WarrenPostma]

TOY MAKER never heard of the linseed oil trick. Got any sharpening tips and tricks?

[@JasperJanssen]

So this would have been in the early to mid fifties, still using gas lighting? Huh. I suppose that makes sense, it would have still been city gas and not natural gas at that time, and the old lamps would have hung on in spots... and yet in my mind, the electric lighting revolution was mostly complete by WWII, but it makes sense that it would only be the natural gas transition in the sixties that really killed off gas lighting.

[@29jug11]

Jasper Janssen ....Thanks all for your interest.... All of our large rip sawing was done at another yard across the town Main Street... we used an old gas engine connected by a belt to a huge guard-less circular saw... the kind seen in museums and at shows now.... smaller power sawing was done on a tiny petrol engined circular saw, it used to fill the workshop with deadly fumes. This was 1953 to 1956 when 3 phase power was installed.... I was the kid who got his ear clipped for wasting my tools money on a small WOLF power drill....within 3 years, all the joiners had one, plus other power tools. We made ALL joinery from sawn including stairs and cabinets.... as well as MAINTENENCE joinery locally... Sharpening tips ? A jobbing joiner, sharpens, on the hoof so to speak.... every month or so, we were allowed a sharpening morning, for saws and all bladed tools....I still have my wooden and metal planes, plus a shelf full of wooden moulding planes and rabbet planes.

[@elephantsmemory3142]

@@JasperJanssen There were a few houses in Leeds that were gas only The last ones were demolished about 1957 My eldest brother got one when he married in 1955 I am 75 now and he is 86

[@Finsirith]

As a non-woodworker, I have to ask--what does pointing the finger while sawing do? Thanks.

[@zacfeno]

Everything about the video is great and all, but has anyone ever told you that your enunciation is impeccable.

[@rjmills126]

Hahahaha

[@philipgrice1026]

While living in California many years ago my then 70 year old father, a retired English cabinet maker, came for a two week vacation. I took the two weeks off so we could spend the time together. I got a panic call from a client and had to spend a day sorting out their problem so my Dad said he'd be happy reading while I was gone. I returned that evening to find a joinery bench in my garage, made from some 1" plywood and a few 2x4s that had been up in the rafters. Using my carpentry hand tools and fasteners from the bottom of my hessian carpenters bag and a tube of builders adhesive off my shelf he had built a sturdy bench for me complete with saw holding slots and a trough for larger tools. He'd also sharpened my blocking plane as well as oiled my Yankee screwdrivers and ratcheting brace, all of which he'd given me over the years. He's passed now, but, thanks Dad. That bench lasted me until I retired and moved north to build a new home. I built furniture, a shed and many, many shelves on that bench. I also rebuilt several car and motorcycle engines and gearboxes on it. When we packed up and moved north I planned to bring it with me but realized I could easily build a new one so it was donated to a local HS carpentry shop. I heard that several replicas were built there soon after. You can't beat a good bench, and an English framing bench is like grandpa's shovel. It may have had all the parts replaced more than once but it's still a terrific framing bench.

[@PaulMann8666]

My Dad was a very skillful "hobby" carpenter (machine toolmaker by trade) and built himself a bench like this in our outhouse - shed for Americans, except that our northern English outhouse was solid bricks and mortar on a thick reinforced concrete base with a thick reinforced concrete roof. WWII had only recently ended. I also had six years' "woodwork" lessons at school, with a great Scottish teacher-carpenter, Mr Goggins. Another kind and gently strict inspiring man, like my Dad. When you got it wrong, they made you believe you could do it better, and showed you how to find out how. Good men for a boy to look up to. The bench at home, and the benches in the school woodwork shop all had the well in the middle, which your, Rex's, one doesn't have here. That well is very useful for not losing tools, but also for squaring things up. Thank you for the inspiring video. You do a grand job.

[@17244852]

Oh boy did this ever bring back memories. I was an apprentice in Liverpool in the 1960's and as was usual in large company settings we had an engineering workshop. We just did 'everything' in house. Woodwork, welding, electrics [me] painting. It. Was. Glorious. Honestly. I went to university much later but my real education was with a mixed group of tradesmen and a gang of labourers who were mainly ex-merchant seamen. The first thing I learned was respect. Be polite. Or get slapped upside the head. I spent hours at one of these benches. I enjoyed your video so much, it brought back wonderful memories.. Thank you.

[@rorychallands8516]

"And carefully remove the waste..." *smacks it with a large hammer* I love your builds, Rex. They're always refreshingly honest and informative and a wonderful antidote to the Perfectly Inlaid Dovetail Brigade.

[@sailingkiel]

Why are you snubbing Paul Sellers? :)

[@seabreezecoffeeroasters7994]

@@sailingkiel I am toying with making the Ply version of Pauls bench and downloaded the Plans but I love don't stress the little things Rex approach. Somewhere in middle is the likely result ;)

[@gregmislick1117]

@@seabreezecoffeeroasters7994 Build Rex's joiner's bench, then use it to build Paul's top, shorten the legs on Rex's bench and attach Paul's top right over the 3 planks of Rex's and you should have about the most solid top to a bench as you would ever need....double sided too!

[@michaelstanley6466]

sailingkiel I love those also, just for different things. ;)

[@larryschweitzer4904]

I've got a very old, German made bench that I've had for 40+ years. It was old when I got it. I like the design. Heavy beech construction. Wooden side & end vices with steel hardware. Square holes run the length of the bench with spring loaded bench dogs. Tool tray along the back edge with sloping internal ends to allow easy sweep out. I've added supports on the legs so long parts can be clamped in the side vice, on edge, and be solidly supported. The key to its usefulness are the vices and bench dogs. Nice video!

[@1337flite]

This reminds me so much of my granfather's work bench. He was a cabinet maker, he started his apprenticeship when he was 12 or 13 in the 1930s - trained here in Adelaide South Australia. Not sure if he was born in England or here in Australia but in that time and place he was definatley trained in the English tradition. His bench was about 3.5-4 metres long and had a leg in the middle front and back for a total of 6 legs. He didn't have diagonal braces accross the front, but he had a shelf about 6inches off the floor, that was built on a frame that was lap jointed to the legs. He kept his long clamps a tool box and some hand held power tools on that. He also had a rough set of drawers between that shelf and the bottom of the front apron, where he kept hardware - nails, brads, screws, bolts, hooks, latches and the like, to the left of the vice. That thing was sturdy. I was forever spoilt by that man. I can never look at a piece of stapled together craftboard "furniture" and be happy with the slop, and the flex in it. Seeing those old benches at the start of this video really bought back some memories of being covered in saw dust and shavings, planing, cutting and hamering away at that bench. Thanks.

[@valcouren]

Watching your videos humbles me. The fact that I got to help you learn the basics of smithing when you had such a deep understanding of woodworking; something I find difficult, if not abhorrent; makes me feel so small. This encourages me to begin again in smithing and I have you to thank for it. My name is Robert Volanski. I was the guy with long hair and a longer beard If that isn't enough I was the guy with a broad, happy face that tried to help anyone with an interest in learning. I will be back in Burton and I hope to see you again. My absence has been far too long. Hope I didn't ramble to much.

[@dworkeen]

Like this guy, he has respect for old style carpentry but he's not burdened by obsessive ways. And this is one of the few times I've seen a brace being use - it all makes sense

[@shaddec55]

Yeah, hate how augur bits always get away from you on a power drill. Never occurred to me to use a brace! ("Duh"" moment...) Anyway, now I gotta buy one.

[@vmitchinson]

The best thing about augor bits is the screw on the business end. It pulls the augor into the wood and the operator of the brace only has to exert enough pressure to guide the and drill the hole. A twist bit requires a lot more pressure to drill the hole.

[@xw6968]

Lew Hunt what did he learn from it then?.🤷‍♂️ Then best build a better one.

[@m4ckm4n59]

I've just bought a work bench off ebay that is very similar to the ones mentioned in this video. I feel honoured to have bought it. The old boy must have spent many decades using it. He was a professional cabinet maker and carried on well into retirement. honoured to have it. Edit. I'm in England BTW.

[@PerfectPencil]

As someone who is building their own workshop from scratch, i really appreciate your videos, Rex. Every other video I see on youtube requires an already set up workshop to build this stuff, which is frustrating because if I had it, i wouldn't need it!

[@Dilophomasnaurus]

"let me show you how to build this workbench for $30! Step one is to use your $5,000 specialty power tool in your fully tricked out workshop and..."

[@starshot5172]

Yeah, really helpful for learninh the why's and how's for woodworking! I really enjoy the woodworking community in general

[@ricardolandgrave2532]

I agree completely, this is why I love channels like this and Paul Sellers. Mr Sellers builds a bench also without the need for a bench in the first place.

[@dc-wp8oc]

@@Dilophomasnaurus I get the same feeling when some YT presenter is using a $500 hand plane, or a $300 bench saw or a calvary of not so cheap clamps, to make wood construction projects. How did our forefathers ever get by?

[@aaronsilverberg2137]

I particularly like the way you make this more like the history of woodworking than merely another build with swanky music. I like the way you are acknowledging the lineage of woodworking - giving homage to our ancestors, who paved the way with little to no acknowledgement. I'm 66 years old and wanted to be a woodworker when I was 16 but because of a cranky old woodshop teacher who couldn't give a rip about a young lad - it took me half a century to make good on my love of woodcraft. Thanks for feeding that old fire!

[@confusedbadger6275]

Every woodworking classroom in England had those work benches in them. At least till I left school in 84 anyway. Had them in the shop fitters I worked at as well.

[@thomasrooney6909]

Same in New Zealand, I used benches like those in the early 2010s for my word working class.

[@con_boy]

My dad is 68, he has one of these made by his grandfather who was a joiner.. it's still the centre of the work room.. (we're from the UK)

[@con_boy]

It's in the background of this video I did years ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH3Cd6FvrK-qrK8

[@jubilantyogurt]

I circulate a lot of DYI and especially wood working channels and it's such a delight to see how down to earth you make things. You dont use tools regular people dont have and you even make it a point that everything doesnt have to be perfect. Perfect stops a lot of people getting starting doing instead of worrying thinking.

[@qualix7]

Yes! Exactly why I love this channel too! "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good"

[@terumiukueda3405]

Nice work, enjoyed the video very much reminded me of woodwork in school, one thing though my teacher would have gone ape if we put our planes face down with blade on bench always taught lay them on theirs sides. From 73yr old Englishman, somethings you never forget

[@billythemav]

I built this bench and am very happy with how it turned out. Very functional and a good project to learn on. 10/10 will continue to build Rex’ projects and watch every video.

[@markadams5462]

Finally finished! I planned off about 1 mm (1/32) of the weathered surface of each board to reveal the absolutely beautiful colours of the wood. When I had finished all the cutting and levelling and boring holes for the dogs, I applied a coating of 50-50 Linseed oil and mineral turpentine. That really brought out the colours of the wood. I fitted retractable wheels between the legs at each end so I can move the bench around by myself. Aussie hardwood is just that - hard, and heavy. I've fitted a leg vise and crochet. This bench is so solid that I told my grandson that one day it will be his when his father kicks off this mortal coil. I'm putting a memorial plaque on the bench to the memory of the old man neighbour of mine when I was a kid. I have some of his hand tools that I can still use with the new bench. Now I can get stuck into making a shooting board, saw sharpening vise, blade sharpening station and whatever natty tool Rex introduces.

[@thewalnutwoodworker6136]

good job!

[@Doc-Holliday1851]

Just finished my own version of this bench today. I put a recess down the middle of the bench so I can place my tools down without risking them being knocked off. This thing is a beast of a bench. It easily weighs 200+ lbs, and is crazy secure. Very glad you brought this bench to my attention. I was literally working off an old kitchen table before.

[@Stinger296]

Great idea. I'm curious, where is your recess, in that middle spot of the frame? What are it's dimensions?

[@Doc-Holliday1851]

@@Stinger296 it runs right down the middle, the whole length of the table. I had to cut away some material from the original plans to accommodate it. It’s dimensions are just wide and deep enough to fit a speed square.

[@BalestraWorkshops]

Thanks for this, a great video that brought back some happy memories for me. I was an apprentice joiner in the 1980s in a northern English Joiner's shop, making doors, windows and staircases and I used a massive recessed bench like the ones you shown earlier in the video. For my input I can say that I wasn't aware of them ever being used in one-off projects (where a simpler more improvised bench would be made e.g. such as a flat piece of ply over saw-horses with a vice attached) but rather in joiner's shops only. Also the essential part was the central recess for tools because it is impossible to lay e.g. a large flat door on it with tools in the way. Another part was a massive drawer just set to the side of the vice to stash all your tools in overnight - this would be secured by a hidden 6" nail dropped in to a hole in the table recess which would in turn fall into the backside of the drawer as a stopper to prevent entry. Each night I would drop the nail in and put a few shavings over the top to hide it. Hope that all helps!

[@jeffadams111]

Almost identical to my old man's bench. He was - you guessed it - a joiner in the 1940's working in England.

[@linetiilikainen2755]

Did your dads bench have a toolwell?

[@jeffadams111]

@@linetiilikainen2755 memory suggests a relatively shallow central channel. I'll ask him. He's still with us.

[@linetiilikainen2755]

@@jeffadams111 Thank you. Im in the process of coming up with a design for my own bench. Could you be so kind and ask your father why the toolwell is always in the center on the english joiners benches? Where they designed to be used by two workers? Would be interesting to know. Here in sweden they are always at the front of the bench.

[@dannydethanos6994]

@@jeffadams111 my best guess would be something like a spot to place trim when finished or a unique shape of cut that’s easier to shape or cut with a small drop off. I’m so excited for the answer though I always love that epiphany that happens when you hear how ingenious a lot of these designs really are.

[@jeffadams111]

@@linetiilikainen2755 well, there were some thoughts that you could clamp work across the channel to give clearance for tools. Either that it's for your lunch, but the most likely is that it is simply for tools that might otherwise have rolled off or got lost. Apparently no cunning plan was intended. I guess when working on site, there was no guarantee of a flat floor.

[@guysolis5843]

Great explanation on the differences between wood glue and construction adhesive..Nice project. I used to show off my handi work to my first wife and she'd shrug it off even though I spent 2 days building it. My godsend wife volunteers to help me and often times has good ideas but she knows first hand what went into my project. Most people simply can't appreciate what goes into even the smallest project..great video..

[@Wateringman]

Ex UBC-NYC journeyman carpenter. You have a great deal of knowledge, and common sense about woodworking, and it is a delight to hear you share it. I could talk shop with you for hours. One caveat, you drill metals, and plastics; but wood, you "BORE". Ok! Keep up the good work you do.

[@denniswhite166]

Your simple and informative explanations throughout your videos make them ideal for us beginners. E.g. Wood Glue vs. Construction Adhesive

[@denniswhite166]

BTW: My skill level is "Monkey with a Saw.

[@jockmonque8435]

@@denniswhite166 That describes my skill level too.

[@danlay3126]

Let me put in my two-cents working in a modern Joinery factory (that's making doors and windows every single day) with Joiners from 43 to 70. ALL of them use this pattern of bench, they've built themselves at some point with offcuts from stock for windowsills, doors, etc. Right now I'm building myself a Roubo style bench for my home shop, and so I asked my coworkers (only been working here for a year) about their benches before I started designing mine. The main reason, as you mentioned in passing on the video, was the ability to modify and change their bench depending on what they needed out of it. Some of them had 'inherited' benches from people who used to work there and added/ removed things they felt were necessary. One even showed me the side of their bench, where you could see six layers of mdf glued and nailed to the bench top with a matching apron each time. He in particular never makes traditional doors, and so was more concerned about how banged up his bench top was than clamping doors into his vise. Some are on castors, others are bolted to the floor, the real #thejoinersbench

[@gregmislick1117]

You should get some pictures ( bench owner's permitting) when the shop is done for the day... those would be awesome to see!

[@danlay3126]

@Dixie Ten Broeck ^

[@sbooder]

Thought you would be interested to know, that these benches were the standard in British schools, in what we called 'Woodwork', which I beleive (correct me if I am wrong) that in the US you call 'Woodshop'? Cracking benches, and very stable. They only ever had a standard side vise (Vice UK) and always had skirts and centre tool wells.

[@brodiewells]

*Center. Sorry, just trying to be funny since you're pointing out spelling differences.

[@sbooder]

Yep, we spell it centre in the UK. It took me ages to get my first webpage to work properly because of that little difference.

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

I remember those school benches and would love to get hold of one in a sale. The ones we had at our school in Wales had tool cabinets underneath, each fitted out with the set of tools for each pupil.

[@LegatoVibrat0]

I just love this bench. It solves so many issues. Wonderfully, the low cost does not limit it - this is a professional woodworking bench and it is hard to believe all the things it can do. The Gramercy holdfasts work beautifully. Sanded them per the instructions and the hold is incredibly strong. The crochet is genius, and the layout of the holes for the dowels, dogs, and holdfasts is well thought out. Example: The front hole is offset from the rear one so you can use two holdfasts and wedge a board between them (1-1/2" x 3/4") and you have an instant planing stop or anything you need a solid fence for (or would that be a batten?) Thank you Rex!

[@dmc7324]

English joiner here of 42 years.I served half of my apprentiship on one of these benches. It's great to see your hands on approach and appreciation of this bench.

[@ItsMeChillTyme]

This kind of bench is quite common here in India. Carpenters use it for onsite work from what I have seen. Maybe the English passed that down to our craftsmen and that's been there since. I haven't finished the video yet just recognised it instantly.

[@richardchristie1293]

Maybe, but it's probably just as likely that, around 250 years ago in Bengal, an amateur carpenter in the East India Company spotted one of these and said "mind if I nip off with that for a bit?"

[@ItsMeChillTyme]

@@richardchristie1293 haha that's another possibility you never know really.

[@aloysiusjones3985]

I have just come back from India, nothing is square there I find it hard to believe.

[@_H_2023]

0:28 It's a school woodwork bench, we had these in school in the 70s. Our teachers taught woodwork and metal work and we spent a lot of time perfecting different ways to join various pieces of wood. The first thing you made was a teapot stand : ) No screws or nails where allowed in the lesson every thing had to be dowelled or with the correct joint. Those lessons are now consigned to the history bin as health and safety would not allow a pupil to hold a chisel or mallet now.

[@thecodingninjaisepic3561]

not true, i did wood work similarly in high school only 6 or so years ago

[@Tikorous]

@@thecodingninjaisepic3561 If I've learned anything from 60 year old guys in youtube comment sections it's that all my memories of sharp edges and power tools in high school were figments of my imagination. Everything that has happened in a classroom in the last 20 years is happy clap clap singalongs, a fact they gathered by sitting around being scared that the world is changing, and you can't argue with air-tight thinking like that.

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

I was a pupil in the 70's and I love those old benches. the ends of the troughs had angles so they could be brushed out easily.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

A few years ago, I built a 7'x30" "2 tier" bench/desk combo that I use in my small engine shop. The "desk" end us 4' wide and the top is at 30" so that I can roll my chair under it. The "work" end is 3' wide and 42" so that I can stand comfortably while working on lawn and garden equipment engines. I built it completely from reclaimed lumber and 1/2" OSB from my neighbors home remodeling project. My total investment is about $15 for a couple boxes of torx drive deck screws and a tube of Liquid Nails. I also used a glass top from an old coffee table that someone was throwing away for the desk top.

[@Tysca_]

Hey Rex, I've watched your shorts for a few months or so and decided to check out your long form videos. I'm way impressed! This is an awesome project for someone like me who has just enough skills and tools and space to be able to perform the actions, but not nearly enough to take on a woodworking project myself. This is such a great video and project that incorporates aged wisdom and modern culture that I feel compelled to make this thing in my city apartment. I'll let you know how it goes! P. S. I've got a vacuum, friendly neighbors, and a healthy respect for quiet hours. The bench might not stick around, but I'll give my hand at making it exist for a time! We also use a wood-burning stove, so if I use untreated lumber I'm happy for it to at-worst become a substantial amount of firewood for the winter. Very cool stuff, my guy!

[@adamguinnmusic5871]

It's funny I've been a carpenter for years. In the past year I was working on a timber framing crew. Doing that gave me a whole new appreciation for joinery and stuff which has now led me to being obsessed with Woodworking and building my own shop. So to me building a workbench like this is a no brainier. It's framing. Loving the channel man! Thanks!

[@OldSneelock]

When I built my son's tree fort we bought the assembly kit at a big-box store. It came with carriage bolts. Just like you used here. The carriage bolts also had another little feature which was pretty cool. They came with washers that had a square hole in them that the shank of the bolt went through. They had little formed teeth on the backside of the washer so the washer went into the bottom of the countersunk hole, then the carriage bolt went to the washer. That way later, years and years later, when we took that tree fort apart I was able to spin the bolts out without them spinning in the wood. The little square shank holds pretty well when you're tightening it up when it's a brand new bolt, but once it gets a little age on it it doesn't work anymore. The thing starts spinning on you. So those little washers are a pretty cool idea.

[@theMrFouldsy]

I'm so glad I found this channel, it makes the projects approachable without an expensive workshop.

[@stuartburton1167]

Used to make these on site from offcuts. Took about an hour to knock a rough one together. Other tradesmen with fancy folding aluminium benches used to sneer but quite often would end up making their own

[@zoutewand]

I feel like it directly shows your workmanship to the customer. Do you give them away to the customers or do you tear them apart after you're done?

[@stuartburton1167]

@@zoutewand They often got stolen or used as firewood. Sometimes if I could be bothered I would carry it to the next job

[@laikatravels]

Very interesting. My late father was a joiner here in Newcastle on Tyne UK. He made a bench similar to some of the images you showed of ‘old English joiners benches’ in that it had a recessed/lower plank in the middle. I often wondered why he made it like this and just assumed it was down to the timber he had available at the time although the recess was handy to rest/steady something like a 2x4 when sawing. The bench used to sit out in our back yard and was exposed to all weathers but it still lasted for years. I often wish I’d thought to ask my father about it but he sadly passed away when I was 15 in the mid 70’s. Lovely to watch your video it brought back loads to great memories of making various projects when I was a kid with my dear old Pa. 👍

[@albertbillman9920]

I stumbled upon your channel a couple weeks ago when I was watching all of the videos I could about making a bench. One of you KZbinrs said don't just make something up. Well I did and I utilized a lot of scrap 2 by 4 and 4 by 4 as well as a dresser with a gangster lean. I like your content so my bench is done but I stumbled across this today. This is essentially what I just made up I only purchase Liquid Nails screws and casters for a total investment of $35

[@albertbillman9920]

I do a lot of stumbling when I'm in the shop😝

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

My father was a designer for the Educational Supply Association in England, which supplied most schools with their furniture. He was also a joiner in his own right, making doors, furniture and even ornate chapel screens for churches. He had a similar bench to this in his workshop, self made, and somewhat larger, but as well as having various tool adaptations (holdfast wells, vice etc) it incorporated a huge storage box which took up the space between the legs, in which more rarefied and little used tools were kept. These went back to at least my great grandfather, the family having been joiners generations back, and included planes for specific moldings, jigs and other obscure arcana. The storage didn't compromise the solidity of the bench, which was like an ancient stone altar.

[@chrisw3771]

I remember standing for hours at these benches at school in the UK in the 70's-80's most had a shelf underneath to put your bag on.

[@networkbike543]

60s as well

[@bighands69]

@@networkbike543 My father was using them in the 1940s at his school.

[@dapperdalminis1527]

I’m happy I found your video, I’ve scoured the internet for the “perfect” bench for me and I just started my first bench! And it’s this one. Minus hardware, under $100 as expected even with todays lumber prices. Thanks for the video!

[@phoenixfridge1495]

We used similar at school in 1970s 🇬🇧 About 6 foot long, very sturdy About 10 in the woodwork room Great bit of k8t Started my love of building things

[@clovislyme6195]

Had my father-in-law lived long enough he would have loved this - and all the instructional material on the internet. Born in London in the 1920s he came from a family of joiners. A quiet man, relatively short in stature but strong and skilled in his trade, he was always learning. He passed away in his fifties, leaving tools such as Norris Planes that people now keep in display cabinets, though I am sure he would prefer them to be in use.

[@alexbouthillier]

I have my grandpa's old joiner's bench his dad built years ago. It's got a nice rusty Yost patternmaker's vise on it that I'm slowly refurbing as well. I like the idea of keeping the wear and tear on it, but also want something flatter and with more features. This seems like a great nod to the old bench, and would look great next to it.

[@benjaminfrayser4392]

Like the bench; love the crowd source idea more. Just in case i miss out on the fun of the community build, I would like to suggest.... A moxon vise I added a twin-screw moxon to my bench using a 4' 1"-maple dowel ($7), about half of a maple plank ($14), and wood threading kit (~$50). Real easy to install, fun to make, cool to use.

[@tallmaris]

I found something similar in my garage when I bought my new house. It is old and wobbly but it works. A couple of extra features that it has are a sort of tool shelf on one end underneath the board overhang to use for tools or clamp holder. It also has a valley, meaning that the centre board is slightly lower, maybe an inch or two, that way your tools will not roll on the floor and longer pieces still have the front and back plank to sit on. Should be easy to add to your design by just taking a notch out of the ribs. Lovely thing!

[@wilsoncalhoun]

That center "valley" is also pretty useful for edge work. You can solidly wedge anything in there that'll fit (boards, windows, drawers, etc.) using appropriately sized scrap and it'll stay put while you do whatever you need to.

[@oliverlangrall2014]

I just built this from free scrap, im about 90% done and I'm really happy. It's my first workbench! All i need now is a vice :) Thanks!

[@DUDECOWSYR]

I bought a work bench at Grossmans in North Syracuse in 1979 for $39.99.It was a 10 minuet drive from my house and I had it together by noon. Never had to think about it again. I'm still using it and I didn't have to do all this work and was up and running in less time to watch this video. :)

[@jonathanmore1277]

I saw him use his tape measure in a unique way - on his hip, pulled out as needed. Total pro move, now a subscriber.

[@RussellBond13]

It won’t last long.

[@jkmt806]

I use that method every day. But you need a good quality tape and hold your finger on it to slow down the speed at the end.

[@glyndevonport7802]

Coach bolts are a very underrated fastening. Replace a couple of the screws in a shed hinge with coach bolts, can't be undone from the outside. A more secure shed.

[@shaddec55]

Use "Nylock" nuts on the inside. You can spin that bolt from the outside for years and never loosen that nut. (Okay: hinge with square holes would be just as effective with carriage-- "coach"-- bolts). Problem with carriage bolts with Nylocks is: they take a lot of force to turn, tend to ream out the soft wood they're attaching to; no way to keep the bolt stationary while attaching nylocks.

[@madeleinelily719]

@@shaddec55 if you want to use nylocks with carriage bolts you can pin the head of the bolt in place with a c clamp while you put the nut on

[@MontanaBallistics]

This guy is brilliant! I'm a joiner/carpenter and just by watching him and the subtle tricks he uses I can tell he knows what he's doing! Aside from the large hole milling, just use your dewalt 996 or 997 in 1st gear and gently pull the trigger. It'll go as slow as that (bigger than your power drill) manual drill... But he obviously enjoys building with old fashioned tools. I don't, I build using the latest tech available. Though occasionally it's more convenient and aesthetically pleasing to use your elbows.

[@johnfarinelli4208]

I made this bench over the holiday. I'm slow, and I only took about 1-2 hrs at most each day. I already owned a small vise that I incorporated it into one end. I still plan to make the foot vice for the front in the coming weeks, add the bench dogs, make some dogs out of 3/4" dowel. Experimented with different (cheap) materials as well. Local lumber yard had canadian pine 2x10, while the big box stores have southern yellow pine. Local lumber yard was more expensive, but lumber had a lower moisture content. I added a 3/4in sheet of MDF under the pine boards ( the pine boards I also planned down the edges and edge-glued together) for the top to give me a 2 1/4" thick top ( worked better with my vise). Also, I could not find 4x4 other than pressure treaded, so just glued up 2x4. Thanks Rex. Learning much from you.

[@uncleknife9887]

Thank's a lot for the plans Rex. Can't wait to build one. Respectfully, I'm gonna make the legs a bit taller to accommodate for my 6'3" height & 53 year old back. Other than that modification, I think it should be a killer bench for me. Much obliged for your kindness, Go Easy Pimp!

[@partlycloudy5049]

Rex, I like your style. I’ve subscribed. I remember building things with my Dad using all the hand tools in this clip. Everything was planed, sawn, and drilled by hand. Gosh I miss that. Thanks

[@TheBuccy]

The driving power of a brace and bit is tremendous.

[@andymckenzie8031]

Yup. My brace produces a LOT more torque than my drill or impact driver.

[@xavier1964]

@@andymckenzie8031 That is actually wrong, modern drivers have way more tourqe than you can get with a brace. The reason it feels like the brace has more tourqe is because when hand drilling holes your body is applying force from multiple directions which makes it feel like it takes less.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

I have a brace I'm not even sure how old is. It could be between 50 and 80 years old.

[@capnskiddies]

@@xavier1964 so the body can apply more torque with a bit & brace than the driver, but the driver uses just a wrist so it can't keep the bit from camming out?

[@billywindsock9597]

The benches we had in my school were all like these. I learnt all my joining skills on these.

[@hikdingle2210]

I learned all my jointing skills behind the school.

[@DavidGodwin57]

Grandpa was a joiner he learned his profession from his father who moved to America from England. My Father and I made a bench when I was in Jr. High School there was NO glue of any kind in it's construction. We used mostly screws and carriage bolts in it's construction. This way you can replace any parts that fail as you need to. belive me it got pounded, sawed, and drilled into, especially when I was learning to use the Brace and Bit. Thank you for this video!

[@Daddywaah]

Wow, this bench looks like a fantastic project for a beginner wood worker to learn some solid basic skills, and at the end of it I will have a top shelf work bench to continue learning and making on. Win win!

[@tazmankb26]

Just getting into woodworking at age 55 (built my first cabinet last weekend). Rex- this video was well done and has inspired me to build it. Your explanation and detail was awesome. Thank you! Now headed to your store to get plans, then like and subscribe!!

[@riopandel9109]

I've never seen such a big brain move than what Rex did with the tape measure

[@MichaelCampbell01]

Only thing that makes me slightly cringe is letting it slap back; I have seen the holes elongate over time on the ruler stops. But, tape measures are cheap enough that that's more a theoretical issue than practical.

[@iancurrey5218]

I’m English grew up in England an more importantly in this context went to school in England in the 70s. Your bench with the vice and “well” is very familiar to me. EVERY school had a shop FULL of them - enough for a whole class to work one or two boys on each. The well was where we hooked a saw-board that allowed us to cut supported stock without cutting the bench (clever and seldom seen these days). There are several key things about the size and function but those I’d have to recall standing in front of one. Just to say you’ll find the spacing allows all sorts of clamping and holding effortlessly. So schools! ...with a standard bench.

[@eddlr8074]

Thanks for this - what does a saw board look like? (A quick Google only turns up power tool related stuff. ) thanks

[@paulc1198]

Hiya Rex! First of all, Thank You for enabling the purchase of the plans for this bench, which I finished building yesterday. "Any monkey with a saw" you said about making half laps -- well, the first attempt was quite ragged but functional; and by the time I got to the 16th half lap, I was quite proud of the result. I followed your plans to the letter, which led to one interesting problem. The 4x4 ribs are 24" in the plan; but they were one inch too short for my bench. I realized finally that I was using 2" x 10" hemlock that is a full 2" and 10", hence the one inch discrepancy that was easily remedied. My next project is to build the vise that you have built, and then the six-board chest: one for each of my 4 grand-girls. Thanks and Be well ...Paul

[@fdort3971]

@rexKrueger thanks for the lesson. Take the scrap 4x4's for mini legs. The plank...cut slots for tools to sit in and screw them on top of the 4x4 scraps. Drill dowel holes into the bottom of the 4x4's and corresponding corners of the bench. Make the dowels easy to remove if you need to use the whole top.

[@fdort3971]

Thanks for the lesson and clear explanation

[@bbocjcp]

These were the standard design for schools in the UK during the '70s. When I was at school, woodwork and metalwork were part of the curriculum. This style of bench is what all of the woodwork shops had in them. It would allow two students to work at the bench on opposite sides with the tool/work well in the centre.

[@charliepenman1319]

Hey Rex, just so you know. Every high school in the UK use these benches in their vocational education departments. Thousands of them still in use and still being produced

[@michaelbaguley2402]

Sane in Australia...well, they are better. Ours include a channel in the middle which is very useful to wedge/hold woodwork against.

[@petemulhearn7787]

I remember benches like these from when I was at school in the UK in the late 1950s

[@dancampbell167]

Maybe across the pond... to the US. We still have them in schools in Canada, that is, when you can find a school that actually teaches wood shop.

[@dancampbell167]

Sad situation that's for sure. My shop teacher still had 9 fingers, so he must have been a pretty good woodworker...

[@clappercl]

Thank you Rex for continuing to fight woodworking snobbery! I'm on a few facebook groups including a workbench builder group and I'm off to post this video there 😁😂🤣 Let the fires burn!

[@richardwebb2348]

Craig - fighting 'snobbery' with willful ignorance and lack of historical knowledge is not instructive.

[@clappercl]

Ah, the snob army appears and fires their first shot. 😂🤣😂🤣

[@leehaelters6182]

@@richardwebb2348, I see nothing in his post that demonstrates "willful ignorance" nor "lack of historical knowledge".

[@jasonclarke7557]

forgot to leave a comment. i made this bench for myself back when you posted this video. with very little adjustments, and i added the big leg vice to it. stable AF. doesn't move a bit, sturdy, great design. AND, it was an early project to get comfortable with wood working. so thanks for that.

[@ashleighkennett-smith5944]

I finally got around to making this bench from seconds (from salvage yard), scrap and pallet wood. Aussie sizes so slightly smaller. And added the leg vise you showed in another video! With glues, screws, bolts and leg vise screw was less than $80 AUD (probably $50 USD). Very happy with it. Thanks very much for all the good ideas! Now I'll use it for awhile and decide what I need to add to make "just so"! Happy to upload a pic somewhere if you let me know where :). Ash.

[@jimbo2629]

I think it’s worth thinking about where the vice is going as it’s easier to fit while you are building the bench, than when it’s completed.

[@thomasmackay4]

I am Today years old when i realized the actual convenience of a tape measure is that you can leave it attached to your hip.

[@andrewpitts7036]

yeah but if you "snap" the tape measure like that, you will bend the tip and your measurements will be off. its also obnoxious

[@countdublevay7327]

Holy cow! i just.... Me too.

[@bc7495]

@@countdublevay7327 haad i not been reading the comments i so wouldnt have noticed that awesome now i know why theres a carabeener mesuring tape ithought it was a pain in the ass to get it off my belt loop now will just leave it on duh lol

[@countdublevay7327]

@@bc7495 Yeah! Hell, it was this guys comment that actually alerted me to the idea. i thought (in the video) something looked strange but....

[@rocknfan100]

It's TM abuse man !

[@OOFool.]

The first thing I did as an apprentice was make my work bench. Very joinery workshop in England has them. A standard bench should be about 3 feet across and a minimum length of 6 foot 6. to take a door lying down flat on it. The ideal length is between 7 to 8 feet depending on space, so you can place you work tools your using at the time on the end. I would recommend making the legs longer, leveling the bench in place with packers. Then in place make up the same distance from the floor on all the legs and then cutting the legs to the level line. Then if the bench does move a little it will always be level. I would also recommend a gully up the middle because there is less planks to move and if they do move anything will always touch in four corners. The ideal height of your bench should be that you should be able to put stand up straight and put your hand palm down flat down the centre of the bench. I hope someone finds this really helpful.

[@jacksonwalshe2520]

Great advice. Cheers

[@scottellis4118]

"The first thing I did as an apprentice was make my work bench. Very joinery workshop in England has them. A standard bench should be about 3 feet (1 metre) across and a minimum length of 6 foot 6" (2 metres).... :)""

[@terencecossey2705]

The ideal dimensions theatre you gave were really useful, thank you. The height is especially difficult to determine and if you make it too low to the ground, your back will soon suffer, especially if you are getting on a bit! But all the dimensions matter a lot, so thanks again.

[@elained9591]

So true! Workbenches are way too high IMHO, but I’m very short. I find 28-28 ½”ideal for me…

[@mauriceperrier132]

Hi Rex! I just had to place a comment! I’ve been woodworking for years, basically from 2 saw horses or the top of my table saw. I have a small garage now that I’m setting up as a shop and in a few more weeks will be retiring and spending the majority of my time in there..thank you so much for the inspiration.

[@markadams5462]

Ah! Stress relief therapy. I'm part way through making my bench. I find it very calming and satisfying. At the moment I'm cutting and fitting pieces before everything is ready for the assembly process. I priced new pine timber for this project and it came out to $125 Australian dollars (about 90 USD). Then I found salvaged Australian hardwood. It came from a demolished house, and I expect it is over 50 years since it was used to build a house. The wood only cost me USD 40. After taking out the 4" nails, I'm finding that it cuts beautifully. My cuts are improving after watching Rex's sawing video. My early mistakes can be fixed with some wedges. In the spirit of Old Time techniques, I'm going to use 5/8" diameter dowels cut to 3" length. I'll use some glue as a lubricant when I knock them in. I couldn't get 10" boards for the sides, so I'll make do with 7" boards until I can source some more 7" boards and fit them below the first ones. Same with the planking. I'll have to use 3 x 1-1/2 sticks and I'll cover the top with 1/4" ply. Can't wait to have it on its feet and I can make the leg vise, crochet and planning dog. Thanks, Rex for making videos to show how to avoid to high costs for stuff that come from someone else doing the work.

[@lefroy1]

This is my first viewing of the channel, and I've got to say, the matter-of-fact way you build is like a breath of fresh air! It's all well and good watching a master cabinet maker at work, but one is always aware it's just a spectator sport. This however, one feels one can have a go at with a fair hope of success. Thank you! :)

[@PWARHOLM]

Exactly!

[@GergC0521]

Bought the plans and building it this weekend! I can't wait.

[@presterjohn71]

That looks very much like a typical woodworking bench used in every school in the UK. The design may vary from one company or another but they all looked broadly the same.

[@EggBastion]

I know right. Also, did I miss the bit where he explained what was incredible about it? I know he called out it's solidness a few times _(and mentioned the 'toolless' construction techniques / efficiency of material use)_ but did he even talk about why parts of the surface are at different heights?

[@MidgeDiabolik]

@@EggBastion I've just stumbled on this video but yes, these were exactly the type of woodwork bench we had at my school

[@MrJet-wt2lt]

My Grandfather has this same bench that his grandfather used back in the early 1900s. It's amazing that a bench that is 100+ years old is still in fantastic working condition.

[@deelanders6132]

The host is super articulate and knowledgeable. Love that he is flexible with OG tools as well as the new school. A lot of the trades videos are full of conceit. This dude is the chillest.

[@billlansdell7225]

Had loads of these at school in the wood working shop, some were just like in the pictures, others had cabinets under them. When my grandfather (a cabinet maker) retired and moved home, he made one in his garage to a similar design... except there were no rough joins, it was exquisite, with brass fixtures which allowed bits to move... if i remember right, one whole side was a vice. It also had square holes in it where you could put pegs to brace against. Like the pictures, all the benches i have seen have the lowered centre panel. When i was at school, i always wondered what this was for until i saw my grandfather use long bench hooks and jigs which slotted in there. Sorry, I'm not a carpenter, so my description is probably not very adequate.

[@henningventer2917]

Bill you are correct, this was the benches that were in schools. Those benches took a lot of abuse and the tops were replaced when needed. Dog holes were drilled in line with the vices. Remember we had woodwork from about the age of 8.

[@MOYPH.]

Thank you for adding cm measurements to your free plans!

[@karinlong7598]

We had several of these when I was at school in England. Joinery class! Phil

[@ytwatch1000]

We had 2 classrooms for woodworking in the 60's - that makes me about 60-something. The College I work at hasn't changed the design either.

[@BigGuyLC]

Just letting you know someone found your videos and it got me excited to start working with wood again!! This will be my first project. Love your style my friend. Your descriptions are easy to follow and keep things basic.

[@ADentistDoesHomeImprovement]

I'm a beginner starting from zero and I just started building this bench. I'm still struggling through it and just wanted to say thanks Rex!

[@Anamija]

Hello from Germany.I am a beginner,too. Did you finish the bench meanwhile? Just curious if you were able to finish building it...

[@ADentistDoesHomeImprovement]

@@Anamija I did! I made the build into a 3 part series for my first KZbin videos. Rex also interviewed me about it in his most recent video.

[@Anamija]

@@ADentistDoesHomeImprovement Wow,sounds great. Thanks for responding. Appreciate it!! Cheers:-)

[@GaryT1952]

Great build Rex! Looking forward to the rest of the series. One thing, I wish you would steer people to their local lumber yards instead of the big box stores. You may pay a fraction more, but you will get better service, better advice and a better quality product.

[@justinsane332]

More? Nah, mate. Local hardwood dealers are cheaper, at least in my experience, but I think it has to do with how available said dealers are. A lot of his viewers do t have one around them, and this series is designed for everyone, no matter the location or availability of what is used in them.

[@shawnroberts1974]

I agree with Justin, where I live I'd have to drive 3 hours to Dallas for a lumberyard (we have one here but they never have wood and have to order EVERYTHING in from Dallas). I think what Rex is saying is you can use expensive hardwood for this bench, but why waste the money and time?

[@Kildayyan]

The local lumber yards I used to frequent for work in the northeast were considerably higher than big box stores. I now live in a small town in the south, and the local lumber yard is cheaper (there’s a lumber mill 1/2 mile from the yard) , the wood is a MUCH higher quality, and I like supporting local businesses. I don’t know how a carpenter could get so lucky!

[@justinsane332]

@@Kildayyan some may have higher prices, but you must look at prices for species. What you pay in board feet is cheaper than what you will pay for dimensioned lumber. In general, at least.

[@ikust007]

I agree: as much local as possible .

[@stephenclappart3655]

Looking forward to this series and I think I'm going to build his bench. Thanks BTW, I really needed a series of videos that was not "watch me build a $20 dollar box with $10,000 dollars worth of tools". Good stuff!

[@adambogart7216]

Big Rex. I got the plans. Thanks so much for the WW for Human series. My self esteem can take only so much of Rob Cosman.

[@leehaelters6182]

Adam, I am pretty sure that you are only poking fun at yourself, but I gotta be certain: yer not bad-mouthing Rob, are you?

[@adambogart7216]

Lee Haelters ... Rob Cosman is a condescending tool.

[@leehaelters6182]

@@adambogart7216, I am with you in appreciation of Rex Krueger, but I think your characterizing Rob Cosman as condescending is very odd. Have you had some personal interaction with him?

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

32 years ago I qualified as a carpenter & joiner in North Wales, UK. We used to cover everything from roofing to skirting boards (including formwork) in college. ANYTHING to do with wood! upon qualification we would generally go into one of three fields of work: Bench joinery, site carpentry or shuttering (formwork) and there we would remain through our career. Some of us will mix it up a little and become proficient at all three - as it suits. It is the bench hand joiner who would use these benches. Formworkers make their own, traditional carpenters usually have shop-bought benches with scaff planks these days.

[@TheSilmarillian]

Great upload I just spent the last 2 days cleaning out and rearranging my workshop will give the bench a whirl hello from Australia

[@JohnnyDangerouss]

I actually bought the wood for the low Roman bench after watching the video but ended up using it for other things around the house and a couple of sawhorses because I just wasn't into that bench. This is what I was waiting for and I'm so glad I did! I will definitely be building this this weekend!

[@RexKrueger]

I'm delighted! And if you already have the wood, then it's dry by now. You can start right away!

[@MRichK]

I built the low roman bench top, but used a couple of low sawhorses to hold it. then later I built some higher supports kind of like the undercarriage here and stuck the Roman bench on top - just in grooves to hold. It works great.

[@FlesHBoX]

Interesting tidbit about construction adhesive; It's amazing for starting fires! Just a little dab on whatever you want to burn, toss a match on it, or hold a lighter to it and it catches almost instantly, and burns ridiculously hot.

[@jacobwilkinson5479]

Our school has these benches as the standard woodworking benches for ages and still use them for students today even.

[@bighands69]

They can last centuries.

[@palominox64]

You've taught me so much not just about carpentry, but about how to evaluate things, how to approach a task, to look towards the future and durability... and how to revise, to notice things and go with them, or notice and correct them- in life as much as in woodwork. I subscribe and support your work gladly. Here is the thing- I live in a tiny apartment with 5 adjoining sides of neighbors. What's the smallest, and--- quietest- project or some, or a range of projects- think of storage in tiny and awkward spaces... that an apartment dwelling craftsperson can do? FYI My home built bed, desk, bookshelves- - far outlasted everyone else's city big box flatpack furniture, literally by decades. Apartment dwellers CAN do serviceable carpentry. (Though I REALLY wish I knew your work when I was building these!) My lumber access is a lot LESS scrap wood and trees- and a lot more 'discarded broken furniture' and hardware store cut-to-order dimensional lumber and plywood. What, and I'm thinking storage and surfaces that have lots of storage in them- that are relatively small, or vertical, not very hammer-oriented, and which don't depend on noisy power tools? Sadly any 'carpenters bench' I've used, I've had to knock down and discard as soon as the project was over, for reasons of space. This is a huge challenge and you are free to ignore it, no harm no foul of course. JUST putting it out there for you and your viewers who might have some ideas. Thank you! You're the absolute best.

[@sevenravens]

I would go with anything that’s simple and practical. Murphy beds are really popular right now. There are kits you can buy with just the hardware. And that would be something that would probably go over well with your neighbors- they’re great for small spaces and saving room, adding flexibility and aesthetics.

[@rodrigovargas9153]

omg... I instantly flash back 25 years to my childhood, my grandparent had the exact same workbench of the last photo... I just realized that I find gold on that old destroyed workshop ❤ thank you so much❤😁

[@MuffinRhino]

I'm a few weeks into woodworking, and I want you to know this is my first big project. I'll be participating closely!

[@grahamboult4454]

AJoiners bench in australia in the 60,s was 12 feet long x 2ft 6ln wide so a joiner and an apprentice could work on it it hat a well in the middle and a vise on both sides at different ends, even then joiners would come to work in there going home clothes put on an apron sharpon there saws in a hand made timber vise the only power tools they used if needed , was a electric drill not many power tools all by hand. timber windows ,doors no alum. windows, but were just coming in. pineboard was alse coming in. I was one , am now 74 years old and have fond memeries. Graham.

[@jeanhickey5238]

Hi Rex thank you for the memories of linseed oil and just cut pine ,all from my apprenticeship I started in 1943 , we had 16 benches in our joiners shop all the replica of yours but 12 foot ,we worked with all the best timbers ,including blitz repairs on Buckingham Palace,I am now 92 but still enjoy using the tools ,and well remember the the tin filled with felt then softened with linseed oil to make those old wooden planes SING Joiner Jack

[@smellsbad2742]

I love this channel so much. Never done woodworking ever in my entire life and I never plan on it, but this guy is so easy to pay attention to

[@lancelot1953]

Hi Rex, brilliant and very informative. I have learned a lot of the ways our elders assembled and built their workshop tools with your videos. I must also mention that my daughter, the "intellectual" of the family (English university teacher), emphasized to her dad (me) how articulate and literate you were in your productions - and how important it was for her dad (me, the STEM engineer guy) to use proper English like Mr. Krueger with my students. So from both of us, thank you for your great videos and yes indeed, your description of your project is "poetic" and almost sensuous for any English teacher! May Peace be with you, Ciao, L (FoMoCo engineering)

[@JorgeGonzalez-ei6ft]

Im 48. I did my Carpenter and Joiners apprentiship in a shop with 3 English benches. I loved it. I'll be building one soon just for kicks