Split-top Roubo Workbench Tour | For Left-handed Woodworkers

[@waynedelyeafurnituremaker3275]

Functionality, Simplicity and Design = beauty to a craftsman. Great job you should be very proud.

[@pastorpierremayo5918]

I am working on my workbench and I have to tell you I am inspired by this. Thanks a million from one lefty to another.

[@TheHandToolery]

How great! I’m glad I could be of help. You are going to love your bench. I’ve had mine over a year and a half now, and it’s a game changer. Good luck!!

[@AlwaysCensored-xp1be]

Been looking at workbench vids, learnt on my Grandfather's but I am left handed, time to make one for myself, 50 years later.

[@essentialdeparture9999]

This is exactly what I've wanted to see. Most builds that come in cheap still have expensive vise hardware, but I was hoping to improvise on that and you've opened up some options there. Thanks! You've helped out a righty too.

[@danielpetersen6826]

I was having second thoughts about building a dedicated left handed workbench. You convinced me that is the way a should go to. Thank you for sharing! Obrigado!

[@cliffordduhh45]

Another wayward lefty just finding your channel. Very excited to see your bench build and how I could do something similar. Thanks!

[@TheHandToolery]

Welcome!! Hope it’s helpful. I don’t have a build video, but let me know what I can do if you need something.

[@cliffordduhh45]

@@TheHandToolery I’ll see what I can do. I enjoy drawing up plans. It’s great to see replies to comments on old videos. Thanks for the help.

[@benjamindebellis6664]

More praise from another lefty. I also noticed your shooting board is also designed for us lefties. Awesome job!

[@DRusso-sy4vj]

Andrew- just have to say thanks for the video! As a fellow lefty, it was confirming for me to see another left handed craftsman own their left-handedness.... if that makes any sense at all. So often, we must adapt and overcome with tool setup and functionality so it was just nice to see....Great bench! All the best!

[@julianomatsumoto2876]

Good job, each detail, well thought out and functional. I watch your wife's channel and I stayed very impressed with your work on the kitchen furniture

[@tgainesvillefl730]

Dude it is great and to see that it can be done at that price is awesome. Inspirational.

[@joshl90]

Awesome bench! That Lee Valley leg vice screw is exactly what I have needed for my budget

[@thomgosizk7926]

Love the bench, great work. I'm currently building my left handed Roubo, unfortunately I don't have a bunch of leftover black walnut...

[@JWLamph]

I’ve been debating making a Roubo over a Nicholson and was leaning towards the Nicholson due to cost. This convinced me to do the Roubo and maybe try a Nicholson later on. This looks great.

[@TheHandToolery]

I absolutely LOVE my Roubo. But in the end the best bench is the one you use! I’m glad you have found your bench style, and now you are on to building!!

[@kubilayylmaz1716]

Hi,you did very goed job low cost vises brillent idea Thanks for the infor.

[@DavidCastillo-wj2gr]

Nice workbench good job

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you! Love my workbench!

[@greg6107]

Awesome job Andrew, and on budget, wow !

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks!! I absolutely LOVE this bench.

[@robcauson4595]

Chortle. You spent a while explaining and excusing the notch in the end. Who are you trying to convince; us, or yourself? It wouldn't even register as an issue dude. The bench is awesome. I'm hoping to start on mine early next year, and your budget gives me hope.

[@MG-vo7is]

Nice workbench.

[@darrenb533]

Very nice work. Impressive budget

[@jamesthomson5178]

Be proud mate, did a good job especiallywith that budget. I'm not to sure about the opposite end to the tail vice of the bench, regarding the additional bit of timber to join the split top together. I feel its not needed aslong the the timber is stable. But then again it's your bench so as long as your happy crack on.

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you, and I love this bench! Yeah I think you’re right about that-not necessary, but it’s there now, so it’s all good.

[@ureasmith3049]

Nice job young man!

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you!

[@ureasmith3049]

Sweet bench! Big difference to the workmate I imagine.

[@TheHandToolery]

Oh my goodness yes! I've had this bench going on 2 years now, and it is a real game changer! What's your setup? You are Roubo bench, Nicholson, English style, something else??

[@ureasmith3049]

@@TheHandToolery I'm in the process of building a roubo. Got half of the top done using 2x6 douglas fir..

[@TheHandToolery]

Sweet!! That is going to be amazing! Are you documenting it with pictures or videos? I regret not documenting mine at all.

[@ureasmith3049]

@@TheHandToolery Nah, haven't recorded anything. I will share final pictures on my favorite woodworking forums.

[@TheHandToolery]

Cool! I look forward to seeing it.

[@scottbrown3444]

good on you

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you!

[@nicknlcbuilders3405]

Nice bench! Would you consider doing a video on your criss-cross parallel leg vise guide build. I have a pinned leg vise and I’m considering scrapping the pinned guide for a criss-cross set up. TIA

[@TheHandToolery]

Got you covered! It’s not a build video but it should be helpful! All about my DIY Criss-Cross Pinless Vise System: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qanQn4eNecaCqNU

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear Andrew, thanks for sharing your excellent work on your workbench. I appreciate your left handed comments as one who took to around 13 years of age to work out that all scissors did not have to cut and bruise your left hand when using them. I like the notion of making the criss-cross but missed how you actually fixed it to the top. There are no pins but that means you would have to have a plate and internal short pins to connect the tops to the wood - right? I must be missing something but would appreciate knowing how it worked. Cheers.

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey! Thanks! I used to play basketball right handed for years. I had a terribly awkward shot-until a coach asked me why I shot that way. I learned to shoot lefty in a matter of weeks and it was a game changer pardon the pun.

[@TheHandToolery]

The top of the criss cross is fixed using pins actually. I have a detailed video about it! I think that will help you answer a number of questions you may have. Cheers!

[@karolll.c]

amando acompanhar essa família linda e ver como é bom da valor no simples da vida. que Deus abençoe vcs!

[@greg6107]

Great work well thought out Andrew, thanks for sharing !

[@TheHandToolery]

Sure thing! Thanks for the kind words!

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

Beautiful Bench

[@jeffkerr4249]

GREAT JOB and a AWESOME BENCH.

[@gregritchie1758]

Nice job!!!

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you, sir!

[@fotochef43]

Your bench is truly great! The video states plans are available, but I cannot find a link to them. How can i get them in PDF?

[@BadAppleWoodwerx]

Hey Andrew, just stumbled across your video here. Did you do a build video on this bench? I checked your channel and don't see it in your playlist.

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey! Welcome! No I did not. Sorry! I was brand new to KZbin and this bench tour was my first ever video. If I ever make a new bench, I’ll film it!

[@BronkBuilt]

Great workbench!

[@just-dl]

you done good, m'lad. i was curious about the right-side leg vise. I'm right handed, but, i'm considering that arrangment, because of the ability to hold wood over the edge of the table...good for righties who want to saw down that way. I'm afraid you lost me about planing over the vise; the way I see it, I'll be running over it one way or t'other. Can you explain the concern regarding that? Thanks, Andrew.

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey thanks! The only real issue is bumping your leg on the screw/hardware for the leg vise. If you want to use it for sawing I would recommend an end vise instead. I frequently have the issue where the piece is just too short to saw using my leg vise. That’s why Paul Sellers recommends a traditional vise that is proud of the benchtop side. Whatever you choose you will LOVE having a dedicated bench with many workholding options.

[@dpmeyer4867]

Nice

[@miheadhurts]

Thanks for explaining the position of the vice and how this affects planing. Does the centre strip become loose / jam depending on the climate? Were there expansion slots in the walnut running across the bench to cope with the seasonal changes? It looks like a great bench, mine will be in Douglas fir so will look similar.

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey, Richard! The middle tool holding strip doesn't really stick at all. It bowed slightly, initially, and that bow is still there, ha! But in reality, no. It's been quite stable, which makes sense, since the board is oriented "on edge" so to speak, so the expansion will occur vertically, rather than horizontally. I haven't noticed much of that though, either (poking up and protruding into the bench work space that is). No expansion slots either. The seasons don't affect my basement much, though, from what I can tell. Upstairs, the wood floor gets noticeable gaps in the winter, however. The only real issue has been a slight cupping of the top over time, with a dip now in the middle as the front and back have bowed a bit upward. I will reflatten eventually, though, as I am going on 2 years since I built the bench. Best of luck with your bench! It's going to be great!!

[@ThePapabear2012]

Very nice bench!

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! Been a year and a half, and I’m still loving it!

[@Allbbrz]

Making your own criss-cross is the way to go. Why pay $100 bucks for the benchcrafted when you can make one yourself ? Great work man !

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! I will say that now that I have made one, I think they are worth the money to buy one and have the instructions. However, if you like challenges and want to save about $100 (and put about 5 hours work into it), then it’s a great option!!

[@raytbrown2]

Nice job.

[@tonyfrewin4822]

Great bench

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you! 18 months after completing it... I still LOVE it!

[@connectedlocally1868]

Great Bench, although the best part is the criss cross leg vise ~$60. The bench top was definitely more than just 12 boards. Alone i counted 15 boards across the top, not included the legs, vise, and bottom panel.

[@richgroeber282]

I'll give it to you great looking bench, but $200? there's probably $100 dollars in walnut in the bench Click bait!

[@stevenosman1356]

Nice work. I was thinking exactly the same as you about the crisscross for the leg vise. Seemed like something one would be able to do... Have you considered some kind of rails for it to slide against? I wonder if it would keep it absolutely straight in that case.

[@adamwilson4834]

I'm finishing up a bench right now. Used a piece of structural beam for the top and old hardwood flooring glued together to cover it. Unfortunately my attention span has caused enough mistakes I'm embarrassed to show it off now

[@adamwilson4834]

But I've only got about $50 in materials including my vises. They work fine for the quality of work I'm capable of

[@Hudson4426]

Wish you had made a video of you building it

[@1deerndingo]

Very nice bench. What is the tal vice block ridding on. What would you change on the bench. Thank you

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! I have two hardwood pieces attached to the side wall of the “mortise” that are waxed and act as guide rails. The tail vise block has two grooves in which the tails fit. Has worked great for 6+ years now. Some slop but still works.

[@memilanuk]

Very nice! Question for you though... how much do you find yourself actually using the sliding deadman / board jack in actual use?

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! Used it very recently when debarking some long boards. And basically whenever edge jointing any long pieces. Not a lot other than that though.

[@areuaware6842]

Well done! You don't need hundreds of dollars of hardware to make a great workbench.

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! In this case, about $200 is all you need. I’m 18 months in and it’s still exactly what I need!

[@garychristiansen508]

Great job! What did you use to hold the criss cross hardware on the leg?

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey! Thanks! Here is an in-depth video on my diy criss cross! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qanQn4eNecaCqNU

[@Steve-gh7um]

I would love to see some plans for this bench

[@Steve-gh7um]

I'd pay for a good set of plans...

[@stevemattox6694]

Do you have a link for your vices? Thanks so much. Great build also.

[@TheHandToolery]

Links in the description :)

[@lessmith7966]

Nice bench, I'm left handed as well and I've been struggling with the decision to make my bench left handed as well, any troubles using fenced planes with the wagon vise?

[@HarlyGuy13]

Nice bench. I haven’t looked yet but I hope the plans are available?

[@HarlyGuy13]

Got it.

[@jakelinebrito8082]

o trabalho muito lindo parabéns

[@rico1319]

You are on your way! Great job on your new bench! I have some fun

[@jeffeberl12]

Did the black walnut end up in that $200 budget?

[@hf8685]

Interesting Tail Vice using the Veneer Press Screw - what did use as as a track? Is is just resting on wood rails?

[@hf8685]

Andrew Milacci - it came to me that a short section of mitre track on the sides along with the HD plastic runners would make for a smooth operation. It may even give you the one spin that the others brag about, not that that is important. Functionality is king. Good job on your bench! And even simpler method would be using the Lee Valley Veritas Wonder Dog. This could be repositioned anywhere. Just a thought.

[@jimeads3460]

Do you have any photos or a sketch showing how the vise cross braces function and are attached?

[@jimeads3460]

I bought your plans yesterday so I guess I’ll figure it all out once I start building it. So the lower legs of the cross braces are not connected to anything? They just stay in the mortises? Before I forget, I just wanted to tell you that I think your videos are done well and very informative. Keep up the great work!

[@solemnfate]

any chance you can explain how you got the Tail vise to work? I've got the same thing you have, and i'm struggling to get it to work right.

[@TheHandToolery]

Hey! I had to modify it a bit (moved--drilled and tapped a new hole--the set screw, and drilled holes in two corners of the press clamp's "foot" at the end of the screw). I also made two runner rails to guide the whole thing. Basically, I have a 3-part system so I can disassemble it when I want. I have a top piece that rides on top of the rails, a middle piece that goes between the guide rails, and a lower block that the screw pushed against and that rides below the rails to keep it down. So, it's a sandwich that goes over, under, and between the rails. I hold it together with screws, and I drilled two dog holes in it, once assembled. For the screw, I bored a larger hole first, to house the screw "collar" that is threaded and then, I used a smaller bit just larger than then screw itself and finished off the hole. I did, also, come back and remove material from inside the endcap so the screw "foot" could come back into the endcap and give more travel room. I hope this helps!

[@solemnfate]

@@TheHandToolery i tried making a rail guide, and used pins in the dog body. on one side. the problem i have is the set screw for the base keeps working it's way out. i even used some thread lock to keep it from coming out. I'm close to giving up on it, and just buying an inset tail vise. but, just like you, really didn't have it in my budget to spend 150$ on a stupid vise. lol also, i don't have any power tools, i'm doing it all by hand (i know i know, tons of work!) i didn't plan my bench as well as i had thought i had, if i could start over i wouldn't even use a tail vise. but now that i've cut the slot for the vise, i kinda don't want to piece it back together. thoughts? i could just as easily use a front vise and put it on the end, and dog it.

[@MrJme3192]

How it has hold up to the test of time? Any learned lessons?

[@TheHandToolery]

It has been great! The main lesson is take a bit more care in making the top flat in the first place and making the legs square to the top. But even with those issues, I’ve never felt held back by it. And now those are all fixed.

[@sumandl]

nice job. Its on my to do list aswell. Subscribed

[@Pasquali369]

Can you tell me a little more info on that apple press you bought? I cannot find any for nearly as inexpensive.

[@Pasquali369]

I searched a lot online, until I used the term "press vise" in my search, then I found them at Grizzly for like $15 US so I purchased two! They are by Shop Fox (cheep-o but useful).

[@stevenowen9279]

How deep did you make the morticer for the criss cross please?

[@TheHandToolery]

Check my video on the criss cross here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qanQn4eNecaCqNU

[@SethsProject]

Love it!!

[@Pasquali369]

How does the tool strip raise up the be used as a planing stop?

[@jaimegenovajr3257]

Follow you on IG! Thanks for your video

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you!!

[@Cactustone]

How many board-feet did you need? 100+?

[@TheHandToolery]

Hmmm. Not quite sure. I bought 12 2x10s of SYP. I think... the legs are 4 bf each. The top is 40-50. The rest is probably another 20. Hope that helps!

[@kentgoss5135]

Do you sell the plans?

[@walther9161]

Can’t do it for 200 today with 2x4s at 8.00 each....

[@TheHandToolery]

Crazy to think!

[@LilianeAlves]

Queria eu entender inglês

[@kentblack8796]

Do you have plans for sale for this?

[@kentblack8796]

thank you!

[@FranksDIY]

I saw your channel and was impressed. We have something in common like building, creating and working with wood in general. A knowledgeable person like yourself would help in my development as a creator and a woodworker. Please check out my channel. Your constructive criticism would be much appreciated.

[@marianadesouza6693]

:)

[@krydi82]

"plan available"? I must buy your plan? )))) Nice joke!

[@TheHandToolery]

Available does not mean free 😁

[@krydi82]

@@TheHandToolery i mean there is a free plan benchcrafted split top on internet.

[@TheHandToolery]

That’s great! You know we all do what works best for our own situation!