The incredible English Joiner's Bench

Make a full-size, hand-tool work bench that's also fast, easy, and cheap.
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Tools in this build (affiliate):
Wooden Handscrew Clamp: amzn.to/2uBnzID
Fasteners: amzn.to/2Rxq3Re
Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive: amzn.to/3aSwWnF
Caulk Gun: amzn.to/2O9XDdX
Ball Pein Hammer: amzn.to/2UeOLaX
Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):
Stanley 12-404 Handplane: amzn.to/2TjW5mo
Honing Guide: amzn.to/2TaJEZM
Green buffing compound: amzn.to/2XuUBE2
Cheap metal/plastic hammer for plane adjusting: amzn.to/2XyE7Ln
Spade Bits: amzn.to/2U5kvML
Metal File: amzn.to/2CM985y (I don't own this one, but it looks good and gets good reviews. DOESN'T NEED A HANDLE)
My favorite file handles: amzn.to/2TPNPpr
Block Plane Iron (if you can't find a used one): amzn.to/2I6V1vh
Stanley Marking Knife: amzn.to/2Ewrxo3
Mini-Hacksaw: amzn.to/2QlJR85
Blue Kreg measuring jig: amzn.to/2QTnKYd
Blue Handled Marples Chisels: amzn.to/2tVJARY
Suizan Dozuki Handsaw: amzn.to/3abRyXB
Vaughan Ryoba Handsaw: amzn.to/2GS96M0
Glue Dispenser Bottle: amzn.to/30ltwoB
Orange F Clamps: amzn.to/2u3tp4X
Blue Painters Tape: amzn.to/35V1Bgo
Round-head Protractor: amzn.to/37fJ6oz
5 Minute Epoxy: amzn.to/37lTfjK
Dewalt Panel Saw: amzn.to/2HJqGmO
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[@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!

[@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

[@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?

[@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. ;)

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@TaiChiPlay]

It's a perfect tool. The very skilled woodworkers who used these, just didn't waste time and money building a super fancy tool, when that one would let them do quality paying work.

[@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"

[@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.

[@_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.

[@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. 👍

[@lightshow366]

2:33 oh sorry don't mind me, Ive just been here for about 10 mins having a mid life crisis about how I've been using a tape measure completely wrong.

[@micheledaddariomoser9676]

Same thought.

[@TheBigBruski]

Ya, that was a real doozy!

[@paulcook7986]

If you don’t retract your tape carefully, eventually the tip will come off or the tape will snap.

[@holdintheaces7468]

@@paulcook7986 $20 max, i'll take my chances

[@banacek60chord43]

@@holdintheaces7468 Letting your recoil tape measure fly back on its own is extremely bad form and will wear the little rivets on the stop so ruining the accuracy for.how long will your measurements be 'off' before wasting another $20 ?

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 ^

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@clydebalcom3679]

You, Sir, have a wickedly twisted sense of humor that is something that appeals to my twisted sense of humor.

[@devinhedge]

Forgotten? I don’t think so. I really appreciate your raising it in people’s conscience though.

[@Tonyblack261]

We had benches like this in woodworking class in school (early 70s). I'm in the UK. Can I add that it's a pleasure to see a KZbin woodworker holding a hand saw properly.

[@RexKrueger]

That's nice to hear. Many of your fellow Englishmen don't feel the same way!

[@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…

[@ronniemorton6687]

A great attempt but you neglected to include the most important design feature, the central gulley on the top surface. What you've made is a sturdy table, which is good, but not an English joinery bench. The gulley is there for many practical reasons, allowing items to be placed within arms reach whilst in use, without them rolling off the bench ie. chisel, hammer or plane falling onto your foot whilst also enabling you to brace objects against something solid when striking, sawing etc.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bigred8438]

I don't know if you guys had trade schools at one time in the last 60 years as well as high schools, but we did and each school had perhaps 3 or 4 woodworking rooms with at least one bench just like these between two students, so around twelve or thirteen per room. There was a school like this in every suburb, and even my brother who went to high school did woodwork, so the place was flush with them. Those schools were discontinued in the 1980's and so all those benches had to go somewhere. I have one actually, given to me by my ex woodwork teacher brother in law. They appear to be made from oregan, certainly some type of hard wood. Its great.

[@flamencoprof]

Great Post! My story: Around 1975 I knew I would soon be moving to a new house I was having built and imagined I might need a workbench in the garage under. I made one with a top of two NZ Kauri 6x2" s. a tool well at the back from a 12x1/2" NZ Rimu plank scavenged from work, a frame with rails and sides of Rumu 6x2s, and lower leg braces of 3x1s which supported a shelf of and for spare wood. All from the demolition timber yard, except the legs, the piece de resistance, two Australian jarrah hardwood telephone pole cross pieces sawn in half, about 4x4". I tried to drill and then screw some galvanised coach bolts into them to hold the rails, they snapped like butter, the wood was that hard. Had to re-drill to a teeny bit under the bolts OD, and used lots of wax! It has a flush wood vice at one end, but at the other, I mounted a bloody great big engineering vice someone gave me who scavenged it as a worn and a bit sloppy reject from the Railway Workshops they worked at. It was all cut and shaped beforehand because I knew it would be a hell of a job to move that sucker once assembled. Assembled in the garage. I'm now past my Sixties, still in the same house, it's still there, still solid as a rock. Cost was tiny, I was really poor at the time, all money had gone into the house. Thanks to NZ free education school system woodwork classes, 1962-63!

[@GergC0521]

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

[@theMrFouldsy]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Rex, My husband just downloaded your plans, and we are going to build your bench together! We are excited to get started. We'll do the same as you, purchase the wood and allow it to acclimate to our home & dry before working. We are honestly looking forward to seeing the versatility and full potential uses of this bench! We are definitely along for the ride!

[@RexKrueger]

That's wonderful!

[@dbeaumontresident847]

@Tye Bear Thanks Tye we'll do that!

[@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

[@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.

[@paulworthington8666]

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.

[@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.

[@markhutton6824]

Back in my woodworking classes at school in the 1980s we bigger versions of these benches and you could get 4 pupils working on projects around them, with square cute holes for stops or planishing moulds. We bought a house 10 years ago with a shed and when I saw the bench in it I realised the shed had been built around it... it is the same with the old case iron vice with quick release mechanism. The top is no longer perfectly flat but it is scored with years of work, when I need a true surface I use 10mm construction plywood fixed in place. This style of bench outlasts them all and mine will need a mechanical devices to move it, six rugby player lost a bet to lift it 5cm. Great to see the modern twist on an iconic bench being made, kudos to you.

[@deanb61]

So, I just made this, with little real woodworking experience much beyond using a screwdriver. I had most of the wood lying around from some outbuilding demolition. Only change I made was I used 2 pieces of 18mm mdf as the top. I understand the weakness of this, but it was easy and it will 'do for now'. I can always swap the top later. Oh, and I reduced the height, coz unlike Rex I'm a short arse :) I really can't recommend this enough for anyone thinking of getting into it. It's simple to make and very sturdy. I had most of the wood, cost me a few pounds for some carriage bolts off Amazon, and I think it was around £30 for the mdf top, with quite a bit left over.

[@cassiellightman]

Thanks for the plans! This gonna be my first project. I'm very excited about this new adventure building stuff. Thanks again!

[@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.

[@noahcarmichael7960]

Been trying to settle on a bench design, and I think this will do for a start. And I love the NE Ohio basement shop. I was raised in these small shops watching my grandfather and dad build in a 10x10 space next to the Xmas decorations. Thanks, I enjoy the videos.

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@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.

[@MOYPH.]

Thank you for adding cm measurements to your free plans!

[@markwoods1504]

My late Grandfather was a carpenter in Liverpool he used to work on the old liners that were built in the area pre and post WW2 , he was an British Army Commando during WW2 but after the war he built one of these benches and a shed around it at home in Liverpool from Wood taken from a WW2 American Airforce Base that had been closed down. RIP Granddad

[@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!

[@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.

[@Photomegus]

Often made by apprentices starting out the English bench should have a well in the middle, where tools in use can lay whilst the workpiece can straddle over the top. Make the top pieces overlap the joints below to prevent shrinkage gaps. It would also have had a planing stop near the end of the near side. My father's (he was a master cabinet maker apprenticed in the early 1920s) was a posh job with a screw thread to wind it from flush to proud. These metal stops were bought from tool stores and inlaid in your bench. Having made his bench he then made his tool chest, then the tools to fill it. I still have my grandfather's final apprentice piece; a corner cabinet with 1/4" scroll work holding the individual pieces of glass in place. He was also a philanderer, hence I came along when he was in his mid 50s. I never followed the family trade...he didn't understand kids with long hair.

[@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.

[@DavidGodwinCalico]

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!

[@Folktopia]

This fits the bill for me and I plan on making one. Thanks for sharing your work. Great resource!

[@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.

[@lipton951]

Rex I couldn’t find anywhere to leave a general comment but I got a set of the diamond plate sharpener and finally got a chance to use it and they are worth twice the price

[@banacek60chord43]

The centre well, complete with flimsy planking, is a key feature of the traditional bench. When making up large frames, a 'flat' top is rarely that and the two sides were much easier to keep so, [flat and 'in winding'], as you illustrate in the video] and despite you saying it's too shallow for a tool well, that's exactly what it is. Like Toy Maker, below, I spent many years at one of these wonderful pieces of workshop furniture, at least one of which was bought 2nd hand by my grandfather around 1917. A site bench would be a far rougher affair and vices would NOT be left behind.The number of these on the internet makes perfect sense, if you think for a moment; the multitude of workshops with the owner 'gone', all the small and 'one man band' operations who can longer compete in a world of plastic windows and doors, flatpack furniture and the throw away culture. If you have space. snap up a piece of industrial history before they're all gone, along with the owners. A joiner is what the title suggests, he makes things with joints; in degrees of fine work, going from course, you have; carpenter; 1st fix joiner [joists, roof trusses, framing, carcassing]; 2nd fix joiner, [windows, doors, skirtings, architraves]; furniture maker. cabinet maker. There are, of course all the many sub-divisions of all these trades, shuttering joiner; shipwright, ship's joiner; down to luthier etc etc Reflect on this, next time you see an electrician bludgeoning a hole through timber, with a hammer and screwdriver. PS Letting your recoil tape measure fly back on its own is extremely bad form and will wear the little rivets on the stop so ruining the accuracy. PPS When making joints of that type, screws are modern affectation. that came with power drivers and you'll find wire nails are faster and stronger, especially with adhesive.

[@leighharvey9150]

Presenter: Any monkey with a saw can cut a half lap joint. Me: tries to cut a half lap joint Me: Cries.

[@lxathu]

Well, as for me, the rate of waste and the material in the bench would be slightly different - leaving some room for even more cries.

[@MrHonification]

Lol 😂 same here

[@androswolf]

Dont feel bad. Even I as a trained Carpenter still screw that up sometimes XD

[@macmac8249]

Well....obviously you’re not a monkey. Be thankful for that. Oh...and no...it’s not easy. This Rex Krueger is a good instructor. No B.S. or unnecessary yakking.

[@leighharvey9150]

Mac Mac that is the most optimistic response ever. Thank you.

[@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.

[@Falney]

I have made one of these benches. It is however a potting bench rather than wood working bench. One thing I will point out though is that it is much better when built with 2x4's stacked width ways up than 2x10's There is more planning to finish the top, but it is much more rugged and they make really great, cheap, beater benches. Hence making one as a potting bench.

[@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!

[@cliffb2454]

I'm English. You've just built the type of bench you could find in a lot of garden sheds in the 1970s. My father built his and I made something similar in the 1980s. Neither of us were professional joiners but, we both had homes to maintain. Joiner is a common term in the UK. It's just a carpenter who cuts joints in wood.

[@bikerboyT1050]

when i was 10, Me dad made one in mid 70's for our house when we replaced all the old sash windows and some doors in a house we bought/moved in to east Yorkshire. i helped him do it too. i made one for myself in the 90's when i got wed and a house to maintain, me dad taught me joinery so was easy to make, cheap too.

[@TR4zest]

Because he cots joints in wood to join them ....

[@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".

[@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..

[@gobblurrito8789]

I just completed my EJB. This was a very fun project, and like you said in the video I learned a ton. Thanks so much for putting this out there.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bjrnstrandholmen5110]

Fantastic inspiring. New energy to my projects here in Trondheim. Thanks a lot for videos.

[@lecutter9382]

That's why the Carpenter's Union is actually The " United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of North America". Consider that except for the last century man almost never used nails or screws in everything we built. Yes, we used pegs but you still had to make those out of wood. :) 10,000'ish years of carpentry and joining. Simply amazing!

[@stephenholland6328]

The nice thing about the English bench is that it can be created in so many ways. A flat top with two boards on edge supporting the top, with a few cross beams to transfer forces from the top to the side boards is the concept. My old bench was too tall, being more a general project bench rather than an assembly/woodworking bench. Looking around for a cheap extra bench got me the English bench. I built a 4 foot bench and have shallow dados in the aprons to hold the legs in a half lap type connection. Dandy little bench.

[@Soledadsworld]

Wonderful; I really liked how you described the "how's" and the "why's"

[@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.

[@jamespowell7196]

Very nice work including the IT work! What a pleasure to watch a Master at work using hand tools who can also explain things well! Thanks for all the great videos. jim

[@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

[@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!!

[@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.

[@jenniferbarnes5312]

I can’t wait to get going on this - I found a weathered old slab that weighs a ton ( well, probably 250 at least ) and I needed a really solid base for it. I like the way this one looks, super sturdy. Thanks for your vids, you’re a great instructor 👍

[@specialized29er86]

your bench is the same ones we used in our high school wood work classes back in the 70's

[@l3thalgaming633]

"I built this whole thing for about $100" well that aged like milk.

[@rockdog2584]

NO S**T! I was just down looking at lumber...and they wanted eight-n-a-half bucks for ONE 2X4!!! I ended up paying over $5.50 just for TWO-by-TWOs!!! Can't imagine what a whole house worth of lumber would cost these days!

[@robinsonkaspar3395]

@@rockdog2584 price of a house has apparently gone up by $30k just for lumber! I’m scrounging like a maniac here. Salvaging some abandoned wood and hoping for the best

[@Pun_Solo]

For real!!! I just built a much smaller crappier bench for $100. Would cost NUTS right now! It's gotta stop at so.e point.

[@DavidWCoulter]

I got my lumber when prices just started to climb. Cost about $125 I think. Now, it’s way nuts.

[@joesliva3772]

Bought 100 4x6 timbers at eight feet long last spring. Returned the majority of them 5 per week and made 300% on my investment

[@andrewparker4090]

Rex, I would love to see you come put with more build videos, you don't do enough of those. I learned a lot from you. Please build more furniture. Your awesome!!

[@mikhailpridushchenko3668]

Thank you for sharing the experience, analysis of issues, and options to solve them. I'm studying options for building my first workbench, and find your notes quite important. Particularly the one on bench width: it's quite inobvious that the wider is not the better generally. I'd like to mention planning for future support devices installation too. It was another inobvious detail for me. Very informative video in general too. Many thanks.

[@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.

[@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.

[@benholden4882]

What a fantastic presentation . I’ve been teach Design and Technology for 30+ years and this sort of thing still gets me excited. I have a few ideas of my own, but will follow build just as you suggest, I’m going to order my timber first thing tomorrow! Thx Rex.

[@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.

[@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!

[@robertjackson3084]

I've had one of these benches since 1978 left in the garage by previous house owner. Also remember the wood working shop in high school in 1960's in Sydney Australia had many of them. Thinner plank in the middle allowed easy cross cutting from either side and either end ie right or left handed. Usually had one student on each side. Mine has copped plenty of pounding and abuse over the years but has remained as steady as a rock

[@aegelotte]

@Robert Jackson Post a picture of your bench, please!

[@rodyates1]

Yeah, those school benches were a bit annoying. Never big enough, but had a silly little cupboard underneath. What they needed was a working surface that could be put on when needed so your job remained clean and square. They came with a small stool as well.

[@fryertuck6496]

As a schoolboy in the late 1970s we had a room full of these benches. They were great, central tool well doubled as a brace for chisel work with a wedge that matched the angle that sat on the bench.

[@1striperon]

I built one. For two years I used it for nearly every project. Sold the house and the buyer wanted the bench. I will build another, it works so well.

[@1striperon]

I am now in my new home, time for a new workbench. I looked at other plans, but I liked the first bench I built so well, I am building another one of these. Thank you Rex for a really good design: affordable, stable, heavy enough to work on. I ordered the lumber, adhesive, and screws from a local lumber retailer who delivers to my town for free. Cost: $150.

[@rolandkeys8297]

I'm here in England and have seen so many of these benches in old barns and workshops , not just woodworking shops but all sorts of workshops basically any one that repaired anything had one. All slightly different depending on what you were repairing or making but the same basic design and built like a brick toilet as we say in the UK

[@kenjepson1908]

They are getting a lot rarer people just want a workmate style bench which fits into a van these days, I've seen them converted into dining tables (the Salvage Hunters have a lot to answer for!) or just thrown out or burnt, people seem to think that because they are old they are not worth having. We had these types of benches in our woodworking classes at school, they were on a bigger scale and had cupboard space, they also had the middle "well" feature which you could hook all manner of accessories into, they were so well built I imagine that they are still being used today... or hope they would be.

[@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.

[@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

[@TheDesertSkier]

Just finished this bench about a month ago. It's been so useful to everything I'm trying to do. Thanks for the video on how to make it