Workbench Completed with Rob Cosman

This video describes some of the techniques and features used on the work bench that was built as part of Rob Cosman's Online Hand and Power Tool Workshops. This project took 178 episodes and every feature is carefully explained and detailed.
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[@purplehelm8853]

Not only is it a workbench, it is a piece of art! Wow!

[@Mr_Rick]

I am impressed. The attention to detail both functional and aesthetic is really appreciated. Thanks for sharing the details Rob.

[@loganhall5580]

I though the last bench was good... This is RIDICULOUS! This is a piece of art, I wouldn't wanna even work on this thing! great engineering, incredible craftsmanship, beautiful construction... I applaud you *****

[@davidbrewer4669]

How in the world does this video get 3 dislikes? Incredible bench, I'm sure someone will get plenty of enjoyment out of it. Very nice work.

[@heffatheanimal2200]

Damn!! Thats not a workbench, thats a work of art!

[@41laureen]

I had a Black and Decker folding work table which I hated. It was clunky and difficult to open, fold, and stow. Always seemed like it wanted to topple over on me. After I got rid of it, I found I needed something to help me install new garage door openers. By the time I decided on the WORX Pegasus, they were out of stock.Since the project could wait a bit, I ordered two. They came faster than Amazon promised and I have not been disappointed. I used them as work tables, a repository for old and new small parts as I removed the old opener and installed the new one. There are cup shaped indentations in the surface where you can park screws, nuts, small tools, etc.When it came time to secure part of the opener to work on it, the clamps and dogs worked well. I used one table for the work table and the other for a temporary support for the opener rail as I was installing it. After finishing, the tables folded right up much more easily than the B&D table. Stowing them in the garage was easy.I didn't try to connect the tables, but I could see that the connectors were provided and stowed out of the way.

[@sebastiaanstoffels7565]

Of course the sharpening station has a backsplash...........wow. This build is amazing. Lucky to have Rob as a friend!

[@HenSchum]

Dear Rob, this is the most beautiful workbench I have ever see in my live !! Do you think I can sit under it, with my wheelchair ? Your a real master craftsman (and the people who help you) All the best from the Netherlands.

[@laurencelance586]

Shame I can't put photos here. I built a bench by following Rob's on line workshop. There is no way I'd have been able to do this on my own without that guidance of watching him do the work and over come problems as he came to them. So, for those wishing to build a bench I've two bits of advice. #1. Build an assembly bench like Rob did. You really NEED a bench in order to build a bench. #2. Have patience. It's going to take a couple of hundred hours, maybe more. But what the project will teach you is so worth the time. See you in the shop!

[@TrevorDennis100]

Laurence I'd dearly love to see your bench. Do you have a picture online anywhere?

[@matthewcarveroriginalsongs4702]

All the attention paid to expansion and fortifying joints. Very impressive bench. Well done

[@JayJay-nm9vm]

Rob, that bench is truly amazing. I was always fascinated with woodwork all through High School and actually keep in contact with my old shop teacher some 15-years later. Your work is an inspiration and I hope to get back in to this stuff when I finish my time in the Corps. Amazing!

[@Faber_Nox]

Robbie the years have been very good to you the wife must be feeding you less! Been watching a lot of your videos recently and have grown towards your style of teaching/woodworking documenting. Very very informative no stone unturned as they say! I hope you and the family are well!

[@turningpoint6643]

Without a doubt the nicest work bench I've ever seen Rob. And I very much enjoy all the thought and details that were used to try and work around those cross grain expansion and compression issues. And a clever design use on those wooden bench dogs. Pete

[@pandrews5042]

Hi Rob, That is the most beautiful bench I ever seen, I would be afraid to use it in case I damaged it. You are a true craftsman, Thank you for sharing it with us, Phil in the U.K.

[@twalsh1490]

Have viewed this vid three times over a couple years, and every time I learn more. One of the best examples of planning for active wood movement. Truly a stunning result. There is a widely held belief that you'll only ever build ONE bench in your lifetime. It's a great rationale for using fine materials, installing vice hardware that's just that little bit better, etc. Good negotiating point when debating cost and space with your roommate or when justifying a larger garage. The once-in-a-lifetime theory needs to be grounded in reality. I built my first workbench when I was six. It's long gone. I have a wonderful student workbench that came from a school that was replacing their old stock. It came with two working vises--not fancy but they work. It has an interesting height adjustment with one hinged piece on either end, with the flexible piece attached on top of the base; works nicely but has its limits. I have made several workbenches over the years. Truth is, life happens. Your workbench might not follow you after a divorce or death because your living and working space can change dramatically, just as one example. The finest benches are often heavy so when you move 500 miles that great bench is going up on Craig's List for whatever you can get. Just remember, part of what you get is a fresh start on the far end. It's called life. When you take up the challenge, each fresh effort is better, somehow. Cheaper? Prettier? Stronger? Longer? Heavier, or lighter? Mobile, or nearly immovable? "Better" is whatever you say it is, this year. You MIGHT hold the same opinion in five years, but in ten years you'll think something else because we all grow up. That said, if I had a bench like this I'd make like Peter Pan and stop growing up. Forever.

[@icurededs]

My Dad was a master craftsman, and now that I'm a Dad I want to give my Son some of those memories working wood, as well as teach him to make things with his hand. I could follow up the other comments on "how nice" or "piece of art" but what goes without saying is the way you solved what most people wouldn't even notice as problems. One word on your choice of springs, you may want to try Wolff springs vs from a ballpoint pen. They're high quality springs for firearms applications and you might prefer them. Really impressive knowledge of your craft.

[@keves11]

This is absolutely the most beautiful and functional bench I've ever seen.. a masterpiece ❤️❤️❤️

[@maxwelldesigns3140]

Nette Hobelbank, Herr Cosman! Nice workbench, Mr.Cosman!

[@TAG-1984]

What a dream work bench! Thanks Rob for the inspiration.

[@northerndarklight5305]

Without a doubt, the most beautiful work bench I've ever seen, and technically well thought out. Excellence throughout.

[@IamtheActionman]

Beyond the craftsmanship the finish is impeccable

[@WarrenPostma]

I think if I made this,I'd just cry the first time my chisel slips off my workpiece and gouges my gorgeous birdseye maple, mahogany bubinga workbench. I would need one out of nice wood like this, and another made out of MDF, ply, and pine. Or what if my son uses my workbench and gets paint on it.... I can just imagine. I drive a beat-up van that has a busted bumper, and I never worry if someone is gonna scratch it up worse. I guess some people can just enjoy things and not worry, but me, I'm a professional worry-wart. Gorgeous bench, beauty. I admire the craftsmanship, the details, and the thought that goes into such a large and wonderful bench!

[@holversonmusic3141]

Incredible craftsmanship.

[@chrismartin5870]

Amazing workbench. Bravo.......As a respectful counterpoint, some of the most amazing and accurate woodworking that I've ever seen has been in wooden racing dinghies from the 60s through to the early 90s, specifically "Merlin Rockets" (look them up). To look at the joints you might imagine they'd been made by CNC machines in Japan/Germany......when in reality they were made by people working in simple sheds with a bare minimum of tools, materials, space or training....but huge amounts of skill, passion and attention to detail. Take away, never under estimate what can be made in a shed with very, very little.....and respectfully, not a pristine workbench, ever.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Look at what the Romans accomplished with their workbench!! I agree whole heartily, but it can be a bit bit easier with good equipment.

[@intjonmiller]

Beautiful dining table, Rob. Not sure I understand the point of a vise on a dining table, but it's also a beautiful vise. :)

[@andregolledge2304]

ahahah

[@johnbesharian9965]

Obviously it's a "Craftsman" Dining Table.

[@CheeseBae]

I agree. This isn't a workbench, it's a piece of art. A workbench is for doing work. It's solid but cheap. I'd be afraid to beat on something with these kinds of finishes.

[@jc51373]

When you have the talent, experience and shop set up this guy has you can make a beautiful bench like this, and actually use it like any other bench..Why? Because he can make another one in his sleep.

[@dennisflessland9872]

The vise is for cracking oysters and shellfish on the dinner table. Great idea.

[@rhwoodshop]

That is the bench to end all benches. That has a drool factor of 12. Beautiful WB and I love the vibram shoes!!!

[@gerbeek2320]

Beautiful bench, must be a joy to work on. I like the extra installed features to lift the whole bench and the lamp which make it even more practical

[@robertpap6726]

A real work of art! It will be in a museum one day.

[@littlejoey22]

Absolutely incredible. By far the coolest bench I've ever seen hands down.

[@peterharrison8756]

Excellent Bench Rob love all the contrasting wood plus everything else about it

[@tharindusamarakoon4966]

that is the best workbench i have ever seen thanks rob for your inspiration the person who gets that is gifted by god good luck

[@johngunning2123]

Wow! This is really impressive. Love everything about this bench, fantastic choices of various timbers, the huge hand-cut dovetail joint, the wedge tenons, the walnut dowels, and the fold under height adjustment is brilliant. Probably too good to use as a bench.

[@tass8495]

Work if art. Superb. Beautiful

[@norahmad7060]

it's a work of art (in the form of a workbench...) beautiful, simply.

[@barryfullick7981]

Perfection. A superb exhibition piece. If I built one not even half as good as that I'd not be able to bring myself to use it for fear of marring it. My next effort will be another 4x2 pine utility job made purely for functionality, not a rough cut and bashfit job, but good enough to age gracefully as it accumulates the scars of use. A Nicholson, I'm thinking, with a nod to Rex Kruger's ideas. Horses for courses as they say, but admiration and respect for such a high level of design and craftsmanship.

[@solidsnake9332]

You sir are an ingenius man.

[@guganeshanmahalingam7915]

Incredible work.... I love when one has so much of knowledge and passion towards their work.... more than just building a workbench your understanding about the woods makes me really passionate.... hats off to your experience......

[@gsawoodworking969]

I’m enjoying your videos very much. I especially like your sharpening methods. I am building a workbench myself. Thank you for all your the information.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad you like it Greg and that it is helping.

[@NikosDIY]

This is 100% the best workbench on youtube! Weird shoes.........

[@jonq8714]

Three way tie with the Samurai Carpenter & Third Coast Craftsman.

[@danielgeng2306]

He wasn’t wearing shoes 😂

[@siggychaloupka7330]

Gents....dont forget Frank Klausz's bench. He perhaps started the whole thing of nice benches :) the ones he made decades ago and used heavily still look nearly new!

[@danielgeng2306]

Siggy Chaloupka Frank sets the high bar !

[@jonq8714]

@@boriskogan7903 I like his design a lot. His finish choices are subjective and your approval isn't necessary. Would I paint it? No. Do I care that he did? No.

[@GeekTimLee]

That is a piece of art!!! Awesome job!

[@ryanellis7520]

Awesome bench. Thank you for the insight on seasonal movement. I made a few mistakes on my last bench and you called out exactly where I made them. Excellent content as always! Oh, that bird's eye is amazing!

[@jarredjenkins7840]

Truely spectacular! Amazing craftsmanship!

[@dougkeen1982]

Wow it's like a masterpiece! Seems like after all that work you wouldn't want to damage it for it's intended use.

[@mikeypick1]

Fantastic craftsmanship! Beautiful Bench! I'm wanting to do something very similar. I want my shop to be ornate, in spite of obvious wear and tear, simply because I want to be inspired every time I walk into my shop. I don't want to be reminded of shortcuts at the expense of beauty. This is quite an inspiring piece, for sure!

[@greg6107]

Beautiful craftsmanship by a very fine man !

[@aqx770]

Ravail, the best thing for you would be to subscribe to Rob's Hand and Power tool on line class. There is about 90 hours of instruction there that you will find not only very usefull but essential to building this bench. Cheers Laurence ( one of Rob's students )

[@philippboetcher9959]

Looooooveee that bench!!!!!!! You should be well proud of your work, it looks so great!

[@johnstanton8499]

Beautifully crafted and designed Great tips to aspire to and use I could almost have it in my living room to double as a dining table as well as a bench Amazing quality thanks for the info and explanations

[@michaelbunn1465]

Nice bench...truly a work of art.

[@Ron-FabandBuild]

Absolutely beautiful workmanship and well thought out design. My next bench will be based on this build Rob. Thanks for all you do.

[@bradymcphail9690]

Rob, your work is amazing! Your attention to detail is beyond mind melting! and You're a Canadian 😁 honestly, I've learned more from Canadian craftsman than my American tradesman could ever teach me. Thank you for sharing your insane experience.

[@mikemorocco3663]

I would be afraid to use this beautiful bench. Beautiful work. Well done.

[@galenlong8022]

love that workbench, that is a work of art, absolutely beautiful, I would almost be scared to use it after building it. but that is what it is meant for. I'll be signing up asap.

[@lollandz]

Amazing detail and finish. Beautiful bench

[@DeZahsterBoon]

Love the piano-hinged feet that allow for two hights! Great idea that I hope to use on my bench. Great video!

[@TrevorDennis100]

I was thinking that a Moxen vise would be a good way to raise the work piece. I would pretty much _have_ to have that facility with my ageing eyesight.

[@sandyk6657]

Beautiful workbench - almost too nice to use. The craftsmanship and skill to build this is very impressive. I am looking at buying a Sjoberg's Elite woodworking bench because there is no way I could build anything that would be as nice as yours or the Sjoberg's at my skill level.

[@del_84]

I know nothing about woodwork, but this thing looks beautiful.

[@KSFWG]

Beautiful bench... I'd be scared to put anything on it... Might scratch it or ding it...

[@ianpearse4480]

Wow, how fantastic. Thank you for sharing

[@quirkygreece]

It’s a beautiful bench - I’d want another one to work on so that I didn’t get this one dirty!

[@scottymac713]

Stunning Bench Rob, the most thought out bench ive seen. Roubo would be going back to the drawing board had he seen this. Oh and the Birds eye maple is just a sick cap off! I appreciate your dedication to the craft. Cheers!

[@mmatja]

Oh my god. It's a piece of art, not a workbench. Beautiful!

[@Darrell_Coquillette]

Man I love that bench! Your friend is going to love it too.

[@richardgeorge9750]

Love the shoes! Aides in the fancy footwork!

[@KamiyaFurniture]

Incredible & Inspiring. It's a work of art. Thanks for sharing this.

[@KamiyaFurniture]

Thanks!

[@erikjohnson2976]

Spectacular bench, Rob! Thanks for sharing. You provided many interesting concepts and ideas that I'll be incorporating into my soon-to-be-built bench.

[@SapphosSails]

A total beauty!

[@mkbm71]

Was looking for a video on what I'd need from a workbench so not quite what I was looking for... but... what a piece of beauty!!! Award winning surely! I'm still learning how to cut a straight line and fretting about whether I can manage with my jigsaw. Not quite in your league (Yet) :-)

[@jedi_mario]

That bench is beautiful. I am in the process of setting up a shop from scratch. I'd love to see a series of videos on how to set up shop--a real basic thing. With hand tools and machines.

[@mattcartwright8272]

Beautifully designed and crafted. It's so fine that if I made one I'd be worried about damaging it. I can see myself covering it with a dust sheet and walking around with a tin of Osmo and a rag anytime I got near it :-)

[@SamuraiWilko]

if i had a bench like this one , o would never work on it... it weel be my dinner table ... a real master piece. congrats for the great work you did :)

[@jackisley]

You can make the ramp the same way as you made the front tray for expansion. deeper groove than needed in the front board. :) Absolutely LOVE this video brother. so intricate and meticulous.

[@ccr542]

Beautiful work! I would love a bench like that but I need to use it and there is no way I would want to scratch it. That thing is nicer than most pieces of furniture!

[@iLykeCahrs]

Outstanding. I wish I had the means and ability to produce something half as good

[@Wood_Slice]

Love the shoes

[@sduncan000]

Wow - the Rolls-Royce of Benches - very nice!

[@synapse131]

Hey Rob, I think you'll like the springs from Bic and other types of lighters. There are some shorter springs with slightly larger diameter that would work really well for these types of applications (along with some longer ones too that resemble the pen springs you have been using but with a narrower diameter.) I've found that a bent needle nose works best to take the lighters apart.

[@icomba]

Ok i read. BTW THIS IS THE BEST BENCH I'VE EVER SEEN! Very nice work.

[@RichHall48]

An amazing workbench. Beautiful work

[@TheTranq]

Absolutely beautiful bench. Great stuff

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks. Its a high quality bench at a inexpensive price point

[@geoffbembridge7846]

Really nice box Rob clever stuff. Keep'm' coming.

[@pringals]

That bench is a work of art! So beautiful, I'd be afraid to use it.

[@williamfretwell6077]

Like you Rob I like Tage Frid. I am building a very similar bench at the moment except the top is non furniture grade chestnut so it has knots and imperfections so I CAN use it! I even highlight the imperfections with bronze powder in epoxy to fill the knot gaps (and the occasional mistake!). I also have made some changes as the tail vice is almost twice the normal length and travels 13". The rail under the top near the front gives 13" of travel from the far end so remains over a foot from the thread hole so it can't droop!. That design also moves the typical workpeice into the bench and frees up the front edge for the trestle support at the bench end! I should have 83.5 inches between dogs to enable me to make doors. The tool tray is maple and finger jointed along it's whole length front & back so the back vertical edge is supported in sliding dovetails for movement. The clear-out ramps have no movement issues. My challenge has been the chestnut, it was cracked, knotted & twisted but deserved to be something!. The 72 feet of 2.25" by 5.5" has stretched to the top only, the trestle will come out of my other wood now. Your hardware is beautiful. My total budget of $400 would not stretch to that! Your bench shows people what is achievable with a generous budget and the experience to remove any joint roadblocks. I would encourage people to not seek plans for their build but enjoy the thought process of truly building their own bench. Most people only build one good bench so design progress will be very slow if you just follow someone else. I love your bench and the extreme care you put into it. I do wonder if you are adding holes for hold downs. I do question the dual height aspect, I am going with 38" height. If the plane is sharp pushing down is less important than walking the length of a long board. To that end the hinged wood idea can work on the front right trestle leg for clamping a long board but swings away for leg clearance when working on the bench top. The trestle foot ends seem a little short and lack presence to balance the look but that's just me. A gorgeous bench!

[@BradLobregt]

Your shop looks like it would be a very enjoyable place to create..... Thanks for great videos.... Brad

[@josearrue4072]

I just watch the video and really this bench is a piece of art. It´ll heart just to scratch it. Do you really are going to work on top of it? Impressive

[@christophermacier]

Amazing work!

[@LuisNeves]

Simply put ... amazing skills.

[@BackyardWoodworking]

Very nice bench. Great craftsmanship.

[@Ro-ni7nm]

Such a great video and channel Rob! The mahogany edging or inlay around your work surface caught my attention for the exact same reason as what you later explained was tge origin of the aesthetically pleasing "highlight" haha or accent piece.. nice work and thats what creates a tradesman inmho experience enough to know where accuracy can be overlooked somewhat to save heaps of time ajd then knowing how to pay the attention to hide or basically dress the rough sawn edges. VERY CREATIVE AND SUCH A REWARDING PROCESS!!THE CURE FOR ADHD

[@TheBouffard1]

Very, very nice workbench!

[@924eightball]

your friend is a real lucky guy rob, I'd be inclined to use it as a dining table, all that expensive hardwood, your dovetailing is really second to none Rob, can I be your friend

[@indigogolf3051]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

[@triune_blades]

Absolutely beautiful!!! 😮😮😀

[@Th0rOS]

This is not a Work Bench, it's a Work of ART! /me bows...

[@JDMeister]

Really nice workbench, personally i don't really like the Scandinavian vice but that is a real work of art.

[@SOLT_Mark]

I have never seen a more beautiful or well-done workbench. I would be hesitant to use it though.

[@arthurmccutchan7000]

Awesome thanks

[@jeffeverde1]

Watching this in 2020 -- Rob looks so *young*

[@fouroakfarm]

Gorgeous bench

[@davomontgomeryda3rd]

Wow! That is as impressive as it is beautiful. Only issue I would have that table is not ever wanting to use it for fear of putting a scratch on it. ;)