It's finally done. And I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. The bench, so far, is everything I was envisioning it to be. There are a couple issues here and there, but nothing of concern. No bench is the "perfect" bench. Although I would have to say that Andres Roubo has come mighty close. As I was watching the movie "Master and Commander" earlier this week, I was admiring the construction of the inside of the captain's cabin and thinking about the tools and benches that were used to create these examples of fine woodwork. The cabin is located directly at the rear of the ship, and the windows are all built around a compound curve. This is no Hollywood set though. This tall ship was built as a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate. And in the movie, it was used as the HMS Surprise. After a little Googling I discovered the original HMS Surprise, was actually a French-made boat (the Unite) captured by the British and renamed "Surprise" for the way in which the ship was taken. Andres Roubo wrote his treatise on woodworking around 1770. The Unite was built in 1794. What does all this have to do with this bench? There's a good chance that the original curved windows and panels I was admiring in the movie were built using a bench very similar, if not outright the same as Andre Roubo's bench. I happen to have built Roubo's German Cabinetmaker's bench from plate 279 (perhaps it's my German blood that influenced my decision), but this bench is 100% French at it's heart. I think Roubo would be proud to know that over 2 centuries later, his design is still being used, and enthusiastically at that. Thanks to Scott Landis' "The Workbench Book" for introducing me to the Roubo bench. And thanks also to Chris Schwarz for rekindling my interest. I'm looking forward to many years of work on my new 2008 Roubo German Model.
Jameel that bench would make Monsieur Roubo proud. Thanks for sharing the process.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping a line.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Jameel - I think this may be the best overall bench design I've seen yet. High tech where it counts, but at heart just a solid, strong workholding platform. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to post the occasional update - I want to hear how the vises serve you over time.
Bravo!
Thanks Raney. We'll see how the bench works. I'll make sure and post an update in a few months or so.
ReplyDeleteA simply beautiful workbench with precise construction. Thank you for writing about the process. What a joy to work on a bench like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's always fun to share projects like this with other enthusiasts.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work. You inspire me to keep working at my bench. A variation on Monsieur Roubo's plan.
ReplyDeleteBesides my wife, I think that is about the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on. WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on tackling one in the not too distant future. I'll be happy if I can make it functional, but would be ecstatic if it turned out half as nice as yours.
WOW! This past spring my father and I spent a wonderful week building a Roubo bench. Your bench puts ours to shame. Oh well, I'll punch a few more holes in the now seasoned doug fir, have a great bonfire, cook some weenies and start planning the next bench. Thanks for telling your story.
ReplyDeleteHi Jameel,
ReplyDeletereading about the building process of your beautiful bench was as exciting as it must be to work at. And you are saying you have german ancestors: this is where it comes to full circle because I'm sending greetings from Berlin, Germany. Thanks a lot for your great report! It is great inspiration for all woodworkers! +++ Gerald +++
Vic, Thanks. I hope your wife doesn't read your comment though! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGerald, Danke Schoen! My mother is German, and I'm proud of it. If we were closer I'd invite you over for some fine beer and some bench work.
Hey Jameel,
ReplyDeleteMy wife's German. I get to go drink great beer this fall!!!
Jameel,
ReplyDeleteI think you should add Master Photographer to your business cards, right behind Master Luthier and Master Benchmaker!
Ethan,
ReplyDeleteNice of you to say so, but I can't take credit for the pictures. That is the work of my brother, who at one time was a professional photographer. The first pic is pretty good though, right? I took that one. ;-)
I've been doing research in preparation to build a bench and this one is the best I've seen. Thanks to you, Chris Schwarz, Bill Liebold and Scott Landis, I finally have the plans (I have to build the new shop first, though.)
ReplyDeleteHow is the sliding action of the parallel guide on the sliding leg vice? I noticed it does not have the rollers that the fixed vice has.
Mike
Mike,
ReplyDeleteThe action is fine. The chop on the slider is 2" (1" less than the fixed), so it's a bit lighter. I also waxed the guide. It's not as smooth as the one with rollers, so when opening it wide it tends to tilt back, then jump out at the bottom. Sometimes I have to grab the bottom to pull it out. 90% of the time stock is 8/4 or less, so it's not like I'm opening this vise to very wide capacities. All my really thick clamping will take place at the fixed vise, like planing drawer sides after assembly for example.
Jameel --
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your blog so faithfully! This bench is an inspiration to me.
What I'm wondering is how you are liking the ash surface after a couple of weeks of use. I had been saving pennies toward some maple for my bench, have recently seen some guys using fir which I think might be too soft, and now I'm pondering all over again.
Thanks so much!
Mack
Mack,
ReplyDeleteSo far the Ash is fine. I don't even notice that's it's different than my old maple bench. I'd stay away from fir for the top. For the base it would be fine I think. If I had been really thinking, I would have probably used maple for my top. But the Ash is fine, really.
What a great bench. Beautiful handmade. I like it a lot. Great job.
ReplyDelete