It's been about a year since I finished my first Roubo bench project. I didn't think I'd do it again in my lifetime. But here I am a year later and I've just completed a third massive Roubo-style bench. I'm using this bench to display Benchcrafted vises at the Woodworking In America Conference in St. Charles, IL next month.
This bench will be used lightly over the course of the weekend, and Sunday afternoon when the conference ends, the bench will be available for pick up.
The top sections, base and shelf are of soft maple. The top measures 7' 3" long x 24" wide and is 4" thick. The height is 35". The top joins to the base on 1" tenons at the top of each leg, plus 4 Spaz
The bench is outfitted with both the Glide Leg Vise and Benchcrafted Tail Vise.
The Glide features a hard maple chop that is over 2-1/2" thick. The vise chop is 9" wide and opens to a maximum capacity of 9".
The Benchcrafted Tail Vise is installed for maximum capacity of 11-1/4" between the jaws. Maximum holding capacity between dogs is 75". All vise jaws and dog faces are lined with perforated suede leather for fantastic grip.
The 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" base legs are drawbored mortise and tenon to the short stretchers and complete the base with two long rails through knockdown fasteners: 1/2" bolts and 1"dia. custom steel barrel nuts.
The shelf in the base is 21" x 49" ship lapped curly maple.
The sliding deadman/board jack is hard maple and is outfitted with a Veritas Surface Clamp. The right leg and tops are drilled for Gramercy holdfasts (two included) or other accessories that fit 3/4" holes.
The bench weighs 285 lbs.
The gap between the tops is wide enough to accommodate a K-Body clamp. The bench features an accessory strip that fits between the tops that can serve multiple functions. In it's flush position (below) it seals the gap and prevents all but small tools from falling through. The slot in the strip can be used for storing tools (see below).
Flip the strip over and it protrudes above the bench about 1/2", serving as a planing stop or sawing stop when slid to one end of the bench. The strip simply rests on the top rails of the base in both configurations and can be removed instantly if desired.
If you're interested in purchasing this bench at the WIA show in Chicago, please drop me a line. The price is $3195.
