Let's
have a detailed look at how to build a workbench
for woodworking. Before you start building any workbench,
make sure you have decided on the kind of vises you want
to use. From a woodworkers point of view, you have the
choice of two different vises which you can put on your
workbench. So, how to build a workbench is first
of all a question about what vises are going to be used.
Different
vises for your home built workbench
Let's
have a look at a heavy duty professional woodworking workbench
to make sure we know what we are taking about. Sjöbergs
deluxe cabinetmakers workbench is built with two different
types of vises or clamps.
The
front clamp is a parallel clamp and one of the most common
on every workbench.This
kind of front parallel clamp can be bought from various
sources individually. Rockler offers a very solid one
with two screws closing at the same time. The twin
screw wise has both screws connected with a chain
guaranteeing that the force is divided parallel on the
clamp.
 In
case of planning to build a smaller woodworking workbench,
you could also get a smaller quick release vise. Depending
on the size of the workbench you build and how thick the
benchtop is supposed to be, this smaller vise might give
you enough pressure for daily jobs.
 The
rear vise, integrated into the workbench top, can open
up to 10 inches and gives tremendous pressure as it presses
against the end grain. However, integrating this kind
of rear clamp into a self made workbench is rather difficult
and requires a rather thick benchtop. Even getting this
rear clamp can be difficult, especially in North America.
In Europe, it was sold in the past by Bessey or directly
as a spare part from the manufacturers like Sjoebergs
or Ulmia.
Workbenches
with or without cabinets underneath
Before
you start to build a workbench, think a moment about how
the base should be. You can choose between standard framed
workbench bases or having them combined with cabinets
for tools and machinery storage. From a practical point
of view, if you build a workbench with cabinets underneath,
it seems to be very efficient at first glance. However,
cabinets and shelves at the base have two disadvantages.
First, the cabinets work like a kind of loud speakers
if connected to the benchtop. So, whenever you use a power
tool on your workbench, the noise level will increase.
The second disadvantage of having a cabinet under your
workbench is its accessibility. Think about it for a moment.
Whenever you clamp a larger workpiece at the front vise,
it will stand underneath the benchtop and prevent cabinet
doors or drawers from opening. What seems to be a nice
way of tool storage can become quite annoying during day
to day work. I prefer a wall mounted cabinet for most
of my hand tools close to the workbench.
Wood used to build a workbench
Nearly
all professional heavy duty workbenches are made of beech.
Dried and damped beach wood is elastic and at the same
time hard enough for daily use. If you consider building
your workbench totally on your own, make sure that the
wood used is very dry and laminated for the bench top.
On
standard or lighter workbenches birch wood is often used.
Compared to beech, it might be less durable but gives
enough hardness combined with less weight. As far as the
thickness of the workbench top is concerned, major high
end workbenches such as Sjoebergs or Ulmia make the top
up to 4 inches thick. This allows bench dogs a solid fit
and gives the workbench the solidity for heavy daily use.
Accessories when you are building a workbench on your
own
It
is not really often a question on how to build a workbench,
but more on what to think about at first before you start.
So, you have thought about size, the vises to be used,
the cabinets underneath or not and the wood you will build
it with. Before you get started, have a look at some of
the accessories you want to use in your workbench when
you built it.
 Bench Dogs
Depending
on the bench dogs you decide upon, you will have to
mortise bench dog holes in your workbench. Especially
where you set the holes, your benchtop should be at
least 2 inches thick to give the bench dogs a good
solid fit. Rockler's bench dogs are for holes of 5/8'' x 3/4'' size.
Hold
Down Clamps
Another
very useful accessory when you build a workbench is
a hold down clamp. The Jorgenson
hold down clamp as one example here, is inserted into
the 3/4" bench hole and gives you a kind of extra
hand while working.
Finally,
before you start to build a workbench and try
to figure out what might be the best way to do it and
how to get all the accessories, you should have a look
at some good
workbench
plans or consider getting workbench
kits with all
needed hardware and good instructions included. Most
of the time these plans not only show you how to build
a workbench,
but also where to source the hardware for it.
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