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John Lega's Joiner's Bench Plans

🕑 Added 2020-02-04 14:42:40 +0000 UTC

Comments

Rex Krueger

Eric: Welcome to the channel! I'm glad you're here. I'm also glad you think the Joiner's Bench is right for you. I've used one of those HF benches and they're terrible. I wish you all the luck in building a better one. I'll have updated plans in March and they'll be FREE to Patrons.

Eric Huggins

Rex: Your joiner's workbench was the tipping point to joining you on Patreon. I started my trek into woodworking as many have I am sure, via Paul Sellers and always thought my first bench would be in his style. But as I started collecting tools I soon found that without a bench, it was really hard to make progress - so I bought a Harbor Freight woodworking bench. What a mistake. It fails on all accounts - too light, racks, and worst - I loaded my tools in the supplied drawers and the weight pulled the drawer slide partitions out of the bench. Your joiner's bench looks to be the perfect solution, and the one I should have started with in the first place. Thank you for posting the updated drawings as well - I was just about to ask about a cut list and found the updated drawing.

Howard Tuckey

Kevin - yes, that's about it. I'll move them in as Rex commented, and flip them around as well. And thanks Rex! I'm cutting the notches now for the key and the two 4x4 supports. It's slow going, though. Got a sore finger when I swapped hands with my newly sharpened chisel, and grabbed it wrong. It's so sharp that I never felt it until I noticed a red stain on that fresh wood. :-) Gotta pay closer attention, I guess! But that chisel really cuts nicely - cleans up those notches with no problem, just like you showed in your videos. BTW - I'm seeing the same thing you described with the 2x10 lumber. Got it cut at the yard, and brought it home, then set it on edge to acclimate in my shop. It was nice and flat and straight, but a couple of pieces cupped noticeably. Using them cupped side down as you instructed, and they should be fine. I'm using the 6 inch 3/8" carriage bolts (countersunk) to attach the front apron, and heavy 3 1/2 inch lag screws for the ends and back. Gotta think ahead to the leg vise and other attachments when putting those in, as there's possible conflict with other bolts and screws down the road. But I'm loving it! Thanks again for these videos and all the encouragement!

Rex Krueger

Move those legs in 4 inches and you'll be all set.

Rex Krueger

David: If you're only going to make it a foot or two longer, then there's no need for a 3rd trestle. Beyond 7 feet, I would add one; its a good idea. Also you still want that middle rib somewhere; it's really important for locking the aprons together and making a rigid structure. Adding shelves is important. I need some shelves. Send me a picture of whatever you do. I really want to see it!

David

I am hopefully going to be making this today (or at least starting to)! Thinking about making it a little longer though and replacing the middle rib with a third trestle and adding half lap braces at the back and two lower shelves either side of the middle trestle for tool storage as this will be my first proper bench and hopefully my main one. Thanks for the plans and the videos, they are so useful!

Kevin Lundquist

Not Rex but... if I understand what you're saying, I almost made the same mistake and then realized I had the right trestle on the left and the left trestle on the right, which would have resulted in the legs being flush with the ends of the aprons. Is that what you're seeing?

Howard Tuckey

No one else has asked, so mayhap I'm just missing it, but I can't find the measurement for the lag offset from the end of the bench. I put the frame together, then realizes that I had set them flush with the ends, and that isn't right. Trying to figure it out from the center line, but not doing too well. How far in from the ends are the legs mounted? Otherwise, it's going together pretty well!

Rex Krueger

I will ABSOLUTELY do a stock list for the next set. You're right; it's important.

Juan Karlo Licudine

I am planning on making this. One thing I appreciate a lot that is added to this plan is that it has a list of wood dimensions needed for the project. When i got the previous plan I had to go watch the video for me to find out the wood that I needed. You should consider adding a section like this to your future plans too. Things are still great though. Continue what you guys are doing!

Mike M

Very exciting!

Rex Krueger

All of the above. Viseless workholding video will be ready Saturday and a big, cheap leg vise the following week. Big things on the way!

Nic Beurskens

I have mine right at 33" as I'm 5'11". I use a small moxon vice I made for smaller work I want to get close to. That said, I appreciate the angle that a lower-than-beltbuckle bench gives me for sawing tails and pins in the leg vise. I can see the top and front of the board much more easily than in the moxon. I have an old computer chair with adjustable height and no back for a shop stool at the moment that makes chopping out mortices nicer on the lower bench. All in all I'm pretty happy with it.

Shanni Marmen

So what's next? A vise? Hold-fast holes? Planning stops?

Howard Tuckey

Thanks! I'll trim it down a bit.

Rex Krueger

I'm also 6-2, but I wouldn't make the bench much taller than 34 if you're going to be hand-planing. A lower bench means more leg muscles get used and less back. Better for you.

Howard Tuckey

Rex, how tall are you? With the 33" legs, the top sits at 34.5 inches. I cut mine higher - 36", I think, as I'm 6'2" and not quite bendable as I used to be. That makes my bench top 37.5". I figure I can always cut it down an inch or two if I have to.

Rex Krueger

Let me know if you do it; I'm always interested in smithing!

Rex Krueger

Howard, I took the crochet off my low bench and mounted it to this bench TODAY. Works great totally period-correct, too.

Howard Tuckey

I already have most of the pieces cut for your first plan, but I'm happy to see that this one looks to be the same sizes! Trying to foresee mounting one of the Irwin vises to this, and do you think a crochet would be doable/useable/practical as well? And now I'm wondering about a mountable/removable version of a crochet. Hmmm ... And maybe shoehorn a tool drawer into the base, between those legs or braces. This is more fun than actually working! :-)

Robert Reid

Damn, Rex! I love your content. and you're only the second Patreon contributor who has managed to eek some $ out of my tight wallet... Keep up the great work!

Josh McWilliams

Thank you both !!!

Shanni Marmen

Wow. Thank you John! Thanks Rex for everything you do.

Philip Hendrickson

Many thanks to John and you. My uncle had a blacksmith shop and I am sure that this was his style of workbench. I am considering building this bench as well.

Mark Fannin

Please pass on our thanks to John. Rex, you inspire the best in people. Won't be long before the Cable companies come along and you load up the truck and move to Beverlee' Thanks again : )