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An Australian Roubo workbench

comments (22) June 25th, 2011 in Reader's Gallery

Groggy Groggy, member
thumbs up 50 users recommend
The finished bench!
When not in use, holdfasts and dogs can be stored at the rear of the bench under the overhang to save wear and tear on the knees.
A 2.5mm router bit left a smooth entry to the dog holes.
Complete and now in use.
The finished bench! - CLICK TO ENLARGE

The finished bench!
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This bench is a modernised Roubo design. A clamp-cosy underneath keeps the long clamps out of the way in a small workshop. The top is 5-1/2" thick Australian Jarrah, 8'2" long and 26" wide. The bench weighs over 1100 lbs.

The design is intended to maximise the versatilty of the bench as a tool.


Design or Plan used: My own design
posted in: Reader's Gallery, WorkBench, dovetails, roubo, Karri, Redgum, Sydney Blue Gum, jarrah, Benchrafted, wagon vise, tasmanian oak, Marri
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Comments (22)

Groggy Groggy writes: "Jarrah, though. Did someone die and leave you a Jarrah ranch?"

:-)

The Jarrah was part of the roofing from a demolished factory. The surfaces you can see are the best and took a lot of work to hide checks and soft timber. Resawing the beams would have been very wasteful as it would have exposed the poorer quality timber beneath. It could not have been re-purposed for furniture without significant loss of otherwise usable timber.


Posted: 12:37 am on February 12th

Spilperson Spilperson writes: Wow. Wow.

Beautiful. I bet you could sell that for huge $$ for someone to use in the house, and it would still look fantastic.

Jarrah, though. Did someone die and leave you a Jarrah ranch? Otherwise, what kind of mortgage do you have on that thing?
Posted: 9:00 pm on February 6th

B.L. Zeebub B.L. Zeebub writes: Fab bench, mate.
Posted: 3:22 pm on January 28th

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: to complete my cut off statement worth of being called a sturdy bench

Posted: 11:26 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: WOW - now THAT'S
Posted: 11:25 pm on November 1st

Spilperson Spilperson writes: Agree with the others, I really like the color. Very nice piece of work!
Posted: 9:34 pm on September 17th

BigNellie BigNellie writes: Like the color and especially the fluted designed on the legs.The weight will make it a great working foundation, bench won't think about going anywere.
Posted: 12:34 am on August 10th

BigNellie BigNellie writes: Like the color and especially the fluted designed on the legs.The weight will make it a great working foundation, bench won't think about going anywere.
Posted: 12:34 am on August 10th

BigNellie BigNellie writes: For dorse72.Have fun, pick up some books. Great ones on Amazon. Im biulding different syles of workbenches at this time and having a lot of fun.Just waiting to pick up planer/jointer.
My tops at this time at 3" thick, looking at going for 5". Starting to use a hand plane to level edges/tops. Lots of fun.
Folks have actually asked if I can make/help them designed a bench for them.

Posted: 12:30 am on August 10th

dorse72 dorse72 writes: that is the greatest workbench I've ever seen. for a beginner like me, I can't see ever doing something like that - even though I'd love to. unreal
Posted: 3:17 pm on July 26th

cpfrank cpfrank writes: That wood is handsome, great work. I know its a workbench - but it is as stately as furniture.
Posted: 6:30 pm on July 18th

pmcgee pmcgee writes: There is not *going* to be any movement, noise or vibration.
EVER. :) No seriously, I think it is great that you made it to be portable. Did you have to have the concrete pad reinfoced beforehand? Great job.
I would love to know what american woods that we read about in magazines would equate to our Jarrah, Karri, BlueGum, etc.
Posted: 9:13 pm on July 5th

franky08 franky08 writes: Rock on!! nice work.. Would appreciate a few pictures when it is complete....

Posted: 8:39 pm on June 29th

billword billword writes: This is a great looking table. I am sure it will be a pleasure to use. I have one similar but only 1/2 the weight

bill word
member
Posted: 3:25 pm on June 26th

Groggy Groggy writes: TheNorwegian, I'll see what I can do with regards the pictures. It will be at least a month before I get stuck into it again due to other commitments. (this is a spare time project). The weight was a deliberate choice so the energy used for hand tools goes into the work piece and is not transmitted away by movement, noise and vibration.
Posted: 8:14 pm on June 25th

TheNorwegian TheNorwegian writes: Looks fantastic, and weighing 1100lbs I am sure it must be rock steady ! Would appreciate a couple of pics when it is complete :-)
Posted: 12:40 pm on June 25th

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