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Dream Workbench

comments (53) January 26th, 2012 in Reader's Gallery

JonJLLJC, member

255 users recommend

The top of the bench is independent of the cabinet portion.
The top sits on top of the legs and is actually separated from the underlying
cabinet. The top is held in position and
alignment by two dowel rod pegs on the front legs and simply sits on the back
legs. This allows the top to float during expansion/contraction
with no stress on the legs or cabinet
portion.

24 inch Hovarter face vise with a 7 inch wide bubinga front jaw. The front apron is flush with the the front legs to allow utilization of the leg surfaces for clamping in both the face vise and the tail vise.

The workbench includes 20 drawers and a storage cabinet which are accessed from both sides.

Lie-Nielsen tail vise with a custom sized maple/bubinga case.

The top of the bench is independent of the cabinet portion. The top sits on top of the legs and is actually separated from the underlying cabinet. The top is held in position and alignment by two dowel rod pegs on the front legs and simply sits on the back legs. This allows the top to "float" during expansion/contraction with no stress on the legs or cabinet portion.

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My ultimate workbench-- finally finished! The bench has a tail vise, a 24" face vise, and a patternmaker's vise. Overall size is 36" x 92". The top is 4" thick laminated hard maple with a 5" bubinga apron. With all the vise hardware, the bench weighs approx 1000-1100 lbs. The cabinet's underside was reinforced to allow use of a special low profile dolly that was built. The dolly can be placed under the bench, allowing it to be easily moved around the shop if needed. The bench was constructed in 3 components (cabinet, legs, and top) and can be easily disassembled into the components to allow for transport and reassembly.

Design or Plan used: My Own Design - Ultimate Workbench

posted in: Reader's Gallery, WorkBench, dovetails, maple, frame and panel, plywood, oil, rosewood

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Comments (53)

Eternal writes: If plans for this bench are still available, I would love to take this project on! Great work... my email is eclifton@mywijjit.com

Thank you in advance.
Posted: 11:59 pm on May 12th

sterlingtmeyer writes: This is one of he most beautiful benches I have ever seen, bravo my fiend. Did you use a plan or did you come up with it on your own? I love the two colors. One question though,"The outside edge surrounding the bench, is that another species altogether or is it stain?" Strike that from the record I just read the body of the bench description.
Posted: 8:27 am on May 7th

Hutch1101 writes: I have been researching my new workbench and keep coming back to yours. Absolutely beautiful. I would love to receive any of info you have. You can send to j.c.hutch@gmail.com
Posted: 5:27 pm on April 30th

66ghostrider writes: Hi Jon,
What a wonderful piece of workmanship. I would really like to get any information you have (plans, sketches, or notes on your Work bench),
I can be contacted at Ghostrider6650@gmail.com.

Once again thanks for sharing a wonderful piece of wood work.

R.E Garside
Garside Racing

P.S. The first scratch is the worst, then it's on to enjoy bench...
Posted: 2:15 pm on April 23rd

PelhamPete writes: What an absolutely gorgeous piece! Bravo.
I'll be very curious how the top in particular ages given the problem with cross-grain construction (i.e., the seasonal expansion & contraction due to swings in the moisture content). I built a bench similar to your's ONLY in the sense that I locked the entire bench top within a frame of huge lumber (in my case it was 4" x 3" maple) and therefore I ended up needing to seal the thing in varnish to prevent the top from going through the whole compression/expansion cycle and in the process, presumably, cracking. So far so good (10 years plus) but I do wish I hadn't ended up needing to apply the varnish … my workpieces slide around too much for my liking.
Posted: 1:04 pm on April 22nd

Woodzzz writes: Really beautiful design and superb craftsmanship in the execution. How do we contact you to obtain the construction information you so generously offered?

Thanks

planeguy@comcast.net
Posted: 3:27 pm on April 17th

RichRiddle writes: Jon,

I would be interested in the plans, sketches, or anything you have. It's good to see a fellow Kentuckian do such fine work. Thank you.

eastern_shore@lycos.com
Posted: 8:53 pm on April 1st

tonewoods writes: Wow !!! What a beautiful and practical work of art. I have been looking for some good bench plans for some time. this is by far the best i have seen so far. Please send me any info that you can on plans or build sketches. That would be more than appreciated. Thank You James email jim.guitar@hotmail.com
Posted: 8:13 pm on March 20th

Tomf331 writes: Jon, I don't know what other compliments I can add. I would very much appreciate receiving plans for the bench. IT IS TRULY AMAZING! tlfortner@gmail.com
Posted: 6:44 pm on March 17th

oo2short writes: Jon, if the plans are still available on this workbench, I'd appreciate a copy. Thanks, cgdavis88@comcast.net
Posted: 5:30 pm on March 10th

calebderek writes: Wow... I took for granted having my fathers shop and bench to work on and had some ideas of what I wanted for my self but this is it. Can you please send me anything you have on your bench? Thank you and great job

Calebderek1979@yahoo.com
Posted: 3:11 am on March 8th

jackjhill writes: In all the excitement I forgot to give my e-mail. jackh@utri.com THANKS AGAIN!!
Posted: 6:09 pm on March 5th

jackjhill writes: I would be very appreciative to recieve anything regarding constuction of that awesome woodworking bench! THANKS
Posted: 5:59 pm on March 5th

andytint writes: Hey any info you would share about build would be great andyallday@optonline.net Thank you
Posted: 10:26 am on March 4th

andytint writes:
Posted: 10:26 am on March 4th

LDowning writes: Hi Jon,

You have deigned a very beautiful and functional work bench.

I would enjoy making this workbench to replace one I built many years ago as a temperary workbench.

if you are still sending the design out

brady.tucker12@gmail.com

Thank you
Larry

Posted: 8:56 am on March 3rd

rk10007 writes: Jon,
My e-mail, too
ron@ronkaplanlaw.com
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ron
Posted: 8:41 am on March 3rd

Greebs writes: Hi Jon, I will throw my email address in the mix to see if I can get some plan info on your bench. I have looked around and have not found any good plans on what I need, yours fits the bill almost exactly. Please send here...

sagrieb@yahoo.com

Thank you.
Posted: 6:40 pm on March 2nd

BrentIowa writes: Jon,
Beautiful just beautiful and very practical..if you are still sending or interested in sending me some info on your bench,I would've most grateful..
Again thank you for sharing your work with us.
Brentrlong@msn.com
Posted: 11:48 am on March 2nd

rk10007 writes: Jon,
I guess it's unanimous. Beautiful job. I am curious, though, and I think we can all learn a bit more. Having built this beauty, what would you change, what would you do differently, how would you tweak the design if you were to start from scratch, what are your regrets, and what was the most important thing you learned in the design and construction phases of the project? Lots of questions, I know, but it would be of great value to those of us embarking on this type of project. Thanks and congratulations,
Ron
Posted: 11:56 am on March 1st

Besilly writes: Jon,
What a beautiful crafted, solid piece of work! Like many of us, I have dreamed of making the ultimate bench. I would love to receive any basic diagrams and/or drawings that you have on your bench (or additional pics even) just to get a better sense of how you constructed it. If you are still willing to keep up with all the requests please send me along anything you are willing to besilly@gmavt.net . Thanks so much!

Posted: 6:40 am on February 29th

Razzuz writes: Jon, I am to the point of building a workbench that I want to last forever and I love what you've done. I would love to have any information that you would be willing to share. You have done an amazing job and it is beautiful! My email is Majwhitaker@gmail.com Thanks!
Posted: 12:31 pm on February 25th

Greebs writes: Jon, trying to figure out how to take you up on the offer of sharing plans. I am not sure how to get ahold of you though.
Posted: 5:35 pm on February 24th

JonJLLJC writes: For anyone interested, I have now put together a detailed step by step description of how I built my bench. It is not a set of standard plans but does include some diagrams, pictures, and drawings. I think it might be helpful in building a bench.

If you are interested in building a bench similar to mine, I would be happy to send you this information.
Posted: 12:23 am on February 18th

Wonkey writes: I echo the rest. Inspiring. And not a single woodworker who looks at this can honestly say they have no envy. Congrats on creating a true heirloom that will live past all of us to be sure.
Posted: 10:45 pm on February 16th

Frenchy1959 writes: Jeff, Great working with you on this project. You taught me a ton.
Posted: 11:31 pm on February 7th

Spilperson writes: How can you look at that and not get bitten by the bug? It really is beautiful. I hope to be able to steal a lot of you features someday.

For me, I would want to lengthen it out a couple of feet and put a kneehole between the drawers. I have back problems, plus I like to sit at my bench working on other hobbies as well.
Posted: 8:41 pm on February 6th

JohnnyC7 writes: Jon,
Awesome bench. I would like to talk to you about building one. I've been looking around for some designs to make one but have not been satisfied with anything yet. Yours is definately a bench I could never be dissatisfied with.
Can you send me an e-mail to discuss.
Thanks,
Johnnyc7
Posted: 4:55 pm on February 2nd

JonJLLJC writes: Thanks for everyone's comments. It really makes one feel good and raises one's enthusiasm when you get positive feedback from fellow woodworkers. Like most of you, I am a weekend warrior, an amateur woodworker trying to get better, learn new things, and have fun in my workshop. I really did enjoy finally building the bench that I had been thinking about (and putting off building) for over 7 years. While I am very proud of my bench, it really is nothing compared to the real works of art and talent which are on display in this gallery. I only hope that I can someday become as talented as many of you are. I guess the amount of interest and comments simply confirms that if there is one project that nearly every woodworker wants to do is to build, it is a better workbench.

For many years, I thought about and planned my dream workbench. I read every book, blog, website and, magazine article that I could find to help come up with ideas. My bench represents what, for my needs and in my opinion, is the best features of all the benches I read about and saw. Your situation may be different.

I would love to share my ideas and experiences to anyone who is interested in my bench or interested in building their own. My problem is I really do not know the best way to open a line of communication with those who want to learn more details about my build. At this point, I do not have a set of plans. I built it with notes and rough sketches. I learned a lot in my research and even more with the build (meaning trials and errors). I already know a few changes I wish I had made or thought about. Do not put it off any longer! It is very fulfilling to routinely use and enjoy a piece that you made.

I would love to talk to or e-mail anyone who is interested in my bench or in building their own! Just don’t know the best way to do it yet. May try to put together some plans to share.

P.S. my shop is usually a mess and, yes, I have already proudly scratched the bench.

Posted: 4:05 pm on January 31st

fingerprinnt writes: Starting to research and saw your piece of art. Is it for sale? Only kidding, but the more I look at your layout the better I like what you have done. Would you share your drawings and plans.

Posted: 2:32 pm on January 31st

MPD1965 writes: WOW!-Don't know what to say.. I love everything about this workbench. It looks big and heavy(how much does it weigh?), it looks very functional, and it is BEAUTIFUL! I have been thinking about making my ultimate bench but did not know which way I wanted to go. This has truly inspired me. The planning and workmanship is obvious. Where did you get your plans or ideas? Do you have plans and are you willing to share. GREAT JOB!!
Posted: 12:01 pm on January 30th

slurie writes: So nice, I'd be afraid to work on it.
Posted: 11:13 pm on January 29th

root writes: Jon; fantastic bench and design. I have been researching workbenches for some time now, from the books to the blogs and like your bench. Will you share your plans. It's about time I stop researching and start doing. Thanks.
Posted: 1:51 pm on January 29th

boutaswell writes: An outstanding bench, it looks too good to use. It should be in an exhibit hall or something. I remember I felt like crying the first time I got an unwarranted scratch on my $150 bench. I can't even imagine a scratch on this one. I'd have to be committed.
Posted: 11:58 am on January 29th

thosporter writes: Having just spent several months making my own bench, I can really appreciate the time,effort,and vision this beautiful bench represents.
Posted: 11:42 am on January 29th

I_SED8M writes: Thanks for the answer. I had a feeling someone who could make a bench that nice would plan for just about everything.
Posted: 9:49 am on January 29th

harerazor writes: Sorry, My wife noted that I made a negative comment about a beautiful product. I only wish that I had time to devote to such a wonderful endeavor. Fantastic JOB!
Posted: 11:13 pm on January 28th

harerazor writes: It is a truly beautiful work of art, and looks functional too! However, from the photo's, I don't see a speck of sawdust. Does this shop get used or are you just the most AR woodworker in the world?
Posted: 10:48 pm on January 28th

donnadouwanna writes: Jon,
I am in awe. Can we get your workplans. I have been loking for a bench and until now I have not been impressed.
Posted: 8:41 pm on January 28th

atcltd2003 writes: Gosh I wish I had the space to utilize this size workbench. Out of necessity I'm struggling to create a much more compact bench that will provide convenient clamping and stability.
Posted: 7:28 pm on January 28th

dmhjr writes: Beautiful. Only one thing wrong with it.
It is not in my shop!
Posted: 7:06 pm on January 28th

ajkelly writes: That is one beautiful workbench Jon. I love the contasting maple and bubinga. I also would be afraid to put the first scratch on it while using it. It looks like there are drawers on both sides? Can we get your plans? Maybe you could even sell them to Fine Woodworking and they could post the plans?
Posted: 2:26 pm on January 28th

gbear1 writes: I agree with the others...this is one of the finest, well planned bench I have seen. I love it. Hopefully, you
will share the plans someday.
Posted: 1:26 pm on January 28th

Dillcar writes: Fantastic table! This seems really well designed and the workmanship appears outstanding. This table would work great in my shop. If you have plans I would surely build one for myself as soon as time permitted. You seem to have thought of everything a woodworker needs in a bench.
Posted: 1:17 pm on January 28th

AVPratt writes: This is the most beautiful bench I have ever seen and I am sure you are very proud. I appreciate tour attention to detail and the craftsmanship exhibited in your fine bench.
Posted: 1:10 pm on January 28th

JonJLLJC writes: I_SED8M-- The end aprons are not glued on. Rather, I dadoed groves on the apron and bench and placed a long wood spline in the grooves to secure it in place. Lag bolts with washers and large holes to allow for expansion and contraction hold it in place. The top can expand and contract while the end aprons "float" on the spline.
Posted: 11:15 am on January 28th

I_SED8M writes: Beautiful bench. I notice the apron runs across the grain on the ends. Aren't you worried about splitting when the top expands & contracts?
Posted: 9:58 am on January 28th

schroeder11085 writes: Really nice Bench. For wolf335599 a patternmakers vise is the ultimate vise. They they can rotate in any direction and the jaws pivot. An expensive but nice addition.
Posted: 8:56 am on January 28th

EltonHammond writes: Incredible workmanship!! You must be an exceptionally talented and patient woodworker. Definitely the best workbench I have ever seen! CONGRATULATIONS on a fantastic job! So beautiful I would be afraid to scratch it by using it!! :-)
Posted: 8:55 am on January 28th

wolf335599 writes: Really beautiful. But what's for an patternmaker's vise?
Posted: 7:27 am on January 28th

47TPI writes: one of the most beatifull benches I have ever seen. Are you finding the 84 inches long enough? I really like your choice of vises. The 2' face vise more than makes up for a shoulder vise and the pattern vise is a very wise choice AND THE TAIL VISE IS A GREAT PIECE OF WORK.
Posted: 2:46 am on January 27th

luv2smellnitro writes: Congratulations. Very nice.
Posted: 7:58 pm on January 26th

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Dream Workbench

Comments (53)

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