Replies

1. 
   Sawthelight | Jan 10, 2005 06:50pm | #1

   Several woodworking supply companies have benches imported from various countries, many very expensive. After much research, I decided to purchase one from Lee Valley in Canada. I believe they call it their Veritas bench, & they have it available in several versions. I chose the one with the trestle hardwood base, & it comes with two vises, including their highly rated twin screw vise. The bench is patented & unique, like so many products Lee Valley makes, that are made & sold only through them. The various parts of the bench are made either in Canada or the USA.

   Lee Valley has one of the best customer service reputations in the business, & they bend over backwards to please you. They actually have an American address to ship from in New York State to make things easier for all of us living in the US. Call & request their woodworking tools catalog (they also have hardware & gardening tools catalogs as well). Website address is http://www.leevalley.com

   As far as I know all products come with a money back guaranty, so you have little to lose. I have no relation to them whatsoever, other than being a happy customer. I am pleased with my becnch & the various accessory options I chose as well. Built like a battleship, & well thought out.

   Cowboy Bill

    

2. 
   Napie | Jan 10, 2005 07:49pm | #2

   Build your own.  Its a woodworkers rite of passage.  Anyway, it's fun and not to difficult at all with all the great hardware out there now.

3. 
   Peter36 | Jan 10, 2005 11:18pm | #3

   Lie-Nielsen has just started making them. Rob Cosman makes beautiful ones. Lee Valley sells several different models.

1. 
   rosasco | Jan 26, 2005 09:24pm | #8

   Thanks for the information Peter.

1. 
   mvac | Jan 28, 2005 07:41pm | #9

   I would have to agree with the folks who recommend building your own. I bought a Sjoberg bench top from Woodcraft and built the base myself. It's certainly a serviceable bench, and I needed a workbench quickly for some projects, but there are several issues with it for me. The vises are merely adequate. And the bench itself is light in weight, having been built with only 1 1/4" thick stock surrounded by a 2 1/2" apron.

   Now that I've developed more woodworking skill, building a new bench is both a high priority and less of a risky proposition for me. While I'll still make a mistake or two as we all do, it'll be as satisfying as having learned to hand-cut dovetails, and be of a quality and specifications that are much more acceptable for me.

   Good luck,Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 28, 2005 09:15pm | #10

   While I'll still make a mistake or two as we all do??

   I just make BIG BLUNDERS!  Never stopped me..

1. 
   mvac | Jan 28, 2005 09:38pm | #11

   "I just make BIG BLUNDERS!  Never stopped me.."

   Well, my Dad always said, If you're gonna do something, go all the way!Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

4. 
   AndyA | Jan 11, 2005 07:07am | #4

   I have seen the Lie-Nielsen bench and it is beautiful and built like a tank. They have very good customer support as does Lee Valley. Please let us know what you decide and how it worked out.
   Regards,
   Andy

5. 
   nikkiwood | Jan 11, 2005 09:18am | #5

   In addition to the ones mentioned you might also check out the benches carried by Woodcraft (Ulmia) and Garrett Wade.

   The Ulmia has been the standard for many years.

6. 
   mgsteve | Jan 11, 2005 09:07pm | #6

   I would suggest building your own.  I did and I'm quite proud of the effort.  I got the Taunton Book on workbenches.  I took ideas from different benches and came up with 1 that I liked.  The cost is less than buying and more satisfying.  I did not put a tool tray on the back and I'm glad.  It would collect a lot of dust and tools.  I built a tail vise on 1 end and purchased a vise from Record for the other.

   Good luck

   mgsteve

7. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 13, 2005 04:56am | #7

   The fact of the matter is, you can build a workbench that will satisfy your needs.  Not only will you end up with a bench that works for you, the process will teach you volumes of information that will add to your woodworking experience in the future.

   If youu choose this route, you will no doubt make mistakes, as we all have.  The reward will be that you'll not make them again.  Embrace making your own workbench, you'll be glad you did!

    

   Rob