Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 05, 2005 06:22am | #1

   Go to a bookstore and look at THE WORKBENCH BOOK by Scott Landis.

   In fact it is published by Taunton, and you can look it up on this website.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 05, 2005 06:24am | #2

   And please don't post in red. The lower contrast (relative to black) makes it hard to read.

3. 
   billballeza | Feb 05, 2005 06:27am | #3

   If this is a new hobby for you.. spend some time learning about woodworking before you attempt making a bench.

   Go to the library and check out some books.. continue to read the many postings here on tools and general topics.. and begin to acquire some quality tools.. beginning with a tablesaw.

   Don't try to jump into this all at once. It takes time and patience.

   Good luck to you.

    

   Bill

1. 
   jes | Feb 06, 2005 04:56am | #6

    

   If this is a new hobby for you.. spend some time learning about woodworking before you attempt making a bench.

   There are many different learning styles, and for me the best way to learn is to do.   Of course, you need to know how to use the tools safely, but i think a simple beginner workbench is a great way to start.  I wouldn't suggest trying to make a high end complicated bench out of expensive hardwood to start, but you sure don't need to build anything fancy to have a good sturdy bench for future projects.  There are plenty of examples on the web, in magazines, in bookstores, so find something that seems simple enough for you to tackle but meets your needs, and give it a shot.  Just remember - safety first!!!

    

    Jesse David

   "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before," Bokonon tells us. "He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way."

2. 
   pierre | Feb 06, 2005 07:49am | #8

   Thank you for your advise. 

   PS:  If you know of any good books for beginners, please let me know

1. 
   billballeza | Feb 08, 2005 01:25am | #11

   At the library.. ask for the hobby section, woodworking and look for titles like, Woodworking for Beginners.. you can even do a google search and go to the library armed with titles that interest you.

   Also begin subsribing to woodworking magazines.. or pick them up at the bookstore.

   If you are not absolutely captivated by the reading, as I was, you should reconsider because woodworking can be very expensive.

   Later, you should order videos from Tanton Press on various aspects of woodworking. They are excellent tutorials.

   Good luck! Woodworking is one of the purest joys I have ever encountered.

2. 
   BarryO | Feb 08, 2005 11:01am | #12

   I'd recommend this book: http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070198.asp 

4. 
   Gene | Feb 06, 2005 02:42am | #4

   This bench seems to have gotten a lot of attention, and looks like it might be a good place to start (both as a bench, and as a project).

   http://www.terraclavis.com/bws/beginners.htm

5. 
   Tnias | Feb 06, 2005 04:03am | #5

   The bench references others have sent you are a bit simpler than the ones at these links (Vaughn's Workbench, Charlie’s Workbench), but we have found that if you have the space don't mind a heavy bench the one at this link is very well thought out and the site offers quite a bit of insight on its construction.  At the very least it is an example of a wish list bench.  Our personal opinion is that having the tools you need right there at hand under the bench is worth building it this way.  If you are in to simplistic quality, and you don't want to wait, then the Veritas© workbench systems (from Lee Valley & Veritas)are excellent starters and you can buy them in kit form for about what it would cost you to make it from local sources without all of the extra running around.

   
   

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   Edited 2/5/2005 8:09 pm ET by Tnias

1. 
   pierre | Feb 06, 2005 08:29am | #10

   I have never get so much information at one time like this.  I really appreciated all the help that I have gotten from all of you.  Again thank you to all of you.  let's keep in touch.

6. 
   WayneL5 | Feb 06, 2005 06:31am | #7

   Others have given good advice.  I'd start with a fairly basic bench and not try to make this your ultimate work bench.  Keep it simple and sturdy with solid construction, a cheap, solid top, shelves below for storage, and one woodworking vise.  You can always use it and years later you'll be good enough to try a complex bench.

   Lots of advanced benches have 2" thick maple tops and fancy joinery, but I've used 3/4" AC plywood for all my bench tops, sanded and sealed with a few coats of shellac, and 2 x 4's for the base, and they have been more than adequate for anything I've needed.

7. 
   DennisS | Feb 06, 2005 08:28am | #9

   Pierre -

   Building a workbench is the ultimate woodworking project, to be sure. But as others have suggested, ease into this some to get the feel for what's involved. Woodworking is a "new" hobby for many of us, myself included although I've been cutting wood into small pieces for years. Only recently can I claim to have become a beginning "woodworker" in the true sense of the words.

   All by way of saying, make a simple bench to begin with. Go to the lumber yard and buy a defective solid core door. The standard sizes are from 30" to 42" wide and either 6'-8" or 7'-0" tall. (I use imperial dimensions assuming you're in the US ... otherwise just take a look at what's available).

   Just make some simple but sturdy legs for this slab and you'll have a suitable bench for the time being. Then go about making a few things and make note of what you might like to improve on with respect to a workbench beyond just a simple flat surface and how the legs are constructed and whether there's a shelf underneath or cabintes and .... that sort of thing.

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis