My Workbench – In Depth 1 Year Review

So it’s been 1 year since I made my workbench. A little more than a year, actually. How has it held up? How much has it moved? Do I regret using pine? Well…… You’ll have to watch the video to find out. This was a long one and really just too much info to type out.

For those who are interested, I do have a set of plans for the workbench in both imperial and metric units.

18 COMMENTS

  1. jay ….. would 2 solid core wood doors work for a work bench top ………….. I don’t think ive ever seen anyone talk about it
    thanks
    nat

    • Matthias actually has plans for a bench based off a single solid core door (http://woodgears.ca/workbench/plans.html). So I assume 2 would work well if laminated together.

      I built my bench based on Jay’s design and it works great. I couldn’t get SYP so instead used softer SPF, but even that is OK with this design. I also agree with Jay, the one thing I would change is making it sooner!

  2. Another great video Jay, even at 53 minutes.. ;)
    I’ve got a couple of quick questions.. and thenb some ego stroking..
    I’m wondering if you have the plans for this bench in metric,
    And also, you say you used Southern Yellow Pine, this isn’t a timber I’ve heard of here in Australia, although the grain is fairly large like Radiata (a common house framing timer species used here), would it be like radiata, or more like Cypress Pine (which is, I think, a beautiful timber, and is significantly denser but has more knots)..?
    I used cypress for the legs of my 12 foot long, 2 segment, mitersaw/workbench/ toolwall/storage bench monolith construction which I built some 9 years ago. It’s served me very well and many creations have come from it, but it only has a 16mm MDF top, and it’s not completely square since I had nothing perfectly square or flat to start with when building it (Damn those concrete garage floors).. however the bench surface is flat, so I guess that’s a plus.. and gives a good place to start.
    I will be building a new setup in the near future and this bench will be part of it..
    All the tables and systems you have in your shop are brilliant, and I (and I’m sure the many thousands of other viewers) appreciate you showing us by way of your awesome videos..

  3. Another great video Jay, even at 53 minutes.. ;)
    I’ve got a couple of quick questions.. and thenb some ego stroking..
    I’m wondering if you have the plans for this bench in metric,
    And also, you say you used Southern Yellow Pine, this isn’t a timber I’ve heard of here in Australia, although the grain is fairly large like Radiata (a common house framing timer species used here), would it be like radiata, or more like Cypress Pine (which is, I think, a beautiful timber, and is significantly denser but has more knots)..?
    I used cypress for the legs of my 12 foot long, 2 segment, mitersaw/workbench/ toolwall/storage bench monolith construction which I built some 9 years ago. It’s served me very well and many creations have come from it, it’s got a radiata pine frame, but it only has a 16mm MDF top, and it’s not completely square since I had nothing perfectly square or flat to start with when building it (Damn those concrete garage floors).. however the bench surface is flat, so I guess that’s a plus.. and gives a good place to start building a new bench.
    I will be building a new setup in the near future and your bench design will most likely be part of it..
    All the tables, jigs, and systems you have in your shop are brilliant, and I (and I’m sure the many thousands of other viewers) appreciate you showing us by way of your awesome videos..
    Many thanks and can’t wait for your next project video..
    Gene.

  4. Hmm, not sure why it posted twice, but the first one is missing the last 2 lines.. please feel free to remove that post.. :)

  5. I promise… You’re next, almost. I am setting up my woodshop in my 20×21 garage, much like yours and I have your miter station plans as well as your bench plans, and the assembly table plans from Paul (what’s his name). I finished Nick’s cross-cut sled (very nice), and Mark Spagnolo’s simple outfeed table and now I will make the assembly table. The next, NEXT, will be your workbench and after that, the miter station, (or maybe vice versa, depends on my retirement budget and the little Lady). All my friends on SpinningSunshineWoodcrafters site on FB, really enjoy your vids as I post them there each week. Your nose looks like it’s doing well! Larry.

  6. Great video, the follow-up comments are very informative especially since I’ve been struggling with what type of vise to use on my bench. I notice that your half-lap joints are still very tight, even after a year. How long did you acclimate the wood to your shop before building your bench? I built a similar base from SPF (SYP not available in my area) and let it acclimate for a couple of weeks. But after just a couple of months I noticeable gaps have opened up in my joinery which was initially quite tight. And this was supposed to be kiln-dried construction lumber.

  7. Jay, I luv ur work and the way you explain the why’s and how’s etc. Really helps out a lot.
    by the way, have you seen “Bob Chase’s” vid on the “New Generation Workbench”?
    Pretty interesting concept.
    Keep up the good work, man.

  8. Thanks for the comprehensive review of your bench, methods, and the logic behind your choices.

    FYI: Garage floors are intentionally sloped away from the living space for drainage.

    Do you use any padding on the garage floor? Seems like your rolling stool moves easily. I have problems standing on hard floors for long periods and have added floor mats in most work areas in my shop. Guess I’ll get a similar stool and try it out.

  9. Great bench. I plan to build one this year, still studying all the different designs. I have a smaller shop so i plan on maybe a five foot bench out of southern yellow pine. Keep up the good work. Love your videos.

  10. Hi Jay –
    In the middle of designing my garage shop and purchasing power tools. My question is what is the best way to incorporate 220v outlets when you know you may be moving things around especially during initial setup. In other words, other than a logical guess how to you avoid wishing you put outlets in different spots. Do you recommend overhead drops? Are there any books or web sites that you could advise me on this subject?
    Really enjoy your website.

    Thanks – Mike Scott Minocqua, WI

  11. Your videos are always informative and so well done I never notice the length. I’m probably among the oldest of your followers, but usually learn something new and/or worthwhile from you. Glad the storms last week spared your place. Regards, John

  12. I was hoping you would mention how you keep the leg vise jaw from spinning.
    After watching this video, I’d like my ‘future’ bench to have a leg vise (like yours, mainly due to this video/ review) and a double pipe clamp end vise.
    Thanks for all the videos- great job!!

  13. Very nice bench… you said that you used construction grade lumber but I don’t see any knots anywhere in the bench. I find it almost impossible to find clear SYP. Any tips?

  14. Jay, great video! I watched the whole thing and I must say you have the ability to produce a long video and never get boring. Always enjoy watching!

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