Building my ultimate workbench. Episode 1

This is a step by step building video of my ultimate workbench and router table.
On my website, you can find free plans for this workbench. Together with this video, I think, everyone should be able to build this workbench.

List of China tools product used in this video

Square
Miter Square
Straight square
Corner clamps
Pocket hole jig
Cabinet Drill guide

Products I use in my workshop!

Clamps:

Micro jig clamps

Axminster Trade Hold down clamps

Bessey KRE parallel clamps

Hultafors Talmeter

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Festool products:

Festool Kapex

Festool Router

Festool Domino

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Router table

Router

Router Lift

You can follow me on Instagram at D.hookedonwood

The material used for my workbench is Black MDF: Black MDF, something similar to Valchromat.

A few products from this review were sent to me by Banggood for testing. This does not mean that I do get all my products. I review also a lot of products I bought myself. I started these reviews because from my experience not every tool from China was worth buying. So I wanted to make in-depth reviews to show you which products you should consider and which product you better leave alone. The fact that Banggood sent me products occasionally does not change the way I make my reviews.

My Youtube channel is a hobby. This means I try to upload 1 a 2 video's a month. But this is not at a specific schedule. So If you do not want to miss my videos. Subscribe and click the notification.

Products I use in my workshop
Table saw with dust system: Harvey HW110GL Europe edition with sliding table
Harvey / Axminster trade S-12 overhead blade guard
Dust extraction: HBM 200 Oneida Super dust deputy 6”
Workbench: Incra master-R-router lift AEG 1400w router Incra 25" SL positioner with Wonder Fence Drill press: Jet JDP 15B
Miter saw: Festool Kapex 60
Different links to products I use Clamps: Axminster trade hold down clamps Piher Rail guide clamps Micro Jig dovetail clamps Bessey parallel clamps Axminster trade parallel clamps Push blocks Micro Jig Gripper Incra Push block
Thank you for viewing.
Best regards, Dennis

[davidhull]

I've seen a few youtube videos proclaiming the ultimate workbench, but I think this is a very serious contender for the title. The structure is well thought out and very strong, and I particularly like the tall apron for vertical clamping. An excellent build Dennis, and that black valchromat looks really good. 10 out of ten 👍

[restholzjunkie]

Thanks for choosing "MY ultimate ..." as haeder. Most Youtuber I saw sell their solution as Non plus Ultra for Everyone. The truth is, that each Woodworker has its own personal requirements, environments, tools and space to work. In this Videos you give a possible solution to think about and use your ideas to build the visitors own and practical workbench. This is a very good entry to follow up on your work and see things growing.

[paullalekna]

Very pleased to see that even an operator of your level of skill uses the Glulam method of forming beams and legs. After fighting with square drills and chisels to use solid pine legs recently, i switched to laminated plies to make the legs of my project, and so easy, and yet so accurate, and forming the mortices was a breeze

[comodororelampago]

Dennis, I'm from Brazil and I follow several channels of foreign personnel, his teaching is exceptional! Congratulations.

[Pooky]

Dennis, you're a genius! I'm so glad I was led to your channel. The build video is incredible and I love the fact that you use very high end tools along side china tools you've tested and given viewers recommendations on with complete honesty. You're an incredible breathe of fresh air.
Nobody can honestly complain about a small shop EVER. Not with what you're shown is possible. I'm flabbergasted!

[ninopassaquindici]

I am just starting now, that I am retired, to work with wood, and I follow many bloggers but let me tell you that you are head and shoulders above for precision and for a great aesthetic taste.

[stephendixon]

Dennis, another great video. Came across this little tip you might be interested in to prevent pieces sliding around when clamping after gluing: Apply glue to the pieces as normal but when putting them together, slide both pieces around each other to both spread the glue evenly and creating an airtight suction grip between them. Then align the edges as desired and put to one side for several minutes before clamping (time will vary according to glue’s specification). During this time the glue will start to absorb and go off slightly, making them very, very difficult to move around or separate. Now when you apply the clamps the pieces will not slide around at all, making it very easy to get the correct clamping pressure without having to worry about mis-alignment! Works like a charm 👍

[williamsmith-ryll]

I have a hard time finding lumber here in Czech Republic that is not bowed or cupped and I do not have a joiner or planner. This just solved my problem of building my first workbench! I do not know why building from multiple layers of plywood glued together never occurred to me. I am glad I found your channel, Amazing workbench.

[jparrie]

I love watching your videos simply because you have such a small workshop. What you've done in the space you have is simply outstanding. Thanks for sharing. And for anyone who voted this down, get a life!

[robertoassi]

Dear Dennis
Compliments !!!
all you do is fantastic!
Greatings from Serbia
Roberto

[walamo]

Very interesting, when you have all the tools first to build it. Obviously you are a skilled craftsman. I take my hat off to you.. thanks for the instructions.

[Muzikji]

Over the years I can say I have seen thousands of videos to woodworker from all over the world, but the tools you have are mind blowing!, never seen before!, and you use them professionally too.
p.s. even the colour of your top board never saw such before! 👍👍

[Woudt]

Hoi Dennis, dit weekend heb ik mijn werkbank project afgerond. Heel erg bedankt voor je video’s en de werktekening, het heeft me enorm geholpen en ik heb veel geleerd tijdens de uitvoering.
Nu kunnen we beginnen aan vele mooie projecten op deze fijne werkbank!

[danielgeng]

Been woodworking for 40 years, 1:52 in I see dovetail clamps on a Paulk style side board, brilliant !

[mattbowers]

I ended up at episode 2 first. Excellent instruction from a true craftsman. Thank you for sharing!

[longhuang]

Perfect working! All parts All details are perfect! The best working in the world!

[HappyLife-vcfv]

You are a huge inspiration for me, Dennis !

[RueFondary]

Just a tip for more precision and to ensure that the holes in the top panel and apron are perfectly aligned and that the edges of the table/apron are also aligned with the 20mm holes grid: Assuming the top and apron can be made from the same sheet of MDF/Ply/etc, drill the grid of holes for both pieces first, and then use the grid of holes to position the tracksaw while first cutting the ends of the top + apron and finally when separating the top from the apron. Of course drilling and cutting on a CNC is another option!

[dennismacapagal]

I am from the far east and i have been watching recently your videos...at first i was skeptical when you feature these china made tools and got hooked to buying them myself. I am also a hoobyist woodworker and always finding ways to improve my shop with the tools and machines that i have which are pale by comparison to what you have. I am halfway building my new workshop and i find great ideas in your new workshop. Congrats! The Hammer and Felder must be awesome machines. For me it is like in a Toy Kingdom. Incidentally, my name is also Dennis. I must say you are the humblest person i watched on you tube related to woodworking. Enjoy sharing because I now anticipate new videos from your pipeline. I know it is hard and it takes time to make awesome videos not to mention the expense on gears (camera and lenses). God bless! Btw, i recently got myself the parallel guide system for my Festool TSC55 and already assembled it. Will tweak it further when i need to cut some boards for the shop cabinets. I must say, they were finely made.

[ironwood]

I didn’t know there was black mdf. I love the look of that. Thanks