I Built an EPIC Workbench from a 532-Year-Old Tree

Bending Old-growth Douglas Fir Wood from 1432!! This woodworking bench build has been on my mind for a while and finally making it a reality. Bent-Wood Woodworking Bench- My take on the split top Roubo Workbench- THE SOLID TOP SAWYER // MODERN Workbench | ANCIENT Timber

Made possible by Sprankle Business Course.
Make money woodworking with the Business-In-A-Box Playbooks
=====================================

Thanks to PantoRouter for teaming up with me on this build!
SAVE $100 on the All-In Package using code SAWYER20

Thanks also to Heartwood Tools!
SAVE 10% on HNT VISE using code SAWYERDESIGN

Premium Sawyer Design TEES

Special Thanks to all my Patreon Supporters!

====================================
====================================

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE VIDEO:

====================================
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:59 Tapered Bent-Wood Laminations
04:06 AD: Sprankle Business in a box Playbooks
04:46 Split-top Workbench
10:00 Joinery
12:00 Vises
22:25 Final

[SawyerDesign]

SAVE $150 (LIMITED TIME!) on the *PantoRouter ALL-IN Package* using code *SAWYER22*
SAVE 10% on HNT VISE from *HEARTWOOD TOOLS* using code *SAWYERDESIGN*
Premium Sawyer Design TEES
Special Thanks to all my Patreon Supporters!
Make money woodworking with the *Business-In-A-Box Playbooks*

[germang.]

Is not only a workbench, it is also a piece of art.

[donaldmarshall]

Most people use a workbench to make a masterpiece but you made a masterpiece out of the workbench.

[MrJohnnyboyrebel]

I showed this incredible workbench to my wife and she said it would make an amazing dining table! Oh, the humanity! The love and respect for the 500 year old tree, that is so apparent in this phenomenonal build transcendences traditional workmanship. You are a wood working god.

[joshuambean]

I love how you somehow doubt your abilities as a woodworker, yet you're out here building some of the most beautiful and complicated builds on any channel on this platform. You're out here killing it!! Keep up the awesome work. Love it!

[RB-vrmq]

5.5 minutes in, and I am already blown away once again not just by your creativity (which is in itself mindblowing) but the level of skill you bring. Top that off with pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, and it is no wonder I eagerly await new content from you.

[OpusXX]

You Sir are the Artist of Function. You just happen to work in wood. I continue to be awestruck by every creation. Thank you for sharing your magic.

[MrsGump]

I love how the things you make aren't simple straight lines etc. They're not simple, you put real thought into what you design & put huge effort into doing it well. Def one of the best workworking channels on YT imo!

[tedl]

The only woodworking vid ive went back and watched twice👍!

[rickwaddell]

You are an oasis in a desert of woodworking on YouTube. I have been Jonesing waiting for you to post something new. You are one of a very few creative woodworkers on the channel worth watching. You are definitely museum worthy. Keep it up and you will be one of very few worth remembering.

[blacknight]

I cant believe how much work went into the making of this. A hell of a lot of skill I can tell. Thoroughly enjoyed the video, thank you for sharing.

[kevinsiggins]

The only problem with this as a work bench is that it looks so amazing I’d be afraid of ruining it. You did a damn good job on this.

[philvale]

Hi Sawyer, You are a very lucky man with all that timber and that page as well very very good quality. I have worked for myself for over 40 years I’m now retired but in that time I’ve used a lot of Douglas fir. To make windows 🪟 and Doors 🚪. I will try and source quartersawn boards as they are more stable and a lot better for making doors and windows out of so making a workbench in this manner I think is very very good.
I have been watching your channel for a few years now you always produce some great work stay safe wear mask and eye protection wherever possible. Now retired living in France and I still wish I’m working Phil from the moulin France.

[chrisstipe]

That’s unbelievable, you set the bar at an entirely new level with every one of your builds!!!

[AndyKrueger]

This bench is insane! 🤩 But what’s even crazier is the time it probably took to film/ edit!! 🤯 Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼🙌🏻

[MechaStreisand]

I am a primarily hand tool woodworker - no power tools. I like basic, minimalist design with clean, straight lines and properly hand-cut joinery with no metal fasteners. I hate router roundover edges, unnecessary curves and racing stripes made out of contrasting woods. I think wagon vises are inferior to traditional tail vises and will never understand people who run a router with a chamfer bit in their workbenches' dog holes. HOWEVER...

This design just blew my mind. I've watched the video three times since you posted it a few days ago and I can only say I am in awe of your skills, both in design and craftsmanship. The way the arched legs get thinner at the top of the arch is just such an elegant detail - which is hard to admit for someone who hates curves! Truly elegant design and perfect execution. I'm not about to go out and buy a pantorouter just yet, but I really want to thank you for showing this old fart some new perspective. I would be proud to work on this bench - even if it looked wildly out of place in my shop.

Have you considered adding some dog holes on the front legs to help support longer boards, panels, doors, etc. to work on their edges? I have a sliding deadman on my (tradtional) Roubo workbench that gets a ton of use, but I think some well positioned dog holes along the right side of the arch would probably get you most of the functionality of a deadman - and the asymmetrically placed holes on just the right side of the arch would look sick in this design.

Anyways, thanks again for the video. Truly inspiring stuff.

P.S. - You made the right decision in going with the solid top. Split tops are just silly.

[chadabrewer]

Oh my. Oh my. What a piece of art. Absolutely beautiful. You modernized a old design. Now everyone moving forward will have to make this bench. Just wow.

[Eikes]

Insane dude. That bench is un-re-al. Not only the workbench, but the video itself is world class.

[ps]

I know nothing about woodworking but I couldn't stop watching this. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen to work on..It's like ART that is useful..Such talent..

[alancook]

Not much can be said apart from what has been already. It is, of course, a unique perspective on a woodworking necessity and masterfully executed. It's my hope for you that your creation be added to the annals of woodworking history. Perhaps your bench design can come to be known with as much regard as Roubo's. Well done, sir.