Build a saw-bench. Transform your woodwork.

Building TWO traditional sawbenches. Construction lumber. Simple build.
Workbench Plans Below

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Try the Minimum Timber Bench. Our most affordable design.

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The Incredible English Joiner's Bench: A REAL bench that a beginner can build.

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The Lightweight Traveler Bench is a portable option constructed from just 2 boards

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Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):
*Cutting*
(Winner of the affordable dovetail-saw shootout.)
(Needs tune-up to work well.)
(Works out of the box)
(My favorite affordable new chisels.)
(I use these to make the DIY specialty planes, but I also like them for general work.)

*Sharpening*

*Marking and Measuring*
(For marking and the built-in awl).
(Excellent, inexpensive marking knife.)

*Drilling*

*Work-Holding*

Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

0:00 Intro
0:54 English Saw Bench, Seat
1:32 English Saw Bench, Legs
2:32 English Saw Bench, Batten
4:32 English Saw Bench, Storage
5:51 English Saw Bench, the Top
6:26 English Saw Bench, Finishing
7:45 Swedish Saw Bench
9:12 Swedish Saw Bench, Legs
11:11 Which is Better?
12:12 Outro

[cathieslabaugh]

My father-in-law had a bench like this. We still use it all the time. He put carpet on the top of the bench, which made it easier on the knees, keeps wood unmarred, and nails and screws from rolling off the top.

[antonymitchell]

I like big cuts and I cannot lie,
you other woodworkers can't deny,
when a big rip cut is in your face,
the saw bench is the perfect place,
it's spruce, two two by fours, enough to get you out the door.

[Juke-Fox]

I love that Rex made a special mention for the scatterbrained instinct to pile things on flat surfaces in the workshop, man knows his audience...

[hugodesrosiers-plaisance]

I love that sort of video on your channel. No non-sense, you make a point of having people save money, you choose your words to clearly express that everyone watching can build it with ease while still growing as a woodworker. I have my own benches already, but if I didn't, I'd use the english style you show here - heck, I might actually modify my low bench. Wonderful design. Cheers, Rex!

[clarkwilliams]

You demonstrate a number of valuable general purpose concepts in this video, Rex. I stopped and rewound at several key moments. Thank you for giving so much advice and encouragement to us beginners!

[RyanJGaffney]

This video reminds me of the old "woodwork for humans" days and i can't quite express why

[PeteLewisWoodwork]

In my opinion, Carpenter, Joiner, Cabinet Maker, etc., all could benefit from either one - or preferably one of each - of those benches. I like the design of the English bench for onsite carpentry work (especially outdoors), where it would frequently prove invaluable with its sturdy stance, tool tray to keep tools and a radio safe in and - importantly - somewhere to sit at lunchtime. At home for my project work, either would suffice but again, the English has the sawing notch, which is a very nice feature (not that it couldn't be added to the Swedish bench). Large or awkward assembly procedures could also be done on a pair of benches because it would raise a project up to a nice working height, rather than bending down or crawling around on the floor (think installing a hinged top on a six-board chest, for instance, which might be too low on the floor and too high on a workbench). Throw on a couple of scaffolding planks and you have a solid step-up or platform for working at a convenient height, too. All-in-all, a versatile pair of benches - and better still, not expensive to make!

[DemLep]

"I'm tall so my legs only needed a little trim." Is a great line. Especially out of context.

[Mikey__R]

My grandfather apprenticed in London between the wars. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, so he wasn't doing fine cabinetry.

He remade horses quite regularly as old ones became too beaten up to use. His horses were similar to your English sawbench, but without the stretchers so they could stack.

[lobsteroverrun]

I built this bench and I used a piece of pegboard for the bottom of the shelf. It was a great idea! it's a great saw bench and it doesn't get too full of sawdust underneath because of the holes.

[tommoeller]

Great benches that are straight forward to build. Thanks! I can recommend putting the handle hole off center by one inch. That puts the "handle" exactly in the center of the bench, so when you pick it up it hangs straight down instead of canting. I have done this now on several of your bench designs and everyone loves how they can pick them up and easily keep them level when shifting their position without a lot of thumb pressure. All four legs hit the ground together. It seems minor until you try one built this way. No, it no longer looks symmetrical but form should follow function.Thanks for all you do.

[rawru]

Oh they fit under your workbenches, great detail.

[gm]

I like the torsion box structure on the English one. It seems like it will work well.

[CarveNConquer]

Made mine today with a few variations! Went for a thicker slab top, but struggling to get the top of the legs flush. Thanks for the inspiration!

[danielkarakochuk]

Awesome I feel like im gonna build 1 of each for sure ... but I kinda want to try a hybrid as well Swedish style and add rails and shelf !

[leonbarry]

These are classic. Often rip them from plywood when on site. By jobs end covered in cement and peeling from the rain it goes into the skip.

[graydanerasmussen]

I like the point that this is a tool, not a storage surface! -I know myself about that situation. :D

[tolliereed]

Hey Rex, love the videos! I learn so much from you, it has helped my wood working a ton, can't thank you enough!
You should do a book with all of your plans in it, I would buy it for sure!

[brandonbeezernoid]

Best woodworking channel for intermediate maker hands down

[ianpearse]

Nice build. I love the idea of using an old bed frame to save money. Cheers Rex.