Testing the English Joiner's Bench.

Can my fast and easy Joiner's Bench survive the toughest tests in the shop?

*Plans for Individual Parts of the Bench*
(The Deluxe Plans are full-color, 15-page plans for the bench only. These plans are for people who don't want the vise or the work-holding. A complete stock-list and cut-list are included.)

Tools and Materials for Building Your Bench (affiliate):

Videos about this Bench:

Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):

Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

[johnarnold]

I built the bench about a month ago. I love it! Mine isnt nearly as pretty as Rex's but it is as solid and works great. By FAR the best bench on the DIY tubes. I did add a shelf at the bottom and a removable plane stop into the table top. I started the bench because I found a plane I had bought pre-internet and didn't know how to use it. Then I found Rex's "how to use a plane" vid and decided I needed a bench too! An easy build, highly reccomended!

[mikeg]

The best part of the video is where he just nails the stock straight onto the surface

[jeffreymilarsky]

I built a version of Rex's bench a couple of weeks ago, and it is a tank. Rex, you explain everything SO well. I also appreciate your idea that simple changes are welcome. I used two giant 4" slabs of old white oak and the table doesn't move at all. I tested this by jumping on it and trying to twist it in all directions. It will surely outlast me on this planet. Oh, and I didn't realize that the cross braces are supposed to be on the front. I put them on the back and added the shelf access upfront for storage. I actually forgot about the cross braces initially, and still, the bench didn't move at all. Later, I added them. Simple and effective. Rex, you are a master teacher!

[nevermorewoodshop]

I 100% agree with you, making both bench’s this one and the low Roman would be your best option. Neither are very expensive to make and combined you can accomplish everything you’ll need to ever do. As far as your English bench having flaws, let’s be honest the vast majority of people pointing outs it’s “flaws” and comparing it to a hardwood bench should understand that it’s $100 to make and it’s not a professional bench. my opinion if you don’t like it don’t build it. Personally I like both bench’s 👍

[colrodrick]

I love that comment ' I did just nail that into my benchtop...' Nice dry humour there Rex. Aside from a nice wine that's the best dry I can find.

If you hadn't guessed, the weather is pretty ugly so working outside is less than ideal. Binge watching your videos I've already watched.

[isowannabeleftalone]

I am so glad I found your site Rex. I just broke my arm recently, so I will watch all your vids over Christmas and be ready to make your bench when I am back to full strength.

[stephenholland]

Here is another reason the English jointer’s bench is great. It is so cheap you don’t worry about damaging it. I designed a version of the bench and installed a woodworking vice in the front left. I needed to work on a set of 14 drawers each 20 inches long. The vise has a dog that slides up. Without hesitation I just screwed a small piece of plywood to the top of the bench as the back stop and I was able to easily clamp the drawers while working on them. When done I just unscrewed the block. Essentially invisible after a little sawdust got in the tiny holes. If I had an expensive hardwood bench I’d never have done that and would have had to develop some clamping system. Instead I just got the job done. Now that I’ve had the bench for a few months I realize it is too small. A 22 by 48 inch top isn’t as big as I need. This economical build encourages you to just try it and then learn what you do and don’t like about it so the next (cheap) bench will be better. I so like the solid build of economical material that is gentle on my hardwood projects that future benches will have a similar design.

[jeffspaulding]

I love that book! The way it starts with the basic bench designs and then discusses accessories separately is genius. Once I get a better workshop setup I've got a 12 quarter 20" maple slab that's going to be the top for a Roubo-style bench, and that book has given me so many ideas for what I can do with it...

I've been thinking about getting Christopher Schwarz's other workbench book as well.

[wilkinson]

I remember being at school and the benches were styled exactly like these. That was only about 7 years ago. They must still be common place here in the U.K. but no so elsewhere.

[samlawrence]

I built this bench after seeing your first video. No plan just winged it and am perfectly happy with it. Only real difference wasn't any workable 4x4 s in my area so glued 2x4s had to do. Being my first woodworking project it was a great experience, thanks Rex

[Opalbird]

I want to build this bench but….a shrunk down version to accommodate my using a wheel chair or stool and sitting. I have the plans (thank you) and will set up a grid to change the measurements. The only thing is how tall to make it so I have some power while sitting. Any suggestions? By the way I am a 65 year old lady with wood work experience who is now doing miniature work and Japanese woodworking, along with my leather work and sewing. I try to keep busy as I can no longer stand or move around much due to a poor heart. (Ah I’ll get over it). It can’t be fixed anyway. I do some full sized work as well but not too big. Working on making my kitchen a better place to work. Thanks for your videos you are a marvellous teacher. 😘

[hopper]

Years ago I built a new bench to replace the POS I had been using. It was a toss-up between an English joiner's bench like this or Mike Siemsen's "naked woodworker bench". I went with Mike Siemsen's bench. It's not much different than what you have here and I have no complaints. I have a leg vise, planing stop and a gap between the top boards that allows dropping in a board for cross grain planing (or clamps as needed. A woodworker can't go wrong because either bench design is good. Like the Schwarz has said "It's the biggest clamp in your shop."

[bubbagrant]

Love your channel I'm retired at 71 yrs.

[jonathanlillpopp]

Rex, I totally agree with you on your approach to making this bench, and your approach to woodworking in general. I haven’t made this bench yet, but the couple months I will be replacing my bench and this is what I plan to model my new one after. Also I will add that being one of your patrons has just been amazing. You treat us *really* well and the real life value to get to us in return for being a patron is just incredible. Thank you very much. Keep up the great work!

[brucelee]

Bench appliances - bench hook - make it extra wide then cut off about 2"(50mm) or so. Use this extra narrow bit to support the far end of the piece of wood you are working on. Much the same applies to the shooting board - make the base extra wide, cut off a bit and use it as a support for the loose end (unless you really like cutting compound miters all the time).

[David-hmic]

People unfamiliar with Southern Yellow Pine might underestimate its density and toughness. It is more dense than soft maple and red oak and is almost as dense as white oak. It can be very hard. I've had nails bend driving them into SYP and it wasn't faulty technique. A bench built exclusively of SYP will weigh 93% of an identical bench built of nothing but red oak.


On bench size: Someone gave me a well built 4'x8' workbench. I had room for it in my shop so I accepted the offer but I could only use it by putting the 8' side against a wall. I thought it would be great for my larger RC airplanes. Of course, I couldn't reach across it. I've built four benches for ammo reloading and all were 24" deep. Sometimes I wish they were 30" deep so I could set small parts cabinets at the back but that would still result in about 24" of useful depth. More than 30" is not useful for most people, even for building quarter scale model airplanes.

[markhrabe]

Rex I made this bench last weekend. Couldn’t be more happier! Thanks for the videos!

[jamielam]

You are the best YouTube creator iv seen! Learned a lot from your channel! Keep it up!

[jgo]

I just built this bench, the one thing I'd have liked too is a shelf underneath. My solution to this is a tool well on the far side

[drigondii]

I love how he acts like fifteen bucks wasn’t already a great deal