You don't need a vise on the Joiner's Bench

Vises are useful for woodwork, but you can do EVERY woodworking operation without a vise.

Tools in this Build (affiliate):
(Similar to the one I used; not exactly the same)

Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):

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[JAKON]

I really like Rex's presentation style. It's very direct, yet somewhat retro in that it feels very 2010 in a satisfyingly well done way.

[SpookyMcGhee]

Tool and die maker here, a file shouldn't wear out quickly so long as you keep it clean. Keep a file card handy and occasionally use the wite brush side while working to clear the chips from the file teeth. Makes a world of difference

[GizmoDuck_]

You're my favourite American, Rex. I highly appreciate the no fuss approach of building things out of bits and bobs and skill you have in your craft.

[tonyennis]

One of the hallmarks of the Nicholson/English bench is that they are full of holes for holdfasts. The holdfast is fundamental. I saw another video where a guy glued reinforcing blocks under his bench for holdfasts. The force exerted by the holdfast eventually popped the block off. Might need a screw or 4.

[stephenholland]

This is one of Rex’s best videos. This is fundamental stuff. For those that want to build a bench there is no need to be slavish to details. The essence of the English style is two boards on edge front and back and then cover with boards. 2x4 with supports every 24 inches is plenty of strength. Do glue on the thickener pieces for the holdfasts. Do buy a pair of holdfasts. The Gramercy brand are steel rod and will never snap like the cheap cast iron ones. 22-26 inches wide is nice. Don’t go too wide. The well type style (see his other video) can go wider. 4 feet is a little too short. 6 feet is nice. The skirts front and back have to be at least 2x6s, but you’ll be happier with 2x8s. (I went with 2x6s and find wider long boards ride too high above the bench.) I came back to this video to go over the plane stop he did. I’ve just been driving screws into the top now and then as needed.

Don’t be put off by the rough construction. A beautiful bench of hardwood can dent your projects: better dent the bench with the project than dent the project with the bench. With a cheap top you’ll put in holes for the holdfasts without concern. You’ll paint on it, glue on it, drive in the occasional screw or nail and you won’t care. You’ll just get the job done. Say you build 5 projects a year. 5 years from now plane the surface. In 10 years you’ll have spent $50 in wood per project or $2500 in materials. Maybe then, maybe, you replace the top for $40. Get it? Cheap bench makes lots of projects and you can even patch it up.

On top of that this bench (the English Style) is so approachable that you’ll make it. What are you waiting for?

[harrymason]

I built a very similar bench in about 1975. I planned to use it to build by beautiful hardwood bench but I never had the money for the hardwood and I did have my construction lumber bench. When I retired to Florida in 2002, I still had that bench and I had constructed dozens of jigs to make it more useful. So don't be afraid this is not a good enough bench. It's perfect.

[diffraction]

totally love the fact that your stuff works and not looks like its a piece of furniture. that really held me off building a bench for a looong time.

[Lttuc]

Loop a tow strap or a bicycle tire tube around your bench and slide the work under it, hold tension on the strap with your foot. Used with a stop that will handle most everything you need until you get around to adding fancy stops.

[mikec]

Great job! Thanks so much for looking out for the "average" weekend woodworker. I bought the plan bundle (well worth $10!!!) and am just completing my bench. I modified the plans slightly to include some ideas from Mike Siemsen's bench. Never would have thought about all the different options without your videos! Keep doing what you are (also I REALLY enjoy your videos on your analysis of old furniture.)

[BigJohnM]

I am a new woodworker on a super tight budget because this is a new hobby. You sir saved me with this video!

[seankennedy]

This is brilliant. Have never before seriously considered the possibility of successful woodworking sans a bevy of electric tools and a big workshop. This opens up whole new world of possibilities.

[chrisstork]

Rex (can I call you Rex? Okay.) I think the highest compliment I can pay you is to say you remind me of an early Alton Brown, if he'd done a woodworking show instead of a cooking show.

[Karpe_Deem]

I was looking for this video, I wrote "rex krueger planning stop", but couldn't find this. I'm glad I found it though!

[orazha]

Fantastic videos, Rex. I've been putting together my woodworking "shop" with minimal indoor space. I do work outdoors extensively. I love you showing woodworkers that they don't need all the expensive stuff that we "must" have.

[heylookitssmitty]

I have to admit that I have really started looking forward to learning something new from you in every single episode!
Thank You!

[MugenSaint]

I don't normally subscribe to WW channels, I just use the tutorials that I need. You definitely deserve a sub - I'm not a wealthy man, everything is about budget, and your videos are FILLED with budget tips, I love it.

[richardtaylor]

I've never done any serious woodworking, but I have enjoyed the heck out of watching these videos about this bench.

[Gibretep]

9:50 where you talk about sawing. That is the MAJOR reason for the well in an English workbench. Like so many other people said we all had these in school. Each bench had a 4" paint brush that we would clear the sawdust away from the well with. Long pieces would lie along the well and we'd use it like a bench hook. Hold/lean on the piece with one hand and saw with the other. No hold-fast required. You could reference the saw to the bench for a rough 90 degrees. but we were always taught to use a square and mark it. It was never used to keep tools in. Mr L would throw a mallet at you for that! Tools were always stored correctly. You can only hold one tool at a time so when you get one put the other one back. I'm sure this was because we had more students than tools but it's still something I do now.

[brucematthews]

I built a Nicholson style bench a few years ago and love the front "vertical bench" that goes with it. So a lot of nodding in agreement from me with your present Nicholson series. And a very hearty HECK YEAH on the holdfasts. So simple and easy to use yet so capable. I wish I'd learned about them years ago for my wood working. I've been using one as a "mallet operated vise" on the front apron for a while now.

[MegaTeddybear]

Awesome videos. I've learned a lot watching them. I went to antique store about 15 miles from my home and found a Pine Knot brase and 27 bits and only played $ 18.00, all in great shape too. Keep up the great videos.