Thread: Dumb Question ???

Can't see any reason for such a ratio to exist. The height of the bench would be a factor of your own height and the kind of work you do, not of the size of the top. The width and depth of the frame would depend on the type of bench - again not a factor of the size of the top, other than the frame needing to be of a suitable size to support it.

Or have I misunderstood your question?

My usual response to someone asking a 'dumb question' is this; the only dumb questions are the ones that go un-asked.

If you're refering to the length of the frame relative to the length of the top, then like SC said, these parameters don't bare any relationship to each other except for the obvious. Some benches have a shoulder vice which requires that frame almost meets with one end of the bench. Some have a tail vice or wagon vice which usually requires that this end of the frame be far shorter than the top.

It's a function of the work and the woodworker.

Just make sure the overhang is at least 70-100mm to allow a generous depth for clamping.

Originally Posted by sercher

Does any one know the ratio the frame of a workbench should be in relation to the size of the top. I can not remember reading it in The Workbench Book nor have I seen it on any site on workbench construction..

Good Morning Sercher

You are right, Schleining does not mention this, but Chris Schwarz in "Workbenches" does discuss the issue in some detail. Worth a visit to the library, at least.

Basically Schwarz says that you cannot make a benchtop too thick (no flex or bounce), but you can make it too wide (cannot reach back, difficulties with clamps, etc.). Legs need to be sturdy to be stable. He describes a bench as a three dimensional clamping surface - everything else is subservient to this purpose.

I like all three basic texts on workbenches - Schleining, Schwarz and Landis - all have their particular strengths and compliment each other. Perhaps, Schwarz is best in the way he analyses the purpose and design of the workbench.

Cheers

Graeme

Thanks fellows, so I guess if I build it not to long (small shed) and not to wide ( fairly short arm) with enough space around the edges to clamp to I can make the base about 80% the length and width of the top and be ok.

Providing you don't have any rails for the front of the frame, and the top is rigid enough, I'd recommend making you're front legs flush with the top. This gives you the ability to clamp large boards to the front of the bench for working the edges.

Once up a time a Joiners work bench was made to accomadate the Joiner's tool box underneath at the end of the bench. So in modern language the legs would be set back 300mm to 400mm from the end of the work bench top.