Roy Underhill style Roubo Workbench WIP

My Roy Underhill & 'Little John' MacQuire Workbenches inspired Vic Ash/Tas Oak Roubo. After poorly building a Tage Frid bench and then a bolted together crapiata number with an MDF top I came to the conclusion a stout rectangular bench would be best for me as long as I share single car garage with the actual car. Last pic shows the space I have to work with....
In between these other benches I've used a Japanese style bench (2 sawhorses + 1 plank) which is very serviceable even with western style tools and even better to drag out into the sun on a nice day.

Following Roy's dimensions (available online) fairly closely - 1500 long x 450 wide. Although I wont have a tool well, just slots on the far edge for chisels in use etc and also not planning to have a tool box between the rails. I'm thinking of making the rear rail higher than the other 3 so I can wheel my Dad's tool chest (seen in last pic) or a knee height saw bench/horse in and out.

Got the base M & T'd yesterday. Yet to be glued up - I want to be sure everything's ok before progressing. So far the joints have been cut by hand but I cross cut the legs on the SCMS. The legs are finger jointed which I picked up cheaply, not ideal from a visual perspective but structurally sound. The rails are 190 x 45 F17.

Was pretty nervous about the sliding dovetail connection between the legs/top and seriously considered alternatives but I cut a quick test joint yesterday in some scrap cypress I'm more confident with my marking out now.

The top is glued up, roughly 360 wide x 45 thick with another 90 x 45 glued on as a front rail. End caps will be 90 x 45 too.

Vice wise I guess a leg vice is the default but after working on a plank for a while I'm considering just using hold downs. Is a leg vice good for holding pieces vertically ? Never can find the answer to that. Mostly for tenons more so than dovetails.

Thanks for looking,

Sam

I love it!......there is something quite simple, rustic and honest about this one!! looking forward to seeing how it evolves. cheers szcz

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by szczepan4069

I love it!......there is something quite simple, rustic and honest about this one!! looking forward to seeing how it evolves. cheers szcz

---

Nice job. Keep the WIP coming Sam.

Regards
Paul

finished yet?

Um....No

I have moved the frame to where the bench will sit when finished does that count as progress ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sam

Um....No

I have moved the frame to where the bench will sit when finished does that count as progress ?

---

From my perspective, most definitely :wink: .

Regards
Paul

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sam

Um....No

I have moved the frame to where the bench will sit when finished does that count as progress ?

---

blood oath

Update - I had two go's at the sliding dovetails over two weekends...neither of them worked out (despite the test piece). Wasted enough time and wood so I've had a change of plan.

The old top is now useless so half the bench top I picked up from Termimonster is in as a replacement. That bench was 30 thick and 2000 long so I'll trim it down to 1800 which is 300 longer than Roy's plans. I've glued up one 270 wide and a 190 wide piece to form a 60 thick main bench top. The 270 is on top and with a tool tray the overall width will be 450. Which fits in with Chris Schwarz thoughts in his book that your bench can never be too long but it can too wide (fingers crossed). Not altering the base which is 1200 long

Think I'll use stub tenons or dowels in the top of the legs now. I can trim the dovetail pins on top of the front legs into a tenon, luckily never got to butchering the back legs !

Looking towards the leg vise I've come across this design which seems straightforward.
stupidly simple pinless leg vise *LINK* *PIC*

And also this one which while a little more expensive appears even easier
Roubo Workbench Leg Vise Alternative – Linear Bearings | The Wood Whisperer

Any comments on either design ?

Will post some pics later.