Woodworking Bench for timber frame shop

I am putting together my timber frame shop. I have the cash to purchase a woodworking bench. I wish to build furniture for fun. What do other guys use for a work bench? Is buying one from Lee Valley, or Laguna the best way to go? I do not own any stationary tools for making my own bench yet. Can anyone recommend any plans?
Thanks, CEDAR

Hi Cedar,

Woodworking benches can be quite expensive. I understand it would be hard to build w/o stationary tools but you could probably build one with the tools you have.

If you do not get the Lee Valley catalog, you might want to look into receiving it. In there they have the vices that you would need for a good bench. One front vice, and a tail vice square to that one. I would think these two vices and slots to add dogs for clamping power would make a good work bench. If you decide to build your own, I would order these vices first, as they would drive your specs. Good Luck

Please see this. Leif is a very nice guy, ships regularly to the U.S. and has made benches specifically for timber framers.
/www.workbenches.se/

Maybe this works better. Malilla Hyvelbankar

Try this,
http://www.workbenches.se/en/

Interesting. I noticed that our very own Mr Beggs is listed in the portfolio. Any feedback, Collin?

I remember just such a bench being shipped to Mr. Beggs, traveled quite a ways it has. I imagine it has seen some use in producing some fine work.

Tim

There are a number of good designs for benches. I have a set of Lee Valley Low Angle bench planes and the large shoulder plane. My wife gave them to me as a gift. I have bought the Lee Valley plans for a modern bench. But I have no stationary power tools nor access to any yet. I would like a bench. So that I could learn how to make cedar burl tables for my wife. I was wondering what kind of bench and clamping system would be suited for making burl tables? To date I have never made any kind of table. Thanks for the links for the work bench company site. Cedar

Hi Cedar,

Early tables were nothing more than a planked table top sitting on top of trestles. Only one side of the table top was planed and it was on this side that the business of the day was conducted. In the early evening the table top was flipped over to expose the rough underside and it was upon this surface that people ate. This business / domestic practice gave rise to the saying to "turn the tables" on somone.

The reason that I mention this is that you probably don't need a workbench to make a table but instead could simply use trestles to support the planks being planed and joined to make the table top. Once made you can make any supporting legs, etc. on the rough underside of the table top.

Get yourself a roll of rubber gripper matt - this is excellent aid to stop items being planed from moving (skidding) along the supporting surface which ideally should also be left semi rough.

Regards

Ken Hume