Title: Build the 21st Century Workbench
Run Time: 56 Minutes
Production Date: 2008
Produced By: Popular Woodworking
Price: $19.99 US (Buy Now)
From the Back of the Case:
This new workbench from Robert W. Lang combines the best workholding devices and ideas from a number of historic bench forms, along with a few design twists of his own. Whether you use power tools or hand tools (or both), this knockdown bench design is perfectly suited for the modern workshop.
This DVD contains everything you need:
• Hour-long video details the bench construction process
• 3D SketchUp model shows bench components from every angle
• Complete printable construction drawings
• PDF slide show of entire construction process
• Enhanced PDF of magazine article, with step-by-step construction instruction.
Our Thoughts:
Bob Lang shows us how to build his 21st Century Workbench, a sturdy and practical design that should suit just about any woodworking style. The bench can be knocked down and employs wedged dovetail joints to hold everything together. Bob confidently guides us through his building process at a reasonable pace. Unfortunately, there are a few significant details left out of the demonstrations or a shortcut is taken by showing the finished product and simply stating what was done. However, this is counter-balanced by a nice package of DVD ROM extras including PDF plans, a SketchUp plan, and slideshows. A guest appearance by Chris Schwarz was nice and the subsequent vise discussion was a welcome surprise. But the time spent on this “extra” might have been better spent on elaborating on more project details. Given the total package though, just about anyone should be able to build this bench successfully with this DVD.
9 Responses to “Review Show #6: 21st Century Workbench”
I miss the grape soda rating system! However, I thought the review you gave of this dvd was spot on. I have no interest in building this bench but i bought it anyway since I like to see how someone else would go about building this (or most any other) bench. Yeah, I’ve turned into one of those guys. I’ve watched it several times but have only finished it once! Bob Lang’s voice is just too relaxing.
I have built two of these benches for my two sons. I think that even though the DVD was not complete as you pointed out, I believe that any person with beginning/intermediate skills would find this build fairly easy.
You guys are hooked on workbenches. It seems like half your reviews are on workbench topics.
I liked your grape soda rating system better. I don’t care how accurate they are from one to another.
We actually announced way back on our first workbench DVD that we were going to do an entire series of workbench DVDs to coincide with my Roubo Build. We also figured it would make for a more accurate comparison.
And I agree, I like the grape soda rating better too with one caveat: if it is done properly. As I mentioned in the show, we aren’t able to do it properly so a numeric system is inaccurate and unfair. If the numbers aren’t meaningful, it becomes a bit of a disservice to you guys as well as the folks who make the DVDs.
Ah. That explains it.
I must say I do prefer the knock down capacity of this bench over so many others that are not.
I enjoyed watching the build, but I, too, have a problem staying awake for the whole thing.
I bought the DVD a couple of years ago and have been thinking about building it. Then came the split top Roubo. Decisions…decisions.
Will download the podcast to hear the whole thing but I liked Bob’s presentation. Being what I consider an ‘intermediate’ woodworker, I know I’d have no problem in building it. The extras are pretty good and there’s a whole lot of individual photos. Yes, I would have preferred to have him do more in the video, but I really don’t think I’m missing anything.
I’ve built this bench, in local ash, and have the DVD. I thought you guys were spot on.
After ~ 18 months of use, I still LOVE this bench. I even built an extra tool tray with a grid surface that holds chisels, squares, etc… I also added a pop-up planing stop to the left end, as well as a stop that drops into the dog holes anywhere along the front slab.
You would never guess it’s a knockdown bench by the stability. The one time it didn’t feel rock solid, I found a loose dovetail wedge, easily fixed with a few hammer taps.
In practice, I did not have flattening issues across the gap with a #8. So far, the bench has stayed true. If I have to reflatten and the gap is painful, I’ll let you know.
The toughest part of the build was muscling the slabs through the planer. The only part that might trip a less experienced builder might be the DT orientation in the legs. Gotta’ make sure all four corners are correct.
This was the first review you guys did where I owned the DVD, and again… I think it was comprehensive, well explained, and spot on!
I am about to build the bench 3 at once. i love the design it has it all I had thought about adding a dead man but dont know how to do it. also thinking of doing a leg vise on the back side so the dead man would be on the side with the leg vise.I didnt feel the dvd was heren to show me technique it had to be editable and i dont need to me shown how to cut a tennon or a mortice or even a dove tail I feel the disk was already a bit to nlong and drawn out . I have not learned to use the sketch up in a productive way to me its just a drawing i dont know how to use sketch up to build anything but would love to learn maybe i can get someone to teach me Lance
I bought this DVD after watching the building of this bench over at theBoisshop.blogspot.com as instructional content goes the DVD is nothing like you get over here at the guild. But I believe that the main purpose of the DVD is to not instruct you as to how to build the bench rather it gives you quick reference at key areas of the build. Most people that buy the DVD already have the basic skill set and tools to complete the bench. I found the DVD helpful for helping layout the joints. The sketch up was nice to have also, I used it a lot as a double check before I cut the joints. Over all I would recommend the DVD and also watching the build over at theBoisshop.blogspot.com