“Workbenches” by Chris Schwarz – Book Review
Many of you may already know Chris Schwarz. He is an editor for Popular Woodworking Magazine and a self-confessed hand-tool and workbench enthusiast. His most recent work is a book called Workbenches, truly a modest title for what is contained within those 144 pages. Perhaps it was just great timing, since I am currently focusing on my hand tool skills, but this book really struck a chord with me. In fact, since my two-day adventure in reading the book, I’ve spent many hours daydreaming about bench designs and bench functionality. I think I have been bitten by some sort of nostalgic woodworking bug and I have Chris to blame for it. I have even gone so far as to wander into the shop just to look at my workbench and think. And unfortunately, after reading Workbench, I have realized that my workbench is woefully inadequate. But more on that later.
Chris has a friendly and accessible writing style that makes this book read more like a great story than a reference book. A book that teaches you is good. A book that entertains you and educates you without you being aware of it is priceless. The book is chock-full of historical images and information on the workbenches of yesteryear as well as detailed explanations of their features and how they influence the workbenches we know and (sometimes) love today. But with Chris’s anecdotes and light-hearted story-telling, even a person who runs a powertool-focused shop will find that the information is not only palatable, but pleasurable.
I don’t want to create a spoiler here, but after reading this book, you will never look at a workbench the same way again. As I said before, my beautiful workbench that I spent weeks working on (ok maybe it was days, but it sure felt like weeks), is now a painful reminder of my lack of knowledge at the time that I built it. Like many woodworkers, I constructed the bench before I really knew exactly how I would use it. I actually came up with a simple design that reflected the fact that I primarily use power-tools. But now that I am beginning to focus more on the hand tools, it has become clear that a new workbench is on this year’s to-do list.
While Chris strikes me as something of a connoisseur of workbenches, he is by no means snobbish. In fact, he has very down-to-earth theories concerning workbenches, their design, their function, and their looks. One of Chris’s strongest messages is that workbenches don’t need to be made from the most expensive hardest wood. In fact, doing so is completely unnecessary. You’ll have to read the book to find out Chris’s opinion on the best woods for the job, but suffice it to say you will most likely find it at the local home center……..a refreshing change of pace.
The book contains two workbench plans: one English and one French. I am leaning toward the French version myself. The plans are very clear and just about anyone should be able to construct these benches with ease using Chris’s methodology. The Deluxe version of the book comes with a CD that contains bonuses such as the complete and searchable text of the book, 3D models of the two benches in the book, plus a bonus workbench plan and slideshows of the bench-construction process.
I would go so far as to say this book should be a required prerequisite for any woodworker who has any level of interest in workbenches. Whether your current bench is super fancy with all the bells and whistles, or simply a solid-core door on saw horses, you will have some real food for thought after reading this book. I don’t expect everyone to experience the ground-shaking revelation I did, but you will certainly walk away with a better understanding of a workbench’s intended role in a wood shop, and more importantly, YOUR workbenches role in YOUR shop. Now if you will excuse me, I have some day-dreaming to do.
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Chris was kind enough to supply us with one of his books for our January Wood Whisperer Giveaway. I will post an official announcement about that in January. But if you would like to purchase a copy of Workbenches, you can do so here. By the way, this package is an INCREDIBLE value. You are getting a 144-page hardbound book and a cd containing the complete and searchable text of the book, 3D models of the benches, a bonus workbench plan and slideshows of the bench-construction process. In case you weren’t counting, that’s 3 workbench plans in addition to the book. A killer deal for $34.
Check out Chris’s blog at Woodworking-Magazine.com/blog. And if you would like to see what other books and DVD’s Chris has to offer, check out LostArtPress.com/
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This is a good book. I got a copy from the lumberjocks summer challenge, and am now in the process of pricing wood for the French style bench. I too have really enjoyed this book, and have found it to be extremely informative. I can’t speak to the CD, as I don’t have the “deluxe” version, but the drawings and cut lists will go a long was to building the workbenches in the book.
marc,
If you ever decide to make a new bench i think this would be an excellent show topic.
Marc,
I couldn’t agree more – I have read this book and it radically changed my understanding of workbenches. I am currently building the Holtzapffel Workbench out of Ash. You can find Chris’s description here:
http://www.woodworking-magazin.....bench.aspx
Just one more not. There is another chapter in this book that is available for free here http://www.woodworking-magazin.....ndixR2.pdf.
It tells how to make a knock down workbench for those of you who get around.
Thanks for the heads up Marc. I’ve been trying to find a design I really like. My copy is on the way.
Bought the book at first chance I could and it is a stunner. The photography is really eye catching and Chris did most of it himself according to him. Just wish we could get southern yellow pine in Arizona. Looks like I may use fir from Lowes.
The book is an easy read. Tells you why he does certain things and where in the past he didn’t something because he didn’t know better – doh! So you don’t go off and make the same mistake – at least as often as he did.
Highly recommended.
Marc,
I had the Workbenches book on my wish list, and didn’t get it, so I’ll be ordering it Today!
Don’t beat yourself up about your current workbench. It’s a catch-22 situation: You have to do woodworking to learn woodworking. That’s actually how I look at everything I make: If I did it again, it would be better. This was very evident to me in my recent nut cracker project. I went back and looked at some of the ones I had made a year ago, and boy are they crude (at least to my eye).
I’ll second the opinion above; if you build another bench, it would make a great episode (series of episodes?). Also, I didn’t realize from reading your website and watching your videos that you’re getting into hand tools. That may just be because I’m ignorant, but anyhow, I would welcome some videos dedicated to hand tool technique.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
Hey Marc, I am really getting into hand tools as well, and I have this book also, and it is awesome. I have the other workbench book (can’t remember the author off hand), but they are more a collection of different ones, where Chris really tackles the heart of what is truly important on a bench. For someone who hasn’t even used a real woodworking bench ever, this information is gold! I wanted to add a note about the book, for those interested… you can actually get a signed copy of the book with the CD as well if you order it and request a signed copy through his website.
I too would love to see some episodes involving more hand tools, and a workbench series. Oh, and while on the subject, some more how-to’s using Festool products (routers, circ saws, and MFT to be exact). Oh, by the way, Chris has some really good DVD’s out on hand tools, and I was really impressed with Rob Cosman’s videos as well, FYI.
Happy New Year everyone, and safe and happy woodworking too.
I bought the book, and now I wish I’d gone for the DVD too.
It’s no kidding, that Chris persuades you to look at workbenches in a completely different light.
I have the other books on workbenches, and fine though they are, Chris seems to cut through the gloss, and gets right to it. he tells you why, and what he does. You don’t have to do exactly as he says of course, but it will make things easier.
John
The absolute best designed workbench I have ever seen is a Chistopher Schwartz inspired bench built by Jameel Abraham. It is a French style Roubo with a sliding leg vise so there is 2 leg vises total.
Check out Jameels’ blog. Just google Jameel Roubo and you should find it. He even uses skateboard wheels in the construction. Awesome!
Andy