Comments on: “Workbenches” by Chris Schwarz – Book Review

By: Joe O'Leary

Joe O'Leary — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:07:42 +0000

Rog,

Saw your workbench note from 2007. I’m getting ready to build Chris Schwarz’ Ruobo bench also from ash. Got any pics of yours or any advice for me?
Thanks,

Joe

By: Viall8r

Viall8r — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:57:22 +0000

Excellent book with a lot of insight on what makes a great bench great. I purchased this book and it was spot on with the author’s common sense approach to workbench form and function. This is a must read before starting any new bench as I found out the hard way with my own project that was nearly complete. Lucky for me it was only a minor design change, a little trimming and a couple extra holes. Great read.

By: Rob in Roseville

Rob in Roseville — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:32:44 +0000

This is really a great book. He leads you through how to design a bench for your needs. I had my bench 80% done before I got the book. If I had read the book first, I would have made the legs even with the outside edge of the top. I was able to relocate the vises to suite being a lefty and I’m going to add a leg vise.

Keep up the good work MARC!!

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:25:40 +0000

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

By: John Walker

John Walker — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:55:52 +0000

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

By: Zac

Zac — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:26:09 +0000

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.

By: Mattias in Durham, NC

Mattias in Durham, NC — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:19:28 +0000

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!

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:43:10 +0000

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.

By: Vic

Vic — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:30:07 +0000

Thanks for the heads up Marc. I’ve been trying to find a design I really like. My copy is on the way.

By: David in Charlotte

David in Charlotte — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:05:12 +0000

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.