I have been woodworking for almost 60 years (turning 70 in a few weeks). In all that time I have never used your test for the correct bench height! So, out to the shop I went and tested my own benches. As soon as I get out of the emergency room I will begin cutting down the legs of mine to an approximate height of 4”.  HA HA!!! All kidding aside this was a nice video and I appreciate your sharing it. Thanks, Steve

I always enjoy seeing folks sing the praises of free work holding. It’s also useful for those ~93% handtool (only use a powered jointer and thickness planer to process timber) or even those who are is an asymmetrically power heavy shop.  I have and probably will continue to use a lunchbox planer and table top jointer on occasion, but the table saw, router, and so many other tools are long gone.  The more and more I’ve moved to the handwork only side; the happier and more free my shop time is.  I know it either a luxury or a commitment to many, but it’s been both in my experience.

Great bench! This style of bench (Nicholson, English Joiner’s, or other names) is a better option for many woodworkers than the currently fashionable Roubo or slab-top bench. I worked off a series of terrible makeshift benches for a long time, all the while fantasizing about the great Roubo is was going to build “someday.” A couple years ago I finally wised up. My woodworking was severely limited by the lack of a good bench in my shop. I built an English Joiner’s bench (I watched Rex Krueger’s video on this bench and used his plans) and built my bench in a weekend with $120 worth of softwood lumber (pine), added a $60 face vise, and I’ve never looked back. It’s heavy enough to withstand the stresses of vigorous hand tool use but not so heavy that I can’t move it when I need to.  It resists racking even when planing heavy, long boards. My only regret was that I didn’t build it longer… I don’t need your 12’ bench, but an 8-9’ bench would be ideal!

LOL!  I thought "He is going to jump up on that bench..." I would fall on my... OH He almost did! LOL

Lovely shop and bench. On mine I find the easiest work holding device is a nail or two tapped into the top and pulled out afterwards

Yet another bench video, was I wrong. I appreciated the "daily working at it" approach to this bench. There is an intelligence to working quick and simple, on display here! The work holding.....brilliant!  Plane stop....very fast! The explanation of why a 4 inch thick lam hardwood top is not needed when the notched front apron is used. Great job is this video, thank you.

Alas , a practical workbench that features the  " Work " and not the bench .  I chuckle every time I see what you call a bowling alley bench and the owner is terrified he may scratch it . Well done .

I love aircraft carrier bench’s .. I see a lot of people building smaller bench’s when they have the room for a bigger bench.. mine is 32inch by 8 foot.. love working on it👍😊 love your channel and your work space 👍😊

I think your approach and philosophy is aligned with historic wood workers. Modern woodworkers romanticize about wood working. Workbenches were tools to get work done fast. They didn’t have time to be precious about them. And materials were very expensive back then, so they used the minimal amount of material to get the job done.

So my bench should only be about 24" high? Because i can't jump atop anything higher than that lol. Great vid, so glad Rex mentioned you guys as i was unaware of this channel!

I have been watching bench building videos for a spell. It is intimidating thinking about how much work and material goes into a proper woodworking fixture as shown in many of them. You guys have made me think more about what is really needed to get started than any other woodworker i have watched. Good job.

Simple and sturdy. I really like the bench concept and advice. Thanks for this.

Good video !

Great presentation!

I’ve just stumbled on your Chanel, fantastic. I’m just about to build a new slightly larger bench to the one I currently have, so had a quick look on YouTube to be greeted by some hugely pointless and extremely expensive material and time wasting projects. So refreshing to see someone explain it how it is and should be done .
I started my training as a furniture maker aged 16 in the UK in the early 1990’s at Rycotewood college.  When I set up my own business, making furniture and windows and doors for listed buildings I only used hand tools because that was all I had. And I loved it until I’d earned enough to expand . The first thing I made for that first workshop was a bench a bit smaller than this one, only shorter because I could only afford to rent a tiny workshop.
Now I own a massive workshop with massive machines, and operate in a different country , and it all started out with a bench like that. Most of the work I’ve done has been on a 4m long English Joiners bench similar to the one on this video still, only it has a 1960s record 53e vice on it and the shelf is the floor! My current one is getting a bit tired kw so I’m going to make another only a little larger this time. In my opinion, for 99 % of traditional and contemporary woodwork any more features  just become a hindrance, and less the same also. Never underestimate the power of the old school!

Thank you, I am still experimenting with benches but right now I am leaning to the thick top bench.  This is the kind of information I need thou to make an educated disition.

Great and no nonsense as always! Keep it up!

Well that's one cute ass workshop :)

Great explanation and nice shop. I will start practicing my measuring skills as well ;) 💪

Great video and insight.