1 of 47 • How To Make The Ultimate Work Table • A Woodworking Project

work table intro http://AskWoodMan.com/

This video is an introduction to a detailed series about building a strong affordable work table with storage for tools and wood. This series will have detailed demonstrations of table saw techniques, router techniques, drill press operations, many measuring and marking, calculation and layout techniques, drawer building with through dovetails, and many metal working methods from cutting to drilling and tapping. There is also a complete laminate demonstration as well as shop made drilling jig for a hand drill to accurately drill the hole pattern on the top.

Allan Little is AskWoodMan™
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Education

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• work table intro
• allan little
• building a work table
• building saw horses
• askwoodman
• woodworking project
• diy worktable

[siouxsettewerks]

On the traditional workbenches topic, what do you call a traditional bench?

Have you read the book by Christopher Schwarz titled "workbenches from design & theory to construction & use"?

It is a really good read, and his proposals seem to make more sense for me for the use of handtools..

Dont get me wrong, yours seems nice, but for most uses with handtools, the setuptime seems greater...

It would be interesting to have his opinion ou yours and vice versa....

[askwoodman]

@siouxsettewerks I consider a traditional work bench a rectangular bench with side and tail vises. I had one that I never used. There was never space for the operation at hand and the tools I was using. It also had little drawers that were pretty useless. I toyed with the idea of making one that had the size I wanted for years. I don't really consider myself a traditional woodworker so that is why I was not drawn to a traditional bench. I like tables.

[siouxsettewerks]

@askwoodman Your worktable seems like a good workaround though with all the jigs you made...

The only troubling thing to me on your worktable is can you plane effectively, extensively, and tiressly on it?

If the planing is just for short finishing steps, it's musn't be a problem...

Your use of drawers to support and clamp is quite creative, it seems to fit quite well in your uses.

All in all, unconventional, but for machine work it seems way better than commercial benches.

[askwoodman]

@siouxsettewerks I don't do that much hand planing. I have a jointer.

[mabtdb]

Thank you for all of your videos! I am enjoying watching the detailed videos. Prior to viewing your videos, I had designed (using Google Sketchup) a hanging shelf/entertainment center for the TV in the bedroom, but I have not started the build yet. I am learning a lot, and hope to start that project soon. I enjoyed the finishing videos as well. The detail in which you explain all aspects of each project is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Mike

[askwoodman]

@mabtdb Sketchup is really cool. But unfortunately I may be to much of a caveman to use it in my work. But I can see how it would be a fantastic aid to see details. I am glad you are finding some information useful to you in my videos. Thanks for taking the time write.

[badchips10]

Allan,

It is just a lot of fun to watch your videos, seeing the whole process from the design, your method of marking parts, use of power and hand tools, jigs and the precision of your workmanship. I might never build a workbench like yours but as you said there are a lot of skills and techniques to learn. I have seen quite a few of the videos in this series and it beats watching TV.

[f0ckt]

wow. i can not wait to get into these vids.

[siouxsettewerks]

@askwoodman

That is in part the problem of benches sold under the guise of traditional workbenches, to many are concieved like tables, or cabinets that impede clamping on the front due to overhang of the top slab or top due to poorly place drawers under...

A leg vise and a sliding deadman make for a very versatile clamping on edge, wich doesn't restrict the height of what you clamp, and good forged holdfasts make the same thing as your festool clamps, really fast, and effectively

[woodlist]

Okay Allan. Definitely, one size does not suit all. The footprint of your table is about 1/4 of the total floor-space in my workshop !

Nothing wrong with that, but of course a long narrow trad-bench fits my space and hand-working methods better. Interesting project. Thanks.

Good Luck.

WL