June 6, 2008. A very interesting new portable workbench: The VIKA. In many ways you can think of this as a very well designed new take on the Black & Decker Workmate. Though it doesn't have a built in vise, it makes up for it with lots of new features. I saw these at Costco a few months back and just had to pick one up. It folds flat and adjusts in all kinds of ways. Very useful. You can get more information and order one on the VIKA website or if there's a Costco nearby you can pick one up at a considerable discount.

January 26 , 2008. Lots of revisions to this website coming. A new design is in the works that will give the reader even better navigation. And, we'd like to welcome this website's first sponsor: Laguna Tools.

December 25 , 2007. David Domain has just completed an eBook entitled Building a European Style Cabinetmaker's Workbench. It's a 60 page book with plans for a very nice serious workbench. A preview can be obtained at his website.

August 1 , 2007. If you haven't checked out the Bench Forum section of this site, please do. It's in the middle of a major forum upgrade, but anytime is a good time to drop in to visit and participate.

July 16 , 2007. An adjustable height bench designed by Tom Caspar is featured in the September issue of American Woodworker. There's some very clever ideas included with this new design. Tom, btw has designed many excellent benches in the past including my own Bench 1.0 As a furniture maker that builds all kinds of different height pieces from benches to chairs to tables, I'm a big fan of this kind of workbench...Tim

June 14 , 2007. A very interesting new portable workbench by Blum Tools utilizes a torsion box design and pipe clamps for it's vises. Very clever!

February 27 , 2007. A new traditional workbench plan is available via the editors of Wood Magazine. It features two front vises.

December 5, 2006. An interesting and inexpensive bench is available online from Costco for $359. It's a heavy metal base with a 8' laminated top that's designed to be built to a length that works best for you. It's simple bench, not fancy at all but add a nice front vise and your good to go. BTW: If a store is nearby it's only $199.

November 20, 2006. It's not often that something innovative shows up in the small world of workbenches, but it looks like BenchDog makers of a very nice router system has come out with a line of very interesting workbenches with lots of options. Click here for more info.

October 2 , 2006. The wonderful Record vises are alive and well. Hurray! Apparently, Record sold its' vise patterns to Anant and they are now being produced in India and the quality is reportedly good. They are sold by Amazon.com and Highland Hardware. Thanks to Steve for the tip. For example, the Record 53ED sells for $119.95 plus shipping. Click here to go to the vise page for more info.

June 14, 2006. Tom Caspar's wonderful "$250 Workbench" plan is back. From the October 2001 issue of American Woodworker the plan is back up again via the Web Archive. The earlier version of this bench was my first bench Workbench 1.0. I loved that bench and I'm sure you will, too if you're looking for an easy, inexpensive and fast to build real workbench. Click here to see the article

January 28, 2006. Woodsmith and Shopnotes Magazines now offers a free easy-to-build workbench plan. The free workbench plans section has this and several other free workbench plans including a great new one from Popular Mechanics to check out.

December 23 , 2005. A clever way to create a very solid, thick laminated top was posted by on the Workbench Design Forum. Eric laminated together two inexpensive Ikea laminated countertops to create his workbench top. Check out the posts on the "Show Off Your Bench" section of the Workbench Design Forum for photos and more information.

Workbench Cabinet

February 10 , 2005. Workbench Cabinet details shown above. Click the photo for a larger image. This cabinet is built in two sections and fit's snuggly on the maple stretchers at the base of the bench. For more details and photos of the cabinet, just go to the Details section of this site.

The Frank Klausz Workbench

March 20, 2005. Ellis Walentine's beautiful new bench. Some great photos of the famous Frank Klausz Workbench as executed in bloodwood and figured beech.

July 20 , 2005. Some very interesting new workbenches have become available for those that would rather buy one then build one. Lie-Nielsen manufacturer of some of the best handtools made today now offers a really well made workbench and excellent quality bench hardware for the builder. And, a new series of benches made by Waldman offer heavy duty benches at an attractive price. Check out Ready Made for more information.

March 6, 2005. A greatly expanded woodworking library called Great Woodworking Books has been added to the resource section of this site. Besides the previously recommended books on workbenches, I've added selections on workshop design, woodworking inspiration and woodworking techinques. By no means a complete collection, I've kept the focus to just what I think are the most important books for all woodworkers and the most inspiring to my own woodworking. I think you might enjoy these as well.

March 1 , 2005. The Acorn Bench is one of the nicest designed cabinetmaker style benches. It was notibly covered in the Workbench Book. It features dogs on both sides of the bench and a full width end vise. Originally designed as a kit and finally the plans are available.

What's Here?

My completed second workbench. Workbench 2.0, btw. I've written about my experiences in designing and building it. I've added some detail photos for those that requested it. If you're taking on building a serious workbench, you can see how one person's thought process went into the design and execution of modern European style workbench.

Since it's inexpensive and a great beginners bench, I've added photos and a small article on Workbench 1.0, my first woodworking bench.

If you have additions you'd like to see added, make sure you e-mail me and send me additional links.