This bench is a cross between the one described in Paul’s book and the “English workbench” described in Chris Schwarz’s workbench book. It is made entirely from SYP, except for the wedge on the leg vise, which is hard Maple. The leg vise is angled at 20 degrees. The dimensions are 4′ long, 38″ high and 34″ deep. The tool well is 9″ wide and 2 3/4″ deep.
My Paul Seller’s work bench right after completing the initial build. Used 2 x 4’s from one of the big box store’s and finished with several coats of danish oil. This was my first real woodworking project since high school (20+ years ago). All hand tools except a drill/driver for pilot holes. Completing it was a huge confidence builder!
The bench is made of box store pine (local Home Depo), I departed from the pans by adding a an extra 5″ behind the tool tray. This will allow me to set a chair on the bench when I am working on it. I also set the bottom of the tool tray into a rabbit and dovetailed boards onto the ends to hide the end grain. I do worry about how much the tool tray may warp and crack in the Texas heat so I left an opening so it can be removed and repalced with plywood if necessary. It is rock solid. I would recommend a European style workbench to anyone that wants a solid bench.
My left-handed bench. It started out as a Paul Sellers bench… really. I couldn’t find decent “whitewood” in my area, so went with poplar. Since my shop is so small, I added storage to the base—pine, California redwood, and inexpensive 1/4 plywood—whatever was handy, clear and cheap. My Record 043 got a major workout. At 40 inches at the top, I can work on it all day with no shoulder/neck aches.
6’x25″x39″ – Douglas Fir – Other than milling off the rounded corners of the 2x4s with a table saw, the entire project was built by hand based on Paul Sellers’ fine tutelage (book, blog posts, and videos). This was my first project built with hand tools and I have a great sense of accomplishment. I may finish with danish oil, but I think it looks (and works) great! The vise is the 9″ quick release steel vise from lee valley, made in the Czech republic. The vise jaws are lined with 11″ x 3/4 maple.
I have been a guitar maker for almost ten years and have used a commercially purchased bench during that time. I received Paul Sellers’ first book as a gift for Christmas and fell in love with his bench design. I made the top of my bench slightly wider to accommodate my instruments. How did I ever function without a tool well? The bench was built out of Douglas Fir 2″x6″x 5 foot boards I already had. It made for a little more work cutting the mortise slots as I did the legs by laminating three per leg. I used an end vise (as that is what I have been used to using) and drilled holes for some hold fasts and dogs. I made a batch of chalk paint to paint all but the top. I rubbed some pure boiled linseed oil on the top. My new bench is a joy to work on! Thanks Paul for sharing so many great lessons and plans! I used only hand tools to build my bench and loved every minute of the process! Cheers, Justin Deurmyer, Lubbock, Texas
My very first project. 5ft version made entirely with hand tools! Used cls 2×4’s and an old Paramo No.51 vice, with beechwood jaws. how easy Paul sellers makes this look in his videos only serves as a testament to true master of his craft , an inspiration to all us would-be wood workers. thanks for all the great lessons, can’t wait to get started on the next project!
63 1/2” long, 29” wide, 38” high. My first hand-planing, real woodwork project, following Paul’s blog and youtube videos. Started with rough-sawn unspecified softwood timber. Learned so much along the way, mistakes and all: it took weeks, but now finally having a solid base is really something. As well as Stanley #4’s used old wooden jack and trying planes bought on eBay in a job lot of a carpenter’s tools, with the names of previous owners stamped on them. Another very lucky purchase was the Record 52 1/2 vice which I restored. Sapele linings for the vice jaws, oak wedges for the leg frame housings: an introduction to the qualities of different woods.
