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In our eMail newsletter, I wrote that I was finally taking home my pine “petite Roubo” (which is basically the same bench featured on Christopher Schwarz’s video “Build an 18th-century Workbench“). I thought, because it’s white pine, and only 6′ long, 28″ high and 18” deep, that it wouldn’t be too much trouble to get it up the staircase to my second-floor study (and soon to be also my hand-tool workshop). After all, my dinky little bench was the lightest one in our shop by far.
But moving a bench around on a flat, concrete floor and lifting it 4′ in the air to clear the newel post and bannister, and making two turns at the landings, well…I owe a couple strong neighbors a thank you gift. I was no help whatsoever. (I did work up a sheen moving a bookcase and its contents to the third-floor guest room to make room for the bench. I’m not completely useless.)
I’ve got the leg vise back in place, and sitting on top is my new Benchcrafted Moxon vise (about which I’ve written a review for our November issue Tool Test, but in short, I love it). I still need to install the old Sheldon quick-release vise I bought on the right end and bring home my bench dogs and holdfasts. And my tools.
I think my first project best be some tool storage. While I have plenty of shelves on the other side of the room, they’re packed with critical theory books and compendiums of early modern drama…oh right…maybe I’d best put that little dissertation project atop my “to do” list. Nah. A tool chest seems like a lot more fun – and a lot less work.
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The bench looks great. However, I have another observation. Why can’t women acknowledge that they sweat? You noted that you worked up a “sheen”, my daughter claims she doesn’t sweat, she “glistens”. Come on, admit it, you sweat, it’s a good thing.
Looks like a good spot for some woodworking. I have a potential place with a skylight, but I have to figure out how to protect the baseboards from plane shavings. Oh and I need to make a bench too. No worries about stairs or newel posts though, as it would be a single step and a straight shot from the sidewalk.
Is the moxon vise leather lined yet? 🙂
Finish the dissertation.
Well done Megan, just needs a few chisels, planes etc thrown on it to look the part. I think the curtain will need some regular washing.
Regards
John
No joke, at 28 feet tall that is not petite in the least! You’re also clearly much taller then you seem. (Sorry, I’d say I hate to be that guy but I’d be lying.)
Cool, Megan.
Paulkray suggests that you may want to move the bench to under the window. Oh yeah.
sooo..
You guys did an short piece of adding wheels for ease of movement and hinged lock blocks to keep it “locked” in place after each move. A future addition to the bench, yes? no?
I find that there is no “perfect” location for my bench in my shop, so wheels definitely ease the wear and tear to me and to the floor. (put the tool chest on wheels, too)
Plus I definitely am envious of your Benchcrafted Moxton vise.
Plutôt mignon ce petit Roubo.
André-Jacob serait sans doute content de le voir s’il le pouvait. 😉
Hi Megan
Nice looking bench.
If you are going to build the Anarchists tool chest, then please observe that it is not exactly lightweight either. So If you build it in your study / workshop, you might not be able to move it down the stairs, on the other hand, if you build it at work, then you need somebody to help you lift it up.
Brgds
Jonas
I am really jealous that you have a study in which to put your workbench. I had to settle for my master bedroom. I hope you enjoy it. And by the way think about putting in a shelf. You may find yourself wanting to shift the bench around to take advantage of the window light.
I am really jealous that you have a study in which to put your workbench. I had to settle for my master bedroom. I hope you enjoy it.