Pre-order 'Build an 18th-century Workbench' DVD and Save

My latest DVD, “Build an 18th-century Workbench” is now available for pre-order in our store at a 15-percent discount until June 30 , $21.24 plus shipping.

As I was building the workbench that will be featured on the cover of the August 2010 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine, Glen Huey and Drew DePenning spent hours in the shop filming the construction process during the three months I was working on the bench. (Note: I’m not slow. I just have a day job.)

Since I finished the bench, Drew has been condensing the footage into a short but information-packed video that shows the entire construction process from working the raw slabs of wood to mixing and applying the finish that I like to use on workbenches.

After considerable effort, we condensed the video down to about 38 minutes of running time. That might not seem like a lot of video for your dollar. Here’s the deal: I hate “talking head” style videos , they are usually an inefficient method of transmitting information. So we took most of the steps involved in the construction process and I narrated over them to tell you what is going on. That way you can focus a lot more on the task I’m showing instead of focusing on my strange tendency to look like I’m giving myself an erotic chest massage as I’m talking.

In addition to the video, we’ve included extra digital material on the DVD that I think you’ll find helpful. There’s a slidehow of 86 high-resolution still photos of the construction process for you to study (it’s almost like a silent film-version of the DVD). There is the complete article from the August 2010 issue, including an additional page of drawings of the leg joint, the cutting list and standard construction drawings.

And there are several SketchUp files, including a detailed one of the bench, plus alternative versions that feature a curvy lower stretcher.

All in all, I’m quite pleased with the way the DVD came out.

The DVD should be in-house by June 30, and that is when this 15-percent discount will end and the price will be $24.95.

One last thing (a personal favor to me): If you are going to purchase it, if you could use the following link to get to our store, you’ll be doing the digital equivalent of buying me a beer. Our company is running an internal contest right now, and I might win some beer money as a result.

– Christopher Schwarz

Other Workbench Resources You Should Use

– “Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use” , The book that launched my exploration into ancient workbenches and workholding.

– “The Workbench Book” by Scott Landis.

– Workbenchdesign.net , I should add this to my blogroll.

– “Workbenches” DVD , An excellent companion DVD that shows you how to modify your existing bench or design a new one from scratch.

– “The Best of Shops & Workbenches” CD , This CD contains lots of alternative plans for workbenches – and gives you sound advice on how to set up your workshop as well.

– “The Arts & Mysteries of Hand Tools” CD , For those who want to tune up their hand-tool skills before tacking this project, “Adam Cherubini’s Arts & Mysteries of Hand Tools” is a great place to start.