The Woodshop Shed

New Roubo Style Workbench (1/2 Scale)

Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)


This winter I will be leading the construction of a new workbench for the local woodworking club, of which I am a member. The new workbench will replace the rickety purchased bench that has been in the club's workrshop far to long.Rather than draw plans from which the members will construct the bench I decided to build a 1/2 scale model. The bench is based on John Tetrault's Modified Roubo Bench (from Fine Woodworking Magazine). In particular I liked the wedged dovetail through tenon that connects the stretchers to the legs. Building the scale model gave me an opportunity to understand how to construct this joint.The model is made from poplar door casing cut-offs the where planed to a 1/2 inch thickness and laminated together to make up the pieces. The model is 17 inches high, 30 inches long and 10 inches wide. This will translate into a full size bench that is 34 inches high, 60 inches long and 20 – 24 inches wide (to be determined).I photographed the model with my WoodRiver #1 plane to help create the illusion of a larger bench. I also included pictures of the 1/2 scale model alongside the traditional Roubo bench on my workshop.The model can come apart(no glue) so that the joinery can be inspected. It is held together with wedges, pinned tenons or screws.I'll post pictures of the full sized workbench when it is completed.

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