Roubo: Getting Ready

Article - October 24, 2011

The Roubo build is finally underway and it’s all starting with a discussion about the wood. After announcing that the next build was going to be a workbench, the most frequently asked question was “What wood should I use?”. So I figured that would be a good place to start. I laid out several species of wood on the bench and discussed the concept of wood density/hardness and the Janka scale. In case you’re not familiar, the Janka hardness test is a measure of wood hardness (yup, there’s an obvious joke there and I’m not taking the bait). Essentially, they measure the force required to embed a steel ball into the board’s surface. The end result is a chart that allows us to compare relative wood hardness from species to species. This is pretty handy when trying to decide what wood to use on a workbench!

Personally, I like soft maple for this project. I feel it’s a nice compromise: not too hard and not too soft. My old bench was made from hard maple which served me well. But the more I thought about it and the more folks I discussed the issue with, I realized soft maple would probably be the better choice since it’s easier to plane. 8/4 stock runs about $3.20/BF here so that’s a price I can deal with. Considering the bench requires around 150 BF (if not a little more), price is a very important factor. What you’re looking at there is about 125 board feet. Looks like I’ll be making a second trip to the lumber dealer.

Recently in our DVD Review Show, we took a look at two workbench DVDs. I made a point of discussing whether or not the host built the bench with or without the aid of another bench. So I thought it would make for a better presentation and an interesting challenge if I completely removed my workbench from the shop. Before milling any wood, I propped one end of the bench on a furniture dolly and scooted it out of the shop. Now where did I put those sawhorses?

All in all, I am really excited to get this build going. I also realize I am racing the clock since Nicole’s due date is right around Christmas. That said, I am promising myself that I won’t rush this. A workbench is absolutely NOT the project you want to build at a fast pace. Maneuvering these large pieces is dangerous and takes patience. I will have to keep telling myself that repeatedly as I start to hear echoes of little feet pitter pattering in my head.

Wanna build along? Sign up for the Wood Whisperer Guild today!

Discussion

MarkinPhx October 24, 2011 9:20 am

This is going to be a really cool build. What do you think the weight of the finished bench will be? I would imagine heavier is better and more stable for hand planing and such.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2011 9:48 am
  
  You know, I can’t even give you an estimate. No clue. I’ll have to ask the Benchcrafted guys how much they weigh.
  
  Reply
  - Rob Cameron October 24, 2011 10:11 am
    
    I’ve thought about going to the local waste center to weight my bench — they weigh your vehicle on the way in and the way out and the difference is how much garbage you dropped off and therefore how they charge you.
    
    If you go through with a buddy you can drive through once with the bench in the bed of a pickup and then take it off and drive through again. Bam, weight of bench to the nearest pound!
    
    Reply
    - Dan Drabek October 24, 2011 6:01 pm
      
      Set one end of the bench on a bathroom scale and multiply by two.
      
      DD
- Jimi October 24, 2011 4:12 pm
  
  You can estimate based on the weight of a cubic foot of soft maple (I’m using this site for my numbers: http://www.connectedlines.com/wood/wood66.htm). If you actually used all 150bf (12.5 cubic feet) of soft maple, the weights from that page are between 26-34 lbs/cu ft. so you’d end up at 12.5 * 26 = 325lbs or 12.5 * 34 = 425lbs at the high end. The weight varies based on the water content of the wood, so with furniture grade maple it’d probably be more towards the low end, so I’m guessing it’d be somewhere around 350lbs at least.
  
  Reply
Boj October 24, 2011 9:21 am

I still dont now if i build my self a new workbench.
I have an antique workbench that works well for now
If i’ll make a new one it won’t be a roubo…..

Reply
Limbojim October 24, 2011 10:21 am

Found another Janka Hardness chart with more species listed.

http://www.sizes.com/units/janka.htm

Reply
Don Busack October 24, 2011 10:27 am

I have seen a couple articles where they used LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) for the top. From what I have read, it is hard, dimensionally stable, and considerably cheaper. Do you have any thoughts on it?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2011 10:33 am
  
  LVL is an interesting beast. I know the folks who have used it seem to be happy with the performance and workability. I have no experience with it myself though. Check out this thread in the forum where my buddy Aaron chimes in about the LVL he used on his bench: http://woodtalkonline.com/topic/4904-wood-species/
  
  Reply
  - Don Busack October 24, 2011 4:11 pm
    
    Thanks for the info, I like the looks of the bench top from LVL! I was checking into the price, and you can get it on sale frequently at the big box stores.
    
    Reply
    - BlueZero November 4, 2011 7:04 pm
      
      If your looking at LVL’s you might want to take a look at a parallam also. I’ve always wanted to make something out of them, sort of look cool. :)
  - Michael December 21, 2011 11:48 am
    
    For those thinking of using LVL, there is a whole chapter in Christopher Schwarts’ new bench book devoted to LVL.
    
    Reply
Brian Glendenning October 24, 2011 10:28 am

A google search says that soft maples weighs 35 pounds / cubic foot (= 12 BF), or about 3 pounds/BF.

So, a 150 BF bench would weigh about 450 pounds in wood, plus whatever the hardware adds.

Cheers,
Brian

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2011 10:31 am
  
  Of course, keeping in mind that the final volume of wood in the bench will be significantly less than the rough amount required to build it. :) Now where’s my calculator?!
  
  Reply
Kris (TheOneHandedHandyMan) October 24, 2011 10:51 am

That is going to be one serious workbench. How much are the vices going to cost, rough estimate?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2011 11:21 am
  
  $712…..roughly… :) http://www.benchcrafted.com/guildbuild.html
  
  Reply
  - Kris (TheOneHandedHandyMan) October 24, 2011 11:28 am
    
    Thanks. You da man, man.
    
    Reply
Charlie Whittuck October 24, 2011 11:27 am

I am also on the verge of committing some time to making my first dedicated woodworking bench. I found an old record vice (same model as D.J Marks) which I’m planning on fitting to the end in copy cat fashion with a wide mouth again in the same style as Davids. I also do some metal work and so was looking to make a steel base with solid wood 4″ top. Does anyone have an opinion on how a solid wooden top might respond on a suitably sturdy steel frame?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 25, 2011 11:40 am
  
  As long as it is heavy enough and there is no flex, you will probably be fine.
  
  Reply
Marilyn October 24, 2011 12:17 pm

So you’re the expert on this. What exactly is that look on Nicole’s face mean? Inquiring minds want to know.

I also have another .. potential .. topic for the work bench build. Where o’ where to put it?? You can see that my post (http://sheworkswood.blogspot.c.....-wall.html) generated a lot of comments. And I think I have my answer, but it might provide some good further discussion.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2011 1:27 pm
  
  Actually, that look says, “I hate wearing t-shirts but I’ll do it just for this picture.” She went right back in the house and changed, lol.
  
  I’ll shoot over to your blog and read about your dilemma.
  
  Reply
- Dean October 24, 2011 5:18 pm
  
  Bob Rozaieski (?Logan Cabinet Shoppe?) likes his workbench against the wall.
  
  http://blip.tv/hand-tools-tech.....er-5194023
  
  Reply
Ben October 24, 2011 6:20 pm

Marc, very excited about not using the existing workbench to build the new one!

Reply
jersey mike October 24, 2011 6:29 pm

Hahaha!!! My sister had the same shirt when she was pregnant. It was her favorite though. The bench is going to be cool. I wont be building along, but I’ll be watching along while I build what I have room for.

Reply
Victor October 24, 2011 7:17 pm

I am going with soft Maple based on Marc’s recommendations. I purchase all my wood from a great place in North Carolina-Wall Lumber. they have a great selection of all grades and they ship. I live about two hours away, so I load up the family in the pickup and call in my order in advance. they are very patient with folks like me who have very limited experience and even less knowledge. I plan to add the extra bench vice at the end of the build so, Marc, i hope you still plan on showing us how to add it to the build. Looking forward to it!!!

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 25, 2011 11:41 am
  
  Are you talking about the Moxon vise Victor? Yes, that is still in the plan.
  
  Reply
  - Victor October 25, 2011 4:58 pm
    
    Yes, the Moxon vise.
    
    Reply
BruKilla October 24, 2011 7:22 pm

I am teetering on actually purchasing the Guild Membership for the expressed reason of the Roubo build (all the other stuff is a great bonus). Since I do not have any hand planes, will I be able to do this build. I have a 13 inch planer, but I am sure the top needs to be planed once it is glued up. What are my options (e.g. take it to a lumber yard for drum sanding). Also, clamps – how many clamps and what type are absolutely necessary for the build. I need reasons to buy more tools, but I gotta plan ahead. What can a limited shop really produce for this build? Thanks.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 25, 2011 11:47 am
  
  Hey BruKilla. One of the great things about this design is the fact that you can send the pieces through the planer. But I do plan on lightly planing the finished glue up on one side just to make sure it passes through the planer smoothly. Obviously a hand plane is going to be the easiest way to get this done. But once you flatten one side, the planer does the rest of the work and honestly, you might not even need to hit the top with a plane at all. So even though taking the top to be milled is certainly an option, I’d rather see you put that money toward a used hand plane that will help you not only on this project, but others in the future.
  
  As for clamps, its hard to estimate since I haven’t built it yet. But I will be using quite a few to glue up the top slabs. But since the material is 8/4, the outside pieces do a good job distributing the clamping pressure so you might not need nearly as many as you’d think. I’ll have more info on what clamps you’ll need as I get into the build.
  
  Keep in mind I’ll also be using a router for many parts of this project. A good long straight bit and a pattern bit will be necessary.
  
  Ultimately, this is going to be a tricky project for a shop with little equipment. I’m pulling out some of the big guns on this one. But in the videos, I will always try to keep in mind that not everyone has the setup I do.
  
  Reply
Marie October 24, 2011 10:43 pm

Received my benchcrafted vises last week, just need wood and I’m ready to create another mess,….e’r I mean work of art.
Nicole you look marvelous!

Reply
JBWoodArt October 25, 2011 6:35 am

That shirt Nicole is wearing is great, I have the same one for my wife, good luck on the build and the kid. It is awesome. I was thinking you can integrate a diaper holder in the the bench and a sippy cup holder also, make it multitask better than any work bench ever!

Reply
lynxsg October 25, 2011 12:37 pm

Nice to be kept up to date on Nicole and the Baby! I will tell you from experience that the child will be the very best thing in your life! And that comes from a grandfather!

Steve

Reply
Greg October 25, 2011 3:10 pm

There may be a loving Geek inside, but I know there are two happy parents outside… the lovely Nicole and the gret Wood Whisperer. Just think this build will have great memories of your special package coming to life.

Reply
Don October 25, 2011 9:24 pm

well the build looks like its going to be great!
I wish I had the room for a bench of this size.
The only place would be in the living room…Don’t think that’ll fly.
At least I can get some good ideas on how to modify my bench.
Don

Reply
Tom October 26, 2011 12:13 am

seems like two really great Christmas presents! as the father of a 2.4 year old and the owner of a 2.5 car “garage” shop… get ready for those days where you will have to choose between drool on your shirt or sawdust … drool on the shirt will win every time! congratulations and have fun.

Reply
Eric October 26, 2011 6:22 am

Marc,

Congrats again on the little one.
I had to laugh when you said that a bench is not a project that you want to build at a fast pace. I have been “trying” to build mine for about 3 years. I am just now cutting the through tenons and sliding dovetails in the legs. The only power tool that I have used so far is a circular saw to rip the boards for the top. I am not proficient at all with hand tools so it is a lot of work for me. Every time I come to a new step it’s like “Am I ready for this”?

If you care to check it out.. http://cropfaktor.com/category.....workbench/

Reply
JD October 28, 2011 6:43 am

This is going to be a great build, Mark. I just picked up my lumber yesterday.
If anyone is in the Cincinnati/Dayton/Columbus area check out American Wood Source in Lebanon, OH. They have a great selection of lumber and plywood and offer surfacing and ripping.

Reply
Dave Powers October 28, 2011 11:42 am

Marc,
Is Bell Forest gonig to be offering any packages for this project or is it too big to do? It is very difficult for me to find good hardwood in my area other than the Woodcraft store where the selection and inventory is limited.
Thanks,
Dave

Reply
- JD November 3, 2011 10:59 am
  
  Check out American Wood Source
  
  Reply
Chas October 29, 2011 4:38 am

Marc,

Concerning the recommended width of wood. I’m thinking of getting
all of the stock in dressed 50mm x 200mm (2″ x 8″ ) that comes to 35
lineal metres of lumber needed that is equivalent to 150BF if my HP calculator is right.
I’ll be buying all of the lumber in 2.2m lengths (thats 16 of them).

I think having it 200mm wide allows me to rip the boards in half for the top pretty efficiently and the legs and runners should only need some light dressing (I think).

I will be joining you in the guild shortly for the build and I will be doing it
all in “metric world”.

I’ve chosen Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) for the build as it is local, reasonably easy to work compared to most other eucalyptus varieties and has a beautiful light red tinge. What we call “Tassie Oak” would of been perfect but was just way too expensive.

I’m currently building a version of your trestle desk in Alpine Ash/Tassie Oak (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and again in 50 x 200 as
it is worth the spend on it for a showpiece of furniture in my office.

Will be great joining you in a few weeks.

Cheers from the Central Coast just north of Sydney, Australia
Chas

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 29, 2011 11:06 am
  
  Just keep in mind that the finished thickness of the top is 4″. So if you buy your stock milled to 8″, you won’t have any room for error when ripping them in half. Get as close to 10″ as you can.
  
  Reply
  - Chas October 30, 2011 3:37 am
    
    Marc,
    
    Thanks, yes 200mm is shy of 8″ in any case. What I think I’ll do is as you reccomend go out to 250mm but in rough sawn cured rather than dressed, then rip (I only have a 6″ jointer), square and dress it down through my planer. Boy that is going to take a while!!!
    
    Price wise I can get the 250mm rough sawn for about the same price as 200mm finished, it just means an extra day or two over Xmas break in my little shop walking back and forth 2.2m a hundred times or so, it will be of course 100 degrees on the day I do it :)
    
    I’ll post some pics of the wood and process so you can see that sweet light colour and grain of the Sydney Blue Gum eucalypts. They are so different from the awful ones in California that are a pest there. They were originally planted in the late 1800’s in CA for railway ties but the wood turned out lousy as the soil was just too good and so they grew far too quickly so they are like chalk, and terminates love them too.
    
    Cheers, Chas
    
    Reply
Scotty October 29, 2011 5:37 am

My 1st major big build was the roubo bench. I went directly from C. Schwarz workbench book. I live in the midwest and decided to go on the “cheap” and used southern yellow pine for the entire bench except the crochet and plane stop (oak). I have worked on it for over 2 years and am very happy with it. There is a large fluctuation in humidity here and the top has remained surprisingly flat. The pine is certainly soft but has caused me no real working problems as of yet. You guys will love having this bench!

Reply
- Eric Dinges December 4, 2011 7:08 am
  
  Scotty mentioned that this was his first major build. It is mine as well. I too, have been working on it for several years due to moving and work related travel. I am still working on it and in fact trying to fit the legs into the workbench top. Did you have any problems with fitting the mortise and sliding dovetails? They are being a major pain for me but I just keep working on them as time allows. Sometimes it’s just a shave here and there as I pull into the garage from work before entering the house.
  
  I woud have liked to have joined “The Guild” and participated in Marc’s build but I have already committed to a wooden screw vise (on order) and probably wouldn’t be able to keep up.
  
  http://cropfaktor.com/2011/12/.....l-sliding/
  
  Reply
  - thewoodwhisperer December 4, 2011 9:16 am
    
    I haven’t had any trouble, but only because I haven’t gotten that far yet. :)
    
    Reply
pb_husker_54 October 31, 2011 8:35 am

What are your plans for the old bench?

Reply
Carl Joseph October 31, 2011 8:04 pm

For those thinking of using LVL as their workbench material, Popular Woodworking did this. After 2 years it’s still going strong with only a few minor concerns. This might help … http://www.popularwoodworking......ars-of-use

Reply
Matt November 4, 2011 1:57 pm

ok, I’m confused. I did a small sycamore project a few years ago and I swear, it is the hardest wood I’ve ever encountered. I had to pilot the screw holes almost to the outside diameter of the threads (not shank) just to get screws in it. When I looked up Jaka hardwood test, sycamore is way down at 770 compared to 1290 for Red Oak. What gives?

Reply
Matt November 4, 2011 1:59 pm

no pun intended. :)

Reply
Jeff November 5, 2011 11:03 am

Hi guys, I just joined the guild last week and loving those perks we get, at the same time ordered the bench build hardware. Awesome. I can’t wait to start, I’m looking into the wood situation I think I got a few sticks I’m going to use and buy some hard maple for the top. I like the idea of a hard maple top besides if you want soft top throw a rubber mat on it. ;D

Reply
Nighthawk November 8, 2011 1:53 am

Cool… wish I had a workshop… and a bench and a budget… sigh

All I have a basement, house piles and uneven dirt floor… lol

sigh

Reply
Dave Kerchner November 9, 2011 4:51 pm

Hi everyone. I’m a new Guild member and have ordered the bench build hardware kit. I retire at the end of the year and am excited about starting my new life in the shop with the Roubo build. Can’t wait to get going.

Reply
Barron November 28, 2011 10:24 pm

Hi Marc,

I am pricing wood for the build (already ordered vises) and your price for soft maple is is about $1.70 less than what I am being quoted up here in Flagstaff. Would you say where you are getting yours? It might be worth a trip down the mountain for that price.

Thanks.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer November 29, 2011 10:30 am
  
  Sure thing. I go to Spellman Hardwoods.
  
  Reply
Barron November 30, 2011 11:25 am

Thanks! I am really looking forward to this build.

Reply
Adam Aronson December 3, 2011 6:15 pm

Hi Marc,

You mention that we’ll need “a good long straight bit and a pattern bit”. Can you elaborate a bit? How long and what diameter? Which operations will you be using these on? I’m imaging mortises and flushing up the ends of the laminate.

Thanks!

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer December 4, 2011 9:18 am
  
  Honestly I can’t elaborate because I haven’t gotten that far in the build yet. I don’t want to make a recommendation and then wind up doing something different in the video series. But I can certainly keep you posted.
  
  Reply
  - Nelson Lewis January 18, 2012 3:27 am
    
    Can you elaborate now on which bits will be required?
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer January 18, 2012 8:04 am
      
      here’s what I have on my running list so far. There may be ways to reduce the list but this is what I used so far.
      
      Router Bits: 1/2″, 3/8″ straight bits
      Forstner Bits: 1″ , 1 1/8″ (if doing knockdown), 1 1/4″, 1 3/8″ and 1 5/8″
      Brad Point Bits: 3/8″, 1/2″ (if doing knockdown), 5/16″
      Boring/Auger Bit: 3/4″
Paul January 10, 2012 8:31 pm

I just came across your site, and this peaks my interest… Is it too late to join in on this? Is this something I can do at my own pace and have access to the site for?

Thanks!

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer January 10, 2012 8:52 pm
  
  Never too late to join. You can always download the videos and plans and build whenever you like.
  
  Reply
Paul January 29, 2012 10:07 am

Great, thanks! I will be joining soon so I can build this bench. Is there a lumber cut list by chance?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer January 29, 2012 12:29 pm
  
  Sure is. But this is part of the package you can download upon joining the Guild.
  
  Reply
Tom February 10, 2012 6:54 am

I was thinking about joining the guild for this build and the discount on the benchcrafted hardware. I noticed that they do not include the plans with the discount. When we join the guild do we get the plans? The reason I ask is that I won’t be building til next fall and I want to make sure I have everything I need.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer February 10, 2012 7:50 am
  
  You don’t receive their plans, but you do receive ours. Which is more than adequate for building the project at a later date.
  
  Reply
Cole March 16, 2014 11:05 am

i’m somewhat new to wood work so bear with me but do you think oak would be a good material for a workbench like this one?

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo March 16, 2014 8:00 pm
  
  Yup. Any wood that you can get for a good price will work, because you’ll need a lot of it! :)
  
  Reply

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Roubo: Getting Ready

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