Sam’s Tropical Wood Roubo Workbench

Viewer Project - By Sam Marine from Kajang, Malaysia
Added on June 22, 2015

This project is nothing special as most woodworkers have built a Split Top Roubo Workbench or just any woodworking workbench. I recently completed my workbench and have published my work on lumberjocks.com . I also have a blog which will bring you step-by-step throughout the entire process of me crafting this workbench.

This hand crafted Split Top Roubo Workbench took me about 25 months to complete which included 12 months for wood drying time and bench parts gathering. It was based on a plan by Benchcrafted and my tail vise is of Benchcrafted as well. The wood material used for this workbench is a type of tropical hard wood namely Meranti Wood, which is found here in Malaysia. The finish is a simple linseed oil. During the crafting process of this workbench, minor mistakes were made and corrected.

Well, do take a look at my Split Top Roubo Workbench and leave a comment and tell me what you think. My Next project will be a Maloof-inspired rocker chair using a Meranti wood. I think it will be the first Sam Maloof rocker in tropical hardwood.

Discussion

Kit June 23, 2015 3:36 am

That is an absolutely gorgeous bench, that anyone would be pround to have and use. To call it nothing special is doing it and yourself a disservice.

Great job!

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Bob Baisley June 23, 2015 4:35 am

Beautiful bench and I love the wood. It’s very warm looking. I’d be hugely proud of a bench like that. Wonderful work.

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Ray Duncan June 23, 2015 3:03 pm

Beautiful workbench. As much a piece of art as a tool. Looks like it would be a blast to work on. I love the red accents. Can’t wait to see the rocker.

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Sam Marine June 23, 2015 11:32 pm

Hi Kit, Thanks for the complements. I really appreciate it. I do take pride in my woodwork especially my workbench. I guess I have to rephrase my wordings when posting a write-up.

Never did I knew my woodworking workbench would garner a huge “like” and admiration from the viewers. I have clearly underestimated my workmanship. It was my first project of this size and complexity.

Once again, thanks guys for your compliments (Kit, Bob Baisley, Ray Duncan).

Sam :))

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PassinThru June 26, 2015 5:54 pm

I am just starting my Curly Maple Roubo. It is such a challenge. Wood is at 12% and took it to a custom planer this week. Pieces are up to 11 ft long and my Brother in law gave the wood to me. I have to wait to afford the vices and only own 1 Stanley plane, a table saw, a chop saw and a rusty lathe and drill press. Nice work and different wood.

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Mark Ramsey December 23, 2015 12:32 am

That is the most beautiful bench I’ve ever seen. Bravo!

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Nigel September 27, 2019 6:08 am

Hi Sam

A beautiful piece of woodwork. Thank you for sharing.

How are you finding the Meranti holding up over the years? I am in South Africa and here meranti is a far more cost effective material relative to Hard Maple, so I thought I would ask if you have found any issues with the wood being closer to soft maple in janka hardness.

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Sam’s Tropical Wood Roubo Workbench

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