Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Friends:

The Chinese bench is finally done! It took me a long time and a LOT of problem-solving, but I got it done.

This bench has so many opportunities for growth and skill building. You need to do mortise-and-tenon joints angled in 2 different directions, master the bare-faced tenon and learn to assemble everything all at once for maximum strength.

I hope some of you give it a try...if you haven't already.

The plans will be ready Wednesday, just in time for you to ignore your family on Thanksgiving and sneak off to the shop. Just tell them I said it's okay.

Enjoy the Holiday!

--Rex

Files

Previews only

chinese workbench green cut

Compass Rose Toolworks: https://www.compassrosetools.com/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066908024254 Check out my Courses: https://rexkrueger.retrieve.com/ Patrons saw this video early: patreon.com/rexkrueger Get my woodturning book: http://www.rexkrueger.com/book Get My Book, Everyday Woodworking: https://amzn.to/3oyjC0E Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger --------------------------------------------------------------------- You need a workbench!!!! Try the Minimum Timber Bench. Our most affordable design. Get your plans here: https://www.rexkrueger.com/store/minimum-timber-bench Take the Course: https://tinyurl.com/43yfhjwb --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Incredible English Joiner's Bench: A REAL bench that a beginner can build. Complete Joiner's Bench Bundle (40 pages, full color): https://bit.ly/2QZls9T Incredible English Joiner's Bench: https://youtu.be/zcq1LQq08lk Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR_8ISkKkV7lpZExOnRhtxIsssZ7nLt6h --------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a member of this channel! Get custom badges and emojis you can use during chats: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj4SLNED1DiNPHComZTCbzw/join ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate): *Cutting* Gyokucho Ryoba Saw: https://amzn.to/2Z5Wmda Dewalt Panel Saw: https://amzn.to/2HJqGmO Suizan Dozuki Handsaw: https://amzn.to/3abRyXB (Winner of the affordable dovetail-saw shootout.) Spear and Jackson Tenon Saw: https://amzn.to/2zykhs6 (Needs tune-up to work well.) Crown Tenon Saw: https://amzn.to/3l89Dut (Works out of the box) Carving Knife: https://amzn.to/2DkbsnM Narex True Imperial Chisels: https://amzn.to/2EX4xls (My favorite affordable new chisels.) Blue-Handled Marples Chisels: https://amzn.to/2tVJARY (I use these to make the DIY specialty planes, but I also like them for general work.) *Sharpening* Honing Guide: https://amzn.to/2TaJEZM Norton Coarse/Fine Oil Stone: https://amzn.to/36seh2m Natural Arkansas Fine Oil Stone: https://amzn.to/3irDQmq Green buffing compound: https://amzn.to/2XuUBE2 *Marking and Measuring* Stockman Knife: https://amzn.to/2Pp4bWP (For marking and the built-in awl). Speed Square: https://amzn.to/3gSi6jK Stanley Marking Knife: https://amzn.to/2Ewrxo3 (Excellent, inexpensive marking knife.) Blue Kreg measuring jig: https://amzn.to/2QTnKYd Round-head Protractor: https://amzn.to/37fJ6oz *Drilling* Forstener Bits: https://amzn.to/3jpBgPl Spade Bits: https://amzn.to/2U5kvML *Work-Holding* Orange F Clamps: https://amzn.to/2u3tp4X Screw Clamp: https://amzn.to/3gCa5i8 #woodworking #woodworkingtips #diy #tooltips

Comments

Gerald Eddy

Hmmm…I pay for Patreon but it wants me to sign in on Youtube ( which I am) and it won’t allow me to view the video, despite having no issues up to now.☹️

John Griswold

Most excellent build! Too bad I've used up most of the floorspace of my inside shop...but as soon as I get that shed built, this will be a feature. This being the internet, I feel compelled to point out that this is NOT a low bench, it's a bench. We call our tall dedicated work surfaces "benches", probably because when we converted to the larger production shops pictured in the Roubo engravings, we didn't know what else to call the standing work tables shown there. On ALL other iterations of the bench form, weight lifters, park, piano, etc, you can of course sit comfortably. We always dragged the piano bench into the dining room for the Thanksgiving crowdi;)

Dave West

Cool techniques and tools. Thanks Rex.

Madeleine Yeh

Great video. Love the work. I've seen benches like that around outdoor tables in China and thought they looked just a bit unstable. I alway felt like a bird perching when I sat on one.

Gerald Eddy

Thanks to Nic I was able to view it! I work with western tools but am finding a bunch of ways to work on my low non-Chinese bench! I find working with bigger pieces to be the biggest limitation and wonder how they do it. Cutting a traditional tenon is also a difficulty and am going to attach a vise eventually.

John Kiernan

I could be wrong Chinese carpenters had to travel in some rough country I think they didn't glue the bench legs. They may have built 5he bench to come apart to carry from site to site.

Richard C von Brecht

I’ve been to the Forbidden City in China twice. It amazing to think that it was built using these benches and a small kit of tools. The earthquake resistant Dougong roof support is amazing stack of free floating pieces.

Matt Evans-Koch

Thank you, Rex. That is a nice bench. Would definitely be at home by the back patio door for removing boots when coming in from the garden or just hanging out.

Jeff Hill

The Chinese low work bench looks like a nice project. I can see its usefulness on small projects builds. I look forward to trying to build it.

Fred Wolsey

The mortise width can be calculated as being the hypotenuse of 15° right angle triangle with the long side being 3/4". So, 0.75/Cos (15°) = 0.776 in, or just under 1/32 wider than 3/4". Sorry. I am an Engineer. I can't help it.

Rex Krueger

I agree! Turns out that less prosperous carpenters would also use this as household furniture.

Rex Krueger

I don't think it comes apart, but glue-free construction is absolutely a thing. My bench held together without glue, but I wouldn't want to leave it like that. I still have a lot to learn.

Rex Krueger

Many modern Chinese carpenters attach a cheap machine vise. I think that's a good solution for joinery and stuff.

Rex Krueger

It takes some getting used to, that's for sure. I'm jealous that you've been to China. I very much want to go.

Rex Krueger

I hear you, but since the Chinese also have a high woodworking bench, I think i have to call this the low bench so people know which one I'm talking about!

Rex Krueger

This appears to have been a temporary bug, and i think it's fixed now, but please let me know if it's not.

Fred Wolsey

I like the design. I think, when I eventually get to building a sawbench, I am going to use the joinery from this bench with the design of the English sawbench. By the way, that Chinese saw looks like a superior design.

Luke Lyu

These benches are usually made in pairs, great for furniture assembly (so you can come in and hammer from above). Now you have to make another one!

Martin Hartley

It just occurred to me that this is a worthwhile build. A pair of them would be even better. However, there is another use for them. You can sit on one whilst chopping mortices on your regular european-style workbench. I used to do exactly that but with a much more rickety 2b4 build saw-horse.

Liam Davitt

Any idea what Chinese carpenters used to handle larger stock, or even to process logs into lumber?