Lesson learned from watching 10 years of Paul Sellers: . Keep it accessible to your audience. Do things in such a way that your viewers (with limited means and space) can do the same thing. That doesn't mean don't make a big shop, but the studio portion should match your viewers' expected space. Make a bench that your viewers could duplicate.
Just a few off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts: 1. The new shop would give you more space. More space means you won't have to use Sarah's bench as your parts store. So, build the new shop. 2. Laminate the bench top. Even if you do find a monolithic board that big, in all probability almost nobody else will. But, if you laminate, we can all learn from your process in building the new bench to suit the hardware that you want to incorporate into it. 3. Design the new shop so that all the main equipment can be easily used by both you and Sarah. That design process will be hugely helpful to a lot of people.
In the battle between "UA-camr with the big new shop" and "guy in the basement", maybe do both. Use your big shop for larger, more pipe dream projects but every once in a while, take us back down to your basement but with a very limited amount of tools that a beginner would have and do some basic projects again. You have the tools to do anything but on those videos only use the basics.
From a certain perspective, that is the trap of the big European bench dream. Those big benches were designed for the mass production factories of the day. They were perfected for a group of artisans to work all day with the mass, comfort and work holding to perform each artisans part of the task. This is simply incompatible with the average woodworker or average person that is performing the task a few times and has neither the space nor time to dedicate to their hobby. The work benches of early history, the tools of itinerant woodworkers and the solution of cottage woodworkers can be more applicable than the common European sources because those sources aren't solving the average woodworkers problems.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo When I need and want something larger than what I've got but I'm not ready for the larger space.... like your current situation..... I like making convertible/robotic/Transformers stuff. So what I'd recommend is making a work bench that extends like a wood kitchen table when you need to utilize the larger vise. You can also make the whole end piece hinge or swing down out of the way. Make it an all-in-one multi tool of a bench just don't get carried away. Chew on that idea for a week or two and I'm sure you'll come up with multiple evolving ideas of what may work for you before you decide on a final build. That's usually how I think. Today I'm beginning to lay out a wood truck bed platform. I might make the sideboards hinge down and lay flat so I have a wider bed if and when needed..... or I might just keep it simple. I want a nice metal bed or go all out and show off with inlays and fancy joinery. That would be super cool, but alas no time no money no space.
The thing I enjoy most about watching you, is not the skills that you show, not the things that you make, and especially not the dad jokes 😉 but watching the amount of enjoyment you have when doing the things that you do so do what makes you happiest!
One thing that we did shortly after moving to our current place was build a shop building. A rotting building was torn down and a new one built. I am primarily a power-tool woodworker with some hand work being learned from you and a few others. I incorporated several things I learned from previuos workshops, some of which may not apply to you. * Built on a concrete slab with 2x6 framing and 6" insulation in the walls. (It can get cold in central Maryland! And hot!) * Minimum 9 foot ceiling height, I don't like banging the overhead with lumber or sheet goods. * Two windows, and an insulated glass double door - natural light is good after years working in basements. * 100 amp breaker panel, fed from the house. (I notice that the Darbin Orvar channel is going solar wirh her shop.) * Lighting on a circuit by itself. I can think of few things more dangerous than a tool tripping a breaker and ALL THE LIGHTS GO DARK * Speaking of lights, LED all the way. The energy cost is tiny compared to incandescent, and you can get them in lots of different color temperatures (some are even programmable). That would make color compensation easier when filming. * Separate, 20 amp circuits for 120 V and 240 V along the two long walls. With lots of receptacles on the 120 V circuits. * I have a through-the-wall heat pump to keep the environment to my idea of comfortable. * I also have a dehumidifier, again for my comfort. Bonus - I quickly learned that it also makes wood usable considerably faster than without it. * The building is 12 x 32 feet inside, but I stole 8 ft fom one end for my office. Shut the door and keep (most) sawdust out of the computers. And remember the 9-foot ceilings. I'm sure you are plannnig something with room to strech out. But, IMO, it would be nice to have a separated area for the videos. Enough bigger to stretch out, but with the filming area having a similar look and feel to the one we are used to. (Big enough for that new monster bench with the monster vises, though!)
James, do what makes you and the wife happy. If you go to a bigger shop Sahar might be able to find her bench. No matter what size shop you have you know you will fill it. As for the large oak slab, a few years ago I watched a program called "Barnwood Builders", they might be a source for it. It could be 100+ years old, dry and stable. I wish you happiness in whatever way you go.
We have an even newer model of that vise at work made by Kindt-Collins after they bought the patterns from Oliver and I have an ancient and much repaired Emmerts at home. You’re going to love having that vise. Not only a great throat depth but it swivels 360 degrees, tilts up and down, and the jaws can be set off parallel, all at the same time. The dogs are great for holding round or odd shaped work. Probably the most versatile design ever devised.
retired furniture maker here. as a solo small shop making commission pieces, just had a simple bench vice on a large sturdy work table 1.2 metre by 2 metre. whilst it may be nice to have all these flash gadgets they are not necessary to make furniture and a living doing it. most amateurs on youtube have far more gear than i do. most of my work was hand tool, but due to constraints on time and budget i did use milling machines for dimensioning.
You said you get goosebumps with the excitement of building the bigger shop. Do that if you can and everything else will fall into place. You are already successful. This will make it more enjoyable.
James, build the shop you are dreaming about and enjoy all the options and degrees of freedom it gives you. Waiting some number of years to build it just means you will have fewer years to use and enjoy it.
James - build the bigger shop and the bigger bench! I would definitely come down for classes if you had them and so would others. And you should end all of your classes singing that Willy Wonka song.
Well, you should’ve asked yesterday. We had a White Oak taken down yesterday that was over 50 years old, about 70 ft in height. I asked the arborist if the trunk was worth slabbing, but he thought there would be voids throughout. Of course he was right, but you might have gotten a couple of 8-10 foot slabs 4-6 inches thick, BUT, who has 4-6 years to dry it? Some of the tree went to a local Sawyer, but it is destined for more manageable lumber I’m afraid. It was amazing watching the water pour out of my dear friend as it was sectioned and loaded on the truck. We did save the tree straps for a transplant of the swing my grandkids love. On the bright side, the tree won’t fall on my house this hurricane season, and I can build my new 20 X 30 shop and a seeing room for my wife without having to worry about the roots breaking up my new foundation. Good luck to you.
Instead of a one-piece slab top, I would do a two-piece slab top, glued up down the center lengthwise. I think it makes your choices more plentiful. Matt Cremona may be able to provide that.
I think once the idea of the bigger shop has captured your imagination as much as it has, you should go for it. The urge will never go away. And your reasons for wanting it are compelling. Don't settle. And if you have to make your dream bench from two joined boards it will still be great. I can't wait to see those new vises in action!
Hi James, discovered your channel a few months ago and have learned a lot and just enjoy watching. The thing that I think makes you unique is you understand woodworking needs to be fun for you and your viewers. As you dream and plan about possible futures, be sure that the new financial obligations don’t inadvertently take the joy and fun out of woodworking by making it a “job” that has to be done to pay the bills
I love both aspects, I like watching the 'dream shop' type builds where it appears money/space/ability are in abundance. I also really enjoy seeing the limited money/space/ability projects. Personally from your channel the enjoyment I get is in seeing all the tools/how to use them to build amazing things, a bigger space would add a new dimension of that to me. Please also remember I'm just 1 person who watches your videos, you should do what you will get your true enjoyment from above all else.
Hi, John Malecki (youtube also)got recently a huge sawmill. Pitsburg I think. Good luck. And thanks that the shop build is not this year. To many already 😉
I think you should go for it, James. Because, then, you could have space even for big electric machines... Which could help a lot for preparing wood for projects, so you could do more. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
From my own perspective, I'd love to see how you would go about mounting the Oliver and/or the twin turbo vise to an existing bench that wasn't designed with those vises in mind. I've been thinking about adding/replacing a vise but don't want to replace the bench. On the other hand, I think you should do what gets you excited and makes YOU happpy!
Two thoughts. I recall an outfit that was recovering old sunken Great Lakes timbers somewhere around Duluth. Second, I'd probably contact the youngsters at acorn to Arabella and Leo. I recall one of them getting large stock out of Georgia I think it was.
I'd argue that all of the above is the right choice & only wrong one would be to set it on "some day" & never chip away at it. Personally, I'd choose the slow & steady & set aside the "nice to have" things like the slab because it gets in the way of moving forward. You could easily set your focus on the rest of your goals & have time on your side to find that slab when you either have space or time for a road trip to Canada for it. You could also set aside time to document & build your school yourself. Could be a fun journey to follow along if you're interested in timber framing & old-school techniques. It's just gonna take time. Another route would be to rent a place.
I have a slab of white/live oak (not sure which) cut from here in the southern swamps of Arkansas where I live it is already cut in half and each half is over 16” thick 10’7” long and 28.65” wide let me know I’m sure we can get it to you buddy!!
Sorry sir I never even saw your response lol!!! It’s still out back been in the barn air drying for over 3 years we busted em down to 7”-8” thick and made 4 slabs out of the 2 there is still 3 left same width and length just 7”-8” thick now and it is some type of live oak or white oak I am 100% sure after cutting into the 4th slab
I think the larger shop would be a real step forward for the channel. As you said wood by Wright is about the community, and we all support its evolution and we can help in some way this growth
Two things: 1) I built my own shop over the Covid19 lockdown here in the UK. It's built very simply using 2x3 framing, wool insulation, OSB outer covering, coated in a ventilated siding and T&G finish inside with a vapour barrier. For foundations, I used 3' steel ground screws supporting treated joists, with a good 1" T&G boarded floor. ALL my own work. 2) A laminated bench top will always be far more stable, far more quickly, than a Roubo style slab. And, you can easily find the lumber for that.
For years I did everything in an extra bedroom or out on my deck.... now I have a 12 x 24 building out in the yard.. it's the perfect building for me, but my wife thinks it's a storage building and was constantly putting things in there... so the answer was to get her a building the same size and move her ever increasing possessions in there.. still working on moving all that stuf out of my way.. for my workspace to be usable again.
James new shop you can timber frame it yourself more space more tools. The bench big slab but think ware you want to be maybe look at a property with a big separate shop
James, I'd love to see you in a bigger shop And I'd love to see all those vices working, but you're the only one who can work out the financing. Don't take too much financial advice from people online, we're always happy to spend someone else's money :)
Workbench: try Lesley Caudill in NC. He does the bench tops for the Moravian benches. He was also mentioned in a Lost Art Press article on building benches with wet tops. Workshop: I would go with the larger shop. Maybe, as you said, will open up options for your business
The quick solution for today’s bench at first glance is make a hole in the stretcher to accommodate the screw(s) on the vice. I wish you had ventured your request 4 years ago. A tornado, yes a tornado in CT, came through my yard took at 7 trees. One was large enough to accommidate your needs. I tried to get local saw mills to take this 12 ft long, 6 ft in diameter oak… no luck. Sadly it became firewood. The lesson here is perhaps become a storm chaser for a while. Look for devastated areas with large downed trees. Home owners, if they are like me at that time, would be happy to have it go to a good home and not have to deal with it along with the other 6 trees. Or maybe even better contact tree services in you are and have them contact you when the have “a big job”.
As a fellow Nutmegger, I recall that event! It is hard (probably impossible) to find someone in CT that can process a tree that large into lumber. Just moving the tree would take some really large scale equipment, and even if you could move it, I know of no sawyer in the area that has equipment capable of slabbing anything that large.
Loyal viewer, subscriber, not a patron (fixed income coming soon). I say go for the shop. It's time in your career arc. You're just the right age: enough to be experienced, but you still have energy! Your TV shop can be in the corner, like a set but actually solid, with the homey, lived-in look that it will get (sooner with some careful set dressing from items in the basement). It would be a real attraction for visitors and students. You'll be able to get more angles on more stuff in your bigger-but-homey shop, and that will help viewers. Classes would be cool on site, with covid ramping down. And Sarah can have her bench. Good luck!
Few of us could afford, or find that big, monolithic slab. So I vote for a bench made of high-quality, beautiful components. On the other hand, it’s your dream and I’d enjoy watching that too. Maybe you can do both for that new shop.
I built four other benches laminated and with varying degrees of affordability. Few people on UA-cam have ever tried to conquer a single monolithic slab. But we'll see what the future holds. I might just go back to laminating another one.
A few thoughts. I agree with other comments saying to have a small shop in the basement and a larger shop and shoot from both. I would love if you offered classes, and would definitely attempt to attend! About the oak you’re looking for, I seem to recall a UA-camr who is building a sailboat Sampson Boat company if I’m right, that sourced live oak out of Florida, where he went to source the lumber there seemed to be massive live oaks, although I’m not sure how live oak would do for a bench top.
re mod to current bench, 30 degree legs a la Rex Kruger, solves stability and end space, add laminations till its 24" wide; better still auction existing bench and make a new one that fits current shop, it will still be of use in the super size shop.
First - Shoot for the stars! Second - I can’t offer you exactly what you want. What I have to offer is an 8/4 X 20.5” X 76”, dead flat, machine planed both sides, dry - over six years cut, slightly spalted hackberry slab; down ‘wright’ beautiful. I will never use it as it is so, its destiny is with you,… or someone or it will be used as pieces / parts. (There are several Moxon vises in there along with a Roman bench or a shave horse. ) This is from my brother-in-law’s family farm in Preble County, Ohio. It was free to me except for paying to have it planed. If you’re interested I’m sure we can barter a deal - class time? We can always get Dan Rabar to arbitrate, cut pie & pour coffee.
very exciting!! to have more space to show bigger (and of course therefor OWN bigger treadle tools!) would be amazing, and of course the plans to potentially run some classes would probably add great sustainability for you as a business! i know i dont need a warehouse sized shop that some other youtubers have to do some of the projects i watch. it doesn't stop me getting inspired by them to make similar projects or use techniques i watch them do. so i'd hope that should you choose to make this move, other viewers wouldn't see it as a negative thing.....onwards and upwards!! excited to see what you do either way 👍👍
I think you need to consider the bigger shop. Paul Sellers has a shop/filming area that is actually much bigger than it appears in the video. Also I would probably take a class from you if one was available.
I too have a tiny shop so I kind of love the tiny shop format! But I appreciate the fact that there is a difference between working in a tiny shop and producing videos there for your livelihood. For bigger and messier stuff I have to use the garage as extra space but only in the warmer months because a) my wife wants to park the car in the garage in winter and b) it's way too cold to work there during the winter. I know one thing for sure: when I do use it, running and hauling stuff between the garage and the basement is no fun at all. Would I like to have a bigger shop that can hold and do it all? Sure. Do I have the space or the money for a bigger shop? No. You do have the space, however and if you can save time with the setups for shooting in a bigger shop and don't have to go back and forth: why not? Time is money and like I said, this is your livelihood. We'll follow you to the (maybe?) new shop for the quality of the videos and because we like you as a person. I'm not sure about the big slab, though. No matter how long and carefully it has been dried, there are bound to be cracks and checks. A few weeks ago I have finished the build for my Moravian workbench. I used ash which is very hard and sturdy and just gorgeous. And once I had applied the Danish oil it just popped and became even more gorgeous. My wife nearly wouldn't let me drill holes in it for the bench dogs. And with the boards laminated vertically, I don't have to worry about wood movement too much. I reckon it's mostly going to get a bit higher or lower, depending on the season. And as it is, I basically don't worry about cracks or checks at all. At least for the time being, I don't see myself building another one. But I am a hobby woodworker and not a UA-camr, so there's that. However, the kids want one too, now, so I will build another one, but for them. Mine was off of Will Myer's plans but the one for the kids will be Sarah's workbench. But that's it. I built my own vises which are very strong but also pretty slow. I can live with it because for the longest time I had no bench and no vises at all and that was much more painful than giving the handles another crank. Again, hobby woodworker, so YMMV.
come to warrenton va. we have had bad storms and there are several trees down the road the tree people are cleaning up. you could have a piece cut, take up to front royal to the saw mill and you get whT you want
I have a similar Emmert vise. Keep in mind if you want to swing it up the screw needs a lot of room under it to swing. Also my bench has drawers and when the metal working jaws are up the drawer is blocked from opening. Same problem, the bench was there first.
As somebody that used to work in the basement (for me which's only advantage is the cool temperature), I really hope that you also go over the soil and find the beauty and health of woodworking under the natural light. (as you probably know) Rex Kruger has recently moved his workshop. I hope the same for you :)
I'm sure I won't be the only person to say something like this. Obviously, more space cures a lot of ills ( and creates some). Would you consider a Moravian style end of a smaller bench for the turbo vise/pattern makers vise? The angled leg would allow for the screw travel and still provide stability. Check out the bench Woodbrew built. Love the content, and love the fact that you have the potential to grow. Keep it up.
Like the debate I have every time I want to buy a new tool. The cost verses the benefit I get from adding a new tool to my shop. I have heard it said “ you don’t buy a tool until you need it” but they presume that you know exactly what you need. Predicting the future is very hard. But if you don’t you will never grow. Whether you make a change to replace the shop now is up to you but from what I can see you will eventually have to make that decision. So then you must decide if it would be better to do it now or later and is their any benefit to doing it sooner rather than later. It may not be right to do it yet but I do think it is something you need to seriously consider. At least for me it is hard to change what I am doing so that I can do what I see is a possibility. You may not be able to do this financially and that is fine but by going through the process you will at least find what it is that you want to do, that alone is valuable and it is a beginning point to accomplish what you want. Stepping out of your comfort zone is always hard but always worth the effort. The principal is the same whether it is a new tool a new skill or a new shop. You are capable, you just need to believe that it is possible. What ever you do I will be watching to see what you come up with , wishing you the very best.
It's all down to the economics of the new shop. How many classes would you be able to run per month, at what charge and how many would you need to run to cover the cost of the new shop. If that looks sensible and achievable then go for it.
Go ahead with the bigger shop. As my future father in law says "business is like riding a bicycle, when you stop go further, you will fall down". And i woul'd go with the rare expensive piece of beatifull tree, do what works and set small plans at the time
As far as I'm concerned I like your setup a lot because it is relatable and thus can inspire some of us. I see you as an advocate of you can do great thing with an imperfect setup or tool and a "small bench" which gives hope for the hobbyist out there that you don't need a ton of space and an 8 foot/24 inches bench to be able to build great things. With a perfect shop the channel might become less relatable. That said I think your philosophy about woodworking and open minded views on it is what's really makes it for me and it won't change with a workspace change. So do what YOU really want to do you and we'll adapt ;-)
I agree, whilst I have a large bench, I do most of my work at a small 22”x6’ bench, that was made from a single 3x12, the other 10” is a too, tray and supporting 2x4 at the bck. Bigger is not always better cheers
@@alholston-smith7631 My "bench" is 130x40cm in fact its more of a flat work-surface fixed to a wall with a vice than a proper bench but I'm enjoying working on it. If I did not find James channel I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to start with this setup.
@@JeanMinutile I also,have enjoyed a lot of James’ videos, never too old to learn. Even with a larger setup, he can still have a small looking, average home shop look for his video presentations. A bench one foot longer, isn’t going to change the small home shop feel to his presentations. I agree James needs to keep his video setup small, with the feel that anyone can do a similar small shop. My first shop was a garden shed, with a 2x4-foot simple built in bench. My first stand alone bench was a low bench made from a 4x8, setup on 4x4 legs, that could be knocked down to transport it. Cheers
If the budget allows, go for the bigger shop. You can still keep the small space feeling but gain more room for more toys, oops, tools and storage space for chunks of tree. As for the bench top, pity Western Australia is a bit far for you to drive to as there would be no issues finding a nice slab of Marri or Tuart bigger than you need :)
1. Laminated bench so we can see how you would build what we can also access. 2. Do you need a large shop or do you need some where to store your extra stuff. I'd go for storage space. 3. Create a teaching work space that is achievable for the viewer. 4. have your own space for your own work. Work / life /recreation should be separate so they all stay fresh and inspiring.
You should be able to cantilever 1/3 the length of your bench over the tail legs, which should facilitate the new tail vise screws. If you laminate/bolt on partial-length face material to the head end face where you have a leg vise (maybe 2' long). A few inches added depth could accommodate the new pattern maker's vise. The extra weight of the vise at the head end would also counter balance weight at the tail end
Shop: it would depend on how big, so many youtubers are building huge dream shops that I feel take them away from their hobbyist roots. Anything bigger than a single garage would feel like too big a change. Perhaps when you have the time/space to timberframe an enclosable pavilion you could hold classes there. Bench: Pick the nicest wood you want, but laminate it; doing so will feel more approachable/relatable to your audience who are unlikely to find monoliths of wood. Also, would the Oliver fit on your old bench? If so, then you could still show it off occasionally.
In your business plan, can you pay for the cost of the larger space with classes and more video's? How many classes per week and attendees, at what price would you need to keep a new shop cost of construction and loans paid for the next say 5 years? Is renting a space near by a better option? For sure a lot of moving parts to this project.
john malecki just got a sawmill and one of his first slabs was a giant white oak tree he harvested, theres videos on both the sawmilling and him harvesting the tree, hope this helps, good luck!!
Go big and embrace the potential for catastrophic success. I've benefitted tremendously from going to in-person woodworking classes, so I'd encourage you to take up that opportunity for your local community. I suspect you'll also learn more from your students and their progressions that will help make better videos. As for the bench, there are lots of people who have done laminate style tops, but relatively little going full old school. So I'd vote for epic single piece quest.
Have you thought about a Moravian inspired workbench? The angled legs would probably give you more room for the Twin Turbo Vice without requiring a super long table.
Yes to it all! In the end you are in the content creation business, and the education business. A new small bench can be made while you get ready for the big bench in the new bigger shop. The new shop could help you teach in person classes that could be recorded? This could provide two extra steams of revenue. Yea be for classes and one for the videos of the classes. Much like you did with your wife and the beginner classes. It can be a good source of back and forth that could make engaging content. No advice for wood for the new big bench. Best of luck sourcing the wood.
Go with what your heart really wants, the community will be behind you as long as your personality, enjoyment for the craft, geekiness and accessibility doesn't change. I think the advantage for upsizing you'll have with being a hand tool worker is a bigger shop doesn't mean you'll fill it with very expensive machines which are out of the reach of the majority. The only potential pit fall I can see is you might end up with a larger range of work types (bench work, turning, steam bending etc.) than most so to avoid turning off some of the audience it might be worth making sure the majority of your projects only uses a small subset of these setups.
Why Oak. I made a workbench out of 2"X 6" construction material and it worked fine. I joined the narrow edges and flattened the profile then glued it together into a slab. I used it for three years and then had to move. I sold it to another woodworker and at that time it was still in very good condition. I got more for it than what it cost me to make it.
James - just a thought about solving the tipping issue you might have with the other vises. How about attaching some weights (thinking along the lines of barbell weights) on the underside to provide counterbalance?
I'm really torn on this. I like what Anthony Miller and Bruce Allen said, but I also think that you have the personality, skills, and drive to make this successful and also keep making useful, inspiring content for all of us who are still learning. Which, admittedly, is just about everyone except maybe Paul Sellers. :D
James - I have a smaller pattern maker’s vise mounted on a similar ‘Roubo’-style bench. Unless you plan to recess the front edge of your bench top to mount the vise jaw flush to your bench (a huge amount of work, I imagine), you only need to accommodate the distance between the end of the screw and mounting plate. I mention this because your 21” measurement appeared to be for the entire vise.
I dont think we can help with things like this....... that's your own choice to make. If you settle, then you're "settling" for less than you want. If you build, then you have more costs and loans to pay back..... only you know if you can do that. I reckon the most of us only really care about you being happy, and keeping the meaning of your channel alive. So long as it's still Wood by Wright; then we will be happy too 😁 We dont care about the size of your space or your bench...... we jus like Wood by Wright and what it stands for. So long as it's still hand tool freaks gathering together to ooh and ahh at curls and saws; then we will follow anything that you do James 😁🤙
Hello James, I must say that i strongly disagree with you on one point. of course Wood By Wright is a Community ... but let's be honest , most of us are there for you, not your bench, not your shop but your incredible sens of radiating happyness while doing/teaching thing you utterly love. That said, i came to know you because i was seeking other youtube content about hand tools wood working than Paul Sellers (Which i love too). and Paul current setup is down rigth a garage shop. and he still gets dinner table coming out of it. so if you want a new shop fine, go get it, if you want a new bench perfect go get it! if you actually don't .. damn james.. be sure we won't care and still be thrill to listen and share with you. Best Regards, V. France.
While I can't help with the larger question about a new shop (too many factors personal to your finances, how you want to spend your time, etc.), I do think you don't need a monolithic slab for your new bench. I'm currently getting started on a benchtop and will probably use threaded rods to hold everything together tightly, with splines for alignment. Using two pieces for the top would make your slab search much easier, right?
i wouldn't say that having a complete slab top would make for better videos or even more enjoyment on your part and for such a huge rare slab the money would probably be better spent on completing a new shop, which is something that would be much more beneficial for the channel but also for yourself personally. building a new shop sounds like a good idea, if anyone can make a great new teaching space work it would certainly be you :)
I'd say shoot for the moon and try and get the shop going next year or the year after. WRT the bench maybe set aside the funds you'd need for the slab in case the needle in the haystack shows up but plan on a laminated top again on a timeline that lets you get what you want done when you want them done.
I can't help you with the bench/vise discontent, but for the next bench, maybe build it out of two timbers with a gap in between... A lot easier to find the right tree.
If the bank approves you for a loan, go for it. Rex Kruger moved out of his basement, you can have a hand tool area and a small "get that lumber ready to go" area. Have those power tools get the wood ready for the fun stuff and for the students to use. I do think that you can make a whole series of videos about doing to timber framing.
While you are in your current shop, could you consider rotating your bench by 45 degrees to fit a longer one and still be able to keep your camera where it is?
By all means check into the financing! If that works for you and the family, you should seriously pursue it. It would be fun to watch the channel and the business expand to include classes and even in person collabs with other woodworkers. Thats said, dont compromise on the bench. You've got a great set up, compromising will just delay they real changes you want to make more. Motion isnt always progress. As for the slab, John Malecki just got a pretty hefty sawmill running. Tons of videos on his channel.
Build the dream shop because it will determine everything else, then build a laminated top with the perfect dimensions. And keep a look out for the slab, if you start teaching classes you will need another bench anyways. If you source some wood you can do bench building classes and or videos. You would probably end up with 4 benches in the shop but that might be ok too.
Matt C. may have a Cherry that could yield a slab that size. If not find a piece of tulip and go that rout until you find the right slab. You might also consider a rip sawn two piece top of White Oak. Live Oak would be ok too but that may be another mortgage.
I'm my opinion compromise on the bench not the shop, wait till you can get that just right. I have really been appreciateing the live videos when you have brought someone in. I think that fills the role of teaching a class nicely for the time being. also I think a bench with many vices could make that format work a bit better.
If you go with the new shop, you could do a setup like Paul Sellers. A small garage in a large space so you can show what can be done in a basement or a garage (like me). As far as the bench goes, I am of the laminated crowd and you will not change that. Honestly, I think that pattern maker's vice is way too big but you might just make it work.
A new, bigger shop sounds awesome. At the least it would be great fun for us regular viewers to see the transition, and I think it could improve your videos by allowing you to show more foot-treadle tools and such things. Personally I don't see much appeal to using a single massive board for a new bench. A Matt-Cremona-style huge slab is great for a beautiful dining room table, but for a workbench that's going to get beat on like a workbench, laminated boards seem fine to me.
Would jointing two of Matt Cremona’s split top bench slabs to glue together be out of the question? I am pretty sure you have demonstrated glue being stronger than the wood it bonds AND he has access to vacuum kiln drying. As far as the larger shop annex, a metal building may be faster to set up as another commenter mentioned - but definitely don’t skimp on the lighting, insulation, and heating. Being able to use the space in winter will be a big deal.
@@thewalnutwoodworker6136 seasonal movement will tend to cup/twist a plain sawn slab which could result in a lot of strain or even damage/checking in oak. A very thick slab will put up a lot of fight with the legs/framing of the bench, and I suspect that the point of a monolithic top is to avoid the need for a stretcher directly supporting the top, permitting the signature Roubo through tenon-sliding dovetail leg joint. I’m almost certain that Roubo suggested mounting bench tops so that the annular rings are “smiling”, so this may just be an historical issue that needs addressing by proper air drying and regular re-flattening.
How about this as a way to speed up your existing twin screw vice in the short term? Dangle a drive belt off the axle that has no handle. When you want to give it a big spin, go around to that side and work the drive belt with your hands.
Check with Ashley Harwood and Andy Rawls for wood. They MAY have some. Frank Howarth might have some ..but. As for the future, that new vise will have to wait for a bigger shop and a much bigger bench - both of which don't fit where you are. Rex has probably already not volunteered any wood so ... but he did talk of renting commercial space .... Luck and fate will settle the rest.
Huh, I guess ill be the contrarian here. Thats ok, such is my lot in life. As for the bench, I do agree with other comments here. If the slab is just a piece of unobtanium, I'd shelve the idea. It sounds like you really want to work with Andrew Klein's vise and the Oliver vise. My personal opinion here but I'd say the slab idea is very much a "I have everything I need and want in a shop, now I just need to fill time." And could be a drain on money unless someone is exceptionally generous. As for the shop...I personally, given the current environment, would NOT take on debt to build it (I think you mentioned getting financing for it, so I apologizeif I'm wrong on that). I know its the popular thing to do with woodworking YT'ers, but the interest rate where I refinanced my mortgage at 3% in spring of 2021 is up to 5.3%. Thats a HUGE difference in money, not to mention the uncertainty of everything. Others mentioned timber framing the building yourself and its not a bad idea, but that is a HUGE undertaking in both money AND time. I'd say you also need to consider if you ever decided to move, would a building like that make your house difficult/impossible to sell? Looks like you live in a fairly typical suburb (like me, that wasn't meant to be an insult) and in those neighborhoods that can be off-putting to potential buyers. I know, I'm just a Debbie Downer. Just my own personal opinions. One other thought...how in love are you with a 2 car garage as a garage? For a hand tool woodworker a 2 car garage is a LOT of space. I believe Bob Rozaieski talked about the outbuilding vs garage vs basement.
Lesson learned from watching 10 years of Paul Sellers: . Keep it accessible to your audience. Do things in such a way that your viewers (with limited means and space) can do the same thing. That doesn't mean don't make a big shop, but the studio portion should match your viewers' expected space. Make a bench that your viewers could duplicate.
yes. I called him. he has nothing in stock, but will keep his eyes open of one.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo i think your reply was meant for a different comment
Go for it! Build that shop, expand your operation, build that new bench, and… either keep your current bench or auction it off to raise funds.
Just a few off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts:
1. The new shop would give you more space. More space means you won't have to use Sarah's bench as your parts store. So, build the new shop.
2. Laminate the bench top. Even if you do find a monolithic board that big, in all probability almost nobody else will. But, if you laminate, we can all learn from your process in building the new bench to suit the hardware that you want to incorporate into it.
3. Design the new shop so that all the main equipment can be easily used by both you and Sarah. That design process will be hugely helpful to a lot of people.
In the battle between "UA-camr with the big new shop" and "guy in the basement", maybe do both. Use your big shop for larger, more pipe dream projects but every once in a while, take us back down to your basement but with a very limited amount of tools that a beginner would have and do some basic projects again. You have the tools to do anything but on those videos only use the basics.
that is differently one thing I was thinking about.
From a certain perspective, that is the trap of the big European bench dream. Those big benches were designed for the mass production factories of the day. They were perfected for a group of artisans to work all day with the mass, comfort and work holding to perform each artisans part of the task. This is simply incompatible with the average woodworker or average person that is performing the task a few times and has neither the space nor time to dedicate to their hobby. The work benches of early history, the tools of itinerant woodworkers and the solution of cottage woodworkers can be more applicable than the common European sources because those sources aren't solving the average woodworkers problems.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo
When I need and want something larger than what I've got but I'm not ready for the larger space.... like your current situation.....
I like making convertible/robotic/Transformers stuff. So what I'd recommend is making a work bench that extends like a wood kitchen table when you need to utilize the larger vise. You can also make the whole end piece hinge or swing down out of the way. Make it an all-in-one multi tool of a bench just don't get carried away. Chew on that idea for a week or two and I'm sure you'll come up with multiple evolving ideas of what may work for you before you decide on a final build.
That's usually how I think.
Today I'm beginning to lay out a wood truck bed platform. I might make the sideboards hinge down and lay flat so I have a wider bed if and when needed..... or I might just keep it simple.
I want a nice metal bed or go all out and show off with inlays and fancy joinery. That would be super cool, but alas no time no money no space.
The thing I enjoy most about watching you, is not the skills that you show, not the things that you make, and especially not the dad jokes 😉 but watching the amount of enjoyment you have when doing the things that you do so do what makes you happiest!
One thing that we did shortly after moving to our current place was build a shop building. A rotting building was torn down and a new one built. I am primarily a power-tool woodworker with some hand work being learned from you and a few others. I incorporated several things I learned from previuos workshops, some of which may not apply to you.
* Built on a concrete slab with 2x6 framing and 6" insulation in the walls. (It can get cold in central Maryland! And hot!)
* Minimum 9 foot ceiling height, I don't like banging the overhead with lumber or sheet goods.
* Two windows, and an insulated glass double door - natural light is good after years working in basements.
* 100 amp breaker panel, fed from the house. (I notice that the Darbin Orvar channel is going solar wirh her shop.)
* Lighting on a circuit by itself. I can think of few things more dangerous than a tool tripping a breaker and ALL THE LIGHTS GO DARK
* Speaking of lights, LED all the way. The energy cost is tiny compared to incandescent, and you can get them in lots of different color temperatures (some are even programmable). That would make color compensation easier when filming.
* Separate, 20 amp circuits for 120 V and 240 V along the two long walls. With lots of receptacles on the 120 V circuits.
* I have a through-the-wall heat pump to keep the environment to my idea of comfortable.
* I also have a dehumidifier, again for my comfort. Bonus - I quickly learned that it also makes wood usable considerably faster than without it.
* The building is 12 x 32 feet inside, but I stole 8 ft fom one end for my office. Shut the door and keep (most) sawdust out of the computers. And remember the 9-foot ceilings.
I'm sure you are plannnig something with room to strech out. But, IMO, it would be nice to have a separated area for the videos. Enough bigger to stretch out, but with the filming area having a similar look and feel to the one we are used to. (Big enough for that new monster bench with the monster vises, though!)
James, do what makes you and the wife happy. If you go to a bigger shop Sahar might be able to find her bench. No matter what size shop you have you know you will fill it. As for the large oak slab, a few years ago I watched a program called "Barnwood Builders", they might be a source for it. It could be 100+ years old, dry and stable. I wish you happiness in whatever way you go.
We have an even newer model of that vise at work made by Kindt-Collins after they bought the patterns from Oliver and I have an ancient and much repaired Emmerts at home. You’re going to love having that vise. Not only a great throat depth but it swivels 360 degrees, tilts up and down, and the jaws can be set off parallel, all at the same time. The dogs are great for holding round or odd shaped work. Probably the most versatile design ever devised.
And the answer to the question of what to do with that bench is…..my birthday is coming up soon😉
retired furniture maker here. as a solo small shop making commission pieces, just had a simple bench vice on a large sturdy work table 1.2 metre by 2 metre. whilst it may be nice to have all these flash gadgets they are not necessary to make furniture and a living doing it. most amateurs on youtube have far more gear than i do. most of my work was hand tool, but due to constraints on time and budget i did use milling machines for dimensioning.
20x30 shop with classes! that would be so exciting and a great channel evolution
You said you get goosebumps with the excitement of building the bigger shop. Do that if you can and everything else will fall into place. You are already successful. This will make it more enjoyable.
James, build the shop you are dreaming about and enjoy all the options and degrees of freedom it gives you. Waiting some number of years to build it just means you will have fewer years to use and enjoy it.
James - build the bigger shop and the bigger bench! I would definitely come down for classes if you had them and so would others. And you should end all of your classes singing that Willy Wonka song.
Well, you should’ve asked yesterday. We had a White Oak taken down yesterday that was over 50 years old, about 70 ft in height. I asked the arborist if the trunk was worth slabbing, but he thought there would be voids throughout. Of course he was right, but you might have gotten a couple of 8-10 foot slabs 4-6 inches thick, BUT, who has 4-6 years to dry it? Some of the tree went to a local Sawyer, but it is destined for more manageable lumber I’m afraid. It was amazing watching the water pour out of my dear friend as it was sectioned and loaded on the truck. We did save the tree straps for a transplant of the swing my grandkids love. On the bright side, the tree won’t fall on my house this hurricane season, and I can build my new 20 X 30 shop and a seeing room for my wife without having to worry about the roots breaking up my new foundation. Good luck to you.
Instead of a one-piece slab top, I would do a two-piece slab top, glued up down the center lengthwise. I think it makes your choices more plentiful. Matt Cremona may be able to provide that.
Oh, and thanks for the Shaker table build; enjoying it immensely.
I think once the idea of the bigger shop has captured your imagination as much as it has, you should go for it. The urge will never go away. And your reasons for wanting it are compelling. Don't settle. And if you have to make your dream bench from two joined boards it will still be great. I can't wait to see those new vises in action!
Hi James, discovered your channel a few months ago and have learned a lot and just enjoy watching. The thing that I think makes you unique is you understand woodworking needs to be fun for you and your viewers. As you dream and plan about possible futures, be sure that the new financial obligations don’t inadvertently take the joy and fun out of woodworking by making it a “job” that has to be done to pay the bills
A good point. I was thinking the same thing myself.
I love both aspects, I like watching the 'dream shop' type builds where it appears money/space/ability are in abundance. I also really enjoy seeing the limited money/space/ability projects. Personally from your channel the enjoyment I get is in seeing all the tools/how to use them to build amazing things, a bigger space would add a new dimension of that to me.
Please also remember I'm just 1 person who watches your videos, you should do what you will get your true enjoyment from above all else.
Hi,
John Malecki (youtube also)got recently a huge sawmill. Pitsburg I think.
Good luck.
And thanks that the shop build is not this year. To many already 😉
I think you should go for it, James. Because, then, you could have space even for big electric machines... Which could help a lot for preparing wood for projects, so you could do more.
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
He has power tools like a table saw and thicknesser in his garage...... he doesnt prep all his parts for videos by hand.
From my own perspective, I'd love to see how you would go about mounting the Oliver and/or the twin turbo vise to an existing bench that wasn't designed with those vises in mind. I've been thinking about adding/replacing a vise but don't want to replace the bench. On the other hand, I think you should do what gets you excited and makes YOU happpy!
Two thoughts. I recall an outfit that was recovering old sunken Great Lakes timbers somewhere around Duluth. Second, I'd probably contact the youngsters at acorn to Arabella and Leo. I recall one of them getting large stock out of Georgia I think it was.
I'd argue that all of the above is the right choice & only wrong one would be to set it on "some day" & never chip away at it.
Personally, I'd choose the slow & steady & set aside the "nice to have" things like the slab because it gets in the way of moving forward. You could easily set your focus on the rest of your goals & have time on your side to find that slab when you either have space or time for a road trip to Canada for it.
You could also set aside time to document & build your school yourself. Could be a fun journey to follow along if you're interested in timber framing & old-school techniques. It's just gonna take time. Another route would be to rent a place.
I have a slab of white/live oak (not sure which) cut from here in the southern swamps of Arkansas where I live it is already cut in half and each half is over 16” thick 10’7” long and 28.65” wide let me know I’m sure we can get it to you buddy!!
Can you email me some pictures!! JamesWright@woodByWright.com you have officially peeked my interest!
Sorry sir I never even saw your response lol!!! It’s still out back been in the barn air drying for over 3 years we busted em down to 7”-8” thick and made 4 slabs out of the 2 there is still 3 left same width and length just 7”-8” thick now and it is some type of live oak or white oak I am 100% sure after cutting into the 4th slab
I think the larger shop would be a real step forward for the channel. As you said wood by Wright is about the community, and we all support its evolution and we can help in some way this growth
Two things:
1) I built my own shop over the Covid19 lockdown here in the UK. It's built very simply using 2x3 framing, wool insulation, OSB outer covering, coated in a ventilated siding and T&G finish inside with a vapour barrier. For foundations, I used 3' steel ground screws supporting treated joists, with a good 1" T&G boarded floor. ALL my own work.
2) A laminated bench top will always be far more stable, far more quickly, than a Roubo style slab. And, you can easily find the lumber for that.
For years I did everything in an extra bedroom or out on my deck.... now I have a 12 x 24 building out in the yard.. it's the perfect building for me, but my wife thinks it's a storage building and was constantly putting things in there... so the answer was to get her a building the same size and move her ever increasing possessions in there.. still working on moving all that stuf out of my way.. for my workspace to be usable again.
For anyone actually reading... never do even the smallest project in a carpeted room......
James new shop you can timber frame it yourself more space more tools. The bench big slab but think ware you want to be maybe look at a property with a big separate shop
Exciting plans, James! Hope the new shop works out for you!
Go BIG, buddy. I’d sign up to take a class with you. I’d a ton of others would on this channel too.
James, I'd love to see you in a bigger shop And I'd love to see all those vices working, but you're the only one who can work out the financing. Don't take too much financial advice from people online, we're always happy to spend someone else's money :)
Workbench: try Lesley Caudill in NC. He does the bench tops for the Moravian benches. He was also mentioned in a Lost Art Press article on building benches with wet tops.
Workshop: I would go with the larger shop. Maybe, as you said, will open up options for your business
That’s great James! Super excited to watch you build it
The quick solution for today’s bench at first glance is make a hole in the stretcher to accommodate the screw(s) on the vice.
I wish you had ventured your request 4 years ago. A tornado, yes a tornado in CT, came through my yard took at 7 trees. One was large enough to accommidate your needs. I tried to get local saw mills to take this 12 ft long, 6 ft in diameter oak… no luck. Sadly it became firewood. The lesson here is perhaps become a storm chaser for a while. Look for devastated areas with large downed trees. Home owners, if they are like me at that time, would be happy to have it go to a good home and not have to deal with it along with the other 6 trees. Or maybe even better contact tree services in you are and have them contact you when the have “a big job”.
As a fellow Nutmegger, I recall that event! It is hard (probably impossible) to find someone in CT that can process a tree that large into lumber. Just moving the tree would take some really large scale equipment, and even if you could move it, I know of no sawyer in the area that has equipment capable of slabbing anything that large.
@@ay8306 Thanks for the information I don’t know much about sawmills.
Life is short, expand, go for it.
good luck James . think think ouch now i got a heady ache .
Loyal viewer, subscriber, not a patron (fixed income coming soon). I say go for the shop. It's time in your career arc. You're just the right age: enough to be experienced, but you still have energy! Your TV shop can be in the corner, like a set but actually solid, with the homey, lived-in look that it will get (sooner with some careful set dressing from items in the basement). It would be a real attraction for visitors and students. You'll be able to get more angles on more stuff in your bigger-but-homey shop, and that will help viewers. Classes would be cool on site, with covid ramping down. And Sarah can have her bench. Good luck!
Few of us could afford, or find that big, monolithic slab. So I vote for a bench made of high-quality, beautiful components.
On the other hand, it’s your dream and I’d enjoy watching that too. Maybe you can do both for that new shop.
I built four other benches laminated and with varying degrees of affordability. Few people on UA-cam have ever tried to conquer a single monolithic slab. But we'll see what the future holds. I might just go back to laminating another one.
A few thoughts. I agree with other comments saying to have a small shop in the basement and a larger shop and shoot from both. I would love if you offered classes, and would definitely attempt to attend! About the oak you’re looking for, I seem to recall a UA-camr who is building a sailboat Sampson Boat company if I’m right, that sourced live oak out of Florida, where he went to source the lumber there seemed to be massive live oaks, although I’m not sure how live oak would do for a bench top.
Do not settle. Gl for what you actually want while you can
re mod to current bench, 30 degree legs a la Rex Kruger, solves stability and end space, add laminations till its 24" wide; better still auction existing bench and make a new one that fits current shop, it will still be of use in the super size shop.
Yeah, new shop sounds great
Life is really short brother. Always push towards that next thing that will make your personal story the best it can be.
First - Shoot for the stars!
Second - I can’t offer you exactly what you want. What I have to offer is an 8/4 X 20.5” X 76”, dead flat, machine planed both sides, dry - over six years cut, slightly spalted hackberry slab; down ‘wright’ beautiful.
I will never use it as it is so, its destiny is with you,… or someone or it will be used as pieces / parts. (There are several Moxon vises in there along with a Roman bench or a shave horse. )
This is from my brother-in-law’s family farm in Preble County, Ohio. It was free to me except for paying to have it planed. If you’re interested I’m sure we can barter a deal - class time? We can always get Dan Rabar to arbitrate, cut pie & pour coffee.
very exciting!! to have more space to show bigger (and of course therefor OWN bigger treadle tools!) would be amazing, and of course the plans to potentially run some classes would probably add great sustainability for you as a business! i know i dont need a warehouse sized shop that some other youtubers have to do some of the projects i watch. it doesn't stop me getting inspired by them to make similar projects or use techniques i watch them do. so i'd hope that should you choose to make this move, other viewers wouldn't see it as a negative thing.....onwards and upwards!! excited to see what you do either way 👍👍
I think you need to consider the bigger shop. Paul Sellers has a shop/filming area that is actually much bigger than it appears in the video. Also I would probably take a class from you if one was available.
Go look for an old barn that is falling down and see if it has what you want. I've seen what your describing in some of the barns I've been in.
I too have a tiny shop so I kind of love the tiny shop format! But I appreciate the fact that there is a difference between working in a tiny shop and producing videos there for your livelihood. For bigger and messier stuff I have to use the garage as extra space but only in the warmer months because a) my wife wants to park the car in the garage in winter and b) it's way too cold to work there during the winter. I know one thing for sure: when I do use it, running and hauling stuff between the garage and the basement is no fun at all. Would I like to have a bigger shop that can hold and do it all? Sure. Do I have the space or the money for a bigger shop? No. You do have the space, however and if you can save time with the setups for shooting in a bigger shop and don't have to go back and forth: why not? Time is money and like I said, this is your livelihood. We'll follow you to the (maybe?) new shop for the quality of the videos and because we like you as a person. I'm not sure about the big slab, though. No matter how long and carefully it has been dried, there are bound to be cracks and checks. A few weeks ago I have finished the build for my Moravian workbench. I used ash which is very hard and sturdy and just gorgeous. And once I had applied the Danish oil it just popped and became even more gorgeous. My wife nearly wouldn't let me drill holes in it for the bench dogs. And with the boards laminated vertically, I don't have to worry about wood movement too much. I reckon it's mostly going to get a bit higher or lower, depending on the season. And as it is, I basically don't worry about cracks or checks at all. At least for the time being, I don't see myself building another one. But I am a hobby woodworker and not a UA-camr, so there's that. However, the kids want one too, now, so I will build another one, but for them. Mine was off of Will Myer's plans but the one for the kids will be Sarah's workbench. But that's it. I built my own vises which are very strong but also pretty slow. I can live with it because for the longest time I had no bench and no vises at all and that was much more painful than giving the handles another crank. Again, hobby woodworker, so YMMV.
come to warrenton va. we have had bad storms and there are several trees down the road the tree people are cleaning up. you could have a piece cut, take up to front royal to the saw mill and you get whT you want
I have a similar Emmert vise. Keep in mind if you want to swing it up the screw needs a lot of room under it to swing. Also my bench has drawers and when the metal working jaws are up the drawer is blocked from opening. Same problem, the bench was there first.
Would've could've should've, your a young guy, GO FOR IT!!!
As somebody that used to work in the basement (for me which's only advantage is the cool temperature), I really hope that you also go over the soil and find the beauty and health of woodworking under the natural light.
(as you probably know) Rex Kruger has recently moved his workshop. I hope the same for you :)
I think a giant slab top would be gorgeous! If there's any way to do it you totally should. I look forward to your new bench build videos 😄
I'm sure I won't be the only person to say something like this. Obviously, more space cures a lot of ills ( and creates some). Would you consider a Moravian style end of a smaller bench for the turbo vise/pattern makers vise? The angled leg would allow for the screw travel and still provide stability. Check out the bench Woodbrew built. Love the content, and love the fact that you have the potential to grow. Keep it up.
Like the debate I have every time I want to buy a new tool. The cost verses the benefit I get from adding a new tool to my shop. I have heard it said “ you don’t buy a tool until you need it” but they presume that you know exactly what you need. Predicting the future is very hard. But if you don’t you will never grow. Whether you make a change to replace the shop now is up to you but from what I can see you will eventually have to make that decision. So then you must decide if it would be better to do it now or later and is their any benefit to doing it sooner rather than later. It may not be right to do it yet but I do think it is something you need to seriously consider. At least for me it is hard to change what I am doing so that I can do what I see is a possibility. You may not be able to do this financially and that is fine but by going through the process you will at least find what it is that you want to do, that alone is valuable and it is a beginning point to accomplish what you want. Stepping out of your comfort zone is always hard but always worth the effort. The principal is the same whether it is a new tool a new skill or a new shop. You are capable, you just need to believe that it is possible. What ever you do I will be watching to see what you come up with , wishing you the very best.
Go big or go home comes to mind. You want the bigger shop, you want a bigger bench. You'll get there sooner or later.
Good luck with both.
It's all down to the economics of the new shop. How many classes would you be able to run per month, at what charge and how many would you need to run to cover the cost of the new shop. If that looks sensible and achievable then go for it.
Go ahead with the bigger shop. As my future father in law says "business is like riding a bicycle, when you stop go further, you will fall down". And i woul'd go with the rare expensive piece of beatifull tree, do what works and set small plans at the time
As far as I'm concerned I like your setup a lot because it is relatable and thus can inspire some of us. I see you as an advocate of you can do great thing with an imperfect setup or tool and a "small bench" which gives hope for the hobbyist out there that you don't need a ton of space and an 8 foot/24 inches bench to be able to build great things. With a perfect shop the channel might become less relatable. That said I think your philosophy about woodworking and open minded views on it is what's really makes it for me and it won't change with a workspace change. So do what YOU really want to do you and we'll adapt ;-)
I agree, whilst I have a large bench, I do most of my work at a small 22”x6’ bench, that was made from a single 3x12, the other 10” is a too, tray and supporting 2x4 at the bck. Bigger is not always better
cheers
@@alholston-smith7631 My "bench" is 130x40cm in fact its more of a flat work-surface fixed to a wall with a vice than a proper bench but I'm enjoying working on it. If I did not find James channel I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to start with this setup.
@@JeanMinutile I also,have enjoyed a lot of James’ videos, never too old to learn. Even with a larger setup, he can still have a small looking, average home shop look for his video presentations. A bench one foot longer, isn’t going to change the small home shop feel to his presentations. I agree James needs to keep his video setup small, with the feel that anyone can do a similar small shop. My first shop was a garden shed, with a 2x4-foot simple built in bench. My first stand alone bench was a low bench made from a 4x8, setup on 4x4 legs, that could be knocked down to transport it.
Cheers
If the budget allows, go for the bigger shop. You can still keep the small space feeling but gain more room for more toys, oops, tools and storage space for chunks of tree. As for the bench top, pity Western Australia is a bit far for you to drive to as there would be no issues finding a nice slab of Marri or Tuart bigger than you need :)
1. Laminated bench so we can see how you would build what we can also access.
2. Do you need a large shop or do you need some where to store your extra stuff. I'd go for storage space.
3. Create a teaching work space that is achievable for the viewer.
4. have your own space for your own work. Work / life /recreation should be separate so they all stay fresh and inspiring.
If you want to see how I would do a laminated bench I have done it 4 other times
You should be able to cantilever 1/3 the length of your bench over the tail legs, which should facilitate the new tail vise screws. If you laminate/bolt on partial-length face material to the head end face where you have a leg vise (maybe 2' long). A few inches added depth could accommodate the new pattern maker's vise. The extra weight of the vise at the head end would also counter balance weight at the tail end
Shop: it would depend on how big, so many youtubers are building huge dream shops that I feel take them away from their hobbyist roots. Anything bigger than a single garage would feel like too big a change. Perhaps when you have the time/space to timberframe an enclosable pavilion you could hold classes there.
Bench: Pick the nicest wood you want, but laminate it; doing so will feel more approachable/relatable to your audience who are unlikely to find monoliths of wood. Also, would the Oliver fit on your old bench? If so, then you could still show it off occasionally.
In your business plan, can you pay for the cost of the larger space with classes and more video's? How many classes per week and attendees, at what price would you need to keep a new shop cost of construction and loans paid for the next say 5 years? Is renting a space near by a better option? For sure a lot of moving parts to this project.
john malecki just got a sawmill and one of his first slabs was a giant white oak tree he harvested, theres videos on both the sawmilling and him harvesting the tree, hope this helps, good luck!!
Go big and embrace the potential for catastrophic success. I've benefitted tremendously from going to in-person woodworking classes, so I'd encourage you to take up that opportunity for your local community. I suspect you'll also learn more from your students and their progressions that will help make better videos. As for the bench, there are lots of people who have done laminate style tops, but relatively little going full old school. So I'd vote for epic single piece quest.
Have you thought about a Moravian inspired workbench? The angled legs would probably give you more room for the Twin Turbo Vice without requiring a super long table.
Yes to it all! In the end you are in the content creation business, and the education business. A new small bench can be made while you get ready for the big bench in the new bigger shop. The new shop could help you teach in person classes that could be recorded? This could provide two extra steams of revenue. Yea be for classes and one for the videos of the classes. Much like you did with your wife and the beginner classes. It can be a good source of back and forth that could make engaging content.
No advice for wood for the new big bench. Best of luck sourcing the wood.
Go with what your heart really wants, the community will be behind you as long as your personality, enjoyment for the craft, geekiness and accessibility doesn't change. I think the advantage for upsizing you'll have with being a hand tool worker is a bigger shop doesn't mean you'll fill it with very expensive machines which are out of the reach of the majority. The only potential pit fall I can see is you might end up with a larger range of work types (bench work, turning, steam bending etc.) than most so to avoid turning off some of the audience it might be worth making sure the majority of your projects only uses a small subset of these setups.
Go forward man...go forward! Teach! Expand! Grow and evolve! The bench is a seed, the new shop is a tree!
Why Oak. I made a workbench out of 2"X 6" construction material and it worked fine. I joined the narrow edges and flattened the profile then glued it together into a slab. I used it for three years and then had to move. I sold it to another woodworker and at that time it was still in very good condition. I got more for it than what it cost me to make it.
I have one out of construction lumber that works well.
James - just a thought about solving the tipping issue you might have with the other vises. How about attaching some weights (thinking along the lines of barbell weights) on the underside to provide counterbalance?
I'm really torn on this. I like what Anthony Miller and Bruce Allen said, but I also think that you have the personality, skills, and drive to make this successful and also keep making useful, inspiring content for all of us who are still learning. Which, admittedly, is just about everyone except maybe Paul Sellers. :D
Bigger shop for sure!! Film the build!
James - I have a smaller pattern maker’s vise mounted on a similar ‘Roubo’-style bench. Unless you plan to recess the front edge of your bench top to mount the vise jaw flush to your bench (a huge amount of work, I imagine), you only need to accommodate the distance between the end of the screw and mounting plate. I mention this because your 21” measurement appeared to be for the entire vise.
yes. if I am going to put it on the side of the bench I will need to fully recess it. that way I can joint boards along the side.
I dont think we can help with things like this....... that's your own choice to make.
If you settle, then you're "settling" for less than you want. If you build, then you have more costs and loans to pay back..... only you know if you can do that.
I reckon the most of us only really care about you being happy, and keeping the meaning of your channel alive. So long as it's still Wood by Wright; then we will be happy too 😁
We dont care about the size of your space or your bench...... we jus like Wood by Wright and what it stands for. So long as it's still hand tool freaks gathering together to ooh and ahh at curls and saws; then we will follow anything that you do James 😁🤙
Hello James,
I must say that i strongly disagree with you on one point. of course Wood By Wright is a Community ... but let's be honest , most of us are there for you, not your bench, not your shop but your incredible sens of radiating happyness while doing/teaching thing you utterly love.
That said, i came to know you because i was seeking other youtube content about hand tools wood working than Paul Sellers (Which i love too). and Paul current setup is down rigth a garage shop. and he still gets dinner table coming out of it. so if you want a new shop fine, go get it, if you want a new bench perfect go get it! if you actually don't .. damn james.. be sure we won't care and still be thrill to listen and share with you.
Best Regards,
V.
France.
While I can't help with the larger question about a new shop (too many factors personal to your finances, how you want to spend your time, etc.), I do think you don't need a monolithic slab for your new bench. I'm currently getting started on a benchtop and will probably use threaded rods to hold everything together tightly, with splines for alignment. Using two pieces for the top would make your slab search much easier, right?
We have white oak down here in the south so I will hit up my local mill and see if they can find something.
i wouldn't say that having a complete slab top would make for better videos or even more enjoyment on your part and for such a huge rare slab the money would probably be better spent on completing a new shop, which is something that would be much more beneficial for the channel but also for yourself personally. building a new shop sounds like a good idea, if anyone can make a great new teaching space work it would certainly be you :)
James, have you considered the live oak sawyer that Leo used for the Tally Ho? The sawyer is in Georgia if I recall.
I'd say shoot for the moon and try and get the shop going next year or the year after. WRT the bench maybe set aside the funds you'd need for the slab in case the needle in the haystack shows up but plan on a laminated top again on a timeline that lets you get what you want done when you want them done.
I can't help you with the bench/vise discontent, but for the next bench, maybe build it out of two timbers with a gap in between... A lot easier to find the right tree.
If the bank approves you for a loan, go for it. Rex Kruger moved out of his basement, you can have a hand tool area and a small "get that lumber ready to go" area. Have those power tools get the wood ready for the fun stuff and for the students to use. I do think that you can make a whole series of videos about doing to timber framing.
While you are in your current shop, could you consider rotating your bench by 45 degrees to fit a longer one and still be able to keep your camera where it is?
By all means check into the financing! If that works for you and the family, you should seriously pursue it. It would be fun to watch the channel and the business expand to include classes and even in person collabs with other woodworkers. Thats said, dont compromise on the bench. You've got a great set up, compromising will just delay they real changes you want to make more. Motion isnt always progress.
As for the slab, John Malecki just got a pretty hefty sawmill running. Tons of videos on his channel.
Build the dream shop because it will determine everything else, then build a laminated top with the perfect dimensions. And keep a look out for the slab, if you start teaching classes you will need another bench anyways. If you source some wood you can do bench building classes and or videos. You would probably end up with 4 benches in the shop but that might be ok too.
Matt C. may have a Cherry that could yield a slab that size. If not find a piece of tulip and go that rout until you find the right slab. You might also consider a rip sawn two piece top of White Oak. Live Oak would be ok too but that may be another mortgage.
I'm my opinion compromise on the bench not the shop, wait till you can get that just right. I have really been appreciateing the live videos when you have brought someone in. I think that fills the role of teaching a class nicely for the time being. also I think a bench with many vices could make that format work a bit better.
Hahaha very good, I need a better vice so I need a bigger shop hahaha. I'm looking forward to seeing the new shop, very nice!!!
If you go with the new shop, you could do a setup like Paul Sellers. A small garage in a large space so you can show what can be done in a basement or a garage (like me). As far as the bench goes, I am of the laminated crowd and you will not change that. Honestly, I think that pattern maker's vice is way too big but you might just make it work.
That is the plan.
A new, bigger shop sounds awesome. At the least it would be great fun for us regular viewers to see the transition, and I think it could improve your videos by allowing you to show more foot-treadle tools and such things.
Personally I don't see much appeal to using a single massive board for a new bench. A Matt-Cremona-style huge slab is great for a beautiful dining room table, but for a workbench that's going to get beat on like a workbench, laminated boards seem fine to me.
I hate money too! But if you do build a shop and have classes I would definitely save some to give you!
Would jointing two of Matt Cremona’s split top bench slabs to glue together be out of the question? I am pretty sure you have demonstrated glue being stronger than the wood it bonds AND he has access to vacuum kiln drying.
As far as the larger shop annex, a metal building may be faster to set up as another commenter mentioned - but definitely don’t skimp on the lighting, insulation, and heating. Being able to use the space in winter will be a big deal.
WOOD STOVE!
yes. If I am going to laminated the top then I have a lot of options. I have just always dreamed of a true solid top.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo What's so bad about going for plain sawn out of a 3 foot tree?
@@WoodByWrightHowTo sadly, we don’t have ready access to old growth wood from 18th century French forests.
@@thewalnutwoodworker6136 seasonal movement will tend to cup/twist a plain sawn slab which could result in a lot of strain or even damage/checking in oak. A very thick slab will put up a lot of fight with the legs/framing of the bench, and I suspect that the point of a monolithic top is to avoid the need for a stretcher directly supporting the top, permitting the signature Roubo through tenon-sliding dovetail leg joint. I’m almost certain that Roubo suggested mounting bench tops so that the annular rings are “smiling”, so this may just be an historical issue that needs addressing by proper air drying and regular re-flattening.
How about this as a way to speed up your existing twin screw vice in the short term? Dangle a drive belt off the axle that has no handle. When you want to give it a big spin, go around to that side and work the drive belt with your hands.
Be different. Work within your current shop, be creative with what you have maybe add angled legs to balance the bench under the vice
Is there anything nearby where you could move the shop to rather than the cost and faff of building? (Only because Rex Kruger has just done it 😉)
Check with Ashley Harwood and Andy Rawls for wood. They MAY have some. Frank Howarth might have some ..but. As for the future, that new vise will have to wait for a bigger shop and a much bigger bench - both of which don't fit where you are. Rex has probably already not volunteered any wood so ... but he did talk of renting commercial space .... Luck and fate will settle the rest.
Huh, I guess ill be the contrarian here. Thats ok, such is my lot in life.
As for the bench, I do agree with other comments here. If the slab is just a piece of unobtanium, I'd shelve the idea. It sounds like you really want to work with Andrew Klein's vise and the Oliver vise. My personal opinion here but I'd say the slab idea is very much a "I have everything I need and want in a shop, now I just need to fill time." And could be a drain on money unless someone is exceptionally generous.
As for the shop...I personally, given the current environment, would NOT take on debt to build it (I think you mentioned getting financing for it, so I apologizeif I'm wrong on that). I know its the popular thing to do with woodworking YT'ers, but the interest rate where I refinanced my mortgage at 3% in spring of 2021 is up to 5.3%. Thats a HUGE difference in money, not to mention the uncertainty of everything. Others mentioned timber framing the building yourself and its not a bad idea, but that is a HUGE undertaking in both money AND time. I'd say you also need to consider if you ever decided to move, would a building like that make your house difficult/impossible to sell? Looks like you live in a fairly typical suburb (like me, that wasn't meant to be an insult) and in those neighborhoods that can be off-putting to potential buyers.
I know, I'm just a Debbie Downer. Just my own personal opinions. One other thought...how in love are you with a 2 car garage as a garage? For a hand tool woodworker a 2 car garage is a LOT of space. I believe Bob Rozaieski talked about the outbuilding vs garage vs basement.