Sjoberg is missing a great market for this excellent product. My work is on boats - remodel, repair, additions. My problem is there is never a good way to clamp and hold work material on a boat. No, I'm not in a shop, I'm working on a boat in a marina. Where can I hold a board to saw? Drill? Plane? The mini workbench would be excellent!
Yeah, don't get me wrong - I enjoy making shop jigs/tools just as much as anyone. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense, and is more time, and cost effective to buy.
Just came across your video, Jon, and I thought it was a fair and even-handed assessment of the perennial building vs buying argument. Nicely done! The one consideration you didn’t mention, and that tips the scales in favor of building it, for me at least, is customization. You can extend this design by about one foot in length and you can start to use it to build small furniture like bedside nightstands for example. I think that, if you currently have some kind of flat work surface, you can build this mini workbench to your own custom specifications for around half the cost of the Sjoberg. As long as you don’t factor in your time - as you rightly noted.
Good video and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm getting ready to build myself a viseless bench and was thinking something like this, or a Moxon vise, might be useful when a vise is needed. Like you, I also have an unforgiving back and I like my work higher up than most. I'm thrifty so I probably would try to use a cheaper hard wood than beech to save money. Beech might be cheaper, but it's not available locally in 8/4 lumber. I doubt it's going to take a beating so for my purposes either maple or possibly a distant second choice of poplar would suffice. I just checked and 8/4 ambrosia maple is $8 a bft and poplar about $6 a bft. I found a vise that should work for $41 and brass bench dogs would be about $46 - only $1 more for brass on Amazon. Bench dogs could be made from oak dowel saving $40. Paul Sellers did a video on making wooden bench dogs that have a spring. Using commercially available parts, and your 11 bft estimate, that would put the cost between $153 and $175. Of course I didn't factor in the costs for glue, screws, fuel, shipping, time to make, etc... For someone like me who is not making a living from my woodworking, it would be a skill building exercise and a way to save upwards of over $100, maybe even $150, based on the current price at Woodcraft of $280.
I think it makes a lot of sense to build one yourself. Like you said - save some money and test your skills at the same time. I have really enjoyed having this small bench, and it pretty much has a permanent home on my larger workbench. I shared some pictures of mine with a friend on here who was building his own. I'm not sure how useful they were, but I'm happy to share some pictures of how it's constructed with you. Message me @jonfordwoodworks if you think that would be helpful? Thanks again and best of luck!
I'm gonna have to go against the grain on this one (pun intended lol). I say build it. You have the skill, and you can build it exactly how you want it. Yes, more time, definitely more money.... but we're not exactly in a rush (most of the time)... and I like to enjoy the process of making a jig. There is def a place to build or buy. I say: Build it! Keep up the good work!
I would have never considered buying, or building a mini workbench like this. Nor would I have thought I would use it as much as I do. The thing really does come in handy though.
Like you I am very tall with a bad back. I bought the pro version like yours and discovered the holes in the feet exactly matched the dog holes in my Sjoberg bench! This this allows me to plane wood and cut dovetails standing upright. Very pleased with mine!
Hey Alan, yeah I use mine just about everyday. I've really been happy to have it. Did you put any finish on yours, or did you leave it natural? Thanks so much for checking out the video - I really appreciate it!
@@JonFordWoodworks nah...just left it natural. Only thing I have found so far is you periodically have to replace the cork jaw linings as they wear. Very pleased with it so far!
Great video--covered all the important point--except one! If there are no plans available to build, you gotta factor in the amount of time it would take even a skilled woodworker to design this thing. No question for me, I'm gonna buy one! Again, great job!
Most people make table top work benches out of scrap wood and extra parts they have laying around. I actually had one several years ago that pivoted up and down as well as had a twin screw vise. (Wish I could remember what I did with it, lol.) It was sort of like a miniature workmate.
How is the vise made? I want to build one with walnut, maple and possibly hickory. Already have the lumber and hardware to make everything. I just am wondering how the hardware on the vise is put together. Thanks.
Haha that's a good question. I've trying to figure out the best way to answer your question, but it's tricky especially since I didn't build this one. I think some pictures/video would be helpful to you. If you want to connect on Instagram - hit me up at @jonfordwoodworks. I'd be happy to share some pictures for reference.
Sjoberg is missing a great market for this excellent product. My work is on boats - remodel, repair, additions. My problem is there is never a good way to clamp and hold work material on a boat. No, I'm not in a shop, I'm working on a boat in a marina. Where can I hold a board to saw? Drill? Plane? The mini workbench would be excellent!
Excellent review! Thank you!
I agree with you, sometimes it’s just more cost effective to buy. Especially when time can be so precious! Great job
Yeah, don't get me wrong - I enjoy making shop jigs/tools just as much as anyone. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense, and is more time, and cost effective to buy.
Hi John. Nice review. You really need a higher workbench!
Totally agree!
Just came across your video, Jon, and I thought it was a fair and even-handed assessment of the perennial building vs buying argument. Nicely done!
The one consideration you didn’t mention, and that tips the scales in favor of building it, for me at least, is customization. You can extend this design by about one foot in length and you can start to use it to build small furniture like bedside nightstands for example.
I think that, if you currently have some kind of flat work surface, you can build this mini workbench to your own custom specifications for around half the cost of the Sjoberg. As long as you don’t factor in your time - as you rightly noted.
Good video and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm getting ready to build myself a viseless bench and was thinking something like this, or a Moxon vise, might be useful when a vise is needed. Like you, I also have an unforgiving back and I like my work higher up than most. I'm thrifty so I probably would try to use a cheaper hard wood than beech to save money. Beech might be cheaper, but it's not available locally in 8/4 lumber. I doubt it's going to take a beating so for my purposes either maple or possibly a distant second choice of poplar would suffice.
I just checked and 8/4 ambrosia maple is $8 a bft and poplar about $6 a bft. I found a vise that should work for $41 and brass bench dogs would be about $46 - only $1 more for brass on Amazon. Bench dogs could be made from oak dowel saving $40. Paul Sellers did a video on making wooden bench dogs that have a spring. Using commercially available parts, and your 11 bft estimate, that would put the cost between $153 and $175. Of course I didn't factor in the costs for glue, screws, fuel, shipping, time to make, etc...
For someone like me who is not making a living from my woodworking, it would be a skill building exercise and a way to save upwards of over $100, maybe even $150, based on the current price at Woodcraft of $280.
I think it makes a lot of sense to build one yourself. Like you said - save some money and test your skills at the same time.
I have really enjoyed having this small bench, and it pretty much has a permanent home on my larger workbench.
I shared some pictures of mine with a friend on here who was building his own. I'm not sure how useful they were, but I'm happy to share some pictures of how it's constructed with you. Message me @jonfordwoodworks if you think that would be helpful?
Thanks again and best of luck!
I'm gonna have to go against the grain on this one (pun intended lol). I say build it. You have the skill, and you can build it exactly how you want it. Yes, more time, definitely more money.... but we're not exactly in a rush (most of the time)... and I like to enjoy the process of making a jig. There is def a place to build or buy. I say: Build it! Keep up the good work!
I always appreciate your insights man - all good points!
@@JonFordWoodworks same to you!
I would have never considered buying, or building a mini workbench like this. Nor would I have thought I would use it as much as I do. The thing really does come in handy though.
Like you I am very tall with a bad back. I bought the pro version like yours and discovered the holes in the feet exactly matched the dog holes in my Sjoberg bench!
This this allows me to plane wood and cut dovetails standing upright. Very pleased with mine!
Hey Alan, yeah I use mine just about everyday. I've really been happy to have it. Did you put any finish on yours, or did you leave it natural?
Thanks so much for checking out the video - I really appreciate it!
@@JonFordWoodworks nah...just left it natural. Only thing I have found so far is you periodically have to replace the cork jaw linings as they wear. Very pleased with it so far!
Yeah, I left mine natural too. You must have a fancier one than me - mine doesn't have cork inside the vice?!
@@JonFordWoodworks bought it separately.
Ahh gotcha - that seems like it would be nice add on. Thanks again for chatting, and I hope you have a great Christmas!
Great points were made. Thanks, I going to buy one....Much easier...Awesome video.
Awesome, I'm glad the video was helpful. I personally love this thing, and use it everyday.
Great video--covered all the important point--except one! If there are no plans available to build, you gotta factor in the amount of time it would take even a skilled woodworker to design this thing. No question for me, I'm gonna buy one! Again, great job!
Thanks Tom, I really do enjoy this thing, and think you will too. I tend to agree with you - in this instance easier just to buy.
Just bought one for €194, very nice and sturdy (and exact). The pro is nicer than the budget version
Thanks for the comment Hans. I agree with you, they are very well made. Mine gets used just about everyday.
Most people make table top work benches out of scrap wood and extra parts they have laying around. I actually had one several years ago that pivoted up and down as well as had a twin screw vise. (Wish I could remember what I did with it, lol.) It was sort of like a miniature workmate.
Perfect video 👍😊
You're the man Worm - thanks my friend!
could you maybe make a short showing the whole workbench as regards to how it is made? thank you
I'd be happy to!
Thank you.
And thank you back!
How is the vise made? I want to build one with walnut, maple and possibly hickory. Already have the lumber and hardware to make everything. I just am wondering how the hardware on the vise is put together. Thanks.
Haha that's a good question. I've trying to figure out the best way to answer your question, but it's tricky especially since I didn't build this one.
I think some pictures/video would be helpful to you. If you want to connect on Instagram - hit me up at @jonfordwoodworks. I'd be happy to share some pictures for reference.
@@JonFordWoodworks That wood be great (pun intended) 👍
Haha cool man!
Buy
Nice infomercial. Sjoberg's money was well spent sending this to you.