In this video, Frank goes over in detail the various features and functions of one the recent Roubo workbenches he completed for a client. Enjoy a close-up look at a beautiful piece of furniture, while also learning some of the many ways a workbench can be used to help the craftsman.
A stunning bench, Frank. Beautiful and functional.
Hi nice bench. I am building a split top right now and was wondering how you did your mortise and tenons? By hand or ?
Thanks.
HI Shane, thanks for the comment.
I do my mortises with a few different methods. I start by laying them out and then drill out most of the waste with a drill that is smaller than the mortise. I like to make the mortises 3/4″ so I drill with a 5/8″ bit. Then I use a hollow chisel mortiser with a 3/4″ bit to remove the rest. If you don’t have access to a hollow chisel mortiser you can “hog” out the waste with a drill bit and then remove the rest with a chisel. I have also used a router and fence with a 3/4″ bit, making multiple passes but I really don’t like that method, its too slow and tedious and has the potential to mess up.
The tenons I do on the table saw with the board lying flat, using a dado blade. I then clean up with a rabbet block plane. I have cut many tenons by hand and it can done, just takes a little longer in hard maple!
The mortises in the bench top are cut using a drill and then just chiseled out.
Hope this helps!
Frank