This year’s new bench isn’t really new at all. Instead it’s a meatier, longer version of our very popular Little John Workbench. It’s been a year since we introduced the 5′ version and I’ve been really surprised and grateful for the fantastic response we’ve received. When I first designed it I had a 6′ version in mind to go alongside and now that’s just what we’ve done. It has a wider solid top section at the front, slightly beefed up sections including a heavier weight jaw and of course our new Pin less cross mechanism.
Looking at this workbench next to our Artisan model it really is substantial – there’s nothing ‘Little’ about it at all. It has a good weight and that splay on the back legs makes it physically impossible to rack – overall I am certainly very pleased with it. The best part about it is we get all of this strength from less components and less work than what goes in to an Artisan. This means that we can offer this model at a much lower price – £1295.00
We’ve had a good think about the name and the obvious option was ‘Big John’ but then that had too much of a toilet feel to it. I also use the bench initials to label any templates and this gave me more reason for concern.
That splayed leg has such a distinctive look and so we’ve decided to stick by the original name so here we have The 6′ Little John Workbench.
Update: At the present time we’re not building any workbenches for sale, however we have many resources on this website that will help guide you with your own workbench build.
Our English Workbench Video Series takes you step by step through a traditional bench build, starting out with a discussion on choosing the ideal dimensions, demonstrations of how to cut the joinery, right through to flattening your workbench top and building the face vice from scratch.
If you’d like us to guide you through your build with detailed videos and PDF plans, then you can find full details for this Workbench Series here.
We’re now offering the option to add a shelf to the base of any Little John Workbench. We’ll be taking our 6′ one along to the European Woodworking Show this coming weekend and for any orders placed at the show we’ll be adding the shelf free of charge.
As with all of our workbenches orders for the 6′ Little John can be placed with a £50 deposit over in our web shop.
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‘Middling’ John, perhaps?
Then the 7 ft version could be ‘Big John’. An entertaining thought.
Good luck with it and all best from Wales.
Very nice Richard I love it buddy. One day 😉
Gosto do seu banco, eu tive um quase igual, era todo fechado por baixo, pois aproveitava as portas como suporte de algumas ferramentas.
As pernas trazeiras com um certo angulo dá mais estabilidade ao banco.
How about “Mr John”?
I am new to the blog (but not your site) and very impressed with your presentations.
This is a very refined bench. It deserves a regal name. How about “The Duke” – for John Wayne of course? Both rugged and refined.
James
Excellent bench, Nicely done both in craftsmanship and design.
Like Jose, I too think the splayed leg design adds to the stability and is a great way to go.
I think you have another winner with this version of the Little John bench.
Mike
Good to see the shelf idea has been adopted Richard…any thoughts on a drawer underneath? (as discussed)
Sturdy , yet graceful. As one of your poets said , it “swells the note of praise” . I like the way the light shines on the top , on the vise-jaw…
I like this “naked” version.
Congratulations.
I have the Little John and I was surprised how big it is, I like to work around both ends so I pull it out from the wall in my 10×12 workshop, it’s a decent size and very sturdy I would have liked the bottom shelving unit and I could easily do without the toolbay but all in all I have found this to be a fantastic bench.
Richard looks like a fabulous addition to your range. Why not just call it Johns bench. I can let you have a delivery address later. Well done. A. T. B. JOHN.