Our English Workbench Video Series is on its way. We said it would be out this year and after many enquries to it’s presence, we can finally say that it will be on time… just. We’ll be pre-launching any day with full details of the build, and Chapter One will be very close behind.
This workbench had a very difficult birth. It’s technically our first Premium Series because we started it long before the Spoon Rack, but unfortunately as many of you will know things got a bit awkward during the build as I became ill and had to down tools and close a workshop, loose a house then build a workshop, and… well all those woe is me sorts of things.
The workbench stood unfinished for many months in a barn with a collapsed roof and then got another shock to it’s system when it was brought back in to the warmth and became cared for again. I have to admit, I’d actually wrote this project off but to my surprise, other than the pebble dashing of bird shite and some water staining the bench remained exactly as I left it. I’d say that’s a fair testament to the construction methods chosen.
Since being ill (poisoned) it took nigh on a year to get back hand planing without panting like a walrus, and build some endurance, but over the last month we’ve finally finished this workbench fitting it with a good solid face vice and flattening the top.
As Maguire Workbenches closes it feels like a great time to be able to share the huge amount of info and experience that I have acquired on this subject. And it also feels so very right to be ending Maguire Workbenches with a bench build that will be so accessible to others.
So after its journey I find myself with just the right bench at just the right time, a new surface for the next chapter. I think I’m very fond of this bench.
I expect this won’t be the only bench that we build on camera but the English Workbench in this simple, honest form will probably be my favourite. A good, proper bench.
A big thanks to everyone for your patience with this one.
The Full Video Series is Now Available. Find Full Details Here.
Hi Richard,
this are great news. Can’t wait to see the next series and to get some insights into your workbench building process. Although I won’t have enough space to put such a bench into my small workshop and I’ve already decide to build a cabinet based bench, I’m sure I will get some valuable tips while watching the videos.
Cheers,
Stefan
Hi Richard
Good to see you back on track it sounds like you have had a rough time of late.
I have only been following your site for a short while but have very much enjoyed reading your blog watching your videos and completing the Spoon Rack, which turned out good.
Best of luck for the future
David
Now that’s a bench I can relate to, and fall in love with. I think it’s time I got on with my own so I think I will have a word with santa and see if he can order me some rough sawn redwood for christmas!. You have got to find something to do while you have a break from work! Don’t tell Kate I said that.
Looking forward to this series!
Wishing you and Helen a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Oh this is joyful news!
That looks like a good bench to a noob like me. I’ll buy those videos and build it.
Just need to build a few other things first.
Like the workshop to put the bench in.
Best regards
Peter Nelly
Great news and perfect timing as I am just drawing up plans/ideas for my first work bench build.
Having picked up so much information from the spoon rack series I look forward to another learning extravaganza with the bench build.
I will be watching for it, Richard. I’m sure it will arrive, like any child, in good time. Do yourself proud. We’ll all be waiting.
Oh Joy! I’ve been waiting patiently (almost) for this. Thanks for the heads up Richard, the sub is on my wish list for this Christmas. 🙂
Have a lovely festive season, and I hope the workbench videos go down a storm (they should do!)
My last year-and-a-half has been absolutely shit, too! I’m now downsizing from a 4 bedroom house into a tiny one bedroom apartment. I’ll get to pay spousal support as well!
At least I’ll finally have a space to unpack my tools. I’m going to enjoy building this (though it remains to be seen what my new neighbours handle the noise – so I’m hoping there isn’t a lot of mortising to be done).
Richard
This is great news. I will definitely be subscribing not because I need another workbench as yet as you well know but I have no doubt that if the Spoon Rack series was anything to go by then we shall be in for a treat in any number of woodworking lessons. I hope to pick up plenty of pointers and will look to put them into practice in whatever projects I work on.
Who knows I may one day get a larger workshop that will hold another work bench and I will build the next one myself. Meanwhile I shall make do with what I have and start building or making other things.
Also looking forward to the plane build that we are all eagerly awaiting.
All the best
Len
It’s wonderful to see you back and on line. I’ve missed you two, and now wish you a joyous Christmas and wonderful New Year. Take care of each other!
That looks like one solid, serviceable bench. I love the English style of benches. Will look forward to watching the build.
Glad you are recovered from the poisoning and back to decent health. The very best to you and Helen for the holidays!
Richard, I am glad you have regained your health and that you can return to doing what you love to do, woodworking. Very excited to hear about the workbench build video series and will sign on as soon as it is available. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Mike O’Brien
Alabama, USA
Richard, I look forward to seeing this as I am sure do many others. May I wish you and Helen a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Simple and sturdy, I like that. It’s built like a house, literally. I thought workbenches weren’t born but crafted and assembled; must have missed some major innovation 🙂
Glad to hear your health is getting better.
Happy news about the video. Wonderful news that you are well again. Wishing you & yours a joyful & healthy Christmas & 2016.
Was it from the toxic vapors next door to your old workshop that affected your health? I only ask because I left a cabinet shop job a year ago after I badly injured my knee. I think that my health has been improving since I am not breathing the vapors from the finish on the cabinets. You would open the doors after getting to the job sometimes and it would make your eyes water.
Richard, Delighted to hear you’re back on your feet and resuming “normal” activities (your “normal”, of course, would put me in hospital!). I look forward to going through the bench series, and to your schedule allowing you to get back to the plane build premium. I hope you and Helen have a wonderful season and a Happy Christmas
Neal
Arizona
USA
Richard, great to hear that even after going through all that you’re pressing onwards; and will be sharing more great content with us. I look forward to this premium workbench series, and hopefully a series on the hand planes too! Best to yourself and Helen for a Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Mike
Singapore
I have enjoyed your way to solve problems the English way and they are rather unique to an American way.
But either way gets the job finish.Please keep the the good stuff going.
Dan O’Neill
Chelmsford Massachustts
Great project, i love english style workbench!
Perhaps I missed it, but are the premium videos downloadable?
Hi Dennis, Yep all of the Premium videos are downloadable and available to stream.
Cheers.