English Workbench

Back in the day, there was a wrist watch made by a company named Timex. The main selling point of the watch was it’s modest price and toughness. The slogan was “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” True to its word, I had several of those watches that served me faithfully for decades. Well, the bench you’re looking at here easily meets and surpasses those qualities.

The modest-sized bench might lead you to think that it could be pushed around if you attempt any aggressive joinery work on it. Not so, the thick top planks, and massive aprons that are let into the base with half-laps (and angled on the ends) means this bench won’t budge no matter what you throw at it.

Those aprons have more going for them than just size. As you see here, the front apron works in tandem with a large wood-threaded vise that you purchase online. This dynamic duo plays well with the dog holes that are drilled in the apron and legs. The holes welcome hold-fasts, wood pegs and whatever jig your imagination can conjure up for the sake of controlled joinery. Convinced? Inspired? Well, let’s get cracking.

Build the BASE

As you see in the drawing and details above, the thick legs sport mortises that are cut into the inside faces. To seal the joinery deal, the tenons that fit in the mortises are drawbored in place. On