Patron Version Video: The Chinese Bench
Added 2024-11-23 12:00:07 +0000 UTCFriends:
The Chinese bench is finally done! It took me a long time and a LOT of problem-solving, but I got it done.
This bench has so many opportunities for growth and skill building. You need to do mortise-and-tenon joints angled in 2 different directions, master the bare-faced tenon and learn to assemble everything all at once for maximum strength.
I hope some of you give it a try...if you haven't already.
The plans will be ready Wednesday, just in time for you to ignore your family on Thanksgiving and sneak off to the shop. Just tell them I said it's okay.
Enjoy the Holiday!
--Rex
Comments
Any idea what Chinese carpenters used to handle larger stock, or even to process logs into lumber?
Liam Davitt
2024-12-24 01:25:07 +0000 UTCIt just occurred to me that this is a worthwhile build. A pair of them would be even better. However, there is another use for them. You can sit on one whilst chopping mortices on your regular european-style workbench. I used to do exactly that but with a much more rickety 2b4 build saw-horse.
Martin Hartley
2024-11-29 11:05:37 +0000 UTCThese benches are usually made in pairs, great for furniture assembly (so you can come in and hammer from above). Now you have to make another one!
Luke Lyu
2024-11-28 00:36:51 +0000 UTCThat style of bench would go well with a trestle style table (Maybe your next build)?
Matt Evans-Koch
2024-11-26 22:23:59 +0000 UTCYep, boxed in by a peculiarity of language;)
John Griswold
2024-11-26 15:29:07 +0000 UTCI like the design. I think, when I eventually get to building a sawbench, I am going to use the joinery from this bench with the design of the English sawbench. By the way, that Chinese saw looks like a superior design.
Fred Wolsey
2024-11-26 13:57:29 +0000 UTCGlad you liked it!
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:21:57 +0000 UTCThis appears to have been a temporary bug, and i think it's fixed now, but please let me know if it's not.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:21:49 +0000 UTCI hear you, but since the Chinese also have a high woodworking bench, I think i have to call this the low bench so people know which one I'm talking about!
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:21:16 +0000 UTCI'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:20:03 +0000 UTCIt takes some getting used to, that's for sure. I'm jealous that you've been to China. I very much want to go.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:19:54 +0000 UTCMany modern Chinese carpenters attach a cheap machine vise. I think that's a good solution for joinery and stuff.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:19:19 +0000 UTCI don't think it comes apart, but glue-free construction is absolutely a thing. My bench held together without glue, but I wouldn't want to leave it like that. I still have a lot to learn.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:18:26 +0000 UTCThat sounds like something I would really like to see.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:17:17 +0000 UTCI agree! Turns out that less prosperous carpenters would also use this as household furniture.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:16:48 +0000 UTCThank you! I appreciate that.
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:16:18 +0000 UTCNice. The plans should be ready tomorrow!
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:16:09 +0000 UTCI gotta be honest. That didn't help. But it did make me smile!
Rex Krueger
2024-11-26 12:15:53 +0000 UTCThe mortise width can be calculated as being the hypotenuse of 15° right angle triangle with the long side being 3/4". So, 0.75/Cos (15°) = 0.776 in, or just under 1/32 wider than 3/4". Sorry. I am an Engineer. I can't help it.
Fred Wolsey
2024-11-26 01:05:47 +0000 UTCThe Chinese low work bench looks like a nice project. I can see its usefulness on small projects builds. I look forward to trying to build it.
Jeff Hill
2024-11-24 21:25:38 +0000 UTCLove your builds.
Chris St. Cyr
2024-11-24 12:43:34 +0000 UTCBigger pieces, my solution would be to build a pair of benches.
Robert Garlinghouse
2024-11-23 21:02:26 +0000 UTCThank you, Rex. That is a nice bench. Would definitely be at home by the back patio door for removing boots when coming in from the garden or just hanging out.
Matt Evans-Koch
2024-11-23 20:33:51 +0000 UTCI’ve been to the Forbidden City in China twice. It amazing to think that it was built using these benches and a small kit of tools. The earthquake resistant Dougong roof support is amazing stack of free floating pieces.
Richard C von Brecht
2024-11-23 19:05:18 +0000 UTCI could be wrong Chinese carpenters had to travel in some rough country I think they didn't glue the bench legs. They may have built 5he bench to come apart to carry from site to site.
John Kiernan
2024-11-23 17:21:36 +0000 UTCThanks to Nic I was able to view it! I work with western tools but am finding a bunch of ways to work on my low non-Chinese bench! I find working with bigger pieces to be the biggest limitation and wonder how they do it. Cutting a traditional tenon is also a difficulty and am going to attach a vise eventually.
Gerald Eddy
2024-11-23 16:51:39 +0000 UTCGreat video. Love the work. I've seen benches like that around outdoor tables in China and thought they looked just a bit unstable. I alway felt like a bird perching when I sat on one.
Madeleine Yeh
2024-11-23 15:33:52 +0000 UTCCool techniques and tools. Thanks Rex.
Dave West
2024-11-23 14:48:53 +0000 UTCMost excellent build! Too bad I've used up most of the floorspace of my inside shop...but as soon as I get that shed built, this will be a feature. This being the internet, I feel compelled to point out that this is NOT a low bench, it's a bench. We call our tall dedicated work surfaces "benches", probably because when we converted to the larger production shops pictured in the Roubo engravings, we didn't know what else to call the standing work tables shown there. On ALL other iterations of the bench form, weight lifters, park, piano, etc, you can of course sit comfortably. We always dragged the piano bench into the dining room for the Thanksgiving crowdi;)
John Griswold
2024-11-23 14:20:06 +0000 UTCSame here
Michael Falbo
2024-11-23 13:34:56 +0000 UTCHmmm…I pay for Patreon but it wants me to sign in on Youtube ( which I am) and it won’t allow me to view the video, despite having no issues up to now.☹️
Gerald Eddy
2024-11-23 13:06:23 +0000 UTCGreat video, Rex!
Marco P. Lascari
2024-11-23 12:30:03 +0000 UTC
