Paul Sellers’ workbench is a time-tested design. It’s ideal for beginner woodworkers, or anyone who wants to get a real taste of the power of hand tools.
The bench features two mortise and tenon leg frames, with wide aprons housed in them. It also features a thick laminated bench top.
The design
If you want a workbench that will stand the test of time and provide a solid working platform for students, then Paul Sellers’ bench design is hard to beat. It’s a traditional English Joiner’s workbench that Paul has used in his schools for years.
It’s also among the most simple, yet high performing workbench designs out there. This simplicity allows it to be a great teaching tool for woodworkers who are new to hand tools.
Having said that, there are some disadvantages to this design. One is that it lacks the basics for effective work holding during planing and stock prep, especially if you are using wide boards. The other is that it is a lot more complex to build than other benches and requires a good deal of laminating and surfacing. It’s also quite a tall bench, which means it’s difficult to use for hand thicknessing. However, these are minor concerns and you should be able to adjust the build to suit the wood you have and your own requirements.
The materials
A workbench is an important tool for woodworkers. It helps you keep your tools properly stored, provides a stable workspace, and can also be used as a jig to support a workpiece.
The material that’s used to make a workbench can vary greatly depending on the type of work you do and your budget. For example, a solid hardwood bench is often more expensive and desirable than a plywood or composite bench top.
Generally, solid wood is more durable and stronger than composites. Plywood is a cheaper alternative, but it may not hold its corners and edges as well.
The paul sellers workbench is based on a traditional English Joiner’s workbench. It’s a simple yet effective design that Paul says is time tested. It also serves as a great learning tool, helping you grasp the basics of joinery in a real-world and practical situation. This is one of the first projects Paul recommends beginners make if they are new to hand-tool woodworking.
The joinery
The joinery that’s used to make a piece of furniture can have an impact on the overall design. Whether it’s through dovetails, mitered corners or an exposed tenon on the side of a case, joinery has to be carefully chosen so it’s complimented by the design and made to last a lifetime.
Usually, joiners do their work in a workshop where they use heavy machinery to create timber products such as windows, doors and staircases as well as specialised furniture like chairs and cabinets. However, they also have the skills to create furniture on site too.
The build
For a woodworker looking to build the best workbench on the block, Paul Sellers is the man for the job. His 5′ 6″ x 2′ 3″, 168 x 68cm masterpiece is designed to stand up to the rigors of student use and provide a solid foundation for future projects.
While the construction methods used to make this workbench were impressive, it was the design and the choice of materials that truly set this bench apart from its predecessors. It is a work of art in itself that not only uses traditional timber joinery to its advantage, but also incorporates some clever woodworking technology. The most significant and arguably the most important innovation is in the use of lamination, which allows the wood to move freely around the joints as needed. This enables the design to achieve the best of both worlds: rigidity and flexibility. The other key component in this design is the use of a simple tool well. This is a small but mighty touch that will improve your workflow and reduce your rework.
