The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Perfect Bench

by Lon Schleining

In this contemporary look at the world of workbenches , Lon Schleining takes us on a guided tour of a wide variety of classic, modern, and specialty benches and offers hundreds of options for choosing or building that perfect bench and its accessories.

This is a fresh look at the classic subject with a focus on helping readers find the right bench and accessories for their needs. The object is to guide the reader through making critical choices, including whether to buy it or build it.

Even long-time woodworkers dream of the perfect bench and the time to build it, and for them, the real enjoyment is in the planning. With nearly 300 photos and drawings, The Workbench provides in-depth information along with the inspiration to fulfill workshop dreams.

Genres: Woodwork, Reference

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer on woodworking bench design and construction. The pictures and plans are a great resource. There's lots of variety, so you should be able to find just the right bench to suit your needs.

[Zach Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pictures, lots of information. It seems to meander with some of the information then anchor somewhere the author likes (maloof is an inspiration for him, he goes on about maloofs bench and a pattern makers vice heavily while seeming to brush past others). After reading a Schwarz workbench book, I can't recommend Schleining over Schwarz. At the time of this review, the red and blue Schwarz book is the same price as this single book. This is an excellent coffee table book though.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

May 31, 2011 - Good pics, a few good ideas. Schwarz's books are better for the how's and whys of different aspects of design.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have looked a a number of books like this, and while many are nice, this is the one I will buy for my library and go back to as I build and outfit my new shop.

[Niall519 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workshop and workbench porn. So much beautiful wood...

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures and a lot of information on workbenches of all types!

[Shayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

doesn't provide a new it different angle, but has lots of pretty pictures.

[Gabriel Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on history and different types of workbenches. I loved the photos and the thorough study on advantages and disadvantages on each type.

[Paulcanbuildthat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference on workbenches. Leaned on it heavily when planning my bench.