The Workbench Book: A Craftsman's Guide to Workbenches for Every Type of Woodworking

by Scott Landis

First published in 1987, "The Workbench Book" by Scott Landis remains the most complete book on the most important tool in the woodworker’s shop.
"The Workbench Book" is a richly illustrated guided tour of the world’s best workbenches — from a traditional Shaker bench to the mass-produced Workmate. Author and workbench builder Scott Landis visited dozens of craftsmen, observing them at work and listening to what they had to say about their benches. The result is an intriguing and illuminating account of each bench’s strengths and weaknesses, within the context of a vibrant woodworking tradition.
The workbench is the heart of the workshop. Like the foundation of a house, a bench must be built with care because it reflects and supports all the work that takes place on top. Probably more than any other tool in the shop, the custom workbench reflects the personality and experience of its maker. For those woodworkers who want to undertake building their own bench, "The Workbench Book" offers valuable advice on design, construction and special features such as vise options.
This fully illustrated guide features more than 275 photos of beautifully crafted workbenches as well as complete plans for four benches. "The Workbench Book" explores benches from around the world, from every historical era and for all of the common (and esoteric) woodworking specialties.

This new 248-page hardbound edition from Lost Art Press ensures "The Workbench Book" will be available to future generations of woodworkers. Produced and printed in the United States, this classic text is printed on FSC-certified recycled paper and features a durable sewn binding designed to last generations. The 1987 text remains the same in this edition and includes a foreword by Christopher Schwarz.

Genres: Woodwork, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference

248 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, taught me a lot. I've been doing carpentry work for as long as I can remember. Going to work sites with my dad as a tiny tot, to building big decks for pocket money in college. My experience is all power tool based and with a very practical, efficiency based approach, I reckon. Also, with more of a handyman skill level than the kinda woodworking artistry and skill a real finishing carpenter or cabinet maker would have. Not a whole lot of art or deep history in the kinda carpentry I've been paid for, framing walls and cookie cutter deck building mostly. So, I have a lot left to learn about woodworking but this book helped me on my way.

I want to set up a general workbench for my various hobbies and I think a traditional workbench would be good for a great many jobs. Stained glass, power carving, watercolors, multicopters, general repair and maintenance work, and of course furniture making, would all easily benefit from a good solid work surface. These things are made from the ground up to excel at holding work, a very universal need across many hobbies/occupations.

The book did a great job of showing how a couple of traditional workbenches come together and how handy they can be. Would highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into woodworking.

[Marlowe Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a great book of history on workbenches and their uses.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some lovely old workbenches in here, and a few good ideas. Worth checking out, but not something I need in my library, like The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Perfect Bench, which (after borrowing from the library) I want to get a copy of as a reference.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Schwarz called this book the only workbench book worth reading before he wrote "Workbenches: From Design and Theory to Construction and Use" (2007).

I skimmed this after read Schwarz's "The Anarchist's Workbench" and I have to agree, it's worth the time. There's a lot more history here and a lot of details about all of the bench styles that Schwarz critiques in his book. If Schwarz's final bench doesn't fit your needs, one of these certainly will.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landis provides lots of great ideas, most of which I will never need. But it was so interesting to read them, nonetheless. Most of the illustrations are clear and understandable, but a few are confusing no matter how much I look at them. Full plans for some of the benches are provided.

[Laurla2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

more a 'history of workbenches' book. there are some plans and instructions, but i'm not looking to build an authentic 18th century reproduction with mortise and tenon construction. lots of nice pictures, but not what i'm after.

[Kim Zinkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas

[R.M. Loveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and fascinating review of dozens of real-world workbenches.

[RetroHound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers different styles and the history of workbenches, up to, and including, the Black & Decker Workmate.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely book with many photos and plans for workbenches, some simple, some sublime and many are useful. My copy went out on loan and never made it back. Chris Schwarz's Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use is more practical. Or check out Chris's online portable English bench build for a good beginner's hand tool bench. Other books like Roman Workbenches: Being a Short Treatise on Benches from Pompeii, Herculaneum & the Holy Roman Empire Founded on Research & Historical Reconstructions with Practical Applications Concerning Construction, Workholding, Planing, Sawing, Joinery &c. I would pass on unless you really are a bench nerd!

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with a goal of reading 50 books this year, the other "leisure time" goal this year was to rehab my shop and storage areas. Like most woodworkers/carpenters, my workbench was my first handmade furniture piece. Again, like most ww/carpenters, at some time we get the notion that it would be great to build a really nice workbench. Thus this book which was very useful especially in the vise sections.

[Kamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is older and far superior to more contemporary books on building workbenches. Each year, there seems to be yet another tome on how to put together a suitable Western-style bench for woodworking, but as far as I am concerned none of these surpass Landis' book on the subject because of its sheer variety and thoroughness.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information but not my favorite on the subject. There was way too much background / detail to hold my attention for long periods. The book is also a bit out of date. Chris Schwarz is the way to go on the subject.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am looking forward to having my daughter or son sit on my lap and point out the pictures. Eye candy and fun.

[Lee Gibson]

I've decided I need a wood shop.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good review of the history and evolution of traditional woodworking benches. Somewhat less useful if you are looking for details on building your own workbench.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting from a historical perspective, but kind of rambling at times. Examines a couple workbenches of each family, but doesn't get into the why of design decisions as much as I'd like.

[Joshua Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent guide. Not as specific as, say, the Chris Schwarz workbench book, but has more breadth of ideas.

[Jeff Youngstrom]

My review from July 25, 2000