Rex Krueger patreon

Patron Version Video: The Chinese Bench

🕑 Added 2024-11-23 12:00:07 +0000 UTC

Comments

Liam Davitt

Any idea what Chinese carpenters used to handle larger stock, or even to process logs into lumber?

Martin Hartley

It 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.

Luke Lyu

These 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!

Matt Evans-Koch

That style of bench would go well with a trestle style table (Maybe your next build)?

John Griswold

Yep, boxed in by a peculiarity of language;)

Fred Wolsey

I 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.

Rex Krueger

Glad you liked it!

Rex Krueger

This 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

I 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

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Rex Krueger

It 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

Many modern Chinese carpenters attach a cheap machine vise. I think that's a good solution for joinery and stuff.

Rex Krueger

I 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

That sounds like something I would really like to see.

Rex Krueger

I agree! Turns out that less prosperous carpenters would also use this as household furniture.

Rex Krueger

Thank you! I appreciate that.

Rex Krueger

Nice. The plans should be ready tomorrow!

Rex Krueger

I gotta be honest. That didn't help. But it did make me smile!

Fred Wolsey

The 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.

Jeff Hill

The 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.

Chris St. Cyr

Love your builds.

Robert Garlinghouse

Bigger pieces, my solution would be to build a pair of benches.

Matt Evans-Koch

Thank 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.

Richard C von Brecht

I’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.

John Kiernan

I 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.

Gerald Eddy

Thanks 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.

Madeleine Yeh

Great 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.

Dave West

Cool techniques and tools. Thanks Rex.

John Griswold

Most 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;)

Michael Falbo

Same here

Gerald Eddy

Hmmm…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.☹️