Rex please PLEASE keep making "woodworking for humans" videos, this is gold

Truly, the DIY gods have smiled on me! I just finished watching the other videos in this series a couple of days ago, and lo and behold, on the path outside work last night, was half a dozen dumped 4" square pine beams in great shape! $0 workbench project :)

I'm not going to make one of these because I've already got a bench. That said, THIS is the way to make KZfaq videos! You are clear, informative, light-hearted and funny. Furthermore YOU DON'T WAFFLE! You get straight to it and don't bore us with anecdotes about how your mum suffers from arthritis. Well done. BTW after watching one of your videos, I bought a wire wheel for my grinding machine - a great investment, gets constant use. Cheers.

I love this bench idea. I had an apartment neighbor years ago who had a smaller three foot bench (didn't have the split back end) and he had a moxon style vise worked into the center of the left side. Was the oddest looking contraption. He did have three square holes in it for bench dogs and hold-downs. Wish now I had taken pictures of it and taken measurements. Wasn't the steadiest platform, but he made a lot of small projects with that little bench.

Rex: I just found you and became an immediate patron. I love how you teach and at 71 yrs. old I am an avid student who's primary goal in the remainder of my life is to become a true craftsman. Woodworkers like you can help me achieve that goal.

You do get something if we buy the book, you get another slightly better woodworker in the world. And that’s worth being proud of

Don't watch this dudes videos first thing in the morning. Your day won't get better. Thanx for breaking down how to properly use this bench.

I wouldn’t call myself a woodworker, in fact, this bench is probably the best thing I’ve ever built. I’m really enjoying the education I’m getting from just this build! Your channel offers so many tricks of the trade. Thank you so much for making me believe I can actually build something!

I really like the chisel advice: "Just go buy some chisels". I have to be more careful these days, but yeah, I'll do that.

Just wanted to share what I'm working on: a modular work bench. I'm a hobbyist with no space - my shop is half of a garage, and half of that half is a bicycle maintenance/repair shop and electronics/fine work station, so my bench needs to have maximum flexibility/capability in the smallest space possible, stow away in an 8'x2' space along the wall, and be able to roll out for use in the other half of the garage when I have access to it. The bench will start out as (and maybe grow from) four components: 1. A basic bench/assembly table with t-tracks on either short end for a fence to use with the miter saw (see below), and an end vise and holdfast/bench dog hole grid in the middle. 2. A flip-top square bench that will have my grinder, bench-top disc/belt sander, and a standard vise mounted, and be a flat work surface on the other side. 3. A miter saw stand, also flip-top with a flat surface on the other side 4. A contractor table saw stand. (See above about my space limitations. I'd LOVE to have a full table saw, but I've found that a properly adjusted/tuned contractor saw with a quality blade can do all the work I need and do it quite well) The benches will be height matched, and all on casters that can be lowered so the benches can sit on the ground for stability. I'll be able to configure any of them (even the contractor saw - blade fully down) as infeed and/or outfeed for the saws/planer/etc. The spreaders will be height matched and have notches so I can use removable spreaders between them to lock the tables together. I'm sharing because I've decided to add the $30 bench with some of your additions (definitely the planing stop and the crotchet for starters). Thanks for the great videos, keep 'em coming! Strongly considering becoming a patron after only watching a handful of your content.

Two things: 1) Yor video making style, clarity, precise to the point, is awesome; somehow I got to one of your vids and can't stop seeing more of them. 2) Thanks to that I now feel the confidence to finally get into basic wood working that I intended during pandemic but felt overwhelmed for not having clear guidence of where and how to start; I even got some wood , different shape and sizes, and hand and power tools that have been geting dusty somewhere in my garage, and now I really feel I could get something done with them; I will definitely start by making this bench with most of the adaptations you have made into it; by seeing it in use there has been a lot of moments where I thought "If I only had found this channel before, how many things I could have done/done easier"... Thanks! New subscriber from Mexico.

"If it's stupid, and it works - it ain't stupid."

seriously this is amazing. I understand that vices are useful but knowing techniques like this is stuff thatll just make your life easier and works really quickly.

This series has a lot of the same appeal the megapopular 'primitive technology channels' do - above all the sense of progression is something that's extremely engaging. As a bonus, approaching woodworking from a slightly different angle can really help distil some of the basic fundamentals for those of us who never received formal training or teaching.

What?! You live in Cleveland?! That's great news. I grew up in Shaker Heights but now live in Maine. I often go home to visit my family who have spread out around Greater Cleveland. I am psyched to have the chance to visit with you, if you're not too busy, or just walk by and say, "Hello!" Thank you for helping me carry on my Grandfather's tradition of woodworking. I especially appreciate your choice to work with mostly hand tools and figure out innovative and practical solutions and tools for woodworking. Hope to see you in August! Thanks again, Mr. Krueger.

Where there's a will, there's a way... Where there's a won't, there's a whiner... I made my $30 bench 30 years ago using a fold-up steel table kicking against a tree in the garden as a work station. I mostly didn't have a clue what I was doing but with the help of magazine articles from the local library (not much internet in 1987) I ended up with a pretty decent bench, with which I spend more time than with the Missus (or so She says). Today we have guys like Rex prepared to share their knowledge and experience with all comers. Much appreciated. Thanks buddy

Of the 20 bajillion 'how to make a bench' videos on youtube, this is by far my favourite. I'm a software developer by trade and my mantra is 'simplest thing that works, but no simpler'. This ticks all my boxes :-)

Great bench! I cut one face of the notch and square mortise at 5° and cut a few wedges at the same angle but different widths to clamp various thicknesses of stock. Also, I found my planing stop and pom soon lost their friction fit so wedges were required. Wasn't hard and I'm amazed at how well it holds. I love using this bench. Thanks for showing us how to make it Rex!

Freakin' genius, every last detail. I continue to appreciate your emphasis on hand tools. Haven't seen anyone else use a brace and bit for decades, but still have mine. Still the best way to drive big wood screws (with a screwdriver bit).

Rex, I've been enjoying this series. I want something for outside that I can use to rip/crosscut my boards. I think this might be a better solution to a saw bench since on nice days I can enjoy working outside instead of in a cluttered garage. Maybe I can put a Roman bench on my front porch along with a shave horse instead of stupid porch furniture. I don't think my wife would approve, but it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission sometimes ;-).

I'm a leathercrafter, and have never owned a vice. This bench and its attachments make TOTAL sense to me.

I'm dabbling in smithing and wood working, and something I've learned is I take a lot of joy in using hand tools and going the long or thoughtful way around... except for breaking down large stock. I would own a big beefy saw just to save 10 minutes cutting stock even though I know could happily spend 5 hours cutting joints. I'd choose these kinds of hold downs over a vise any day

This channel is a breath of fresh air.

When friction no longer holds your palm post, simply drill a set of holes and insert a cross pin/dowel.

@8:50: If you make the mortise and tenon almost any shape other than round- for example, rectangular or triangular- you won’t need to put screws (or Roman nails) in to keep the post from twisting in its socket.

I don't know how well this would work, but I have an idea for the "wedge vice". What if you made the hole have one angled side, and make one of the sides of the wedge at the same angle. That way the wedge is wide at the top, and narrow at the bottom. It will give full contact with the flat side on the work piece and the angled side. I imagine this would allow you to use one wedge for multiple thicknesses of wood instead of using shims. You might have to reinforce the bottom of the hole a bit though.

I’ve gotta say, Rex must have lots of practice speaking and presenting, or has a job where he does that a lot. Dude is spot on!

Nice job Rex! Just figured it out: you are the Alton Brown of woodworking....and that's a compliment👍

Rex you really are a genius! Some great, simple, and cheap ideas.you must have a very analytical brain..

I love the simple nature of it all.

That was awesome! Well done on that adaptation. That combo with the crochet is amazing

I've watched this series with great interest. While I enjoy a few of my power tools, I've always wondered how our ancestors managed to do things with the most basic tools. Up until the 1800's this is pretty much the way things were done. Thanks Rex!

I heard it once, it is in my brain forever. That wood holder will always be known as a crotchet to me :D

Very cool. Regarding the palm, it seems to me that you could turn it around 180 degrees and use the flat edge as a planing stop.

This is such a great project! Thanks Rex.

Love the detailed explanations in your videos. Looking forward to building one of these benches as one of my first woodworking projects.

Bravo Sir! The whole human life is based on wedge. This video should be shown at schools (primary, middle, high) and be part of curriculum.

This is so awesome I can't wait to get out of work and upgrade the bench!

Great bunch of bench holds. Thanks for sharing these forgotten gems.

So many amazing ideas in one video, and easy to follow too. As well I think they could also be used on any other work bench build too Thank you for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Really enjoy your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. Keep up the good work.

This is a tremendous series and I appreciate your time and effort to post it.

I've really enjoyed this set of videos on the $30 bench. Thanks so much!

Merry Christmas ,Rex ,thanks 4tips

thank you for the very good explaining, I will build this work bench in the next time, but now I know how to use it.

TOO cool Rex! Heading over to your series playlist now. O-H...

I thoroughly enjoy your videos Rex. Extremely informative, fun to watch, and just downright great. Keep up the fantastic work!

A cornucopia of ideas old and new! Great idea to put the board jack into the notch - thanks for sharing.

Trank a lot Rex for sharing this great video, just Love it!

This was honestly fantastic. It went way above my expectations. More videos on simple reliable stuff like this would be awesome!

This is a fantastic series, thanks for sharing this!

you, are really good at explaining this stuff.

Great series Rex, thanks a lot!!!

Thanks Rex. I believe I'll make myself a crochet after seeing how much fun you're having with yours...

I really should have watched this series before making my own jank table.. one day Ill make a real table - but there's something about doing what you can with what you have that makes my brain happy. Cool stuff, Rex

Nice appliance additions.

Thanks a lot for this. The simpler it can get, the better. Just love it .

This video is terrific in countless ways. Worth watching every month for the creative inspiration.

Love your work, Rex. As usual, there is excellent content and entertaining execution. Keep this stuff coming...

One more great holding piece would be a bench hook. I made mine out of oak and got a little fancy with it, but you can easily make one out of some plywood and 2x4's. I use mine all the time for cutting out notches and doing hand cut joint work.

This is the best workbench video I like the most. Simple and effective. Thank you.

Im loving your videos and really growing my interest in wood working, so far im just starting my collection of basic tools, mainly vintage hand tools as well, they're cheap but i like them

I love watching this bench grow from nothing to finished. :) It's so satisfyingly and I learned so much!

I keep coming to watch this video series. Lots of value here. I found these ideas to have a deeper meaning as my woodworking skills improve. Thanks Rex!

great video... i'll definitely make one of these soon, thanks for the tips

Best chisel advise ever, and its TRUE. 0:44

Love it Rex, I've been toying with ideas for apartment workbench as I live in the city midweek and dont get out to my work shop until weekends, this video has been a huge inspiration..I mean huge!!!

I saw this techniques used in table beside the french horn looking thing by carpenter in Bangladesh 30 years ago. I feel like ancient hand tools are amazing see and use :) .. great job man ... brings back so many memories :)

Thanks, Rex. Always good to see simple, old fashioned methods for all sorts of things. A lot of that simplicity has been lost to modern tools & yet it can be put to use in so many scenarios where a more complex tool just isn't as versatile or the wrong size for the job.

That v shape thing is genius. I'll have to make one for my bench to swap out with the bench hook. and the crotchet. The Roman bench will be great for my kids too.

I'm going to say YES to the harbor freight chisels, but not the wood handled ones, the resin ones. They take a mallet blow like a champ and when I went to sharpen mine, ready for this? No BOWL OR BELLY on the flat side! I was SOOO happy! Sharpened them up using your rig and auto sandpaper.

Simply &efficient. Thank you Sir.🎉

You reminded me of Fred Flintstone when you held up the mallet and the plane. This whole series has been quite enlightening Rex. The answer to every workshop problem is not always a trip to the woodworking shop.

The cheap saw used as a square blew my mind. Nice work!

Another awesome video Rex an thanks for the knowledge Sir

Hi Rex, You rock! Thanks for sharing, also it's very illustrative and encorageous. Thanks..cheers Alfredo

Great video. Thanks for the awesome series. I'm a mechanic by trade and I can't wait to build this. Keep it up and thank you

+1 on the Irwin chisels absolutely love mine

Your channel is soooo great. Your channel just became my favorite from all mechanic stuff. All those things you've shown - they sometimes replace pretty expensive, big machines - not only for wood working, but also metal or plastic working.

Great video and clever ideas.Great bench for anyone building a cottage/cabin in the woods where there is no hydro.

Hi Rex, love the series, and the simplicity is really refreshing showing you don't need to spend hundreds to get working

You are a natural! Keep on making!

I'm just starting out on my woodworking journey. Earlier this week I finished adding these fixtures to my very own starter bench. Thank you very much for the thought and hard work you put into these videos, and for sharing them with us! I'm very proud of my work and excited for all the projects this bench and the holding options will make possible.

That is seriously amazing Rex! I'm a pretty new homesteader and needed a work bench - this would be perfect! I'm going to make it out of Cedar , since it will be outside mostly under a tent. Thank you so much for this video, its awesome!

This is such an excellent youtube channel. You are a born teacher Rex. I think I'm becoming addicted to these videos...I watch the ones whose subject I'm not all that interested in!

Exactly the bench I plan on building.

I finally decided what bench to build for my new homeshop it will be almost like your build i love how you collected old methods in one build like combined history and more important its reliable

Rex all these add on's are going on my full size bench 👏

That is a really cool, effective bench. Thanks for doing this series.

You are doing great teaching videos. Thank you.

Really good video and info. I have used a shave horse for a few years including clamping wood to it but your demos go to another level Brilliant ! I will be making one as soon. Thanks

I made a tight wad work bench over the last year and was stumped on some work holding options. I’m not going to cut a notch in it but I will look at using he other ideas you showed. Great video!

Been enjoying your videos for a while now, Rex. I finally subscribed :)

Thanks fellow Clevelander! I plan on making one only shorter in length.

that deadmanwedge is very sweet, i think i need to add that to my sawbench

Thank you Rex, for taking the time making these videos. I just recently discovered you and now binge watching your videos while in qurantane. So thanks for helping me pass the time. Greetings Christian

Love this video. Comprehensive and jam packed info. Already have shared it with family and friends. Great job. You the man! 😬

Great video Rex

Great! Inspiration to do more with basic tools or make your own tools. Thanks.

I have some Harbor Freight chisels, and they aren’t “pretty good.” They are quite obviously worse in every way than, for example, my low-end Stanley chisels. However, the Harbor Freight ones do cut wood, and I would not hesitate to buy them again if I had no chisels and money were very tight. The reason I bought the HF set in the first place was that I needed a chisel when I was away from home and didn’t have any others, and the ones at Harbor Freight were dirt-cheap. Expect to spend some time sharpening and flattening the backs of any inexpensive chisels you buy- and even some of the expensive ones.