They Dropped the Ball, So I Picked it Up - Making the Ultimate Portable Workbench

Рет қаралды 155,980

7 ай бұрын

I designed this project a few years ago and it's based on the Workmate idea where you have a built-in vise on the top for clamping.
It also has a two-step step ladder and folds for more compact storage.
Last but not least, it folds shorter - the lower parts of the legs fold under, making the bench closer to the ground.
I consider this to be a working prototype and I may make a final version (without any mistakes) with plans in the future. In the meantime, it has 1001 uses around the house and shop because it's versatile and strong but lightweight. I made it mostly from spruce framing lumber and that has a very good weight to strength ratio.
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Пікірлер: 167

@JohnHeisz 7 ай бұрын

@leroymellix5647 7 ай бұрын

You have combined two tools 1. a short step ladder and articulating vice top seamlessly. Thanks!

@WilliamTythas 7 ай бұрын

I know you said it was a mistake to have the front leg pivot because the unit would collapse - could you not use another of those leg stop locks at that joint .. those seemed to work great and be sturdy? AWESOME design .. very useful

@TheBirdman66 7 ай бұрын

do you have a video of your drillcpress mod thank john your awesome

@Djkudos14 4 ай бұрын

just had a thought about the stationary front legs. I have a little giant ladder and the center pivot is a push in release double peg locking mechanism. I wonder if toggle pin or something mechanical like that could allow the front legs to fold flat? Just thought I suggest something months later like a jack... cheers

@patrickbrown551 7 ай бұрын

This man is a true wood worker and he is good at it.

@qkrotor 7 ай бұрын

His video production skills aren't too shabby either.

@b3arwithm3 7 ай бұрын

Not a woodworker. An engineer full of new ideas

@ruelsmith 7 ай бұрын

Yeah, I'm surprised he doesn't have a bigger following. I'm amazed at the ingenuity in some of his designs.

@DergEnterprises 7 ай бұрын

A couple of these would make a great gift for the Grandson.

@patpending8134 7 ай бұрын

Truly amazing! That's the beauty of KZfaq - you see unbelievably talented people you otherwise wouldn't know exist. I could not build that in a million years and if I used the various tools you showed in this video, I'd have no fingers or thumbs left!

@jimthesoundman8641 7 ай бұрын

9:15 The sanding sponge as a spring is a brilliant idea. Definitely stealing that.

@JamesDeese 7 ай бұрын

Your skill as a woodworker is on the same level as the genius you have at reimagining any design for efficiency and strength. I am pretty sure that it often comes out looking like art is no mere coincidence.

@MrMarkpeggy 7 ай бұрын

John, you are a very gifted woodworker. Your creations are awesome!

@cafecybernz 6 ай бұрын

8:45 - using sanding pad foam to make a spring mechanism: absolutely genius! Small tiny detail, considering the overall build, but that is why I love John's videos: always learning clever ways to do things cheaply but elegantly.

@toms.3977 7 ай бұрын

I envy your woodworking skills. Since becoming disabled, I can't do it anymore. Thanks for the great channels, John. We like your style.

@johnsaluk4689 7 ай бұрын

John, your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. Keep on making!

@keithjohnson6765 7 ай бұрын

I love how you show your woops moments and don't edit them out. Not that missoury loves company, but you are human. It's only wood, and you can adapt and fix it to make it functional all the same. It helps us mere peasants keep our hope up... 😊

@philrichmond7567 7 ай бұрын

Master craftsman here. I've learnt a lot from you. Thanks for sharing this. 👍🏼

@sottx8268 7 ай бұрын

You just go around calling yourself a "master craftsman"?

@TDuySculptures 7 ай бұрын

I love the way you detail the process of making this stuff. Great video and amazing woodworking skill!

@daveparrish8031 7 ай бұрын

Another inspirational homerun. Thanks John

@sapelesteve 7 ай бұрын

Terrific build John! Have not seen a wood project from you in a while, so this was much anticipated! 👍👍🔨🔨

@larpbusters 7 ай бұрын

God damn. Been a while since the algorithm pushed any of your content my way, John. I love the drill press table setup! Very cool!

@dougc78 7 ай бұрын

Impressive on several fronts. Good to see you make mistake too, but also good to see how cleverly you over come them. Your designs are pretty ingenious and you make it look easy enough that I could do it…….then reality sets in.

@ConcreteLand 7 ай бұрын

😂😂

@c.a.g.1977 7 ай бұрын

I didn't read the video's title before watching it and was under the assumption John was making a simple step stool, so I was thinking: Man, this is one elaborate stool!

@JS-ct5jn 7 ай бұрын

You'd be a cool guy to have as a neighbor. Nice build.

@RobinLewisMakes 7 ай бұрын

A vise workbench and saw horse in one, such a great idea!

@danfromnorth52 7 ай бұрын

Your designs are so amazing. Better than we could purchase. It’s always fun to see the build process from the beginning without knowing how it’s all going to come together and try and guess. Nice project.

@huntliba 7 ай бұрын

Awesome thing! and it is so nice drink coffee and watch you do your stuff! Keep up good work m8!

@wahidiksanudin7948 7 ай бұрын

Ide anda selalu dinanti para hobi kayu termasuk dari Indonesia🇮🇩 salam

@ConcreteLand 7 ай бұрын

I need to do this on my homemade table saw. Then over to my homemade jointer and finally over to my homemade bandsaw. I don’t want to be a better woodworker, I want to be John.

@ConcreteLand 7 ай бұрын

Commented to soon to see the homemade drill press. 😂😂

@KipdoesStuff 7 ай бұрын

@@ConcreteLand he also made the compasses

@ConcreteLand 7 ай бұрын

Belt sander.

@IEnjoyCreatingVideos 7 ай бұрын

Nice work John! Thanks for sharing the build with us!💖👍😎JP

@troyqueen9503 7 ай бұрын

Hello from Vancouver Island 🌴

@2dividedby3equals666 7 ай бұрын

I remember you talking about it a while ago, I was just thinking about it recently when out of the blue I got the notification! It looks great, thanks for sharing and take care!!

@leroymellix5647 7 ай бұрын

Wow you are among the most talented Wood workers I have ever seen! Thanks for sharing!

@robertkerby2581 7 ай бұрын

An Amazing design, and build project! You displayed exceptional Craftsmanship! Well done, Sir!

@AJB2K3 7 ай бұрын

Here is a tip when screwing into end grain. Pre drill the hole into the ingrain and fill with a slow set thin CA/Superglue and then screw in. The glue seeps into the grain and thickens/strengthens the grain around the screw threads preventing tear out.

@ivansbacon 7 ай бұрын

I was looking forward to seeing how it folded down to be shorter. That was the most intriguing for me.

@donaldmumaw 7 ай бұрын

Awesome! Great video!

@JohnHeisz 7 ай бұрын

Thanks :)

@rawr2u190 7 ай бұрын

Such a handy design

@Paul8033 7 ай бұрын

What a really useful piece!

@dougprentice1363 7 ай бұрын

I forgot about that mini compass. I need one.

@KipdoesStuff 7 ай бұрын

Pretty sure their are free plans at his website.

@Absfor30 7 ай бұрын

Fantastic wooden version of the workmate. maybe with some future revision it'll fold flatter, but as a working prototype it's outstanding!

@edwardkottmyer3093 7 ай бұрын

Love to have some of these around

@thelichisdeath 7 ай бұрын

welcome back John! i hope you never do that silly audio nonsense again!😅 that one is classic woodworking, and done right... thanks for the video, and best regards!

@bdcopper 7 ай бұрын

the original workmates were a great product, but have declined over the years. This looks more robust and solid that was like the original. I would certainly build one of these and have lots of use for them in my shop, well done John. Excellent work as usual.

@greglamphier4430 7 ай бұрын

This was really cool.. the ending was pretty nostalgic too… my old man has a workmate in the basement that he still uses.

@WelcomeToTheGooniverse 7 ай бұрын

This project is so neat. I really want to build this. You always have such great designs, John! Great work!

@BrettRebman 7 ай бұрын

That drill press table will always be the neatest shit I’ve ever seen 🙏

@paulschwartz6074 7 ай бұрын

Just awesome. I marvel at your ingenuity and skills. I'm waiting for the day you make a car out of wood. Maybe a Makers Mob collaboration?!

@freshcoatpaintingmore9951 7 ай бұрын

Really cool. I bought a 2 ft step ladder years ago and I swear it gets used more for a work bench then a ladder.

@philipallard8026 7 ай бұрын

Very clever as always.

@rafvdp6391 7 ай бұрын

Really like the inlay for the solid surface! Nice video John and great thumbnail 👍

@JohnHeisz 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@PaulO-mv6ku 7 ай бұрын

Excellent video - I love your honesty as well as your evident skill and all of the wooden tools you have made.

@Paprman2000 7 ай бұрын

This is really cool John ! Thanks for the inspiration !

@patrickmaher9270 7 ай бұрын

Fantastic build video as usual. Keep up the great work John it's a joy watching you work.

@joewhitney4097 7 ай бұрын

Great build John. Very handy. Thanks for sharing.

@69kaveman 7 ай бұрын

Great build, you do such amazing work.

@IntoTheWildernessWeGo 7 ай бұрын

Love it John! Awesome to see your creativity at work. 👌

@3dPrintCreator 7 ай бұрын

Again a video I watched all the way to the end. Loved it.

@homemadetools 7 ай бұрын

Nice little workbench. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

@KipdoesStuff 7 ай бұрын

Love everything about this. I have been using an old Black & Decker one for years. Ex left it out in the rain and ruined the tops though. Might have to bui8ld a new one.

@stephenshipley1066 7 ай бұрын

A new top is not a massive project. They do go if they get wet and there are several KZfaq videos about replacing them.

@kevinthomson6324 7 ай бұрын

Home made workmate bench. Have had mine for ever. Like everyone else’s has a few saw cuts and drill holes in the top. But it’s a indispensable tool on so many projects outside the shop.

@jlizzoli 7 ай бұрын

Great job ! It's a pleasure see your videos making tools of wood !

@GregsGarage 7 ай бұрын

The vice top is the bee's knees!

@JohnHeisz 7 ай бұрын

Thanks :)

@saoralba5114 7 ай бұрын

Such a pleasure watching your stuff come together . Doff my cap

@janhedberg9316 7 ай бұрын

Very, very nice!

@CraftedbyRay 7 ай бұрын

Great video!

@JohnHeisz 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@joelshults6874 7 ай бұрын

That is a cool project. Looks incredibly useful.

@davestinyworkshop 7 ай бұрын

Awesome, so much better than a rusty old workmate!

@louisfkoorts5590 7 ай бұрын

Thanks John. I have enjoyed this.

@marcbarash6045 7 ай бұрын

thanks John, glad to see you

@MCsCreations 7 ай бұрын

Brilliant, John! Fantastic work!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@carenclemmons5002 7 ай бұрын

Very nicely improved step ladder/vice. You are so clever. Thanks for completing the great idea.

@richardbutterfoss2353 7 ай бұрын

You are amazing! RWB ❤🎉

@chrishowarth6623 7 ай бұрын

A genius at work. Love these tutorials

@TheKidFromYTown 7 ай бұрын

This is one great idea! 👍

@jeffforbes3772 7 ай бұрын

Totally awesome...as expected from a John Heisz project! Thanks for sharing.

@philliparudolph9595 7 ай бұрын

really nice build and adaptation of the original B&D design, I'm lucky enough to HAVE an old Workmate inherited from my Dad (yes I'm OLD) and I'm going to add some of your adaptations to it. THANKS

@taxivideo 7 ай бұрын

Idée géniale et très belle réalisation !!!

@emilevoyer123 7 ай бұрын

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

@garryverniest5893 7 ай бұрын

Very nice, a Back & Decker Workmate.

@Galerak1 7 ай бұрын

Basically a Black&Decker Workmate made out of wood. Looks absolutely amazing though, and probably worked out cheaper 😁 Great project. 👍

@angelpch9449 4 ай бұрын

Thank You sir

@luissojo6885 7 ай бұрын

Amigo, Usted es un gran maestro, su trabajo más perfecto no puede ser, gracias por presentarlo y trato de ver hasta los que tienen mucho tiempo

@alifirfandi 7 ай бұрын

Amazing idea!

@gsftom 7 ай бұрын

This is awesome!

@danielhayes9274 7 ай бұрын

Amazing Shop

@54mgtf22 7 ай бұрын

Hi John. Love your work 👍

@stenly83 7 ай бұрын

Love all your videos and commentary!!! I'd also love to see what the final thing is first in the video and then you start making it

@ceidhof 7 ай бұрын

Amazing build. I have a "workmate" by Bosch (PWB 600). One nice feature (that'd also be easy to add) is that it has builtin storage for the bench dogs. There is also a tiny tray which I've used to keep a few screws from falling on the ground while working outside. Might not make the best KZfaq content now that you have the video out, but can imagine that these could be useful additions for you as well.

@Mr.Stacey-L-SCC 7 ай бұрын

Seems to me that would be something even more useful in pairs. Thanks for sharing.

@dpmeyer4867 7 ай бұрын

nice work

@robertberger8642 6 ай бұрын

Nice!

@LariFariYoutube 7 ай бұрын

I remeber back in the days, when B&D brought the "workmate" on the market.. It was very poor in build quality and therefor a useless piece of sh.. But yours look very robust and well made.. Hats off, my friend from canada.. you reinvented the wheel.. ;) well done, as usual.. Greets from Austria.

@seansysig 7 ай бұрын

Beastly Workmate

7 ай бұрын

Congratulation 😊...saudações de Londrina City, Paraná state...Brasil

@mattwlane 7 ай бұрын

Plans!🙋 This would be perfect for my small workshop!

@EngineerMikeF 7 ай бұрын

I've always been a fan of the Workmate, beautiful adaptation. I didn't see the plans on ur website soooooo... maybe soon?

@nickoakley69 7 ай бұрын

John, I know your a woodworking genius and all that, but I can't help thinking this is over engineered

@joetoner8848 7 ай бұрын

I hope you offer up plans f/this. I will purchase. Great video either way!

@charleswilson8915 7 ай бұрын

Great work John, I need to make one. My Workmate does well but doesn't fold up as easily. 😊

@julietphillips1991 7 ай бұрын

I can't make it, but I like it!

@ewout2211 7 ай бұрын

Absolutely love your projects and ideas John. Always inspiring to watch. I bought your table fence plans and built it. I would now like to replace my table saw table top with something that provides less friction. What material do you use?

@Cat-dl2bl 7 ай бұрын

Super 👍👍👍

@RCake 7 ай бұрын

Hello John, wow... this really is a great project. Probably just a bit above my level of precision - if I built this, it would end up real shaky. Still, very cool, and a person needs to have goals 😅