Build a split top Roubo Workbench
Build your own simplified split top Roubo style workbench in three days!
“L'établi eft le premier et leplus néceffaire des outils de Menuiferie”
“The workbench is the first and most necessary of all tools for woodworking”
From part one of ‘L'Art du Menuisier’ written by André Jacob Roubo in 1774
A brand new course for 2021!
Come and build your own 21st century split top Roubo style workbench with David on this one to one, three day class!
This course is now open to bookings material availability depending, please get in touch to discuss 📞
The three day Roubo workbench course bench! This is what you’ll take home at the end of day 3 in David’s Hampshire workshop...
Three day split top Roubo workbench current specifications.
- 1.52meters (approximately 60 inches / 5 foot) long (this can be extended to 6 foot as an optional extra).
- 50cm (approximately 20 inches) wide (could be increased to 60cm (approximately 24 inches / 2 foot) as an optional extra).
- Custom height to suit the bench builder.
- Southern yellow pine frame.
- Solid 7cm thick Beech top complete with gap stop.
- Choice of hardware, a leg vice with St Peter’s cross parallel guide / criss cross or a Record type vice.
- Planked pine shelf.
- Can be built to suit left or right handed people.
- Knock down design for easy transportation, the main parts of the bench can be assembled and disassembled with 4 bolts and 4 coach screws. (Should fit in most cars from a new Mini upwards!). Delivery can be arranged if needed.
- Virtually future proof, this workbench can be easily modified and upgraded in the future.
- An intensive three day, one to one course. Suitable for anyone that’s enthusiastic and happy to do some heavy lifting. No prior woodworking experience is necessary, perfect for beginners upwards.
- The three day course can be held on either Wednesday through to Friday or Friday through to Sunday.
- Course price: £1350.00. This includes timber, hardware for a main vice and light lunches on all three days.
- Options such as extra hardware or different materials can be discussed and priced up as extra options.
Three day Roubo Workbench price list.
• Standard bench: £1350.00
• Upgrade to 60 cm (2ft) width: +£150.00
• Upgrade to 180cm (6ft) length: +£130.00
• Upgrade to 180cm (6ft) by 60cm (2ft): +£300.00
Please be aware we are having some issues sourcing the beech needed for the bench tops so may switch to oak which will mean prices will unfortunately be subject to change in the future… however the oak will look amazing so definitely worth the extra investment!
Alternatively for around the same costs listed above thicker (80-90mm) bench top slabs could be made from Southern Yellow Pine with beech vice chop and gap stop.
Alternatively for around the same costs listed above thicker (80-90mm) bench top slabs could be made from Southern Yellow Pine with beech vice chop and gap stop.
Build a Roubo workbench
£1,350.00
Three day split top Roubo workbench standard specifications.
- 1.52meters (approx 60 inches / 5 foot) long
- 50cm (approx 20 inches) wide
- Custom height to suit the bench builder.
- Southern yellow pine frame.
- Solid 7cm thick Beech top complete with gap stop.
- Choice of hardware, a leg vice with St Peter’s cross parallel guide / criss cross or a Record type vice.
- Planked pine shelf.
- Can be built to suit people left or right handed.
- Knock down design for easy transportation, the main parts of the bench can be assembled and disassembled with 4 bolts and 4 coach screws. (Should fit in most cars from a new Mini upwards!). Delivery can be arranged if needed.
- An intensive three day, one to one course. Suitable for anyone that’s enthusiastic and happy to do some heavy lifting. No prior woodworking experience is necessary, perfect for beginners upwards.
- The three day course can be held on either Wednesday through to Friday or Friday through to Sunday.
- Course price: £1350.00. This includes timber, hardware for a main vice and light lunches on all three days.
- Options such as a 6ft top, an increase in the bench width, extra hardware or different materials can be discussed and priced up as extra options.
60cm (2ft) depth upgrade to Roubo Workbench
£150.00
Increases the depth of the Standard workbench to 60cm (2ft)
If you are buying this course as a gift and require a gift voucher, we have those available! Please add this as a note at checkout.
This course requires David to do a fair amount of preparation (sourcing timber and allowing it to acclimatise along with tracking down hardware) in advance of the actual course dates, with this in mind there will need to be a lead time of at the very least 2 months and a maximum capacity of one workbench course per month subject to timber and hardware availability (this has been a major problem over 2021).
As with all David’s classes the teaching style is relaxed and courses can be arranged for mutually-convenient dates, there are no school-like fixed term dates here!
As with all David’s classes the teaching style is relaxed and courses can be arranged for mutually-convenient dates, there are no school-like fixed term dates here!
Workbench in the rough... this pile of timber will shortly be the 3 day Roubo workbench prototype!
The prototype 3 day workbench under construction: here the two top slabs are being glued.
The completed base frame of the 3 day Roubo workbench, with its planked shelf fitted.
The fully assembled three day Roubo Workbench just after having its top planed flat with a no 8 hand plane.