David Stephenson Bespoke Furniture. Handmade in Hampshire since 2009
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      • One day taster course make a stool
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      • Introduction to hand applied finishes
      • Introduction day to furniture joinery
      • Build a High Vice
      • Build a pair of Krenov style saw horses
    • Two Day Courses >
      • Mix and Match
      • Introduction to Furniture Joinery
      • Build an oak console table
      • Build a pair of oak side tables
      • Build an oak coffee table
      • Build a Pair of Pine Side Tables
      • Build a Pine Coffee Table
      • Build a Pine Console Table
    • Three Day Build a Roubo Workbench Project
    • Three day Build a Chair makers workbench (Mini Roubo Workbench)
    • Build a Stable Coffee Table
    • Woodworking Courses for Two >
      • Taster day for Two, make a stool!
      • Machinery day for two
      • Dovetail day for two
      • Introduction day to furniture joinery for two
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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


Come and build your own 21st century split top Roubo style workbench with David on this unique one to one, three day class!

This course is now open to bookings material availability depending, please get in touch to discuss 📞


Picture of David Stephenson’s three day split top Roubo workbench course workbench. 

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...
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...


Availability in 2025:



March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December


Three day split top Roubo workbench current specifications.

  • 1.5meters (approximately 60 inches / 5 foot) long (this can be extended to 180cm / 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.
  • 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!).
  • 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 Monday to Wednesday (depending on availability) Wednesday to Friday, Thursday through to Saturday.
  • Course price: from £1600.00. 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.


150cm by 50cm three day Roubo workbench

£1,650.00
Add to Cart

150cm by 60cm Three Day Roubo Workbench

£1,875.00
Add to Cart

180cm by 60cm Three Day Roubo workbench

£2,250.00
Add to Cart

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.
Looking for a smaller sized workbench? Check out the new Three Day Chair Makers Workbench (mini Roubo) course.
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 2021/2022).

As with all David’s classes the teaching style is very relaxed and courses can be arranged for mutually-convenient dates, there are no school-like fixed term dates here! For 2023 onwards the last week of each month has been set aside for workbenches, though if you wish to come on a different week that can be accommodated with sufficient notice.

Workbench in the rough... this pile of timber will shortly be David Stephenson’s 3 day Roubo workbench prototype!
Workbench in the rough... this pile of timber will shortly be the 3 day Roubo workbench prototype!
The prototype of David’s 3 day workbench under construction: here the two top slabs are being glued.
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 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.
The fully assembled three day Roubo Workbench just after having its top planed flat with a no 8 hand plane.
“I just wanted to send a quick email to thank your for a great bench making course in October.
As a complete beginner it was very useful to learn about the different techniques and tools, both manual and electric, that are available and to have all my fingers and thumbs at the end of the three days was a bonus.

I am looking forward to putting the skills learnt into practice.

The bench is now installed in my “workshop” and my tool collecting has started.

All the best.

Mike Perkins”


Beautiful bespoke freestanding furniture, designed and made in Hampshire.
Woodworking and furniture making courses and tuition.
Phone: 0754 556 2669
7 The Fairground Craft & Design Centre, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire UK SP11 0QN
  • Welcome
  • Meet the Maker
    • Meet the Workshop Dog
  • Bespoke Furniture Making
  • Courses
    • The Course Calendar
    • Frequently asked questions for woodworking courses.
    • One day courses >
      • One day taster course make a stool
      • Introduction to woodworking machinery
      • Sharpening and setting up hand tools
      • Introduction to hand-cut dovetail joints
      • Introduction to hand applied finishes
      • Introduction day to furniture joinery
      • Build a High Vice
      • Build a pair of Krenov style saw horses
    • Two Day Courses >
      • Mix and Match
      • Introduction to Furniture Joinery
      • Build an oak console table
      • Build a pair of oak side tables
      • Build an oak coffee table
      • Build a Pair of Pine Side Tables
      • Build a Pine Coffee Table
      • Build a Pine Console Table
    • Three Day Build a Roubo Workbench Project
    • Three day Build a Chair makers workbench (Mini Roubo Workbench)
    • Build a Stable Coffee Table
    • Woodworking Courses for Two >
      • Taster day for Two, make a stool!
      • Machinery day for two
      • Dovetail day for two
      • Introduction day to furniture joinery for two
    • Course Gift Vouchers
  • Collections
    • The Stable Furniture Collection
    • Kingston Table Collection
    • Home Accessories & Kitchenware
    • Aftercare Information
  • Etsy Shop
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Returns and cancellations
  • Blog