Roubo-Style Workbench
A massive, laminated-top workbench with legs flush to the front edge, through-tenons, and a leg vise — built from construction lumber. About 84" × 22" × 34".
- Time40–70 hours
- Est. cost$250–$600
#hand tools
Plans
Dovetailed Blanket Chest
An heirloom chest with hand-cut through-dovetails, a mitered base, and a breadboard-end lid. Case 36" × 18" × 18".
- Time35–60 hours over several weeks
- Est. cost$150–$550
Tips
Mortise and Tenon by Hand
Layout with a mortise gauge, chopping a clean mortise, sawing and fitting the tenon, and drawboring for a joint that stays tight.
Flattening and Squaring Stock: Face, Edge, Thickness, Width, Length
The classic milling sequence that turns rough or warped boards into flat, square parts — with machines or hand planes.
Hand-Cut Dovetails: A Practical Workflow
Tails-first layout, sawing to the line, chopping clean baselines, and transferring accurately — a dependable method for through-dovetails.
Measuring and Marking Accurately
Why your parts don't quite fit, and the simple layout habits — one tape, sharp lines, story sticks, and reference faces — that fix it.