Comments on: The New $5.87 Sawbench

By: CBS Powertools

CBS Powertools — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:10:03 +0000

it is very small for a saw bench i like to use my Ryobi Tools at the right height to me, so an adjustable one would be better for me, but for the price this isn't bad at all.

By: Rob Cameron

Rob Cameron — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:18:30 +0000

Here’s mine, just completed it this afternoon. Took a 10′ 2×6 and an 8′ 2×4 to make sure I got all the quartersawn stuff I needed: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannikin/4892693356/

By: Bill Rusnak

Bill Rusnak — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:12:41 +0000

"The bottom of my kneecap is 20 1/2" high. Is this too low for a sawbench?

Janet Brewer"

No. I learned about the knee height rule last year at WIA from Ron Herman. If you go much higher, you won’t be comfortable when you saw which means you won’t saw well and will end up going back to your tablesaw.

Keep in mind that not everyone can push a 26"+ saw. To find your ideal saw length, Ron suggested holding the saw backwards with the tow towards your shoulder. If the saw is much longer than that distance it’s too long for you. Of course, this rule is for standard thickness stuff (3/4" thick, 4 quarter, etc.). If you’re sawing something very thick you can get away with a slightly longer saw.

Good luck.

Bill

By: Janet Brewer

Janet Brewer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:06:36 +0000

The bottom of my kneecap is 20 1/2" high. Is this too low for a sawbench?

By: Rob Porcaro

Rob Porcaro — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:32:01 +0000

Hi Chris,

The sawbench looks very practical. I’ll bet it beats sawing on a Workmate as I do.

Couple thoughts: a total height of just-below-the-kneecap (which makes ergonomic sense) may be too low for some people to get a full stroke of a 26" rip saw, depending on the angle of the saw. May need to compromise/adjust.

Also, I wonder if it would be practical to have an asymmetric leg splay that would allow closer support of the board on one side. This may improve ripping by reducing vibration, but I don’t know how it would work out ergonomically. Might not be enough room for the right leg to get out of the way (for a right-hander).

Good luck on TV!

Rob

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:34:01 +0000

Chris -
Any idea as to when the episodes will air?

Jonathan
=========================

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:53:31 +0000

Yeah, I agree that it should come down a little.

Guess I better build another one….

By: Narayan

Narayan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:50:17 +0000

I like the single stretcher a lot better. It’ll make the sawbench a lot easier to stand around (my ankles almost always find the stretchers on the version we built in Portland, Oregon). And, as you mention, it’s one less "alignment" you need to think about when sawing.

The way the single stretcher sits on the leg stretchers is a bit odd, though. It’s too proud for my tastes. Not that aesthetics are the point of this piece…

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:42:45 +0000

You can get good holding power with a holdfast on these sawbenches by gluing two 2×4 blocks (stacked) to the bottom of the underside of the top and drilling a 3/4" hole through them.

By: Jonas Jensen

Jonas Jensen — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:57:25 +0000

I made the sawbench from Woodworking Magazine, and I think that design is prettier than the new one. You also get to make drawbored tenon joints. But for a sawing class, I can see that it might be a better idea to make it in the new design.