My clumsy introduction to the club - Chuck Chicanery!

[fjimp]

Thanks to all for the welcome.

Right now I’m looking over one a them thar Sjobergs Workbenches.

Someone is offering it for a mere $30.
(Appears to be about what it’s worth in my mind)

Looks sorta rickety, but the top might be useful added to a better built base.
But I can’t find any pictures of what it looks like underneath.

Anybody know how the top of this thing is built… Hollow, thin…?
Are the vices any good?

Should I just continue with plans to build my own?

Please allow me to include my welcome to the forum. I have one of their workbenches and like it very much. The vices are fine. My one problem being the leg bolts tend to work loose occasionally. In facgt my next project is to remove the nuts, add locktite and replace the bolts. Jim

[fiatben]

For $30 bucks you would at least have the basic stuff to build a bench to suit you if you couldn't rehab that one enough. Don't see how you can get hurt for that little money if the top is solid and the vise parts are all there.

[idcook]

Thanks Jim.

Good to know they have a happy customer. That certainly speaks in its favor and perhaps suggests that the low asking price might prove it a good deal for at least my more immediate workbench needs.

Thanks again

[idcook]

For $30 bucks you would at least have the basic stuff to build a bench to suit you if you couldn't rehab that one enough. Don't see how you can get hurt for that little money if the top is solid and the vise parts are all there.

’lo Ben,

I agree.
My main concern is whether or not the top is solid or merely gives the appearance of being solid by some means of construction deviltry. Say, the sides of the top are deeper than the actual work top.

Still, as you say, at this price I could likely urge it toward something I could be happy with.

I’m now waiting for the seller to contact me to discuss it further.

Cheers!

[jtevans]

’lo all,

I’m new to the forum and have found the reading, so far, very interesting and informative.

This, however, is my sad entry to the forum:

I just picked up an old Mark V "greenie" at pretty fair price, but can’t seem to keep a 3/4" bit locked into the drill chuck.

That is —
I purchased an Irwin 3/4" bit from my local hardware store, I loosen the chuck and open the jaws, I put the bit in, I tighten the chuck, I tighten the jaws, I drill and, though it drills the hole the bit tends to free itself from the chuck.

There, I said it (whew).

I’m perplexed. I’m not new to using a drill, though it‘s been a long long while since I’ve used anything beyond a hand power drill.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING???

Does this baby require that I only use Shopsmith bits?

I thank you for any help you can offer.

Cheers.
- idcook

PS — Thinking about handing the stockhead over to a guy who can restore it to peak condition.

I'm learning from reading different posts that there are no stupid questions. I'm also learning that there is a LOT to learn here...and I intend to learn all of it.

I too am new at this, and am looking forward to learning as much as possible.

[letterk]

I have two of the Sjobergs benches. They are Scananvian company and it is just about impossible to find their website through searching Google. I have the 53" bench and they are equivalent to what Rockler or Woodcraft sell on sale for around $300. I got it for $50 and planned on selling the second one, but I'd sure ask more than $30 for it, it's still in the box.

The bench cupboard is the same for the large 72" or 53" and can occasionally be found on clearance for $40 or less at Sears Outlet. Here is a link, Moreno Valley Ca or Fairbanks, Ak have them now. Watch and other locations may come up.

It is pretty sturdy and does what I need it to do. The cupboard pretty much replaces the cross braces, otherwise it just has a 1/8" pressboard shelf. I picked up a set of the Rocker lifting wheels so that when I set the bench down it sits on its own base.

[idcook]

I'm learning from reading different posts that there are no stupid questions. I'm also learning that there is a LOT to learn here...and I intend to learn all of it.

I too am new at this, and am looking forward to learning as much as possible.

’lo Mr. Evans,

Same here. This forum will absolutely be a daily visit for me.

[idcook]

I have two of the Sjobergs benches. They are Scananvian company and it is just about impossible to find their website through searching Google. I have the 53" bench and they are equivalent to what Rockler or Woodcraft sell on sale for around $300. I got it for $50 and planned on selling the second one, but I'd sure ask more than $30 for it, it's still in the box.

It is pretty sturdy and does what I need it to do. The cupboard pretty much replaces the cross braces, otherwise it just has a 1/8" pressboard shelf. I picked up a set of the Rocker lifting wheels so that when I set the bench down it sits on its own base.

'lo letterk,

Yes, I’ve been hoping to find a schematic or maybe photos showing the underside of the bench but having no luck. Still, your and an earlier post have led me to believe that it’s a basically decent bench that can be strengthened well enough to not fall to pieces.

At this price there really isn’t much risk involved.

I’ll look into the cupboard.

Thanks for chiming in.

[wa2crk]

I had one of the Sjoberg's workbenches and consider it too light. Any time I did any heavy work on it, it scooted across the floor. Weight is a good ally in a workbench. I have one that I built using plans from The TV show Woodsmith Shop that has four thicknesses of MDF for the top and straight grain souther yellow pine for the frame. Heavyyyy!!! But it won't move when I lean on it hard.
[ATTACH]20551[/ATTACH]

The photo shows the new bench and the old Sjoberg's bench. The new one has more that twice the work area of the old one.
Bill V
P.S. To answer a question; yes the Sjoberg's bench is only thick around the edges. The center section is only about 3/4 inch thick. Nice hobby bench but definitely NOT heavy duty. JMHO.

[idcook]

[quote="wa2crk"]I had one of the Sjoberg's workbenches and consider it too light. Any time I did any heavy work on it, it scooted across the floor. Weight is a good ally in a workbench. I have one that I built using plans from The TV show Woodsmith Shop that has four thicknesses of MDF for the top and straight grain souther yellow pine for the frame. Heavyyyy!!! But it won't move when I lean on it hard.
[ATTACH]20551[/ATTACH]

The photo shows the new bench and the old Sjoberg's bench. The new one has more that twice the work area of the old one.
Bill V
P.S. To answer a question]

BOOM!

Thank You wa2crk!

Though I might not want to have a bench quite as large as your new one the weight issue did concern me. Thanks especially for answering the question regarding the thickness of the top. 3/4" is a lot thinner compared to the one I planned to build.

That said, if the seller ever gets back to me, I might still pick up the Sjoberg. For the price it could still serve as a useful work and tool surface.

Thanks again for your help.