The Workbench

Contemporary Bench Makers
121
Lee Valley Tools
Canadian tool company Lee Valley Tools has
taken a unique approach to its workbench
products. Like many other tool dealers, the
company sells a wide variety of workbench
accessories and components. But when it
comes to a bench for general woodworking, Lee
Valley offers one very well designed model. The
only options are cast-iron legs or hardwood legs.
The designers of the Vertitas Workbench
System were not afraid to reinvent the bench.
It doesn’t matter that it doesn’t look exactly like
traditional benches. In fact, the only feature of
this workbench that’s conventional by European
standards is the front vise.
The deciding factor in the Vertitas design is
practicality. Most tool trays fill up with workshop
trash. No problem for the Vertitas bench;
its center tray is open on one end so debris is
easily removed. Two slabs on each side of the
tray provide more even support for wide work
than a traditionally located back tray. A fullwidth
twin-screw end vise prevents racking,
and the four rows of bench dog holes make
clamping anything from a single board to wide
panels easy. And, yes, the inventors of Bench
Pups offer round bench dogs. Truss rods come
with both the cast iron and the hardwood base
for keeping the assembly tight and rigid.
Laguna Tools
Laguna Tools president Torben Helshoj understands
what woodworkers need in a bench
because he is a woodworker himself. His line of
workbenches are made to his design and are
imported from Europe. Laguna benches are on
the traditional side. They feature thick tops
of European beech with conventional front and
tail vises. But, like nearly every modern bench
manufacturer, Laguna offers round bench dogs.
They are angled both to capture the work and
to hold it down on the benchtop.
The classic workbench is available in two
sizes—5 ft. and 7 ft.—to suit most workshops.
Laguna’s Signature Series bench is a beautiful
full-size, heavy bench with lots of drawer space
below and a massive top. Tool tray fans will like
the ramps at each end of Laguna tool trays,
__________________________
IRONICALLY, WOOD-
WORKING IS A RATHER
UNCOMMON ACTIVITY for
someone in the woodworking
tool business.
Laguna Tools president
Torben Helshoj knows
benches because he’s a
woodworker himself,
and designed a line
of benches accordingly.