Roubo Bench Build Part 1

     I think it is somewhat fitting that the first post on this log is the creation of a workbench.  The bench is a variant of a workbench attributed to a Andre Roubo, dating to the 18th century.  The design is thoroughly reviewed in what I consider a must read book "Workbenches: from Design & Theory to Construction & Use", Schwarz; and I highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in workbench design.

    I am endeavoring to fit an old-school work bench, in a 8' x 15' workshop, along with a few other machines; thus, there are a few restrictions on size and assembly. I decided to model the bench after a travel bench that Jameel at benchcrafted.com built. 

So to the meat, or the SYP in this case:

14 boards at 4 1/4" x 61", thickness planed down to 1 1/4" will comprise the split top.  The boards were quite a chore to rip, due to the warp even in 16' 2 x12's.   You will notice some cup, that I had to take care of using the clamps and glue.

Digging deep into the clamp selection and keeping the gallon of glue nearby, I started gluing up pairs.

Here we are coming out of the clamps, got the grain direction marked on all the boards, as I did not want the grain reversing on me when I did the finally flattening and benchtop maintenance. 

Here is where I will leave it. top planed and ready to be crosscut square.