Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench

by Sjobergs

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Built to last a lifetime, the Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench is made from slow-growing, hard Nordic birch by Sjobergs of Sweden. With a rock-solid trestle, the end frames come fully assembled with mortise and tenon joints, and the whole assembly locks together with just six bolts. The "bench dog" clamping system, steel-cored with a special plastic coating to protect your edge tools from accidental damage, is operated by a tail vise.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 79 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223QS
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: SJ1200
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,155 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great workbench for a small space., July 11, 2001

By 

Kendall S. King (Cary, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench (Tools & Home Improvement)

The craftsmanship is excellent. All the pieces fit perfectly and were very well designed. I almost want to bring it into the house because it looks better than some of our furniture.

I also purchased the Sjobergs SJ0042 Drawers and Cupboard Accessory Kit. This review is only about the workbench.

Assembly took about four hours, including the Drawer and Cupboard Accessory Kit. I expect it would have taken about half that time if I was just setting up the bench. The directions are an interesting story. There is only one sheet of paper with pictures - no text. This was a little disconcerting but I managed to figure it all out and so will you. How it fits together becomes obvious once you study it for a few minutes.

Don't buy this if you want to do really heavy duty projects like major auto repair. But I think it would meet the needs of most everyone else. I have limited space and may move in the future. This is a much better solution for me than building a permanent workbench in the garage.

Although not listed in the specification, it came with one Sjobergs ST98 Workbench Hold Fast. These are great. It holds your project very well and is easy to use. I will probably get another one. The bench dogs are also well made they have small ball-bearings which allow them to be removed and inserted with almost no force, but they hold a project very securely.

The mortise and tendon joints that hold the legs are very tight. The kit comes with a small tube of glue but does not say where to use it. I used glue only on the legs and vice handle. A little more instruction would have been helpful.

Some reviews I read for the full size bench said the top was too thin. The top is about 3 inches thick around the border, but thinner in the middle. I don't see that as a problem but some people might.

The two vices are very well made. The handle is a little smaller than I would like, but it still seems to tighten up quite well.

This is my first Sjobergs product. I would really like to work for them if all thieir products are this good.

I am surprised that Sjobergs does not seem to have a web site. This may be an issue if I ever need to replace something.

If you are thinking of building a workbench I encourage you to try one of these instead. My only suggestion to Sjobergs is to use more color coding to speed assembly and to enhance the directions.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Top Needs a Little Work, March 1, 2004

By 

William Gardner (Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench (Tools & Home Improvement)

Bench is quite small, not just in length (as expected) but in height and depth as well. Very light weight as well, may move with heavy plane or scraper use. Many (but not all) dog holes were undersized. Had to enlarge them to a full 3/4" for my nice Veritas dogs to fit. Dislike the finish on the top and it is not quite flat. For the price, not sure I would bother with this bench without the drawers and cupboard set. Should work fine until I have time to build a better one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench, January 13, 2004

By 

Robert W. Haines (NAPERVILLE, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sjobergs SJ1200 Compact Jointer Workbench (Tools & Home Improvement)

Underbuilt & overpriced. The two wood vices are "toy" like.