Is the bench really made of plywood?

No, it’s made of awesome plywood. The Cavalier is produced from 100% Baltic
Birch, the most consistent, cabinet-grade, void-free material available.

Why make a
workbench from plywood?

Baltic Birch plywood construction makes CNC manufacturing and flat-pack shipping
possible and affordable. Our bench is far less expensive than comparable solid-wood benches with no compromise in function. Our benches are strong, heavy, and durable. They come flat and stay flat. Cavalier benches don’t cup or twist with humidity changes and never need to be flattened. The Cavalier is rigid enough for planing and sawing and solid enough for chopping and pounding. It’s like a wood bench because it is wood…just a slightly different wood.

What are the
dimensions of a finished bench?

The Cavalier is 84” long, 34” high, and 24” high. Most woodworkers find they also need some space at either end of the bench, so your workspace should probably be wider than 84”.

What comes
with the bench?

When you purchase a Cavalier, you get all the bench components, including the leg-vise and planing stop. You get the vise screw, liner, handle and handle-caps. Your kit includes all the screws, pins, pegs, and drill bits you need. The bench comes drilled for standard ¾” (19mm) holdfasts, which are not included, but we recommend the Gramercy holdfasts and we use those in our benches.

What do I need
to build my bench?

You’ll need a drill/driver with a Phillips bit, a gallon of wood glue (we recommend
Titebond I), a saw (a cheap pull-saw is fine) and any hammer or mallet. You’ll also need a clear workspace around 12 square feet. The completed bench is 7 feet long, so it takes up some space. You can build your bench on the floor, but we recommend a small work-surface at waist height. You can use an old table or desk or a scrap of plywood on sawhorses, which is what we use.

Can I put my
bench outdoors?

Absolutely not. The Cavalier is immune to atmospheric humidity, but it cannot be
exposed to rain or other elements, even under a tarp. Storing your bench outside voids your warranty.

Should I
finish my bench?

Yes. We strongly recommend a film finish for all benches. A film finish makes the bench more durable, protects it from spills and liquids, and keeps it looking nice. We suggest two coats of a water-based polyurethane product. To keep your bench from getting a slippery finish, do not sand or wax the top coat. If you do not finish your bench, be aware that contact with water or other liquids may cause the plywood to swell or delaminate, damaging the structure. (A film finish is one that leaves a hard coating on top of the wood. Polyurethane and lacquer are examples of film finishes. Oils like Boiled Linseed or Tung oil are not film finishes and are not recommended. So-called “hard wax” finishes are not recommended.)

Does the
Cavalier come left-handed?

Not at this time, but we do plan on offering a left-handed model. Please join the mailing list for updates.

Does the
Cavalier have a tail-vise option?

Not at this time, but it’s something we’re considering for future models. For now,
we can recommend any cast-iron vise with a pop-up dog as a tail vise. The cavalier has a generous overhang on the top with plenty of room for installing many vises, both vintage and modern. We do not currently recommend any specific vise or offer support for installation.

Do you offer
custom options?

Not at this time. Compass Rose Benches has just one product, the Cavalier. We’re
focused on getting that product right and delivering it for the best possible price. Custom options and other designs will be available when we know we can make them to our high standards.

Where can I
keep my Cavalier?

Like all woodworking benches, the Cavalier needs a dry workshop environment with a relatively level floor. Your shop does not need to have climate control. Heat, cold, and high humidity will not damage your bench, but your workspace must be weather-tight and cannot have standing water on the floor. Flooding will damage your bench and
exposure to standing water voids your warrantee. If your shop could flood in the future, please consider placing pieces of plastic under the legs to protect them from water damage.

Can I assemble
my bench outside?

If you must, but it’s not recommended. If you don’t have sufficient indoor space
to assemble the bench, you might not have enough space to use a large workbench like the Cavalier. Assembly on a dry, level outdoor surface is possible, but if you are going to assemble outdoors, we suggest you complete the assembly in one day and immediately move the bench indoors. Do not leave any part of your bench outdoors overnight. If your bench is exposed to rain or other precipitation, your warrantee is voided and we cannot be responsible for weather-related damages. If your shop could flood in the future, please consider placing pieces of plastic under the legs to protect them from water damage.

What’s your
warrantee policy?

Compass Rose Benches provides a one-year warranty against defects in manufacturing or damages during shipping. If your bench arrives flawed or damaged, we’ll make it right. Bench components are cut once a month, so you may need to wait for replacement parts. The Cavalier is a kit and requires some skill and judgement on the part of the user. If you fail to read and understand the assembly instructions, we cannot be responsible for errors made during assembly. Defects caused by incorrect assembly may or may not be eligible for replacement parts. If you make a mistake during assembly, please send us pictures and we’ll work with you to find a solution. Please be honest with yourself about your own skill level. If you’ve never done a woodworking project before, you’re probably not ready to build a Cavalier. To get ready, we recommend a couple of simple projects like Adirondack chairs or garden benches. Simple projects like these will teach you to drill holes, drive fasteners, and accurately follow plans and instructions.

Can I return
my bench?

No. Compass Rose Benches are made-to-order and freight shipped, which makes returns impractical. We do not have a storage facility and cannot take returns. If your bench arrives damaged or defective, we will send you whatever replacement parts you need to make it right. Please do not order a bench until you’re sure you have room to store it and you’re ready to build it.

Can I cancel
my order?

Probably not. We take orders in batches and canceling an order is difficult. If you need to cancel, we’ll try our best to help, but we cannot promise cancelation.

How will my
bench be delivered?

Your bench will arrive via Less-Than-Truckload shipping, which means a large box-truck or a tractor-trailer. If your home is not accessible to a large truck, please consider having your bench shipped to a more convenient location. Your delivery includes lift-gate service, so you don’t need a loading dock. The driver will have a pallet-jack and will move your bench a reasonable distance over flat, paved surfaces. (Please consider having a gratuity ready for the truck-driver, especially if you have a long driveway.)

Once your bench is off the truck, it’s easy to unwrap it and move the components. Each part of the bench can be easily handled by an average-size adult. If your shop is in a basement, you can have your bench delivered to the garage and then move it downstairs one piece at a time. All the pieces are labeled, so there’s no danger of mixing anything up.

Your bench cannot get wet or be exposed to the rain, so please arrange delivery to a
place where it can be moved under cover right away.

How big is the
bench before it’s assembled?

The Cavalier arrives on a 4x4 shipping pallet and the stack of parts is roughly 18” high. It’s surprisingly compact. You’ll also receive a container of hardware and tools and a vise-screw in its factory package.