In September 2005 we moved from Charleston, South Carolina to our new
home in a suburb of Savannah, Georgia.
Our new home didn't have a workbench!!.
I found myself missing the built-in bench that we left behind.
I've always thought of the work area as a place to make small repairs or even
tackle some very large projects.
Weekends were spent helping Emily to organize and getting our daughter,
Nina, settled in, not to mention the new 1 1/2 acre lawn calling out for
attention! Emily wanted so badly to find me a work ready Bench.
All she could find was a metal workbench with a very thin top. There
was nothing available of any substance to buy locally or online. While she paid
a premium for it, I was overjoyed with her thoughtfulness. I was so excited
until I had to put this 250 some odd pieces of mostly metal together.
I think there was more excitement in seeing the colorful box than the finished
product. It was shaky. The drawers didn't fit right. The worst part was the day
I had to hammer out a part from my lawnmower. The sounds of metal parts
jingling with every hit caught the attention of everyone within 100 yards. I
simply could not understand why one would be forced to buy this type of
product made in some third world country only to have this type of
disappointment.
Needless to say, this was the beginning of my quest to create a simple,
well made workbench, easy to assemble, and that would withstand abuse and
yet be the center of attention in my workspace.
The original "Big John" workbench, "Made in America" was born. What
began as a frustration is now a thriving business. We have had orders from all
over the country to produce the "Big John"
 | | September 2005 ~ The Big John Designed.
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 | | August 2006 ~ Website and Shop created.
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 | | September 2006 ~ The first products ordered and delivered.
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 | | January 2007 ~ We moved back to Charleston, we missed |
| | it so much.
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 | | June 2007 ~ We sold our 200th bench!
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 | | March 2008 ~ We moved to our commercial shop location |
| | on Signal Point Road.
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 | | June 2008 ~ We sold our 540th Workbench! And added the |
| | Palmetto Workstation inspired by the "Serve You" Corp of Wisconsin!
|
 | | November~ We reached our 610th benchmark.
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 | | January 2009~ We have expanded to an additional 1,500 |
| | Square feet of Industrial space which will allow for dedicated finishing and shipping space.
|
 | | June 2009~ We added 2 more Workbench products to our |
| | line of custom benches-- The Gardeners Bench, and the Palmetto Grande!
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 | | July 2009~ Coming Soon~ The Constitution Reload Bench!
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 | | July 2009~ We have negotiated and additional 3,000 sq ft |
| | for our shops. We will now have 4500 sq ft of manufacturing opportunity.
|
 | | September 2009 we sold our 1700th Bench.
|
 | | December 2009 ~ New ! Jewelers Bench.
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 | | January 2010 ~We introduced Hard Rock Maple tops on All |
| | of our Workbenches to enhance the longevity and value.
|
 | | December 2010~ We are growing! We have added 3 new |
| | staff members to create Benches. Our production is currently 24 benches every 12 Days,
|
 | | January 2011~ Lyman Products has endorsed our reload |
| | products and placed our "Constitution" on the Cover of their catalog.
|
 | | Introducing the Ben Franklin "Low Boy" Hobby Bench.
|
 | | See us at the N.R.A. Show in Pittsburgh, PA ~ Booth 3511.
|
 | | September 2011 We just added 1,500 SQ Ft to our shop
|
 | | giving us a total of 6,000 Sq Ft
|
We hope that you enjoy our site and do hope that should you purchase one of
our American Handmade Workbenches and that you find it to be the center of
attention in your garage or work area, that you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
John, Emily, and Nina Zirpola





John Zirpola- Founder, Bench
Designer, Bench Top Builder.
Joe Watkins - Legs and Shelves,
Quality Control.
Emily Zirpola- helping Nina Zirpola - Box staining and sorcerer's
apprentice! Bibity Bobity...ummmm she still has to stain the boxes!
Our Newest addition to our product group! The Ben Franklin~ This is a
versatile bench that can assist in handling any project that calls for
intense organization. Side pockets, pigeon holes, and top shelf assist in
keeping even the most intricate project in control.
Joe and Rocky with assembled Reload Benches ready to ship . . . . note
the smiles, they all fit together perfectly! Yes!
Coming Soon~ Our Largest Reloader! 36" x 96"!!!!!!!!
A Little Bit of Our History
Copyright © 2005–2011 American Workbench, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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