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Thread: Bench build way overdue
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2nd April 2021, 09:06 PM #1
Bench build way overdue
I'm making progress on a workbench, it's from a plan I found on this Forum, Lon Schleining's plan in Fine Woodworking of 2004, with some changes.
First I needed to get some affordable hardwood, the best option was to buy from Daniel here in the Marketplace who had lots of NG Rosewood for sale up in the hills. Heavens only knows how long the timber had been sitting there, I started cleaning it up on the thicknesser, you can see in the first photo. The base required sixteen mortise and tenon joints, you can see some of the joinery in process in the photos, I did end up using a jig to keep the sides vertical / flat. The two trestle legs near completion are shown, I pinned then top and bottom with 16mm dowels. They're not going anywhere!
I decided not to glue the stretchers in case I ever need to knock the bench down, so I put forked tenons on each end of the bearers, first time I've done this. You can see the idea in the fourth image. When I put the base together, I was really amazed to see how well this works and how solid the base is, bloody marvelous! The last photo shows the completed base, forks were prettied up a bit and the whole thing given a good BLO + turps finish.
I am still working on the top, need to edge the 2" planks, glue up then think about attaching the front and tail vices. I am enjoying it! Why did I put it off for so long??? Actually, I know why, as I am moving more toward the darkside with hand tools, I really do need a proper bench, that's why. But I'm just a hobbyist also.
Cheers
SwiftySwifty
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3rd April 2021, 09:06 AM #2GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Swifty. Looks great and clever wedge design for your stretchers. Cant wait to see more photos!
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3rd April 2021, 10:42 AM #3
This sure isn't going to be "just another bench build", its going to be special
The person who never made a mistake never made anything
Cheers
Ray
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22nd April 2021, 04:35 PM #4
With the cooling temperatures in Perth it has meant better quality time in the shed. SWMBO gave me a job making a kitchen shelf for her, so a little delay in advancing with the bench. But I have managed to straighten out the planks for the bench top, in the end I used a 2.7 meter straight edge and a 7" circular saw to trim the edges flat and square. Ughh, horrible noisy dusty job it was too, I didn't enjoy that part at all! Look at that mess! Anyway, I now have seven flat edges that I can use to rip on the table saw prior to gluing up the top. They're standing on edge in the photos below, ultimately they will be probably 48 mm thick, which will be enough for me.
Swifty
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9th May 2021, 12:11 PM #5
Making the top
I have now ripped all the boards for the top and glued together. I started to plane the top surface, but I doubted my ability to completely flatten it using hand planes and winding sticks alone (more like fiddlesticks in my case, I thought to myself...). Maybe I'll get there one day. As a flat reference surface is the most important aspect of a bench, why bother to make one if it won't be flat? So I rigged up a stainless steel square section frame and made a sled for the router, and used a 50mm surface planing bit in my router and proceeded to flatten. It worked quite well, there were a few minor ridges between the passes which easily sanded out using 80 grit in a ROS. I ended up with a truly flat bench top! And a dusty mess everywhere in the workshop, so although successful it wasn't particularly enjoyable, but never mind. The final thickness was a smidgen over 45 mm, so just "qualifying" for the 1 3/4" class suitable for bench dogs.
Next up is to do the end caps and apron, and attach the tail and front vices.Swifty
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9th June 2021, 05:44 PM #6
End caps Aprons and tail vise
The end cap for the tail vise is fixed via a tongue and groove, and fixed with two cylinder bolts. The apron has had its dovetails cut and the Veritas twin-screw tail vise has had its initial install. The end is in sight now, just a bit more joinery, other end cap and attaching the quick-release front vise to go, then drill the dog holes and then a final coat of BLO.
Swifty
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11th June 2021, 09:53 PM #7
Nice Ive just Installed the Veritas Twin Vice also and Love it I pushed mine out to maximum length and love the Versatility it brings to the Bench got to say I neally lost the locking clip on the chain 2-3 times before she snapped into place! Fun huh
Just Do The Best You Can With What You HAve At The Time
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21st June 2021, 12:23 PM #8
Half blind dovetail
Yes Lou I like the veritas vise, can't wait to put it to proper use!
Meantime I have completed the pins for the half-blind dovetail at the Tail Vise end of the bench. A reasonable fit, the view from above shows I need to take a bit more off the inside of the inside of the dovetails - 3/16" ought to do it - to get the apron flush with the side of the top. I thought that would be easier than deepening the gaps between the pins, and I really don't want to take the end cap off again, it can stay there forever now.Swifty
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6th July 2021, 01:00 PM #9
Blackwood & Rosewood Bench - Complete
The other end cap and apron were fitted, and then the dog holes were drilled. The quick-release front vise was installed, in the photo the top has been turned upside down to do this. The top is screwed on to the tressels. The whole thing has been given BLO + turps finish. All that was left to do was turn the crank for the front vise, which I did using blackwood. I am hopeful this bench will help me a lot, and it is a big improvement on what I had previously. I can't believe I took so long to make one. Just need to reorganize the shed now...or maybe get ready for my next project, Building My New Shed! Thanks for reading,
Cheers
SwiftySwifty
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6th July 2021, 02:20 PM #10
That's a very nice bench Swifty, it will repay the effort many times over.
Cheers, Bob the labrat
Measure once and.... the phone rings!
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7th July 2021, 11:07 AM #11Senior Member
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Swifty,
That NG Rosewood looks a real treat! You lucky ducky!
Cheers,
Siggy
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