Work Bench Skirts

**kivlor** · 22nd May 2018, 11:09 AM

G'day, long time listener, first time caller!

I've been getting into hand tool work more and have decided to build myself a workbench. I want something solid that won't slide all over the place.

I've come up with this design and I'm after some ideas/criticism/feed back:

Screen Shot 2018-05-22 at 09.25.55.jpg

The bulk of the bench will be pine with tassie oak for the skirts. I'm a little stuck trying to figure out the best way to attach the skirts though. Here's my thoughts:

- glue the long skirts up with the rest of the top. attach the shorts skirts with lag screws
- attach all the skirts with lag screws. dove/finger joint the corners
- drop the long skirts from the design. attempt a 'roubo' style dove tail for the ends

I'm also thinking of adding a twin screw vice to the end so that will play into it.

**old1955** · 22nd May 2018, 03:46 PM

Welcome to the forum.

**Arron** · 22nd May 2018, 04:37 PM

I would keep the long skirts and drop the short skirts. Fix the long skirts with glue and bolts with recessed heads.

Deep skirts on the main working side of the bench are really useful, for example to clamp long boards to when edge planing.

For the twin screw vice, the illustrated short skirt will be of marginal value - better to fit one designed from scratch for your vice.

And, despite the massiveness of the timbers you are planning to use, I’d still provide extra defence against racking, especially if using softwood legs.

Also, welcome.

**rustynail** · 22nd May 2018, 08:41 PM

To me, I see little purpose in the end skirts. The side skirts are a standard on most benches and have a multitude of uses. If they are attached so they can be removed for redressing as and when required, it also allows for the bench to be rejuvenated when needed with a quick pass through a sander.

**kivlor** · 23rd May 2018, 09:22 AM

Thanks for the feedback Arron and rusty

I dropped the short skirts and added the vice jaw:

Screen Shot 2018-05-23 at 08.19.14.jpg

Also, maybe skirt isn't the right word to use...

**tony_A** · 23rd May 2018, 09:49 AM

Always liked short skirts but not on a bench. Don't like anything that will interfere with your ability to clamp work to the bench.
Tony

**kivlor** · 30th June 2018, 09:43 PM

I've finally finished 'phase 1' of the bench. The 'skirts' turned in to hardwood outers. My thinking is the edges of the bench will take a bit more of a beating. Using hardwood should hold up better

36530390_2060868034180622_1281084093223665664_n.jpg 35575031_211445862833471_3628509476853645312_n.jpg

**KeithP** · 1st July 2018, 12:56 AM

That's a good looking bench, I'm sure it will serve you well.

Regards
Keith

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