Thread: Ben's new workbench

Plenty of 4thought, looking 4ward to further progress

Ok, this project finally has gained some more momentum! I had planned to get it all finished with a few days, but as I had managed the hurt my shoulder lifting weights at the gym I spent most of my time off work over the holidays at the physio instead of in the shop :/

Anyways, here is the progress thus far;

Pic 1 - The substructure support for the 2 sheets of 16mm mdf.

Pic 2 - The legs (on double locking castors) and the lower rails Kreg'd in place.

Pic 3 - The legs are coach-bolted to the top strucure should I ever need to take the bench apart. There are another 2 bolts on the other side too, ie 4 10x150mm bolts per leg. All harware has been recessed to allow for the hardwood skirts to go over the top.

The one sheet of mdf has been Kreg'd into place from beneath. The harwood skirt will wrap around all 4 sides of the bench, and extend 16mm above the first sheet of mdf. That way I can just drop the second sheet in from above and put a few screws in from the bottom to hold it in place, facilitating easy replacement if/when it is required.

As of tonight, I have the hardwood skirts on, the second mdf layer in place, the legs have had 2 coats of paint and the top/skirts have had 2 coats of lacquer. Of course I forgot to take a picture of it all assembled prior to me starting the finishing process, so you will just have to wait until it is done to see the end result

Ok. I'll wait.

Well, between a thousand and one other projects, and being put on shed time sanctions to plan the engagement party I have ALMOST finished the bench!

I had a mate around yesterday helping pull an engine out so while he was here I made extra use of hime and got him to hold the vacuum whilst I drilled all the holes for the bench dogs. 27 holes later and I am now left with 2 decisions... to laquer or not to laquer the lower shelf and what the hell to do in regards to handles for the vices. The paint I used was Dulux True Blue, which is a dead ringer for Carbatec blue, so the bench wil match al the machinery too

Anyways, here is the progress thus far. I probably should of dusted the top of the bench a bit better prior to taking the photo, but you get the general idea.

Originally Posted by socratous

The paint I used was Dulux True Blue, which is a dead ringer for Carbatec blue, so the bench wil match al the machinery too

Thanks ...... I was just in the garage and thought that I would need some touch up paint to match the Carbatec blue .... just by chance I clicked on this tread to have a look at the workbench and there was the answer to the question I hadn't even asked yet

Nice job.
And there's no such thing as too many threads on workbenches...

Very nice work.

Engagement party??? Me thinks if your asked to use this fine crafted work bench as a serving table for its first outing, you'll wreck your "man brand" or so the beer add says! . Some thing about finger foods and frilly table cloths should be kept well away! Should you lacquer the shelf ? I Would , unless the motor oil bottle mysteriously falls over , it'll smell manly for months. Thus no engagement party duties!

nice bench

Dulux have obviously ran out of catchy names for blue paint. The trim on my house is 'shade of blue' - very original

I'd seal the shelf given the work you'll be doing

Yeah, that's what I'm leaning towards as well. I'll bust out the estapol on the weekend should I have 5 minutes to myself!

and ask for a bench grinder for a wedding present!

Top looking bench Socratus!!

Methinks SM has the right idea for a wedding pressie!

Don't laugh
1st marriage they were sitting around discussing what to put on the bridal registry
Someone said 'ironing board'
I said "why - what's wrong with the table etc we use now!"
she (best broad) said: "well what do you want?"
I said "hmm, bench grinder"
"what's that got to do with settting up house?"
"sharpening stuff, kitchen knives, axes etc."
"OK"

so a couple of the mates got the bench grinder for us.

funny thing is after we split up I ended up with the ironing board as well ... and the bench grinder is still going great - after these 30 odd years! Thanks Rod, Jen, John & Sue for some reason I can't recall who gave the ironing board

Big step up from the old "bench". Nice work.