Thread: New Guinea Rosewood Workbench.

Originally Posted by hotspur

how they connect the long rails to the ends,using a bolt and and grove/hole in the long lengths to tighten up,has anyone done this here-looks like a good way to bolt things up,I'd like to try this,If any one has experience doing this,could you give some pointers.

Hello hotspur,
I've done those joints a lot on benches, and pretty simple really. They get used a lot on equipment like weaving looms, for dismantling purposes, but also to retighten when joints become loose from working stresses. Sometimes you see the bolts used in conjunction with stub tenons- I've never worried about it, but locating dowels also work. Use a LONG bolt so the nut finishes well away from the end of the rail.
All I do is drill a hole through the leg nice and square, in the middle of the width; drill a blind hole with a Forstner bit in the rail where you want the nut to finish up, using the bolt as guide to position (drill over halfway through, so the nut lines up with the middle of the timber); line the pieces up and continue drilling through the leg hole, using it as a guide, until the spade bit breaks through the blind hole. I have inserted lengths of metal tubing into the blind hole before, and drill the long hole through it as well. Was thinking it would spread the load of the nut, but don't sweat on it, just use a square nut so it bites in to the timber and not spin. Also make sure you use a flat washer under the bolt head.

Good luck!

Thanks Andy Mac,some very useful thoughts there-One I had not factored in-so will make sure the bolts are LONG to keep nut as far away as possible from end grain.

Hi Hotspur

Am I right in assuming that you will use NG Rosewood for your bench because you have the timber? It sure will make one hell of an attractive workbench! Almost too pretty to use.

Although rosewood is a generic hardwood, it is a very soft hardwood, in many ways comparable to pines. It will dent easily; did you factor this into your considerations?

When I left PNG in 1980 I left my custom built office furniture - desk, chairs, table, cabinets - all from highly figure kwilla. Still regret this. Kwilla is as tough as anything and can be as pretty as rosewood.

My existing bench is very rough tas oak; a "proper" workbench is on the too do list. Am currently thinking in terms of a fairly bland, light coloured timber. Do not want my efforts to be distracted by the bench - too pretty to bash....

Probably have not helped you.

Cheers

Graeme

NG Rosewood is a beautiful wood and I am sure there are better things to make than a workbench. A workbench is a workbench right? I think it is not a good use of such beautiful wood, but then again it is none of my business.

Also, it is too soft for a workbench.

Originally Posted by Wongo

Also, it is too soft for a workbench.

Are you going to make a bid for his rosewood?

Thanks for your feed back and thoughts,I was not aware that it was considered soft like pine-I have not used it much,but on the small jobs I have done with it I thought it fairly hard-I have made some adjustable height telescope viewing chairs-see image.

I have a fair amount of it in stock-and not too many uses for it,but would like a nice work bench for once in my life,and not one made with left overs.So that was why I am thinking of using it-by the time I sold it and re bought other timber-I'd most likely loose out,having material available and spare for immediate use,does sway me to use it.Also I notice it comes in 'two' versions honey brown colour and really 'beat root purple red colour' the later being harder

Thanks Chris

You may want to rethink your wood choice.

My next workbench will be a light timber. Current one is Jarrah and Karri (because I had it), but it is too dark and a light wood would reflect light better.

Regards from Perth

Derek