Thread: Sawdust Maker’s Bench Build

The time has come said Hanrahan (ok we’ll all be rooned the walrus said!) About bluudy time have said others.

I’ve read the works of the masters: Schwarz, Landis, Schleining, Groggy, kman-oz, BozInOz and NCArcher etc. I’m reading Scharwz No2 at the moment.

I’m looking at building a bench approx 7’6” long, 30” wide and about 35-36” tall (ie 2300 x 760 x 900 mm for those born sometime after me). Sort of in the Groggy style but with, maybe, a split benchtop and probably (most likely) not as heavy. And I sincerely hope this doesn’t take as long as Groggy’s; But then I’ve been planning this for a while.

I like the idea of a leg vice and an end vice. And I’m reasonably sure I’ll use both. I’ve a Record screw etc which I’ve had for some time and which I’ll use for the screw mechanism for a leg vice.

I’d also like an end vice – at the moment it's a toss up between the Hovarter and a Veritas twin-screw. My preference is the Hovarter, but there are no user reports 6 months or 1 year on. Frustrating really and as it is new technology I am a tad concerned about longevity. It seems to be well made and engineered but who knows?

Split Bench?

My big question is whether I can use a full width end vice on a split bench top. My thought is to have a full width dovetailed end cap spanning the whole end and thus the gap between the two top pieces. The top would then be held in place with a mortise and tenon on each leg and with cleats in grooves on top stretchers towards the gap. Any expansion of the tops would then be taken care of towards the middle. The dovetailed ends would only be glued or pinned at each end to cater for movement.

Wheels

This bench has to be moveable and often moveable. My shed is too small for a stationary bench. I like to do a lot of my woodwork out under the carport. Thus “wheels” and I know the lockable ones aren’t brilliant, so I am looking at some sort of lift idea or chocking arrangement. I’ll work it out – I hope.

Other stuff

Sliding deadman/deadwoman, holddowns (I like the look of the gramercy) , ¾” Benchdogs, most likely homemade. I’ve a Record Holdfast which I’ll probably use on the face of the right front leg.

I’ve sourced some 2 x 4 and 3 x 4 hardwood (could be spotty gum) for the top – planed down it will be about 3½ to 3¾ “ thick. I’ve also got some old fence posts which I will laminate for the legs and I expect will be around the 5 x 5” dimension. I’ve started the denailing process which is discussed elsewhere.

Here's the wood for the top
Attachment 173300 Attachment 173304

and here's the fence posts for the legs
Attachment 173301 Attachment 173302

Everything got rained on over the weekend and this week - so I've been delayed and as I've said this will take some time. Many sleeps