Thread: WIP - Groggy's Workbench

Originally Posted by KevM

Been a tad quiet for the past week Greg, too cold for the shed perhaps??

Maybe researching for Mk11??

Have a look at this site, some nice benches, also a video of one of his production models demonstrating its use...

Richard's benches are truly to be admired, I've dropped in there a few times for a drool; first-class workmanship and design.

Work on my bench has been slowed a little as I have not been able to flip the top. This was finally done mid-week and I have commenced scrubbing the top. The end-caps sat approximately 4mm proud of the surface so they took an evening to bring close to flush. Now I need to work out the high points; it looks like the top has a slight 'spoon' to it which is great as it means I get to plane down the nicks around the edges.

I still have a lot of holes to patch on the top surface and a gum line that I would like to remove, plus the skirts need to be squared and the dovetails dressed back to flush.

Got a fair workout today, it was about 6 degrees in the shed and I had a pretty good sweat up . Roughed down the top and the edges of the end caps to reveal the dovetails. The top is almost there but you can see there are still a few slightly low points, mainly at the front left.

There are a few chunks out of the edge of the end cap near the wagon vise. This is ok as the edge has a bit more work to go (and I will be more careful from here on). Also, it will be radiused so the divots will disappear.

Planing the end grain on the side is challenging and tiring, still more to go until it is where I want it to be. The dovetails are looking better without all the glue on them. I am hoping that once they are finished there will be greater contrast between the end and long grain, the end grain should darken a lot more.

I should point out that the wagon vise block is temporary while I am working on the bench as I wanted to use it a few times. It will be replaced by one where the hole is in the correct position.

EDIT: During the planing process I have broken through into two soft spots where there is some dry rot. I took a lot of care when putting the timbers together so the worst bits were hidden. I thought I would plane into the softer wood one day so I guess it is sooner than expected. I'll need to rout the section out until I have good timber to insert a patch into. Just one of those things when working very old reclaimed timber I guess. This is why the timber is a bench and not furniture, too many defects and plugs in it.

Originally Posted by Groggy

...... I am hoping that once they are finished there will be greater contrast between the end and long grain, the end grain should darken a lot more.

I wouldn't be too worried Grog - when you put the oil or whatever finish you intend to apply, on it, the end/side grain contrast increases dramatically with porous woods. Even on a relatively tight-grained species, contrast usually steps up a notch or three.
Cheers,

Originally Posted by Groggy

There are a few chunks out of the edge of the end cap near the wagon vise. This is ok as the edge has a bit more work to go (and I will be more careful from here on).

Once the edge has a few saw cuts in it and you've hammered a few bent nails straight on the bench, you'll never notice the rest of the damage.

Many years ago, I competed in motorcycle trials on an ex-Sammy Miller 250 Bultaco. Bultaco announced they were bringing out a new 325 model, but I decided not to order one until I was a more competent rider as I didn't mind damaging the 250 while I gained experience, but I didn't want to put a mark on a new 325. I eventually bought a 325 (one of the first) and entered in an international trial at the Conlig Lead Mines in Northern Ireland. The new bike was much admired and one of the top English riders who was looking it over jokingly said that it wasn't a proper trials bike until it had been dropped. I tossed it down a 30' drop later that day.

Don't be too worried about the appearance of the bench Groggy; it will be very difficult to work on it if you're constantly worried about its preservation. It's good to see it drawing near completion.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Don't be too worried about the appearance of the bench Groggy; it will be very difficult to work on it if you're constantly worried about its preservation. It's good to see it drawing near completion.

I am not concerned about the appearance of the bench once it goes into use, I think I said that 700 odd posts ago

What bothers me a bit is the fact that I am using this as a learning piece and I made an error I would rather not have. If it was a piece of furniture those divots would be unacceptable. I was getting tired and continued straight with the plane over the end cap instead of skewing it and running up the grain as the grain direction changed. Maybe I can do that on a 135mm thick bench but it could ruin a 1/2" board.

Regarding the trials bikes, a mate of mine used to ride his bike up and down a big tree at my place to practice; those riders have incredible skills.

Looking good

Home stretch

I'd fill the gum pockets with coffee and two part epoxy or even clear epoxy - but then I like the odd gum pocket in a table top.

What plane are you using for the end grain?

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

What plane are you using for the end grain?

Well, so far I have used the HNT jointer, a Stanley #4 with an Academy Saw Works blade, a LN #62, LN Low angle smoother finely set and a LN low angle block *very* finely set.

Originally Posted by Groggy

What bothers me a bit is the fact that I am using this as a learning piece and I made an error I would rather not have.

Best way to learn, the more ramifications the error the better! Some of the most obscure facts I can still recall from exams 15-16 years ago, because I made a mistake then, will never forget the scientific name of the paralysis tick again!
I'm sure the best furniture makers around still bugger boards on a weekly basis!

Beautiful bench BTW.... you will likely be the only one who will notice any imperfections....

Originally Posted by Groggy

Planing the end grain on the side is challenging and tiring, still more to go until it is where I want it to be. The dovetails are looking better without all the glue on them.

FWIW Groggy,

After going to great lengths to perfect the end-grain finish on my dovetails, I have found that with the massive swings in humidity we have had in Sydney over the last year or so, it is seldom that they remain perfectly flush.

regards

This is a great bench

I have only just discovered this thread. Wow, this is exactly why I joined this forum! Incredible work Groggy. I will continue to watch in amazement.

Danny

Originally Posted by Wongo

This is a great bench

No Wongo - it's a great BIG bench!!

Originally Posted by Alastair

FWIW Groggy,

After going to great lengths to perfect the end-grain finish on my dovetails, I have found that with the massive swings in humidity we have had in Sydney over the last year or so, it is seldom that they remain perfectly flush.

regards

Alastair, the dovetails are epoxied together so hopefully that will be fairly stable. The remainder of the end cap is not glued and is able to slide along the end of the bench if it moves.

The big dovetails meant it was a challenge to get them dead square. Once they were cut the inner face of the skirt had to be planed to match the bench when engaged in the dovetails.

Finally, after assembly and glue-up there was a minor out-of-square between the top and the skirt face. I had one of my few remaining friends over yesterday and he helped me drop the top back onto its side so I could plane it. This is now complete. Pics later.