Thread: WIP - Groggy's Workbench

I saw these a while back and they have me interested. Has anyone used one of these? How do they age, do they loosen up or remain usable? It certainly has features I like, quick engagement and square opening, but it doesn't appear able to take angled stock as the parallel guide is dowelled. It would seem better to me if the bottom of the guide was permanently pinned but the top pin (dowel) was removable, thus allowing the leg to cant and take an item with a bevel.

The handscrew could be in a pivot with a slot cut in the other side to allow some travel at odd angles.



On top of the bench I also like their wagon vise, trouble is the cost is a prohibitive $350USD and shipping from the states is at near record highs.

EDIT: Oops, link here

Grog, I had a look at the wagon and decided against it. Kind of expensive, and also I don't like the idea of constantly working over the gap. Although I did like the wheel handle.

Spent about $40 at Carbatec for traditional tail vise hardware, a few bits of scrap and a kind of interesting project later had a working tail vise. Domino dogs completed it for me.

Attachment 117124

Cheap and cheerful, gets the job done, had some fun along the way, what more could a bloke ask for?

The leg vise looks cool, and probably does a great job. Chris Schwarz is a fan. I like being able to replace the blocks in my old cheap vise, but perhaps if I had a lovely leg vise I would take better care of it.

I think your extraordinary bench really calls out for extraordinary vises. Maybe a tail vise with large, half blind London pins and a carved dragons head along the front, a cool Roubo style leg vise, maybe flutes on the outside, ogee routed on the edges. You know you want to.....

Tex

I have to agree about the price, though I do like the vises.

Originally Posted by TexB

Maybe a tail vise with large, half blind London pins and a carved dragons head along the front, a cool Roubo style leg vise, maybe flutes on the outside, ogee routed on the edges. You know you want to.....

You are starting to sound like Woodwould

BTW, nice use of the domino dogs

Originally Posted by Groggy

You are starting to sound like Woodwould

Yikes! Shipping is around $200 USD

Are you sure that's not the return fare?

Was reading an article on vices with "steering wheel" handles. Apparently very good for very quick adjustment.

I guess if you put a mast on one of those benches, hitched a rudder to the wheel mechanism and hoisted a sail. it would cos you zip t bring it over.

Slow day today, sanded down the frame and put the second coat of Minwax on it. It doesn't look any different

If it feels dry tomorrow I'll dull it down and put some wax on it. Then I can dissemble the WOB and re-make it for its new home behind the TS as an outfeed and sanding bench.

I had to load the bench up with junk to make room for the old wobbly bench to be rebuilt as an out feed table/sanding bench behind the table saw. It now has the clamps in position beneath the shelf and the bench weighs a ton. As you can see, the clamp slide mechanisms are covered by the side rail and will not get covered in dust and other junk. Next job on the list will be putting labels on them as I don't know how long they are

Well I have just two things to say, 1. Nothing like a bench festooned with festools and 2. Groggy the finish on your top rails is really lousy

No doubt about it Groggy, that is one schmick set up!!!

The bit of skite with all that Festering tool stuphph is forgiven.

Well Groggy,

If that is a bench loaded up with 'junk', I want some junk. I will take that juck off your hands, in particular those horrible grey boxes with lime green clips. Theu don't suit the new bench at all.

Just kidding. Looking good Groggy. Clamp rack looks very neat, almost don't notice it, and saves some wall space too.

Am keen to see what vices you decide upon. I like the tail vise like TEX has but am not sure just how they rate for usefulness, (depends on you type of work I guess).

Keep us posted.... And if you eve want to get rid of the 'junk',...

Cheers
Pops

Kind of you to offer to look after my junk, but I couldn't possibly impose on you like that, no, not at all.

Vises will include a leg vise and a wagon vise probably. Maybe a LV or wooden Holzappfel style twin screw at the end, I really haven't decided. Those Benchcrafted vises are really nice, I wish I hadn't seen them now Since the top will take ages to make maybe I can put aside a little each fortnight (should only take ten years).

Putting the clamps under the bench has saved a large amount of space. I notice I can take an extra step into the corner where they used to live.

Greg looking very good.

Thats a bother with the clamps maybe a differnt color paint stripe for each different lenght

Must say dont like the choice of Vinyl on the bench base maybe more appropriate would have been a more woody peice like you see with flooring