Thread: WIP - Groggy's Workbench

Since the timber is looking very dry I applied a coat of BLO. Always like it when the grain pops, even on plain, hotch potch timbers like these. One thing I should have thought about when using an eclectic mix of timbers is the finishing. I was going to apply a stain to darken up the lighter timber a bit but I had some interesting results after using some sanding sealer. The shellac had different set rates with the various timbers and on the front right leg it didn't harden properly, instead it remained a bit soft and clogged the sandpaper.

So I think now that the finish will be just oil and then some wipe on poly. Any other ideas? Anyone?

Originally Posted by Groggy

So I think now that the finish will be just oil and then some wipe on poly.

Sounds like the go to me.

Me too.

When it gets dinged up, just wipe on another coat.

Tex

You know it is after all a work bench. Does it really matter what is looks like with the finish?

Just waiting for the wave of response from the last statement.

Your right of course, it is just a bench, but it is also a learning platform for me. That is why there are some wacko features on seconds timber spliced together to make a frame. I have no illusions this is high art

Originally Posted by Christos

Just waiting for the wave of response from the last statement.

No, I think you probably have a lot of us nodding in agreement, Christos. While we all like to dress up our creations, a workbench is really just a tool, & one of the more important ones, too. So while I take care of mine, I don't get too hung up about the inevitable small dings it cops. Though I did throw a minor tantrum at my own stupidity the day I sat a router down without un-plunging the bit properly, as (I thought) I flicked the switch off.....

Yep - BLO is a good choice if that's what you like. I prefer a "Danish" type 'cos they dry faster, & generally don't darken as much with age. Follow up with a good waxing. Re-waxing the top every now & then makes it easy to remove the dollops of glue & various compounds that drop on it - just flick them off with a scraper when they harden. (It also means you have to clear everything off the top of it at least once a year to do the waxing..... )

Cheers,

Originally Posted by IanW

It also means you have to clear everything off the top of it at least once a year to do the waxing.....

So bench maintenance is an important efficiency excersice too. Perhaps if it was prettier you'd be tempted to keep it cleaner? Perhaps??

Originally Posted by kman-oz

So bench maintenance is an important efficiency excersice too. Perhaps if it was prettier you'd be tempted to keep it cleaner? Perhaps??

Well, I for one can attest that that attitude soon passes, kman.....

Old habits tend to die with those that have them, to paraphrase a bloke just a bit more famous than I.

Originally Posted by IanW

No, I think you probably have a lot of us nodding in agreement, Christos. While we all like to dress up our creations, a workbench is really just a tool, & one of the more important ones, too.
Cheers,

Exacery.

Are you done yet Groggy? My bottom is getting sore here in the back seat.

I have made numerous benches for woodwork and metalwork. I have welded support arms and jig components to metalworking benches, but always carefully ground them off when finished and sprayed the steel surface with cooking oil (poor man's anti-spatter spray) ready for the next job.

My woodworking benches have been likewise treated. Some have been made from fine timbers and some have had MDF tops, but they were all sealed with either oil or shellac and then regularly waxed to make them resistant to glue and shellac drips/spills etc.

I take care of my tools, but they are just that.

I've now been waiting six weeks for a dowel plate so I can drawpin the bench together. In the mean time I ordered the drawpins from Lee Valley and received them 4 days later.

Sod it. I got impatient and glued it together without drawboring. I can't keep waiting, this thing takes up a ton of room and stops anything else being done.

I will put some dowels in later, it won't be as strong as drawboring but it will still be stronger than plain twin tenons.

I wouldn't bother putting dowels in. They will add zero to the strength and just take up your time. The glue will be as strong as you'll ever need it on a bench of those proportions.