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  1. #31
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
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    5,117

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    Good Morning Raptor

    Collectively you have received some conflicting advice and some very good advice, especially from Derek. Your workbench is also a reference surface - effectively its accuracy will be reflected in virtually everything you do. As you move up the woodworking ladder towards fine furniture you will progressively want a better bench.

    Having said that, for years I operated with a flush panel door laid across two saw horses, plus a pair of Zyliss vices. I just screwed guides and templates with self-tappers into the doors, and replaced them as they became too daggy. Now I need more accuracy! I feel good about that, but the doors were a very useful learning tool.

    Also, think of your first bench as part of a series. Your ideas, skills and requirements will change over time.


    Fair Winds

    Graeme

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  3. #32
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    46

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    Hi Graeme,
    That is interesting about the workbench being the reference surface and that it's accuracy will be reflected in all the work I do on it. I do hope that the workbench I build will be accurate enough.

    I have finished building my speaker box that made the shed in quite a mess until it was completed. Now I can make a start on cleaning the shed and making space for a workbench.

    Currently I've been cleaning the shed and have made a bare minimum list of hand tools I need and put all the excess tools into a big box to go into storage until I need them. That way I won't have too many tools scattered everywhere in the shed. Eventually I want to build some storage solution for them, but for now, I just need to work with the bare minimum to keep the shed somewhat manageable first.

    I bought a bench vice at a swapmeet last weekend for $7, but unfortunately I didn't check it properly and it can only close, but it doesn't open back up, so it was faulty.

    I'm not sure if it can be fixed but might give up on looking for used bench vices and buy one in new and working condition.

    Currently my plan is to make a simple sturdy workbench with a bench vice and perhaps buy a Veritas bench dog/pup to use for more work holding options. Then at some later stage I'll build a tool cabinet or a toolbox to store all the tools I will use.

    Tim.

  4. #33
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    150

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    This looks like a solid knockdown option that Schwarz posted not long ago

    http://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/08...eo-principles/
    and the plans
    http://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/09...son-workbench/

    Construction doesn't look too difficult and if Schwarz is posting it it should do the job.

  5. #34
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    925

    Default What!

    In times gone by anyone asking a question like this in this particular forum would have been burned at a stake as a heretic.
    However, in my opinion a workbench is like a daily bath. Not absolutely necessary but highly desirable nevertheless. I spent a lot of time, months, planning and researching before I made my current workbench. The whole process from the origin idea, through the research and all the CAD drawings, finding timber and actually making the thing was one of the most enjoyable experienceS of my life and every time I use the thing I get a great deal of pleasure out of it still.
    My age is still less than my number of posts

  6. #35
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    46

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    Thanks for the plans for the Knockdown Nicholson bench DoctorBobski. It is interesting as it can be disassembled quickly and packed away or taken around.
    I still seem to like the design of that fold up bench a bit better at the moment though. The only worry about it is it is complicated and looks like a lot of work. The knockdown bench on the other hand looks easier to make than the fold up bench.

    Chook, thanks for the insight about your bench build. I hope my bench journey will be as enjoyable as yours. I am currently in the research phase and so far i'm getting a lot of great ideas from everyone posting interesting bench designs on this thread and on the forum.

    Lately I was reading up on various benches on this forum and came across Derek's mini demo bench (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/bench-weekend-182784) which I remember seeing at his workshop. Although that one was for a small bench, I do like the idea of a workbench top which can be clamped onto an existing secure desk or table to transform it into a bench. It would save costs on buying wood for the build and would be quite convenient and easy to stow away afterwards.

    In my case, it would let me use my existing desk in the shed as a workbench without replacing it or having to do major reorganization of the shed to make more space. My only worry is how stable it would be after clamping it onto a desk if I go with a solution like this. Also thinking of an easy way to attach a suitable clamp is another problem. I have no idea how to make wooden screws.

    As i'm interested in Japanese woodworking tools, the traditional Japanese workbench designs are also interesting however I've only seen them in videos on youtube and don't understand them well enough to know if they will do everything one would need for hand tool woodworking. As far as I can tell, it's a simple long board on short legs with planing stops at one end.

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