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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grange, Brisbane
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,642

    Default New workbench - butt ugly but didn't cost a penny!

    After a good 12 months perving on the threads about workbenches, finally got time and permission to build my own. Problem is of course I'm broke, so had to use materials to hand, and existing tools too. In the end I think its a bench to build The Bench, probably in 10 years or so.

    Most of the wood came from a mates deck (you can still see the screw holes), but the 4 legs are treated something that I found under the house when I bought it. Couldn't afford coachbolts, so at the moment its screwed with roofing screws, which I'll replace as money permits. Had a tin of Cetol HLS so used that, although it darkened the wood considerably, particularly the base which is undressed.

    It still needs back and side braces, but I can do those at my leisure (or never). I'll also put a shelf at the bottom. I was going to stack stuff on it, but someone on another thread suggested pigeon holes for power tools which I think is a great idea. I'll also put two shallow drawers just under the benchtop for those things you want all the time (where do all the tape measures go?). I will also fit a woodworkers vice as soon as I can steal one...

    I decided to take the easy route and screw the top down from the top. I had hoped to be able to use dowel to fill the screw holes, but I haven't found any the right size yet.

    Its the biggest single thing I've built (I"'m a part time JOAT, so mainly fix stuff), and if you look closely, you'll see that the accuracy of the cuts isn't very good - still waiting for the old man's tenon saw to arrive from England.

    So, what I'd do differently: (If I had more time and money). I'd like to have dressed all the timber, but just didn't have time. Spending twice as long on the joints would have improved them 10 times. I'd rather have waxed it than oiled. Choosing the timber rather than just using what I had would be nice too.

    Finally, 2 questions:

    1) what sort of wood have I used?
    2) What sort of wood is good to use (I live in subtropical Brisbane, and I'm terrified of termites...)

    Thanks

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Pakenham, outer Melb SE suburb, Vic
    Age
    54
    Posts
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    Default

    Looks great, mate


    The beatings will continue until morale improves.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Age
    81
    Posts
    131

    Default

    Looks pretty functional to me, well done. Jon.
    Jon.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Mildura, Victoria
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    "(I live in subtropical Brisbane, and I'm terrified of termites...)"

    You've nothing to worry about unless you stand very still for a long time, in the dark and with damp feet.

    soth

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Garvoc VIC AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    11,464

    Default

    A good looking workbench
    Regards, Bob Thomas

    www.wombatsawmill.com

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    melbourne SEAFORD
    Age
    60
    Posts
    723

    Default

    Tuff as nails looks like it will last better than my first one .
    insanity is a state of mind if you don't mind it does not matter.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    53
    Posts
    8,879

    Default

    Looks good mate.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Age
    46
    Posts
    2,346

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rhancock View Post
    After a good 12 months perving on the threads about workbenches, finally got time and permission to build my own. Problem is of course I'm broke, so had to use materials to hand, and existing tools too. In the end I think its a bench to build The Bench, probably in 10 years or so.

    Most of the wood came from a mates deck (you can still see the screw holes), but the 4 legs are treated something that I found under the house when I bought it. Couldn't afford coachbolts, so at the moment its screwed with roofing screws, which I'll replace as money permits. Had a tin of Cetol HLS so used that, although it darkened the wood considerably, particularly the base which is undressed.

    It still needs back and side braces, but I can do those at my leisure (or never). I'll also put a shelf at the bottom. I was going to stack stuff on it, but someone on another thread suggested pigeon holes for power tools which I think is a great idea. I'll also put two shallow drawers just under the benchtop for those things you want all the time (where do all the tape measures go?). I will also fit a woodworkers vice as soon as I can steal one...

    I decided to take the easy route and screw the top down from the top. I had hoped to be able to use dowel to fill the screw holes, but I haven't found any the right size yet.

    Its the biggest single thing I've built (I"'m a part time JOAT, so mainly fix stuff), and if you look closely, you'll see that the accuracy of the cuts isn't very good - still waiting for the old man's tenon saw to arrive from England.

    So, what I'd do differently: (If I had more time and money). I'd like to have dressed all the timber, but just didn't have time. Spending twice as long on the joints would have improved them 10 times. I'd rather have waxed it than oiled. Choosing the timber rather than just using what I had would be nice too.

    Finally, 2 questions:

    1) what sort of wood have I used?
    2) What sort of wood is good to use (I live in subtropical Brisbane, and I'm terrified of termites...)

    Thanks
    Looks like a pretty good job with limited amount of machinery you have. Get a vice on there and you wont know yourself.

    As for the wood, looks like maybe Brushbox? Was it very hard and dense, as well as feeling quite heavy?
    I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
    Albert Einstein

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Grange, Brisbane
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    53
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    1,642

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    Quote Originally Posted by martrix View Post
    As for the wood, looks like maybe Brushbox? Was it very hard and dense, as well as feeling quite heavy?
    It is pretty heavy, and hard too, although I've cut harder, centuries old oak for instance. I think the deck was about 30 years old. Did they use Brushbox on decks then?

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
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    46
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    Quote Originally Posted by rhancock View Post
    It is pretty heavy, and hard too, although I've cut harder, centuries old oak for instance. I think the deck was about 30 years old. Did they use Brushbox on decks then?
    Yes, i think so as its very durable.
    Someone up your way will know........"Journeyman?"
    I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
    Albert Einstein

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Brisbane - Southside
    Posts
    41

    Default

    I wouldn't say its butt ugly. Good job and functional which is all you need.

    And the best part - didnt cost a penny. What more could you ask for I say.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    Great use of recycled wood - as has been said, get a vice on there, make a few bench dogs, and you won't know yourself.
    Regards,
    Bob

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld.
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,792

    Default

    Good job Rhancock, better than my first couple of benches!
    As for not affording real coachbolts, I go to a proper nut and bolt supplier (not a hardware shop) and buy threaded bar and as many nuts 'n' washers as you can afford. Cut it into desired lengths and use nuts on both ends, even welding one on if you have a welder. Works out a lot cheaper, especially when you're after really long ones.

    Cheers,
    Andy Mac
    Change is inevitable, growth is optional.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,378

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    Yes looks the part! I know what you mean about using second hand timber- everything is a compromise. and takes twice as long.

    It maybe the cetol but those legs looks as if they have been treated with creosote. Yukky stuff.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    62
    Posts
    5,639

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    Quote Originally Posted by martrix View Post
    Yes, i think so as its very durable.
    Someone up your way will know........"Journeyman?"
    Brisbane to Cairns : 1701.31km
    Brisbane to Melbourne: 1680.47km

    I'm only 20km closer than you martrix, sorry, looks like some eucalypt to me.

    Quote Originally Posted by masoth View Post
    "(I live in subtropical Brisbane, and I'm terrified of termites...)"

    You've nothing to worry about unless you stand very still for a long time, in the dark and with damp feet.

    soth
    And you've got a wooden leg



    1) what sort of wood have I used?

    The best sort, free timber

    2) What sort of wood is good to use (I live in subtropical Brisbane, and I'm terrified of termites...)
    Unless you're putting it outside or in a dirt floor shed it shouldn't be a worry. Your building should have some form of termite barrier in/on/around it. If they do get into your garage/shed and attack your bench it will be an early warning that your termite defenses are not up to scratch and that your building is under threat.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

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