Thread: Bench for my grinder

We all have to start some where.

Hi Christos,
thanks for your words, appreciated.

Cheers, Gio

Hi All,

today I have done some progress with my project by realizing all the mortises and floating tenons, I'm quite happy with the results so far.
Here the pictures:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...4-DSCN0223.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...5-DSCN0225.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...6-DSCN0232.jpg

Next step will be to glue all the pieces together before fixing the top to the legs. On this regard I'm still wondering how to proceed (just screws?!).

Comments & suggestion are welcome, thanks.

Cheers,Gio.

Originally Posted by Woodworks

Hi All,

today I have done some progress with my project by realizing all the mortises and floating tenons, I'm quite happy with the results so far.
Here the pictures:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...4-DSCN0223.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...5-DSCN0225.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...6-DSCN0232.jpg

Next step will be to glue all the pieces together before fixing the top to the legs. On this regard I'm still wondering how to proceed (just screws?!).

Comments & suggestion are welcome, thanks.

Cheers,Gio.

Hi Gio,

Thanks for posting - new projects are always welcome. How did you create the mortises? They look like you use a router.

For attaching the top of a large Oregan (Douglas Fir) work bench I built I used 'coach bolts'. If you aren't sure what these are, let me know and I'll post a pic. They are very workman like. If you want a more aesthetic appearance, you could use 'L' brackets under the bench top.

Hi brinesharks,

thanks a lot for your comment.
All the mortises have been realized by using the press drill (hope this is correct ...), first I have done some guiding hole and after that I have used a bigger bit with the same size of the tenons.
Perhaps it's not the best way of doing mortises but I have to use the available tool, so no choice and I'm quite happy with the result.

Regarding your suggestion to attach the top, well I really appreciate if you can add some shots about the mentioned concepts. Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Gio.

Hi All,

I have completed to glue all the mortises and floating tenons and clamped all together. Here the pictures:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...7-DSCN0233.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...8-DSCN0236.jpg

I have just placed the top as a trial to have an idea of the final result, the bench will look like this:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...9-DSCN0238.jpg

To fix the top to the legs I have decided to use 4 dowels (diameter 1 cm) it should be quite simple, just drill the holes in the leags and top and glue all together. After that I like the idea to install 4 wheels (with brakes) under each leg so to make easy to move my grinder (I hope so!).

Regarding the finishing I'm thinking of using linseed oil (2 or 3 coating) and at the end some neutral wax. This because I like the wood pattern and like the idea to keep it as it is. What do you think? Am i right in doing this?

Cheers, Gio.

Gio,

The bench is looking good! I unfortunately don't have my bench anymore and I don't have any photos.

My bench had the cross pieces up at the top of the legs so that the bench top sat on them. Basically I counter-bored holes in the top cross pieces. I then bolt a coach bolt through each one up into the bottom of the bench top (does that make sense?). The heads of the bolts were underneath but recessed. The bolts went part way into the bench top (not completely through) so it was all invisible from the top.

Coincidentally I just finished another work bench. It came up really well. I mix equal parts Methylated Spirits and Pale Boiled Linseed Oil with a good helping of Bees wax in a glass jar. The wax should be shaved into the mix. Shake it vigorously and let it sit for at least 24 hours. The wax will slowly dissolve into the mix. If you are in a hurry you can melt the bee's wax and then mix it. You then pour small amounts on the timber surface and rub it in with a clean, lint free cloth. Leave it dry for a few hours then buff with a new cloth. The end result looks great and it's easy to do (and cheap!). The wax helps protect the wood from glue, water, etc which can be easily wiped off. I have a 500ml plastic 'glue' bottle that I use to keep the mix in - it makes applying it easy as I can squeeze a bit onto the timber as I go. Sometimes the bee's wax doesn't fully dissolve - as long as it's nice and soft, it still works fine.

Looks nice and solid Gio, well done.

Originally Posted by brinesharks

Gio,

The bench is looking good! I unfortunately don't have my bench anymore and I don't have any photos.

My bench had the cross pieces up at the top of the legs so that the bench top sat on them. Basically I counter-bored holes in the top cross pieces. I then bolt a coach bolt through each one up into the bottom of the bench top (does that make sense?). The heads of the bolts were underneath but recessed. The bolts went part way into the bench top (not completely through) so it was all invisible from the top.

Coincidentally I just finished another work bench. It came up really well. I mix equal parts Methylated Spirits and Pale Boiled Linseed Oil with a good helping of Bees wax in a glass jar. The wax should be shaved into the mix. Shake it vigorously and let it sit for at least 24 hours. The wax will slowly dissolve into the mix. If you are in a hurry you can melt the bee's wax and then mix it. You then pour small amounts on the timber surface and rub it in with a clean, lint free cloth. Leave it dry for a few hours then buff with a new cloth. The end result looks great and it's easy to do (and cheap!). The wax helps protect the wood from glue, water, etc which can be easily wiped off. I have a 500ml plastic 'glue' bottle that I use to keep the mix in - it makes applying it easy as I can squeeze a bit onto the timber as I go. Sometimes the bee's wax doesn't fully dissolve - as long as it's nice and soft, it still works fine.

Hi brinesharks,

tks a lot for your input, really interesting. it's always nice to see how other people work and learn something new.

Reagarding the top/legs joint, I have already completed this part by using 4 wood pins (1cm diamter) or bolt (not sure which one is the correct term...). It looks something similar to what you have explianed.
In fact I have drilled the 4 holes in the top (reverse side), temporary placed 4 metal bolt each with a sharp tip at the center, used to mark the correct position on the legs.
After this I have drilled the holes in the legs top part, and it's done. Just using the wood bolts and some glue to fix all the items. As you have said the bolt is half in the leg and half in the top.

Regarding the boiled linseed oil, it's seems you have developed your own recipe; I would try this mix. If I understand well you have just one product to use since the oil and the wax are mixed together. Isn't it?

Formy bench, I have just applied the first layer of boiled linseed by using it pure (no mix), and wow ... the result is amazing.
The wood got a nice pale amber tone and the touch is great like velvet. I'm really happy with the result.
Now I would wait till the oil dry and before the second layer, after that I'll use the bee-wax.

I'm really happy with the result so far, even I know this is just a very simple project. I'll post more pics later.

Cheers, Gio.

Originally Posted by BrettC

Looks nice and solid Gio, well done.

Hi BrettC,

tk you very much for your kind words, appreciated.
Well I have to say that this is a very simple project compared with all the amazing jobs posted in this forum, but since is my first one I'm quite happy with the result.

Cheers, Gio.

Buongiorno Gio,

Don't worry your English will be better than most of our Italian! I also imagine you must work in much smaller confines than most of us here in Australia are used to.

Your bench looks good. Small tables are useful for many small machines in the workshop. I built a similar small table last year for my drill press. For my table I included some wheels to make it a bit easier to move if needed. See my thread here

Cheers,
Fuzzie

Originally Posted by Woodworks

Regarding the boiled linseed oil, it's seems you have developed your own recipe; I would try this mix. If I understand well you have just one product to use since the oil and the wax are mixed together. Isn't it?

That's right. The linseed oil is sold as 'Pale Boiled Linseed Oil'. It's pre-prepared so it's easy to use. The Methylated Spirits is used to dilute the oil and you mix it 50:50. The wax is then shaved into the mix. Shake it up and then let it sit before use (overnight is ok if it's not too cold). Then before you apply it, shake it up to make sure it's mixed. It will settle over time so shake it up each time you use it.

I just pour a little onto the surface and rub it in. Let it dry and then buff it off with a clean cloth.

It's fine to put it over the first coat of linseed oil - should come up a really nice colour/feel.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

Buongiorno Gio,

Don't worry your English will be better than most of our Italian! I also imagine you must work in much smaller confines than most of us here in Australia are used to.

Your bench looks good. Small tables are useful for many small machines in the workshop. I built a similar small table last year for my drill press. For my table I included some wheels to make it a bit easier to move if needed. See my thread here

Cheers,
Fuzzie

G'day Fuzzie,

indeed it's great to get the greeting in italian, do you know also other words?

It was interesting to check out your thread, I like the your solution it looks very stable and robust. Well done.

Have a nice week-end & Cheers, Gio

Great work Gio!

Well done.