Dust Mite
23rd May 2006, 07:40 PM
For sometime now I have been following the general discussion on redefining the modern workbench. There were many interesting and intriguing comments put forward by the forum members.
The cad design drawings were very interesting and it got me thiniking about replacing my old bench with a purpose built one.
I looked at many designs over a period of time and looked at what the members here had in their sheds.
It very quickly became obvious that a workbench is a very personal item in our workshops. For some its a crusty old knock around workhorse while to others its a labour of love that is also functional. Then there are those with benches that should be put in modern art galleries and never used... gawd I'd be scared to use some of the benches you guys have.
It became apparent very quickly that I would need a tall bench and thus it will be one metre high. At six foot 2" (1.89) metres tall, anything lower than that would hurt my back. My current table is 940mm tall and hand planing at that height produces a sore back after an hour or two.
And so I finally worked out the basic design that I wanted and proceeded to build said bench. You can follow the progress here ..http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=37&mforum=woodwork
Apart from the basic outline, this is very much going to be a design and build as you go job. I keep thinking of things to add to it so may have to put the brakes on a bit. The primary design rule is to be simple as possible, sturdy and heavy and durable. All else must work around that premise.
The cad design drawings were very interesting and it got me thiniking about replacing my old bench with a purpose built one.
I looked at many designs over a period of time and looked at what the members here had in their sheds.
It very quickly became obvious that a workbench is a very personal item in our workshops. For some its a crusty old knock around workhorse while to others its a labour of love that is also functional. Then there are those with benches that should be put in modern art galleries and never used... gawd I'd be scared to use some of the benches you guys have.
It became apparent very quickly that I would need a tall bench and thus it will be one metre high. At six foot 2" (1.89) metres tall, anything lower than that would hurt my back. My current table is 940mm tall and hand planing at that height produces a sore back after an hour or two.
And so I finally worked out the basic design that I wanted and proceeded to build said bench. You can follow the progress here ..http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=37&mforum=woodwork
Apart from the basic outline, this is very much going to be a design and build as you go job. I keep thinking of things to add to it so may have to put the brakes on a bit. The primary design rule is to be simple as possible, sturdy and heavy and durable. All else must work around that premise.