Thread: Cheap, quick, effective bench

Hi Bill,

The workbench looks great - very sturdy. I like how you've set up the storage area under the bench. The two vices look like they are well placed too. I'll have to tuck this great idea away for when I eventually get a shed.

Thanks

cheers
Wendy

Looks like a good solid bench. I must get a couple of those pop up stops.

I'm afraid that I can't see how you can use the pop ups without a vice or dog holes and a wonder dog or such.

How do you clamp the work up to the pop ups?

Hello Bodgy,
Using the overhang on the top it is possible to clamp a fence either across or along the top as you need it. I have one made up that adjusts to any angle & use it to hold WIP in place.

Gnu, I understand the fence, but how do you clamp up to hold the work firmly?

Hello Bodgy,
I will try to photograph the fence today, time allowing.
It is a piece of 15 mm ply sawn into as L shape, 650x600 on the outside runs. I use 2 besseys to clamp cause the friction grip clamps might slip. The shape makes a fence beside and behind the item and pins it against the pop up dogs. The work is held on 3 sides which makes it very stable.
The fence can be attached to the front as well if you are working towards yourself with the clamps upside down to be out of the way.
For a big glue up I clamp a full length piece along the the back of the bench. It is 150 mm wide as acts the same as a row of dog holes.
Another idea I have considered is to slot a board/s and fit a bolt thru the overhanging back skirt on the bench allowing the end of the board to act like a dog. I could drill a number or these along the back & have any number & position required.
Hope this helps. Bill

Hello Bodgy, picture as promised.
Hope it helps explain what I meant. The L piece is the fence used for planing etc. or turned over & attached to the front can hold material for scraping , position & angle adjustable to almost any position.
The glue up clamps can be added to apply side pressure for assembly or glueing but mostly I would use sash or pipe clamps .
Regards, Bill
Attachment 23275
Attachment 23276

Hi Bodgy, without wishing to steal any of GNU52's thunder, I often just clamp a piece of scrap to one end of the bench (or to the face, for which express purpose I have several 'L' shaped pieces), put the workpiece hard up against that, and clamp a similar piece of scrap at the other end. These clamping pieces are selected to be thinner than the workpiece.

It's easily tight enough to hand plane, scrape or sand the workpiece, yet sufficiently loose to enable me to lift out the workpiece and turn it around if necessary.

On the "to do" list is a new top for my big bench. This will, I think, have a couple of those flip-up stops. I'm also thinking how I might build-in a duct collection facility especially for sanding work.