Thread: How would you do this? Final adjustment of very thick bench legs

Can you confirm that the bench's legs are already attached to the top. Glued and drawbored.

If that is the case, my suggestion is -- referencing off the top of the bench -- to cut a "slot" across all the legs flush with the underside of the bench.
Insert a strip of wood -- in a contrasting colour -- across all four legs.
This will turn the (to your eye) unsightly gap on a single leg into an interesting "feature" that is common to four legs.
Leave the wood strip proud and once the glue is dry, plane it down by hand so that the strip is flush with the bench's face and legs.

Dear all,

Many thanks - this thread really harvested all the good methods of squaring up either leg tops or leg bottoms!

I did go with the router method on platform given the thickness of the leg but am grateful to all suggestions.

Once fixed (so time-consuming in relative terms!) with a lot of excitement I got the top on, and meticulously following instructions, got the, ahem, item holder installed and celebrated when all was perfect.

PXL_20220528_075516638 (1).jpg

I don't know if Terry Gordon knows all the benefits of the no-racking... there is another.

Absolutely dead-on straight and square, about a mill under the bench height. I am very happy!

Thanks again all

Originally Posted by Cgcc

Dear all,

Many thanks - this thread really harvested all the good methods of squaring up either leg tops or leg bottoms!

I did go with the router method on platform given the thickness of the leg but am grateful to all suggestions.

Once fixed (so time-consuming in relative terms!) with a lot of excitement I got the top on, and meticulously following instructions, got the, ahem, item holder installed and celebrated when all was perfect.

PXL_20220528_075516638 (1).jpg

I don't know if Terry Gordon knows all the benefits of the no-racking... there is another.

Absolutely dead-on straight and square, about a mill under the bench height. I am very happy!

Thanks again all

Not a bad beer choice, but I prefer the Super Hornet, I think it gives you more bang for your buck

Originally Posted by Cgcc

snip
meticulously following instructions, got the, ahem, item holder installed and celebrated when all was perfect.

PXL_20220528_075516638 (1).jpg

I don't know if Terry Gordon knows all the benefits of the no-racking... there is another.

Absolutely dead-on straight and square, about a mill under the bench height. I am very happy!

I'm pretty sure that Terry's face vise is essentially an updated copy (in aluminium) of the piano maker's vise used on Studley's workbench and the benches of other piano makers.



I helped install one on a bench some years ago
From what I recall it was an exceptional vise

Hi Ian

Whether there was inspiration or adaptation or not I couldn't say. I will say that even if so, there are many improvements/advances.

My read is that the HNT front vice is not marketed as revolutionary design but really known as a beautifully precise and well-tuned implementation.

Even just looking at that I could note a few things from watching Terry's videos that seem to improve on the pictured vice:

- The bushing and sleeve on the HNT vice is out of the top drawer. The thread is entirely encapsulated and have no point of ingress for any dirt, dust or grime. I have ever reason to expect it will be long-term silky smooth and not require periodic de-rusting and maintenance.

- The little handle is a gem. I noted on the video that the reason the handle is not longer is to limit the force brought to bear and prevent over-tightening. Another example of experience-based, well thought out design. The wheel would get a little annoying.

- The aluminium construction is lovely. I know it is usually cited as gentle on collisions with plane blades etc. I'm actually in two minds about that as I'd frankly probably prefer to grind a chisel rather than deal with a big ding on the vice. But it is a lovely fit and finish and while very hefty, the weight is more manageable. In particular installing and uninstalling doesn't require flipping the bench (although it is awkward without someone lending a hand at one stage).

Chris

Originally Posted by ian

I'm pretty sure that Terry's face vise is essentially an updated copy (in aluminium) of the piano maker's vise used on Studley's workbench and the benches of other piano makers.



I helped install one on a bench some years ago
From what I recall it was an exceptional vise