Thread: My first ever project.

I'd make some suggestions....

Start smaller and simpler - just make a table-top out of ply, and put four legs and an apron under it....

Why not look up some desk plans online, the design you have looks well - strange, and hard to make for a beginner.....

If you are going to use the 200x50 timber, you had better add table saw or band saw, jointer and thicknesser to your list, because you will need to break it down.... unless you want a 200kg desk to sit a car on....

Hmm...
Thanks Astrodog, I really didn't think about weight at all. I was just concerned about it being stable enough despite being fairly tall and skinny.
I suppose this makes it time to go back to the drawing board. Super glad that I posted this before going to buy some timber. I will be back in a couple of days or so with a revised plan.

Don't forget - those messmate beams were probably floor bearers, holding up a large house.... *way* too big for what you need....

Ok, so after quick look around the house to see how big or little different bits of furniture are I have drawn up a new, much lighter, much simpler plan.
This time the plan is a sheet of ply glued and screwed on top of four legs. The four legs will have a 8 pieces of wood screwed around them to hold them in place.

Have you seen this workbench which might give you some inspiration too.

Your revised plan looks good.

As a skill builder, you could cut & chisel out the legs where you apron & lower rails join. If you get a nice tight fit. this will tend to reduce any racking in the finished structure.

If you do get racking a bit of 3mm ply on the back will prolly sort it out.

You have picked a good first project... Good luck

Steve

Alright, so I decided you all deserved an update after the help that you gave me working on the design. I ended up mostly stealing the design that Noddy and crwdtb linked, but using twisty, crooked 1200x90x19 pine from bunnings for the frame. Also, I used a power saw, which I struggled with... though I did get a lot better as I went along.

I am now gluing the side planks in while I wait for another weekend to roll by so I can make a mission to go and grab some more 90° metal brackets (I messed up counting to 8 ) to secure the front and back planks to the bottom.

I am not super satisfied with the work so far, but I have enjoyed it, I think that I might just end up calling this one a work bench and making another to call a desk, but being a bit more careful with my timber selection and sawing. (definitely going to go buy a hand saw...)

Also, once I go get my hand saw, I am thinking that I will cut a few thin slices of wood to pack into the gaps in the frame, is that likely to work or am I just wasting my time?

If you have movement from side to side, glue & screw a 4mm ply wood panel on the back.

If you have movement front to back, the do the same to the sides.

This movement is called "Racking". The panels should stop the racking. make the panel from the top of the bench to the bottom of the bottom shelf. This will likely do more than slithers in the gaps. It will also add some weight to your bench which is not a bad thing as it looks a little light. If you decide to use it a a desk, you can simply add a couple of shelves , doors etc.

if you want to get nice straight cuts with a circular saw, try using a straight edge clamped to your work. I started wood working with a CS about 12 years ago, & I made 2 straight edges from the edges of a sheet of 19mm MDF. Still got them & on occasions, I still use them, mainly for breaking down sheets into manageable one man sizes.

I found this on a quick Google search, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUZiSPBvlaA&feature=related but I think you could find a lot of simple to build jigs to help get you cuts a little closer to the line.

Good first effort

Steve

I never, ever use a circular saw without a guide.... with a guide, what was a rough chippies wood axe, becomes a precision tool....

I used a piece of ply as a guide until I found these babies....
ProGrip Fences : CARBA-TEC
They self clamp down, and have a nice low profile so the saw motor can clear it....

All finished... sort of.

So after gluing and bolting it all together, there are a few too many defects for me to accept this as a permanent part of my living room. But, I am still pretty happy with it for a first crack, and it will make a decent enough work bench when I get around to building a better desk.

I'd like to thank you guys for the help, this would have ended much worse if it wasn't for your feed back.
Attachment 208993

Originally Posted by Nic.R

All finished... sort of.

So after gluing and bolting it all together, there are a few too many defects for me to accept this as a permanent part of my living room. But, I am still pretty happy with it for a first crack, and it will make a decent enough work bench when I get around to building a better desk.

I'd like to thank you guys for the help, this would have ended much worse if it wasn't for your feed back.
Attachment 208993

I've been sitting in the background waiting to see how it turned out. Came up well, especially for a first attempt.

Pretty sturdy looking - it'll make a good little workbench if you go that way.
(Better than mine - I use an old desk.)
Hmm, perhaps we could trade. Kidding - I like my old desk.

Originally Posted by Astrodog

I never, ever use a circular saw without a guide.... with a guide, what was a rough chippies wood axe, becomes a precision tool....

I used a piece of ply as a guide until I found these babies....
ProGrip Fences : CARBA-TEC
They self clamp down, and have a nice low profile so the saw motor can clear it....

Hey!! Are you implying an axe isn't a precision instrument??? Burn the heretic