Thread: Sharpening Bench - Blackwood & Maple

Dom, what are you doing to us?

Envy, envy, envy happening here mate That Roubo is SWEET!

When I saw the thread title I knew this had to be you Dom. Nice looking work mate, I wouldn't be sharpening on that Roubo either.

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

Dom, what are you doing to us?

Envy, envy, envy happening here mate That Roubo is SWEET!

Thanks Bob. Yeah I am pretty happy with how it turned out . I documented the build in another thread. Don't be envious - build the bench of your dreams!

Originally Posted by Biggus

When I saw the thread title I knew this had to be you Dom. Nice looking work mate, I wouldn't be sharpening on that Roubo either.

Thanks mate. Yeah, definitely don't want to get stone and steel slurry all over it!

Also, just as an aside, I recently put down some 15mm thick dense rubber gym matting around the workbench side of the shop. Looks better and provides some thermal insulation, a softer surface and some sound damping too.

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I have done a poor job of documenting the build with photos, but here's a video of a dry fit of the bench sans the drawers and lower shelf.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRlo_bOj...dium=copy_link

Here's one cutting one of the many double tenons. Some I cut completely by hand, others on the bandsaw for the cheeks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRdyKzAD...dium=copy_link

A shot after the dry fit and prepping stock for the drawersand shelf.

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Cheers, Dom

You dont do things by halves Dom. Nice work as usual.
Regards
John

Had a productive day yesterday. Make the pegs and wedges. Glued up the base and top. Finish planed and sanded and applied a coat of Matte Osmo.

Here's a short video after Osmo before finishing up for the day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRqngUqj...dium=copy_link

And a pic (apologies for the low light in the garage extension).

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Will start on the drawers and shelf this afternoon or tomorrow.

Cheers, Dom

That sharpening bench is almost too good to sharpen on mate.

Cut the boards for the base and went with shiplap this time vs T&G. Just quicker.

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Also cut the drawers. Decided to make two drawers vs one wider one as that will be far more ergonomic (stand to the side vs back right up). This required a centre divider. Decided to try wood drawer runners and dadoes in the drawer sides. Worked out well. Went for half blind dovetails up front and dadoes/dowels at the back.

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And here's a little video of the finished stand -

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR4riLrj...dium=copy_link

So it's time to throw my water stone pond and grinder on it and get to sharpening. I also stupidly didn't check the base dimensions and need to cut the feet down my about 4mm. Doh.

Cheers, Dom

That's a very nice bench Dom. As at least one other member has said, and I'm sure plenty of others are thinking, it looks way too good for a sharpening station. I'm assuming you use waterstones? One thing that I find when sharpening is that a lower bench height, forearms hanging freely from the elbow, gives me much more control and a far better result. If the bench is too high I get too much elbow movement involved in the action, which tends to lead to a convex curve on the iron, particularly noticeable on plane irons. I use an Eclipse style guide for sharpening.

Originally Posted by aldav

That's a very nice bench Dom. As at least one other member has said, and I'm sure plenty of others are thinking, it looks way too good for a sharpening station. I'm assuming you use waterstones? One thing that I find when sharpening is that a lower bench height, forearms hanging freely from the elbow, gives me much more control and a far better result. If the bench is too high I get too much elbow movement involved in the action, which tends to lead to a convex curve on the iron, particularly noticeable on plane irons. I use an Eclipse style guide for sharpening.

Thank you. Yes i'm starting to feel i could have knocked the effort down a notch with this. Absolutely agree on height hence this is quite low and yes I use waterstones.

Cheers, Dom

Strewth, no way I could put sharpening gear on that. Come to think of it no way I'd let anyone eat off it

Really nice work and lovely to see. Definitely a level of craftsmanship to aspire to

- - - Updated - - -

Really nice work and lovely to see. Definitely a level of craftsmanship to aspire to

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

Strewth, no way I could put sharpening gear on that. Come to think of it no way I'd let anyone eat off it

Haha, well the finish is food safe so eating off it would be ok. Thank you.