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  1. #16
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Grovedale, Victoria Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    3,894

    Default

    Here is a really good video on how to work out what height to make your benches for different purposes https://youtu.be/bBS5-AV81lg
    Jim Carroll
    One Good Turn Deserves Another. CWS, Vicmarc, Robert Sorby, Woodcut, Tormek, Woodfast
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  3. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Darkest NSW
    Posts
    3,197

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    Interesting...4 hand spans high for planing, 5 for sawing, etc. Given the luxury of two benches for different activities !!

  4. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Hunter Valley
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,342

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Brush View Post
    Given the luxury of two benches for different activities !!
    You could always make a mini workbench to go on top of your regular workbench to suit the second activity

  5. #19
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Carroll View Post
    Here is a really good video on how to work out what height to make your benches for different purposes https://youtu.be/bBS5-AV81lg
    Thanks very much Jim. Using the 4 hand span method means a height of 88cm for my 22cm hand span. Interestingly, the very next video after that was Paul Sellers Bench Heights and Planing Techniques. Paul advocates a 38inch bench height for his 5ft 11in height, with commensurate adjustments for taller or shorter. I am 172cm, 8cm shorter than Paul. Therefore 96.5cm (38in) less 8cm gives a bench eight of 88.5cm. Pretty much the same as 4 hand spans.

  6. #20
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    Some further slow progress this weekend. I started on cutting the mortises. This is the first time that I have tried M&T. With hindsight I think that I was probably being a bit over ambitious for my first go. 110 x 22 x 100 deep. All in all I don't think that I did too bad although the proof of that will be when I cut the tenons. I had to go through two knots on one of the mortises which didn't help. Plus I scored a blister on my finger, never used a mallet as much before!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #21
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    I managed to get back to my new bench project this weekend. Unfortunately it had been overtaken by other priorities but these have been cleared for now so hopefully no more interuptions.
    As can be seen from my (old) photos, all the timber for the frame work had been machined up and one pair of legs had their mortises cut. I cheated on the next pair and used an auger bit in a drill to cut them out. Boy was that quick compared to a chisel and mallet! The two bottom cross rails will be done with dominos. The tenons were a tight fit to the point that there was some timber splitting but hopefully the long brass screws that I put in will keep it all together. Overall I was quite pleased with my first attempt at M&T.
    The skirtings on the bottom will hopefully secure some cracks as well as protect the legs from splintering when I move the bench around.
    If all goes well, next weekend I will domino in the bottom end rails, fit the cleats for the shelf, cut and fit the shelf (150mm floor boards)20190930_125655.jpg20190930_125716.jpg and fit the top cross rails. The top will be 65mm thick so I will not be using top side rails.

  8. #22
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Adelaide - outer south
    Age
    67
    Posts
    935

    Default

    You've done well with those M &T joints, they look good.

    I've not used dominos but have read a number of posts suggesting that they are really only good for alignment, not for strength. It might pay to seek advice on this from more experienced members.
    Cheers, Bob the labrat

    Measure once and.... the phone rings!

  9. #23
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    Quote Originally Posted by labr@ View Post
    I've not used dominos but have read a number of posts suggesting that they are really only good for alignment, not for strength. It might pay to seek advice on this from more experienced members.
    Thanks for the input labrat. My thinking, rightly or wrongly, is that the bulk of the loadings will be along the length of the bench and thus taken by the M&T's. Plus I am hoping that the 65mm thick top will provide significant strength. My plan for the dominos is 4 x 10mm ones in each join. I welcome any comments on my line of thought as it will be easier to address any concerns now before I proceed further.

  10. #24
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    I managed some further progress this weekend. The frame is now together plus the top timbers are machined. They would have been screwed down except I have misplaced my router guide so couldn't machine the slot for the sliding deadman. Once the top is fitted I will fit the shelf cleats and cross members followed by the floorboards. Then I can hand plane the top followed by the cutout for the Terry Gordon tail vice. Then drill the dog holes, round off a few edges with the router, sand all over and a coat of sealer. The last job will be to fit a Terry Gordon face vice, which I haven't bought yet!
    Pretty happy with how it is going so far and to be using some of the old oregon timber that my late father always knew would come in handy some day. Plus using some of the brass screws that my grandfather always knew would come in handy! Possibly there is a gene that I have inherited.20191004_170148.jpg20191005_113530.jpg20191005_113703.jpg

  11. #25
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

    Default

    I managed to make some more progress this weekend. Fitted the shelf cleats and cross members, fitted the shelf, routed the track for the sliding deadman, screwed down the top and plugged all the screw holes. I still need to make a couple of custom plugs to fill the bolt holes from the timber's previous life. If all goes well next weekend I will flush cut the plugs, plane the top and make a start on the deadman.
    20191011_150235.jpg20191012_112448.jpg20191014_093408.jpg

  12. #26
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

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    Latest update after this weekend. I firstly made a few custom plugs for the old bolt holes in the rails. Then I flush cut all the plugs on the top. After that out came the Rapier 500 and I proceeded to reasonably flatten the top. Next came the Stanley smoother which was great and I can now appreciate why they are a smoothing plane. Certainly the most hand planing that I have ever done in a day and I have a blister as evidence! After that I trimmed the ends of the top.
    Next out came the router to machine the slot for the Terry Gordon tail vice. That all went well and I finished it with a blackwood infill which required some further work with the Stanley to get it all flush with the top.
    My original thinking was to fit one of Terry's face vices but the price seems to have gone up $100 or so since my original plans and that has pretty much tipped it over the premium that I was looking to pay. I have now changed my thinking to a Timbecon front vice screw.
    Next weekend I hope to drill the dog holes and hold down holes plus get started on the sliding deadman.
    20191019_103732.jpg20191019_162224.jpg20191019_162238.jpg

  13. #27
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

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    Thay is looking fantastic. I am interested in your planned hold down holes. How have you arrived at the number and placement? I've yet to add any to my bench, as I plan to use clamps for six months or so, so that when I do add holes, they will be where I need them.

    It is inconvenient though, so perhaps your thinking can help me speed up the process.

    Kind regards
    Lance

  14. #28
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LanceC View Post
    Thay is looking fantastic. I am interested in your planned hold down holes. How have you arrived at the number and placement? I've yet to add any to my bench, as I plan to use clamps for six months or so, so that when I do add holes, they will be where I need them.

    It is inconvenient though, so perhaps your thinking can help me speed up the process.

    Kind regards
    Lance
    Hi Lance
    I don't have the numbers with me but if you search for Terry Gordon's you tube on bench making/design he gives some guidance on placement. I plan on starting there.

  15. #29
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

    Default

    The latest progress report. I got the front jaw and lower rear jaw made, unfortunately I wasn't able to complete the rear lower as I didn't have a large enough forstner bit to cut the recess for the support collars. That is now part of next weekends tasks. I also plunge routed the front holes for the dogs. Unfortunately my bit is a downcut and I need an upcut, or vice versa. Anyway there was significant smoke generated! Also a bit of discolouration which I hope (probably optimistically) that will sand out. My wife put a good spin on it though, if it doesn't sand out then it becomes a design feature ). I also drilled the holes for the hold downs.
    Then I made the sliding deadman which I am pretty happy with. The track is still to be screwed down and I put some slick strip in the V of the deadman and it slides as smooth as silk when held low down.
    20191102_150214.jpg

  16. #30
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    507

    Default

    The good news is that I pretty much finished the bench this weekend. I plunged the other row of dog holes, so much easier with an upcut bit! I sanded all surfaces and rounded all the edges with router bits excepting the vice jaw. Fitted and drilled the rear lower jaw half and then mounted the vice. Screwed down the deadman track. I just need to make a handle and put a cork backing on the front jaw.
    Then it was time to seal the bench. I had a tin of Feast Watson wood shield which according to the tin is natural in colour. I know that carrots are naturally orange but I wasn't expecting my new bench to take on that colour. The pictures don't give a true view idea of how it came out. Interestingly the Tas oak jaw and blackwood tail vice insert kept their natural colours.
    So now I am not sure what my next step is. Yes it is a work bench for my workshop and not a piece of furniture for the house so therefore function should be the over-riding consideration. I am pretty sure that I have ticked the function box but left with mixed emotions that it doesn't look as good to my eye as it could have.
    Maybe by next week the colour will have mellowed!
    20191110_104259.jpg
    20191110_104311.jpg

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