Thread: Bench Top Q

Thank goodness he's seen the light way to go Nick go scavenge that HW

Here we go. I get to watch you work for a change ..for future reference, the promise of a carton or two will have the full lengths of timber neatly stacked, awaiting inspection.
Spotty Gum top sounds good Or keep the 5' lengths for the base/frame and wait for longer lengths for the top.
Oh and where's the

I would think lapping them would be ok, but I'd like full lengths at least for the front and back pieces.

Agree with Astrodog!

Go the Scavengers!!

I see someone wanted piccies

here

Attachment 171187 Attachment 171188 Attachment 171190

I was looking for about 8' long and about 30" across, which this lot would have done almost perfectly. I think I agree with Astrodog and will try and get uncut lengths for what will be the front and rear of the bench. Yes I did manage to pick up a little bit. Twas fun in the rain and with a gammy foot. I also got some nice oregon 2 x 4 and 3 x 4 which (along with some other old oregon) will end up as a table and benches on the verandah)

I've started the denailing process and here's a piccy of the denailing tools - I've since added a red texta and an old 3/8" chisel, I may also find cause to use me old mate, jimmy!

Attachment 171189

After denailing, the timber will be stored and the bench project put on hold because:

1. need to find a couple of 2" x 4" x 8' lengths of oldish hardwood
2. have to conclude the design process (ie stop procrastinating) (Groggy finish your bench, pls)
3. I've been told in no uncertain terms that I have to finish a couple of other projects around the family abode
4. have to get some hardware (when I decide what I want (see 2.)
5. Get past the census

When I'm ready to start bench build proper I'll start another thread, which could be a little while, 5 or 6 months probably (hopefully sooner)

I'm a little uncertain how one should do the joints for the lengths. Butt joints or some sort of mortise and tenon derivative? Or even dovetail type? I'll be pondering this over the coming months Does anyone have any comments?

Attachment 171191

BTW:
NC - I did offer a couple of cartons but think I came across the only teetotaller in the building game

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I'm planning my bench but thought I wouldn't post until I've decided (almost) precisely what I want - then I'll start a new thread (if I can think of a mega name for it)

Anyway I've been keeping an eye on a partial demolition/renovation across the road. as one does.

I asked for any hardwood or maybe any oregon that might be turfed
The house is about 90 yo. so well seasoned!

There's a skip out the front this mornin
yep everything chopped down to 5' lengths
I was after 8' or so lengths for the proposed bench top 2x4 or even 3x4 hardwood

yep had both and gees it looked pretty good - aged spotty gum - I got some but it's not what I really wanted for a bench top, a bit short

lesson learnt - talk with foreman not the worker 'cause he doesn't really give a flying rats

anyway that's the tale of woe.

Is there any reason one can't laminate shorter lengths, lapped for strength?

ie sort of like this

Attachment 171049

My thought is that I'm probably aiming for something like Groggy's top (benchtop that is!)

You see a lot of commercial bench tops done that way. I recon as long as you have solid edges and end caps it should be great l

For the joint, scarfing is probably the best. The boaties do it quite a lot, so do a search in the boat forums here and you will find about a metric ####load of different ways to do them quickly and easily as well as the "reviews" as others take the advice and report back

Jeremy

thanks - that seems to be the idea

now to ponder the best jig to do it well

Will watch with interest. I don't need another bench, I now have 5 in the new shed . . . but a bench building project is always interesting.

That should clean up nice Nick
How about some big finger joints. No idea how you would do them though It would be an interesting excercise in accurate hand sawing unless you have a honkin' big shaper stashed away somewhere.

During de-nailing i found the old chisel and a pair of vicegrips invaluable..

This guy has used short pieces and it looks good.

Top

Do you have a metal detector on locating the nails?

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

have to conclude the design process (ie stop procrastinating) (Groggy finish your bench, pls)

I wish. It is a part time thing when there is nothing else to do, see below.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I've been told in no uncertain terms that I have to finish a couple of other projects around the family abode

Sounds familiar, see above. There will always be a list of things to do. It will grow along with your desire to get out to the shed. You are doomed to suffer the woodies paradox.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I'm a little uncertain how one should do the joints for the lengths. Butt joints or some sort of mortise and tenon derivative?

Scarf joints, as Jeremy said. Failing that, plain butt joints. I used these in my pine bench top and they are as good as the day I made them.