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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Default Benchcrafted Shaker Bench Build

    Well, it's been over three years in the making but I finally made a start today. The wood is mostly quarter sawn with some rift sawn radiata (thanks Mapleman for sourcing it!). Unfortunately some blue spot made its way in during air drying (my fault as I didn't keep enough air moving over it).

    IMG_6147.JPGIMG_6153.JPGIMG_6158.JPGIMG_6164.JPG

    First photo is the start of the day. Had the ply sized for me by the ply supplier and I'm sure it worked out more accurately cut than I could have done. Second photo is the ply carcass. Some of the ply has warped slightly and hence I put some extra ribs between the two center dividers which pulled it straight. Upside was it made for a stronger structure anyway. Third and fourth photo is the face framing cut to length. Tomorrow I hope to get the face frame lap jointed and attached. Might manage to get the footing and back on if things go well. Will update again tomorrow.

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  3. #2
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    Nov 2011
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    Looks great so far
    I think I might just sit down and watch this one
    Keep the pics flowing please

  4. #3
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    Feb 2007
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    Default Day 2

    So the day two photos don't look too much different to yesterday. Despite this it was a busy day. All the face frame joints were cut. Included is a photo of my new cross cut sled (with replaceable throat plates for zero clearance) which was invaluable in making the joints (I completed the sled last week). I also ran the new BU smoother (thanks Santa!) over all the face frame parts so it's ready for the finish. The face frame was then glued and screwed to the carcass and the screw head holes plugged. The end panels were also glued up. I used a cork tile and cut 3mm thick pads to allow for movement. I have a family day tomorrow so no updates until Thursday evening. Hopefully I'll get the doors, drawers, back and footing done. If I get to that point I can do the finish on the base (stain and varnish) as the remaining parts will all be finished with BLO.

    IMG_6168.JPGIMG_6169.JPGIMG_6170.JPGIMG_6172.JPGIMG_6173.JPGIMG_6166.JPG

  5. #4
    I_wanna_Shed's Avatar
    I_wanna_Shed is offline Now I've got a 6x7m shed! I need a new name...
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    Default

    I really like the Benchcrafted Shaker Bench. The drawers underneath are fantastic.

    What vises are you using?

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Brisbane
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    I have the benchcrafted tail and leg vise. I'm planning something a little different to the glide or criss-cross for the leg vise though.

  7. #6
    I_wanna_Shed's Avatar
    I_wanna_Shed is offline Now I've got a 6x7m shed! I need a new name...
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by DoctorBobski View Post
    I have the benchcrafted tail and leg vise. I'm planning something a little different to the glide or criss-cross for the leg vise though.
    I love the new Benchcrafted leg vise. Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours.

  8. #7
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    Feb 2007
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    Default Day 3

    Here's the progress from day three. Spent the morning milling the rough sawn pine for all the remaining cabinet parts.

    IMG_6176.JPGIMG_6174.JPG

    Finished the back off just prior to lunch

    IMG_6178.JPG

    Spent the early afternoon sizing up all the door rail and stiles which can be seen sitting inside the cabinet

    IMG_6177.JPGIMG_6180.JPG

    I also had to pack out one of the drawer sides

    IMG_6179.JPG

    Finished the day off by cutting plugs and covering all the screw head holes. The Stubai plug cutter had been great (had others in the past but don't work as effectively).

    IMG_6181.JPGIMG_6182.JPG

    Hopefully tomorrow will see the doors and drawers done. Things are taking a little longer than I thought but I'm trying to take my time and make sure everything is finished well. I've found I'm usually great at procrastinating so I've endeavored to make sure the entire lower cabinet is complete before I start on the top. I could easily leave the doors, drawers and the finish to later and get onto the more fun part of the actual bench top and vises but I figure I'd never end up finishing them if I went that way.

    I must admit, I'm really enjoying this project. To this point I feel I've been more of a tool collector than a real woodworker, only doing small quick projects. This has been a great learning experience and I can't wait till it's done and I can start some other projects with the advantage of real work holding ability.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #8
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    May 2007
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    Default

    looking good and coming along well
    I think I'll pull up a chair and have a watch

    I hope you can see it to the end (I say this as my benchmake is on hold)

    Think of the staining is a feature

    PS that looks like a pretty speccy plug cutter!
    Last edited by Sawdust Maker; 1st January 2015 at 07:26 PM. Reason: add PS
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Default No Progress Report

    For those who are watching this thread I had said I'd post again today with progress. Instead of working on the bench I ended up taking the family to the beach. Will be back in the shed tomorrow so should have some new photo's then.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Blue Mountains
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    Default

    Watching with interest.

    thanks for the WIP.

    cheers,

    ajw

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Default Day 4

    Here is the progress from today. I have finished gluing up all the door panels and should be able to hang them tomorrow or Monday.

    IMG_6184.JPG

    I have also glued up some drawer runners. I've topped the pine with Masonite for wear resistance and smoother operation. I'd much rather remake the drawer than the face frame if something does wear down.

    IMG_6187.JPG

    I'd appreciate any comments about possible downsides for using the Masonite before I put them in on Monday.

    The drawers have been sized up and I've also cut a dado into the sides to assist in marking out the dovetails. Apparently the shoulder is also helpful when chiseling out the waste. I haven't hand cut dovetails since my grade 9 manual arts class so have been watching videos and reading articles. Here's hoping I don't mess it up too bad! Any suggestions to increase the chance of success will be most welcome.

    IMG_6185.JPG

    I also managed to complete the footing which can be seen sitting on top of the cabinet. I'll install once the glue is dry.

    IMG_6183.JPGIMG_6186.JPG

    I hope to have a couple hours in the shed tomorrow so will update again then.

  13. #12
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    It's really starting to come together
    The Masonite draw runners I think are a good idea
    Have I missed them but have you got some rough measurement to share with us
    Also how are planing on finishing it all

  14. #13
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    Hi Simplicity. I hadn't put any measurements in yet. The base is 1550 long, 500 deep and 850 high.

    In regards to the finish, I was planning on milk paint followed by clear varnish in a shaker blue. The milk paint was hard to source and looked tricky to use so went searching for alternatives. I found Cabots exterior varnish stain in gunmetal blue which should give me a nice colour and leave the grain visible. The gunmetal blue will go with the blue stain in the pine. Will be testing tomorrow on a few off-cuts to see if it will do the job. The vise chop and bench top will be left unstained and get a coat or two of BLO.

  15. #14
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    Thank you

  16. #15
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    Sydney
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    Default

    You can get Ye Olde fashioned milk paint company paint in au at Rundell and Rundell in Kyneton, Vic. http://www.rundellandrundell.com.au/#!shop/c1se

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