Thread: Build of the Jack Adjustable Bench

Just a quick update. Spent the weekend laminating the bench top. Planing more planing and then some even more planing to get the top flat and even. This is the first time that I have attempted anything like this and in hindsight I would have done it differently but the end result is not to bad. I have read on the forums how therapeutic planing with a super sharp plane can be, I must agree, I have a new appreciation for my super sharp planes.

I just have to install my old reconditioned Record 52 1/2" vice and the Veritas Twin Screw Vice, but have just found out that the Veritas is out of stock in New Zealand and are not due into stock for at least another 4 weeks.
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The bench is looking great. Shame about the vice. Would it be worth it to get one shipped from West Island?

Looking really good!!

I like the design and ideas behind that bench.

I suppose it's possible to make it longer?

Originally Posted by artme

Looking really good!!

I like the design and ideas behind that bench.

I suppose it's possible to make it longer?

Yes can be made longer without a problem.

That's a very quick build. At least compared to me.

Interested to hear how u like it. I started building one before deciding on a traditional bench.

I still have the plans and the work that I'd already started.

I am sorry Kiwipip......that bench is too nice for the workshop!!! I think that it is apiece of furniture that should be housed in the living room!!!

But seriously that is a very well made and finished job.
I have a traditional bench with set height and tool drawer storage under. A mate who is a mechanic got onto some hospital beds that have hydraulic lift of about 400mm. He thought that it would be handy as he watched me many a time put white board cupboards together on a office desk with a larger loose sheet of MDF. It was handy for cupboards but a little low for assembling timber doors. Just to please him (as I was not convinced that the bed would work out) I put a sheet of MDF on the hospital bed and.....very happy with it. The adjust ability is really good and with castors... it worked out to be good system. For bench work though, for vices etc the traditional bench is hard to go past but you have turned my 2 ideas into one very good unit

New to wood working? You could have fooled me! There's obviously a carry over of talent from other disciplines - looky all those green drawers full of tools.

Great job mate!

Okay I have all but finished or at least as much as I can do.. Apparently there is a 4 week wait for my Veritas twin screw vice. If I wait it will be NZD $425 but if I bring it in from the states it will land owing me just over NZD $600.... I think I will wait.. Lucky for me the other vice an old English record I bought at a junk shop for $20, after a strip down and paint it is as good as new and will offset the cost on the twin screw.

I have predrilled the end and made the vice jaw so hopefully all the holes are in the right place. Once the end vice is installed I will put the dog holes in the bench and vice.

I didnt want to put coach bolts thru the top for the Vice (I didnt have anything to make plugs to cover for the bolt holes) so I made the spacer blocks for the vice countersunk glued and screwed to the underside and then screwed in Lag bolts and nuts to hold the vice on.[IMG][/IMG]

My Recond Junk store vice
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Just some images of the finished product
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I know there were some concerns regarding the stability of this bench. This thing is one heavy beast. I have tried it over all the varying heights, once this is set and the pipe clamps tightened its not going anywhere. Yet when you lower the lower cart it is really easy to roll it around my garage.
I know its not your traditional bench but as explained I'm fairly new to the woodworking hobby and was looking for a bench that I can use for a lot of things, sometimes I like to be seated while mucking around or sometimes I want it to be high like a pub bar, and I feel this will be great for a multitude of tasks.

In summary I found the build great and the plans that came for the bench were very detailed and precise, the only pain was getting my head around 1 5/8" and 13/16" imperial measurements. I pre cut all my ply etc so it became like a meccano set in the final assembly. The big limiting factor was the amount of F clamps I had available as to how fast I could build it. If I had to laminate the top again I would use (I think they are called Dominos) to keep the boards in line and saved me a whole heap of time in the planing stage. The most valuable lesson I have learnt is how a very sharp tool (Chisels and planes) is your best friend. I purchased a Work Sharp sharpener and wow what a difference I now have no hair on my arm from shaving them with the chisels after I sharpened them to test them

Nice work. Maybe I might finish mine also. Not sure if I missed it or not, but what timber did u use for the top?

I am very happy to hear that the plans worked out for you. You did a great job on your bench. It looks fantastic, and I will definitely put pictures of it on my website!

Which method did you use to flatten the top?

Thanks for posting about your bench,
Charlie Kocourek

(Jack Bench Designer)

Originally Posted by johnredl

Nice work. Maybe I might finish mine also. Not sure if I missed it or not, but what timber did u use for the top?

Thanks, used Mahogany think its called Fijian Mahogany to be precise.

Originally Posted by CharlieKocourek

I am very happy to hear that the plans worked out for you. You did a great job on your bench. It looks fantastic, and I will definitely put pictures of it on my website!

Which method did you use to flatten the top?

Thanks for posting about your bench,
Charlie Kocourek

(Jack Bench Designer)

Thanks Charlie, I used the old school method of a hand plane, even though it was a bit of work it was very therapeutic and rewarding when I finished it.