Thread: I finally made something - workbench.

Great work on the bench, Tom, and you've assembled a very cool tool collection in a very short time. I'm hoping to get over to Chandler markets next weekend to hunt out a mortice chisel.

Thanks. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. it will be interesting to see how the plywood top holds up under use. The way I see it, is that if the plywood isn't good enough i can top it with hardboard... or make a proper laminated top to attach. Retro fitting will be easy due to the use of cleats on the under side to hold the top to the stretchers.

Chandler markets are pretty good. can be a bit hit and miss. Rocklea are pretty good. And the trip out to the Fernvale markets is often worth the 40mins. If its sunny, you at least know Hans Brunner will be there.

Nice work Tom, you did well

Good one Tom. May it give you mny hours of pleasure.

Tremendous!

Looking good Tom and nice collection as well.

hi tom
that looks great.
i need to make myself a few of them too and, not being a particularly mathematically minded person am not looking forward to having to design the whole thing. would you please be able to post any measurements, diagrams and materials etc. that you could.
that would be awesome.
thanks

Thanks for replies. I've never had any training whatsoever, and am (in my Dad's words) a shiny ar*se. Which means i'm an office worker. So I'm pretty chuffed with the result. This woodworking caper could get addictive!

PP, the design was taken from Making Workbenches by Sam Allen. Carbatec stock it I think.

The top is 1800mm x 600mm. Its three layers of chipboard... which I think was 18mm. Plus some ply which i think is 19mm... which made the top 73mm.

The base is made out of 90x90 and 90x45 oregon. dowels are used to keep it straight and its held together by thread bolts which are in each stretchers, top, bottom, ends and sides. Its not glued so you can dismantle it in future if you need to. The base is 1140 x 600. The legs sit flush with the side of the top.

Dog holes will go in the top and down the far leg for supporting long stock.

The book is only $30. It has this "joiners" bench and also the plans for a traditional european cabinetmakers bench with shoulder and tail vice and tool tray etc.

The design for mine actually uses a Veritas twin screw vice on the end but i'm going to use a large face vice from carbatec. Down the track I can retro fit a twin screw if i think i need one.

cheers
Tom

awesome.
thanks for that
jim