Thread: Frank Klausz/European Workbench WIP

Hi All

Did some more tinkering over the weekend. I managed to find a cheap 26mm forstner Bit and I tested to ways to install the screw. The nutneeded to be recessed into the face vice block plus I needed to cut a step holefor the flange on the nut.
I had a wing cutter from my Dads tool box and it cut aperfect circle, I then routed out the depth for the flange. I then used thepoint of the wing cutter for the forstner bit to cut the screw hole. I thenmarked out the recess for the nut to sit in the face vice block. I tested thison a offcut and although it worked I think it wasn’t the most accurate way ofdoing it. I only had .6 of a mmto play with.

So I reverted to drilling the screw hole first then mark outthe flange which I cut free hand with a trim router and then knocked out thewaste for the nut. Although not ask crisp and clean as using the wing cuttereverything lined up much better and the face vice worked really well.
One thing I am a bit perturbed about is check how far outthat screw sticks out?? You think they could have made it slightly shorter? Infact in the woodworking book Klausz does actually take 2 inches off the screw.Oh well I will have to live with it!

I left the support rod a tad long as I need to remove it for final glue up.


Next will be the Tail vice and glue up and final flattening.

Originally Posted by Milo

.. In fact in the woodworking book Klausz does actually take 2 inches off the screw.Oh well I will have to live with it!.....

If you catch some precious bits of anatomy () on it, I reckon the hacksaw will be out in a flash!
It's the main reason I have never made a shoulder vise. I like the idea, but have never had a shed big enough to cope with the extra room a shoulder vise needs for comfort.

Lookin' good, Bryan. You're basically home free. Beat me by a whisker - I finished my latest bench-build tonight. No pics because it was too dark when I finished. I'll take some in the morning, if I can lift the top onto its legs on my own...

Cheers,

Ian

Hold the bubbly I'm not declaring the end of the campaign just yet!! That tail vice is the last hurdle and then we will break out the sausage sizzle and beers!!!

Your spot on about catching the tackle on that screw! Bwahahhaha that whole south wing will be coming off with a couple of swipes of my trusty circular saw!!!

Naaa she'll be right!

Would love to see the new bench, I bet it's awesome!

I apologise in advance, I finished the bench about a monthago but I went on holidays for a few weeks and changed jobs so life has been alittle hectic but I just got back in the workshop.

Chris Shwarz wrote that Pattern Makers were the Jedi Nightsof woodworking and my late father was a pattern maker so I have named thisbench “Les”.

One last sand down and a final coat of Danish oil hasfinished him off beautifully. God only knows how heavy this sucker is but itain’t going anywhere fast. It’s an absolute pleasure to plane on and the tailvice is so cool to work with.

The biggest thank you goes to Ian Wilkie who steered mealong the path and put up with all my noob questions, thank you I learnt a hellof a lot and its made me a better woodworker. Also to the two Bills who gave mea hand with these massive boards getting them through the planner and jointerwas a slog!

For anyone who wants to build this bench please feel free tohit me up for plans or any advice.

I hope you all like it!

Cheers



Bryan

Bryan

The bench is a credit to you. I'm sure your father would have loved it.

Excellent.

Regards
Paul

Well, it took just a little longer than originally planned (). I must admit there were a couple of times when you had those long breaks that I feared it might never get done, but here it is at last, and it looks like it was worth all the sweat & tears (& splinters!). Ten out of ten for the job, & eleven out of ten for persistence..

Now, what about all those jobs you've promised to do "when the bench is finished"? ...........
Cheers,

Hi Ian

yeah ah having a baby half way through really put a dampner on progress, I could only grab an hour here and there but I never wavered I just had to chip away slowly.

Its such a pleasure to work on it, it's amazing!

Ive ve got to make better wedges for the tusk tennons and some more dogs but it's producing already, my neighbour has commissioned a small stand for her house and the lady up the road wants a step stool so here we go!

I love it!

Beautiful workbench.

Wow that is a impressive bench. Looks fantastic, well done. Did you say you had a set of plans available

Nicely done

DSEL

Yes have the plans, actually if you get The Workbench book by Scott Landis the plans are in the back. I used them as a guide and modified things accordingly.

Thanks again!

Milo, you are not working on that, surely!!
Remove the dustcover when a visitor arrives or when you want to photograph, give it a buff, then replace the cover, but work on it??!

Beautiful.

great looking bench, congratulations

Thanks all yup old Les is a beauty !!

Must be be the festive season cause the orders are flowing in !

Thanks again