Thread: WIP Chris's 21st Century Bench

Great start keep up the posts and work in progress.

Chrism - I'm looking at making a bench top from Vic Ash too, hopefully being able to go through boards from a supplier to pick out the really quartersawn ones......

Can I ask if you sourced your timber in Canberra, and if so from where? I'm looking to make my benchtop 1800 x 600, so a bit smaller than yours.

Also, did you use PVA or epoxy for glue up? Most of the bench WIPs on here seem to use PVA, but I have been wondering if a thin epoxy (West System) might offer any benefits.

Keep up the good work - looking forward to seeing the base go together

Looking good Chris. Keep the pics coming.

Mr Brush,
In response to your questions, I sourced the timber from Monaro Timber in Queanbeyan, after a good study of sources around Canberra. They are pretty helpful, and will allow you to choose your pieces. They cut and dressed the top pieces (dressing is not free).
I used Weldbond Professional Woodworkers Glue, which is Canadian. I bought it perhaps a year ago from Trend Timbers, but looking for it now I don't see it advertised. Rather, Weldbond is sold as a "glues anything" product. Mine looks like PVA, but doesn't say that it is, and the makers claim Weldbond is made differently to other glues.
regards
Chris

A bit of further digging shows that the glue is still available - see this catalogue for instance. It's described as an aliphatic glue.
http://www.goodsandchattels.com/CATA..._Catalogue.pdf

Chris - many thanks for the info. I keep planning to take a trip down to Monaro Timbers, as I gather they have a pretty good selection of species. I'll drop in and see them on my next orbit.....

I'll read up on the Weldbond glue. I have heard of it before, but can't remember how it compares with other modern PVAs. The disadvantage of using epoxy would be the hard glue lines when you come to flatten the top, which will take the edge off a plane quicker. Surprisingly there is little detail in the latest Chris Schwarz book on what glues to use and why - he just refers to common or garden yellow glue.

I couldn't find one single design in his book that I liked completely, so mine looks like being a hybrid of several different styles. However, like you, I've come to think that a solid top around 70-80mm thick will suffice.

Cheers

Monaro Timbers take on commissions, and their own work benches are made from 70mm Vic Ash, and they would have a harder life than I will likely give mine. By the time mine is re-thicknessed after gluing I think it will come down to 66mm.

The original 21st Centrury bench specified 3" (76mm) thick, but American Ash must be a lot less dense than Vic Ash, judging by the video of the top being moved around during construction.

I have asked the makers of WeldBond whether the wood glue is still being made.

The response from the makers of Weldbond:
Hello Chris,

Good day and thanks for utilizing our Weldbond products. You are
correct, unfortunately we have discontinued the PWG. You can actually
use our Weldbond Universal Adhesive for such application - although the
PWG was specifically designed for wood.

Weldbond Universal Adhesive is more versatile - suitable for a wide
specimen of materials- would create a good bond with wood - although not
as strong as would it the PWG.

I have attached our product information guide that can help with
whatever current and future projects you may have.

Regards,
George

Info Desk @ F.T. Ross Ltd

So the stuff in store now looks like being the last.

Ahhhh....OK, looks like Titebond III for me then. I can't find any reference to people using epoxy for benchtops, so there must be a good reason why not.

Thanks for posting that

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Ahhhh....OK, looks like Titebond III for me then. I can't find any reference to people using epoxy for benchtops, so there must be a good reason why not.

Thanks for posting that

Mr Bush

I read a trial report a year or so ago of different glues used in wood bench tops (do not ask me where I read the report cant remember), but end results was titebond wood glue was stronger than epoxy for that purpose.

Took the glued up tops to a friendly joinery shop and while I waited they jointed the top flat, ran it through the thickesser (flattening the bottom) so that it finished up 66.5mm thick. They then cut the ends square on a big new saw, so that it's 1800mm long. All ready to sand. I'll put it aside while I work on the frame.

Originally Posted by Chrism3

Took the glued up tops to a friendly joinery shop and while I waited they jointed the top flat, ran it through the thickesser (flattening the bottom) so that it finished up 66.5mm thick. They then cut the ends square on a big new saw, so that it's 1800mm long. All ready to sand. I'll put it aside while I work on the frame.

I so wish someone could do that for mine!
It gets heavy when you start glueing up the pieces for the top which makes it hard to joint/thickness.

Should be a nice bench, what vises are you going to use?

Andy

re the vises, I have ordered a Hovarter twin handle for the front (a clear 18 inches between rods - no screws), and a 7" Groz quick release for a tail vise on one half of the top.

I see Hovarter does a leg vise as well now (same basic design though)....looks very nice.

I hate to think what it would cost to ship here though; a bit heavy !

Unfortunately freight is likely to be an issue whichever way you go, as there are hardly any decent vises available locally.

Benchcrafted, Veritas, Lake Erie Toolworks, Hovarter.....all have substantial shipping costs.