Thread: Reclaimed timber bench

Here are some pics from making the bench. Very difficult to work with some of this timber, very dry, very hard and full of reversing grain etc.
IMG_20210909_205313.jpgIMG_20210920_160722.jpgIMG_20210929_194657.jpgIMG_20211105_202825.jpgIMG_20211014_200934.jpgIMG_20211201_150137420_HDR.jpgIMG_20211214_132544250.jpgIMG_20211224_210017262.jpgIMG_20211226_212622448.jpgIMG_20220125_204559643.jpgIMG_20220201_201438646.jpg

Obviously took a lot of work to get that bench out of that material - and all justified by the result.

G'day Barramonday,

I'm about to attempt a similar build; a hand tool work bench from reclaimed hardwood framing timber. Do you happen to have more photos of the joinery you used?
Looking for some ideas I can use in my build.

Thank you!

Nice Build.

@JP The bench joinery is all oversized mortise and tenon draw-bored on the long rails, with no glue and the tops coach bolted to the stretchers.
The inspiration came from forum member Kuffy's excellent series of videos on Youtube.
The dimensions are all based on the (really challenging) material I had to work with.
I cut the Mortises with a 1/2 inch spiral upcut bit and cleaning up with a chisel.
I'll see if I have anymore pics.
For those looking to attempt something similar, I really suggest getting some better timber.

This is great timing and fantastic looking bench. I’ve purchased the exact same set of vices as a progression from benchcrafted designs. I’ve picked up 80yr old materials which mostly consist of stringy bark, tallowwood, jarrah and grey gum. Won’t be the same dimensions as yours by de

Im building it all by hand at the moment but take ownership of a combo jointer thicknesser soon which will help, plenty of sweat squaring the stock at the moment so it’s a little slow going. am really keen to have it finished to move Onto some other projects I have coming up.

You’ve given me some ideas on some of the joints and base. Thank you

Originally Posted by barramonday

For those looking to attempt something similar, I really suggest getting some better timber.

Okay, now I'm a little concerned about the timber i've gathered...
It's my first attempt at a bench, so I'll see how I go. Thanks for the info and tips!!

Beautiful work

Originally Posted by barramonday

Here are some pics from making the bench. Very difficult to work with some of this timber, very dry, very hard and full of reversing grain etc.

What method did you use to drill out the dog holes for each of your bench tops? Take the piece to the drill it or a handheld guide for your drill or even a brace and bit

Cheers
Nathan

@Delbs I used a little bosch drill press with some home made supports, I drilled most of the way through from the top side so the spur of the forester bit came through, flipped them over and used a battery drill to finish the holes. I put a small chamfer top and bottom with a trim router.
This was a long process and pretty much killed the Famag bit I bought for this.

Originally Posted by barramonday

@Delbs I used a little bosch drill press with some home made supports,

This is where im at with it, was going to buy a new 3/8 forstner bit and just drill them in the lengths closest to the bench vice before i glue up the top so its less weight on the drill press as im a fan of taking the tool to the wood as much as possible.

But looking at your spacing for your tail vice it lines up between two of the lengths in the top so i may need to just do this and take it to drill press lower to the ground than currently and have additional outfeed roller support

i did buy one of those portable drill guides for me to use a drill on the bench but it was terrible quality and i couldn't get the depth i needed.

Cheers,
Nathan

I put a picture of drilling the dog holes in this thread
Bosch PBD 40 Bench drill

All the extras in building a bench like this can really add up, 1/2" spiral uncut bit (ready for a trip to the sharpener or bin), 4lt + glue, epoxy kit+ tint, good 3/4 forester bit (same as router bit). There is $300-$400 just in that stuff.