Thread: Redefining the Aussie WorkBench

I hear what you're saying Lou but I think the points Derek put forward in his post make a lot of sense.

Lou
Thanks for the tusk angle m8,
as to Derek's comments they are true in that his ideas are well based around what a good workbench should have in its design depending on the function you wish it to serve.

Where as your bench has become the "Triton" of work benches giving you almost all the best features of a varity of specilist benches all rolled into one, a bench you can do anything on.

Not a bench for me though, some applications I would never use, others would get in my way and others I would damage cause I'm not into a lot of the fine darkside work ( lack the tallent)
However as a design I like it and if I had the space would love to build as a show bench, and I am waiting to see the final result with much anticipation

Rgds

I went back to Lou's original post where he said
" I'd like to invite all forum members to help me re-define the concept of the modern workbench.

Although Workbenches have traditionally had a great run on our forum their tends to be a fairly traditional take on design, materials and execution. For the traditionalists out their this thread is not going to be for you!!!"

Given that he opened with that, I think he has made a darn good effort and stayed fairly true to what he set out to do. He has a very flexible unit that is a "jack of all trades but master of none".

Onya Lou!

Onyu Lou from me to I cant wait to see your final product and ill bet their will be a few of us keen to copy or adapt similar for our own use. This has been one of the best threads on the forum. Well done

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Perhaps this is a bit late in the game, but the question I would have asked at the outset would have been "what type of woodwork do you plan to do with the bench?"

I've my doubts about the bench too, as far as its' use in my workshop. But from the amount of thought Lou has put into the design of the bench and the features it incorporates I'd say he that this was the first thing he did. He wouldn't really know what he wanted, otherwise. Perhaps, in time, he'll decide that some parts are impractical or that he should've built it differently... but even those of us who've built more traditional benches know that particular regret.

Kudos to Lou for the effort, it's been an interesting read so far. I'm fanging to see the end product and hear how well it actually works for him in the long run.

YEr this continues to be a great read

Really appreaciate the Discussion created by MAster Darth Cohens comments.

BUT really I think the question at this stage should be:

What part of your present Workbench would or have you changed and why???

This should give us a clue to what common elements all great Workbenches HAve. For instance it would be great if Derek spoke about the changes he mentioned he has made to his Bench. WHat changes were made & why.....................Is there still some way of inproving on his design????

WOuld be great to get some feedback from forums members who have had their Benches for 5+ years I'm almost certain their "Benches" would tell us some stories and give direction for further improvement!

Also theres usually some part of our workbenches that we really love.............that something special thats its able to provide or do????

Its certainly not to late to change some design elements at this stage as its all part of the Journey.

Regards Lou

...it would be great if Derek spoke about the changes he mentioned he has made to his Bench. WHat changes were made & why.....................Is there still some way of inproving on his design????

Hi Lou

Firstly, I must apologise if I have put the cat among the pigeons. I certainly hope that my comments did not sound like a criticism - as I said, and again emphasize, every bench is built to meet specific needs, and these differ among woodworkers. What is perfect for one may be hopeless for another. Alarm bells rang for me when I saw you using handtools - your design is not what I would choose for handtool work. This is personal.

I built my bench some 15 years ago as part of the workshop (a double garage) I put together in the new house we had just completed. At that stage I was predominantly using power tools. In a sense, the workbench was quite rudamentary - the top was a 25mm layer of Karri boards glued to 50mm of ply. This was edged in more Karri (I later added a thicker, deeper Jarrah apron). The frame consisted of mortice-and-tenoned Karri stretchers and legs. Nothing really substantial - all about 75x75mm. The bench was not particularly long, about 1600mm, as it had to fit against a wall between the door and the tablesaw (when it was pushed against the wall).

It was only when I began using handplanes that I realised that the damn thing was not solid enough. I filled in the sides and back, and added shelves, and these really stiffened it up. Although it was quite heavy, it still wanted to move across the room! So I bolted it to the wall. Now it was rock solid. Eventually I added doors for dust proofing.

Here is a picture of the current bench.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/lengthtoplane.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

It can be seen that I have two face vises. The second (on the right) was added about 5 years ago. These have been incredibly useful for me. I can clamp a long board between them. Or I can clamp two boards together for edge jointing. For a while I would span a board between them and use this as a enormous face vise - terrific for dovetailing (but see later).

One of the better add-ons I did was an adjustable bench stop. This can be raised/lowered - tailored to the thickness of the board for planing.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/Benchstop.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

Another add-on I came up with was a dovetail vise: two bolt holes were added to the front apron.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/image010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

Here is an alternate type that clamps into the face vise (I prefer mine, but this is a nice concept).

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/facevise3add-on.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

Now, having mentioned all the above, if I were to build another bench (which I will once I have done with some of the more urgent demands in the home - I much prefer building for the home than the workshop), then it will be this "" bench, as built by Chris Schwarz, editor of Popular Woodworking.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/ChrisSchwartz1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

This uses a legvise plus stop for long lengths, along with a bench slave to hold the other end of the board.

What is a bench slave? Here is another:

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/BenchSlave1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

What I love about the bench is its simplicity. It does not attempt to be all things to all tasks. It has stood the test of time (some couple of hundred years!) as a design for handtoolers.

Note that all these benches have a solid leg at each corner. These brace the bench when pounding. I hear you when you say that you believe good joints will create sufficient strength for the work you plan to do. That may be the case for you. It would not work for me. I would place continual stresses on the corners, and the bench would break. Then again, if you have something different in mind, then go for it.

I emphasise again, powertool users will not be excited by the above. Their needs are different. And that is a tale for another day.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek

I really think you should have a close up look at the design features of my Bench. I think you'll find some stark similarities>

I'm going to be bold and say I'm already a step ahead of you

Regards Lou

Hi Lou

I really like that variable bench slave design of yours. Also, it should act as a brace for the front right corner.

What about the other corner? What can you do there? One idea is a leg behind the vice. Add another bench slave, but one that clamps with a through bolt - then you can use the face vise to hold timber that rests on the bench slave and, if it is strong enough, you could even pound on it (as the force is taken by the bench slave, not the vise). Useful for chiseling mortices.

I refuse to comment about the bench top, per se!

Regards from Perth

Derek

THx Derek

IF there is a area of concern perhaps it is the corner with the single leg at the front left hand side in the Pic (Near the front vice of my Bench) However if you look at the structure of the Bench (The one you profess to be the blueprint of your next workbench) You'll notice exactly the same issue.

How do you see the bench addressing the issue better than our Bench Design?

Additionally I have yet to decide how I will attach the BAse to the Benchtop. But heres a concept drawing of how the Base will support the top.

I'm having difficulty understanding how mallet blows n the like will affect the structural integrity of the Bench????...............would appreciate your thoughts on this one

REgards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

I'm having difficulty understanding how mallet blows n the like will affect the structural integrity of the Bench

REgards Lou

Lou i cant speak for Derek, but im asuming he means having a leg under for usung a mallet so their is a "dead" spot, and it dosnt matter how thick or strong a top is you will have some spring back when using a mallet. On your bench that is directly above your leg and for me its a bit to far in for using a mallet, so maybe that area could then be above the slave bit if it is strong enough and if a clear space above was permited

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm

It must be something to do with being so late BUT I still don't get it. For the life of me I can't once again see how mallet blows N the like would affect our Bench design.

Remembering that the HArdwood skirting will also be a stressed member of the base to benchtop equasion. I'll do a bit of research on this one n see If I can come up with a definitive answer......................I'm wondering why David MArks would use a similar design for his Bench if this is the case????


Deep in thought.............................


Lou





And yes it does hurt:eek: (Being deep in thought that is)

Originally Posted by NewLou

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm

It must be something to do with being so late BUT I still don't get it. For the life of me I can't once again see how mallet blows N the like would affect our Bench design.

Remembering that the HArdwood skirting will also be a stressed member of the base to benchtop equasion. I'll do a bit of research on this one n see If I can come up with a definitive answer......................I'm wondering why David MArks would use a similar design for his Bench if this is the case????

Lou, when 'bashing' on a bench I like to be over a leg to stop reverberation through the entire table or bench. Your bench has an overhang which will likely reverberate somewhat when doing hammer work. Ideally, the full force of a blow will be delivered to the workpiece and not transmitted elsewhere, it allows for a better 'feel' for what you are doing. IMHO, working over a leg allows a deadblow effect and defeats the transmission of the blow elsewhere.
It can be difficult to picture until you use a bench that has no give whatsoever. The only ones I have used like that are over 8 foot long and older than me. The best one I have ever used was in the railway repair yard at Newport, I could have sworn that thing was cast steel with a thin veneer of timber on it. It didn't even reflect sound - well, maybe just a little.

Hey there

Well some roster changes at work & me getting side tracked with a few others things has made it difficult to get back into the Shed for any decent period of time.

Today I was Finally able to re start work on my Bench.

I've come to learn the effectiveness of creating sharp lines with joinery m a decent mark lot knofe is worth its weight in gold. I've been using a hobby knife which is really Handy BUT can't wait to get my hands on one from CV Tools (I've got one of his markout knives on order)

For the mortises I'm cutting out MArking out is real important. From here I go to my trusty Drill Press with a 48mm Forstner Bit.................