Thread: Redefining the Aussie WorkBench

Gidday

Well I did some mucking around while I was on a roll and came up with the first prototype. Like many others here I'm not into tool wells....................But also acknowledge the convienence of having somewhere to place tools at arms length.

I came up with the idea of having a small shelf underneath the main Bench top. I reckon It'd be just as Handy without the hassles and problems generally associated with Wells. (eg: Dust Collection)

Also some kind of storage underneath appears to be really popular. I reckon the shelving idea is a great compramise. Pleantly a leg space n room underneath but also that bit of desired real-estate to place routers/ROS chisels/drill drivers etc etc

What do you guys think.......................all suggestions welcome

Regards Lou

Gidday

Well I've finally finished the Mk1 which is a progression of the prototype in the previous post. I reckon shes really starting to come along................& my CAD skills are starting to really take off!

Any suggestions in particular on Dimensioning really appreciated. I'm wondering what the Standard length/width of a modern Bench is?

I guess ideally what you want from a Bench that will be in a shed like mine is the ability to attack workpieces/stock from any side of the Bench

..........................Any thoughts appreciated

Regards Lou

I reckon that your design will move on the subframe. It needs triangulation to prevent the top rocking once you begin to get violent (who me?). A steel subframe is the way to go with legs at each corner. Do that and actually make a box with a cavity as the bench top. I know this sounds crazy but now we have the strong subframe you can fill the top (box) with sand as a ballast, drop the top on and it will be so bloody heavy it won't go anywhere. Just make sure it is in the right place as it you won't be able to move it!! I hate benches that move.

I think Mini is onto something Lou. The first prototype looks rock solid and would go no where but valuable space is lost. The second prototype has good space but appears flimsy. Im personaly againsed steel legs for the main workshop bench, but for secondry benches around the shop they are great. Keep it up Lou youl end up with a terrific bench. Oh, i reckon your CAD skills are pretty impressive for someone just new to it

Gidday

Wow I didn't realise CAD was so addictive and Fun:eek:

Antwayz I've bulked up the design and added a few new accessories. I'm sure she would'nt rack or slide around. I think I will need to be mindful of using appropriate joinery though.

Thoughts comments suggestions muchly appreciated....................

Regards Lou

Looking good Lou
If it was mine I'd attach a 6 or 8 gang Powerboard under the shelf on the crossmember. Keep all the power cords in one place and just run a small extension cord to it. One thing that bugs me in my shop is that if I've got a multi power tool project on the go I'm always tripping over damn cords.
I agree with some of the others too. I think, despites its bulk it would rack under heavy use.

I think that it would have an awful lot of stress where the vertical members join to the feet. Any planing is going to stress the bench, and with the trestle construction, there is a reduced ability to counter it.

It looks like work performed along the short dimension of the bench might be worse still for stressing the joint.

It occurs to me that the traditional bench echoes the structural framing methods of the day-heavy members joined with mortise and tenon. We don't build houses that way anymore, maybe a more modern approach using shear panels for the major components might be a worthwhile approach.

do you think some forum members will ever see the light and get over their curious little obsession:confused:

No.

its like they think they belong to some elite club or something.

Jeeze mate, people do what they enjoy because they enjoy it. Anything else is reading too much into it.

the greater the amount of hand work involved the lesser quality the piece is visualy

Thats part of the challenge. The 'poor quality' is not about the tools used, but in the skill the user has with them. I could make poor quality stuff with power tools as well if I had little skill in them.
Its what floats my boat, sorry to say I didn't consider how it would make you feel. PM me your address - I'll send you a card.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

I agree with some of the others too. I think, despites its bulk it would rack under heavy use.

A centre pedestal design will never survive IMO. I would think that a really heavy, bulky design on this type of subframe would in fact make it worse due to its weight being pushed around by working on it. Why did you pick this type of leg design? How about making a design that the top could be changed on depending on the job? Got some marking out and drawing to do full scale? use a white melamine top. Got gluing and assembly work to do, drop in a hardboard "cover" leaving the melamine untouched. Planing and joinery would require dog holes or clamping so take off that top and drop one on that is equipped with vices etc. Multi purpose and bench tops standing on their side don't take up a lot of room.

Originally Posted by Mini

Why did you pick this type of leg design?

Gidday Mini.............Interesting question

The base is based on the Design of Master Woodworker David Mark's WoRkBench (See 1st page at the start of this thread for Pic) He hosts a Great Woodworking show on Pay called Woodworks.

The basis of the design is tried; tested and proven. BUT I too have the same concerns in regards to racking at this stage espically If I decide not to use the Benchtop as a stressed member of the base design.

This is a great help so I'll work on a fix & post once I get the time to do some more CAD....................

This is getting exciting Fellas Thx to all who have been making relevant n postive contrabutions

Regards Lou

Originally Posted by gregoryq

It occurs to me that the traditional bench echoes the structural framing methods of the day-heavy members joined with mortise and tenon. We don't build houses that way anymore, maybe a more modern approach using shear panels for the major components might be a worthwhile approach.

I think this is a really important Greg. But for me I don't think i want to go so far as using panel materials. However I have done a lot of work with MDF & the like & Laminating MDF on what would be considered Long grain to long Grain makes a super strong piece of Stock. (Structurally)

It may well be something worth while exploring.???

Imagine your Bench Stock made from Sheet MDF Laminations Finished of with some Type of super Tough Liminated Veneer (For example some of the stuff made from laminex is super tough specifically design for Lab & Industorial Benchtops)

I wonder if it would end up more cost effective???

What I'm really interested in though is the use of sheet materials strategically placed to reinforce the present Base design. Mmmmmmmm good food for thought!!

Now where are the engineers round here??? .......................


Regards Lou

Hey New Lou...

I wonder about a torsion box for the top...I know they have been done, and are very stable. MDF laminations too, but that just gives extra mass and stability without adding much strength or stiffness. (I think).

My bias is for a laminated solid wood top, but that's because I want dog holes, and like the look of a timber top.

Now, to the base: The number one issue here is stiffness. And beam strength. And a fanatical devotion to the pope.

The shelf that you have in your cad rendering looks good, but they tend to be a disaster in my shop. Any utility is outweighed by the tonnage of crap that ends up there. In it's place, you would be free to construct a thin-skinned shear panel as a backbone for the bench.

I think that a 6mm MDF skin on both sides of a panel framed by the horizontal members already in the design. Done properly, this would be seriously stiff, and provide more than ample resistance to racking.

Same goes for legs: A shear panel 75-100mm thick would be pretty tough to match with frame and tenon. The entire bench could be constructed with construction pine (although stock that was accurately thicknessed and straight). With skins well glued, it would be tough to beat.

Greg

Here's another idea to add to the file, New Lou:

I was looking at the dovetail jigs on eBay today, pondering their use, and it strikes me that a cheap one of those would make a neat vise for hand-cutting dovetails. Strip out the fingers, just use the cam action clamp to hold the tail board for layout and sawing. After chiseling out the waste, the board could be returned to the vise. Next, the pin board can be clamped horizontally for transferring the tail layout.

Whadya think?

Greg

Greg

That looks like a very good idea. Now I can see a use for that POS dovetail jig that's gathering dust under a bunch of tools.

I can't give you a greenie just now but I owe you one.

Col