Thread: The Milkmans Workbench!

I am considering building one of these. I see it very much as an additional, special purpose device and not as a substitute for a 'proper' bench.

I have two reasons for considering building this -

1. My workshop is under the house, and while I enjoy working there most of the time, on days when the weather is pleasant, it would be nice to do some woodwork on the back lawn or the verandah. This bench could be clamped to the BBQ table and I could take small projects outside to work on.
2. I sometimes need to go to other places to do a bit of woodwork (eg repairs for my Mum, going on holiday to the beach house). This could be set up there pretty easily and would be much easier to use than a collection of clams and odd bits of timber!

However, I have a long list of projects to work on before I get to this, so I wouldn't wait for my report on the bench in use before making a decision to

I'm also thinking it might be useful
especially for doing the odd job inside

I'm thinking of making one but won't be any time soon

Good Morning y'All

Intriguing project, and superb craftsmanship as always with Chris.

But I have doubts ....

Apart from looking pretty and bragging rights, what would this bench add-on do that a bog standard Workmate would not do better???

Enlighten me.


Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

....I'm thinking of making one but won't be any time soon...

:WHS:

I've been thinking about making myself a 'bench' bench for some years. The MM's bench (btw, there is a thread on this already, but I couldn't find it on a quick search), is cute, and that slot front 'vise' is clever, but a bit limited in its holding potential, for my money. I'm thinking of something a little bigger (but still able to be lifted onto a table or bench by me!). I want to incorporate a vise that will hold work at right angles to the bench front (as in the jaws of a tail-vise), but it's rather difficult to do that with a full-length, twin-screw, front vise, which is the reason I wanted to make the bench-bench in the first place. So I am still at the stage of doodling & sketching various arrangements trying to figure out a way to have my cake & eat it too. So far, the most practical solution I have come up with is to have two 'fronts' on the bench, & flip it around to bring whichever vises I need into play. Not entirely happy with that, for various reasons, so I'm still doodling.......

Cheers,

Agree that it looks sort of limiting, but ...

In Sydney especially more and more people are living in apartments or inner city dwellings where a shed is just not possible, or if you have a garage, there's no room on the street to park the car so the garage can be used as a shed.
If woodworking by amateurs like us is to survive I believe it's future is in devices like the Milkman's bench, or pieces of furniture like this Lee Valley Apartment Workbench Plan - Lee Valley Tools

Originally Posted by ian

....I believe it's future is in devices like the Milkman's bench, or pieces of furniture like this Lee Valley Apartment Workbench Plan....

Ian, I think the Milko's bench is a tad on the tiny side, even for apartments (well, maybe not 'studio' apartments!). There is barely enough room in the front 'vise' to hold a board 25mm thick, and you wouldn't be able to plane up anything of substance between the dogs, so I'm not sure what hobbies you would pursue with this bench.

But if space were a premium, I could certainly go for something like that LV bench. Sometime in the next few years I need to make something like that & have it ready for when they drag me off to the nursing home. I can chuck out the bedside table & put that in its place. I probably won't be capable of doing anything with it, but p'raps I can get visitors to pull out the drawers & I can gaze at a few favourite tools & think about what was.....

Cheers,

Jeeeeezuz Ian W !

Your not that old and or decrepit!!!! Yet! !

What about someone who is a box maker working with small stock? I think it would work great.

Originally Posted by IanW

Ian, I think the Milko's bench is a tad on the tiny side, even for apartments (well, maybe not 'studio' apartments!). There is barely enough room in the front 'vise' to hold a board 25mm thick, and you wouldn't be able to plane up anything of substance between the dogs, so I'm not sure what hobbies you would pursue with this bench.

Hi Ian
it was the similarity with the Moxon dovetail vice that struck me.

But in terms of working in an apartment or terrace or any location without access to a shed, a big clamp like the Milko's bench that attaches to another surface appears to have advantages
Box making immediately comes to mind
In my situation, I could take it and a small box of tools down to the local park and have a bit of fun

Originally Posted by Milo

Jeeeeezuz Ian W !

Your not that old and or decrepit!!!! Yet! !

Milo, there are days!

Nah, don't panic, me lad, I was being just a little facetious. I plan to die in my shed, at some impossibly old age, putting the last stroke of polish on the last heirloom, made from the last bit of useable wood in my (former) stash.

But just in case, I better look into what's involved in this box-making business.....

Cheers,

Hi Bryan,

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I thought this is the most appropriate place to post this.. Dale visited a few weeks back and we made some wooden threads for his portable bench, well, my oldest son Matthew was visiting from Austria the last few weeks and got quite taken with the idea of a small portable workbench...

Josh and Matthew worked the last few days and came up with this little gem.

DSCN3090a.JPGDSCN3091a.JPGDSCN3093a.JPGDSCN3089a.JPGDSCN3092a.JPG

Josh made the tap from 01 round bar stock and heat treated it.

The frame and main parts are from KD hardwood, and the threads and knobs are from English Oak.

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray

Hijack away! I love your work man, the Milko bench looks terrific!!

excellent work, I for one am a fan!

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/wood-screw-help-168752/


Here is the link to the previous thread on it, as mentioned earlier.

Ray, Your boys are putting me to shame as I still haven't finished mine I have done some work on it but have gotten side tracked with life complications and now the Dawn 611 project.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/wood-screw-help-168752/


Here is the link to the previous thread on it, as mentioned earlier.

Ray, Your boys are putting me to shame as I still haven't finished mine I have done some work on it but have gotten side tracked with life complications and now the Dawn 611 project.

Hi Dale,

I keep getting sidetracked as well.... I've got some saw making bits to send to you, could you PM me your mailing address again!..

Regards
Ray