Thread: WIP - Dodgie's 21C Workbench

Bit hard to tell from the small photos but I think it looks good
Keep us updated as you finish it off, with bigger photos next time. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

No idea why the pics were so small but lets try again with these:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/member...21c-workbench/

Oh, and for those that are interested the tops are glued up from strips roughly 8cm by 6cm - 8 strips and 7 strips respectively. I'm still finding time to make the infill boxes - the gap is a little wider than I intended because used the top pieces vertically rather than horizontally. The bench is 160cm long and 72cm wide to fit my workshop space. Groz quick release vice at the end, Veritas twin screw along the side in line with the 21C design.

Not a unique design but practical for what I need. It looks better than my present "two sheets of 10 ply" topped bench (and took more effort as well )

Better pics in the next post.

Dodgie

Dodgie,
Well done! How did you decide on the dog hole spacings on the top and sides?
I noted discrepancies in the plans and asked Robert W Lang the designer to clarify, but he wouldn't answer (possibly because he didn't want to admit to inaccurate statements in the video)
Chris

Hi Chris

I was pretty simplistic on the hole spacing. The bench is 1600 long so I did the top holes at 20cm and 10cm centres. The holes on the side stretchers are at 20cm. No particular reason, it just worked out that way.

The "deliberate error" is that the bottom stretchers are inside out. I was showing my son how one could clamp an item to the whole side and realised (embarassment) that I'd put the bottom pieces in the wrong way. Now fixed.
I'm also not happy with the quick release vice position which i feel should actually line up with the top edge - but to do that I have to do quite an indent into the top itself.

Still, a learning experience.

Roger

Nice bench Dodgie. Getting close to the end.

The 21 C bench is very similar to ones I've seen in older workshops here in SEQ.
These benchs only had 1-1 1/2 in. thick tops, a 1- 1 1/2 thick apron fixed to the top edge and fixed to the legs. The apron could be 8, 10, 12 in wide. The two tops were rebated in the middle for a well. Each opposing end had a leg vise and a bird mouth planing stop. Holes to support stiles and rails bored in the apron as needed.
The apron made the bench very strong and kept it square.

Dodgie,
I noted the rails were upside down, and wondered why...
Regarding the tail vice, it is supposed to line up with the top, but can't you fix that by installing wooden vice jaws? I'm intending to.
Chris

Originally Posted by Chrism3

Dodgie,
I noted the rails were upside down, and wondered why...
Regarding the tail vice, it is supposed to line up with the top, but can't you fix that by installing wooden vice jaws? I'm intending to.
Chris

I wondered if anyone noticed the rails

Yes, vice jaws are what I planned to do. I'll do that first and if it doesn't work out then I'll take that slab off and rout a deeper slot for the vice bits.

Roger