new bench

**Ball Peen** · 12th March 2012, 10:24 AM

Hi everybody I thought I'd share my new bench. It's made of Euro Beech and built in 6 days over a 7 day period ( 20-1-12 26-1-12 ). I only mention the time because I'll be a pensioner soon and I really surprised myself. I didn't think to take pics till the 3rd day. The leg vise (doesn't actually use the leg at all) was another day, 2 weeks later. The base components are all slot mortised to 35mm and a 150mm batten screw is pre drilled from the outside. The stretchers use a 200mm x 12mm coach screw. This is the 4th bench of it's kind I've built. It's just a well made no frills bench.
I made the main panel 390mm wide so I could surface dress and thickness it on my over and under. The dog rail and back rail make it 520mm wide.
It is carving height for me, 925mm. My old bench has been lowered ( new base ) to 865mm, planing height for me. It is based on Tage Frid's bench in "Fine
Woodworking", Fall 1976. I've omitted the tool well and made changes to suit me. I've included a pic of my old bench, built 30 years ago made of mixed hardwood. Thanks for looking.
　

　
Stretchers are a dry fit with a coach screw.
　

　
The tail vise has been perfected by generations of cabinet-makers and joiners.
It's supported five ways; it tracks three ways and has three clamping possibilities.
　

**Milo** · 12th March 2012, 10:38 AM

Bill!!

WOOOOOOOW! You built that in 7 days!!!

Awesome work! I am in the throws of building a Frank Klausz replica and it's taking me months!! Ok, I have a good excuse I have a 6 week old baby but still 7 days....thats greece lighting.

Love the design and your work!

Also, I had a quick squiz at your instruments and they look amazing, as a lover of blues and jazz the bass is the backbone of a band.

Milo

**Ball Peen** · 12th March 2012, 12:51 PM

Too right Milo, Its the bass player's job to rein in out of control guitarists or wild fiddlers.

**BobR** · 12th March 2012, 01:56 PM

Beautiful bench Bill. Even though you have made this bench before, six days sounds full on.

**Christos** · 12th March 2012, 02:17 PM

Well done.

**Ball Peen** · 12th March 2012, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by BobR

Beautiful bench Bill. Even though you have made this bench before, six days sounds full on.

They were long days that time of year. I'd knock off at 11:00 and go back 1:30 - 2:00.
I was building a mandolin online and the weather stopped the polishing. Before I knew it a bench was started. I think I liked the change of pace. A demonic passion took over. I only had to be accurate and not sweat every little scratch. Most of the joinery on and around the tail vise is right off the saw. The only hand cut joint is the mortise on the leg vise.

Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum • View topic - more archtops

**Sawdust Maker** · 14th March 2012, 09:25 AM

Nice work. thanks for showing us

My bench is taking months but I suppose the real work on it can be measured in hours and not many

I notice the beam on your leg vice is encased in a slip box - is this because it doesn't go through the leg?

and if I may ask what is the dark timber on the back of the bench? looks like it slides in and out as well?

**Pops** · 14th March 2012, 12:16 PM

Hi Ball Peen Bill,

That is one hell of a build, yes demonic passion indeed. Very impressive. A simple, no nonsense bench. Wish I had that passion.

Thanks for all the photos.

Cheers
Pops

**Ball Peen** · 14th March 2012, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the kind words fellas.

Sawdust, yes it's a guide and stop for the pin. The dark timber is a ledge to support a swivel vise I can move from bench to bench.

Pops the passion is an unexpected gift when it comes. I felt like I was 40 again.

**Sawdust Maker** · 15th March 2012, 08:08 AM

Thanks

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