New Workbench

**Dust Mite** · 23rd May 2006, 07:40 PM

For sometime now I have been following the general discussion on redefining the modern workbench. There were many interesting and intriguing comments put forward by the forum members.

The cad design drawings were very interesting and it got me thiniking about replacing my old bench with a purpose built one.

I looked at many designs over a period of time and looked at what the members here had in their sheds.

It very quickly became obvious that a workbench is a very personal item in our workshops. For some its a crusty old knock around workhorse while to others its a labour of love that is also functional. Then there are those with benches that should be put in modern art galleries and never used... gawd I'd be scared to use some of the benches you guys have.

It became apparent very quickly that I would need a tall bench and thus it will be one metre high. At six foot 2" (1.89) metres tall, anything lower than that would hurt my back. My current table is 940mm tall and hand planing at that height produces a sore back after an hour or two.

And so I finally worked out the basic design that I wanted and proceeded to build said bench. You can follow the progress here ..http://www.hostmybb.com/phpbb/viewto...forum=woodwork

Apart from the basic outline, this is very much going to be a design and build as you go job. I keep thinking of things to add to it so may have to put the brakes on a bit. The primary design rule is to be simple as possible, sturdy and heavy and durable. All else must work around that premise.

**Ticky** · 23rd May 2006, 11:45 PM

looking good Dusy, & I agree with you on the personal angle of a bench as well.

My bench was the fisrt thing I made when I started this wood work hobby a couple of years ago. I had no idea, but it is heavy as due to my over engineering (An elephant is only a mouse built to my specs), & it is very stable. it is about 900 high, but I am only 5'8, not 6'2 & 1500 x 800. The top is 2 sheets of 18mm mdf attached with 10 50x10 coach screws & banded with ash. It is no show piece, but it is a good bench. The only other one I have ever made was exactly the same, & I sold that for $600.

I Like the design you have chosen, & would like to follow your progress.

Is there any reason you are not posting your WIP on this thread?

steve

**Dust Mite** · 24th May 2006, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ticky

looking good Dusy, & I agree with you on the personal angle of a bench as well.

My bench was the fisrt thing I made when I started this wood work hobby a couple of years ago. I had no idea, but it is heavy as due to my over engineering (An elephant is only a mouse built to my specs), & it is very stable. it is about 900 high, but I am only 5'8, not 6'2 & 1500 x 800. The top is 2 sheets of 18mm mdf attached with 10 50x10 coach screws & banded with ash. It is no show piece, but it is a good bench. The only other one I have ever made was exactly the same, & I sold that for $600.

I Like the design you have chosen, & would like to follow your progress.

Is there any reason you are not posting your WIP on this thread?

steve

Cheers and thanks for the encouragement.
I am posting on this thread and will continue to do so but the main post will be linked to Kiwi woodworkers as a central area. The main reason for this is simple, I belong to four woodwork forums and am active on three mainly and occasionally on the fourth. Rather than duplicate it is easier to link and I happen to run the Kiwi woodworkers forums as well...so I get kinda busy trying to keep track of it all

**Ticky** · 24th May 2006, 11:25 PM

Fair enough Dusty,

steve

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