Thread: Workbench or assembly bench?

Originally Posted by Soredust

Not really a question, just thinking out aloud and killing some time on the iPad whilst SWISO is watching Big Brother, I was thinking about a design for a workbench and started Googling for some online plans/pictures/ideas. A lot of benches had very impressive vices and dogs and holes for clamping systems and it got me to thinking how many of us would need these?

I know my last job I didn't need any vices etc, because everything was done by a machine. So it made me think all I really need is an assembly table? I can understand those who use hand planes, tenon saws, chisels etc, but with the advent of the dropsaw, router and the like, it becomes rare to need a vice.

Anyway, like I said, just thinking out aloud and killing time. Do you get away without a vice

For me vices are a central tool around which assembly takes place. A pair of vices that can act at 90º and set of dog holes on a bench means that items can be readily assembled on the bench itself.

I am using both hand tools and power. The bench I have is just an old table and I come up with all sorts of ways to hold things down. Some work better and some not so good.

Both. My Euro bench is used to hold the work for routing, sanding,power planing, you name it. Also, of course, hand powered opperations. It's all the same for me, woodwork. My bench is on the small side, 1680mm x 520mm, the assembly table is 1000mm x 2000mm. The assembly table consists of low stools, high stools, a stud frame and a replaceable whiteboard top with a Zyliss vise. If I need the space ,the table demounts and is stacked against the wall.

Good talking point.

My 'vice' bench at home is hardly used so it is covered in junk.

This means I'd have to clean up to use it so I don't.

Place where I am staying at present has a bit of clear space around the vice so I use it.

From this I can make 2 observations....
1. If you have a vice that you can use, you will find a use for it.
2. I should clean up more often.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

......2. I should clean up more often......

I think 99% of us could identify with that sentiment, Cliff.

Soredust, I think you've answered your own question to a large extent - you obviously get by with what you've got, so no need to change anything unless you get a sudden urge to use lots of hand tools. Then you can still do without vises if you have prehensile feet like Asian woodworkers - they make us look like sissies with all the gear we use just to hold a piece of wood still...

I know I couldn't do much without a bench & its various holding mechanisms, or at least not easily. My bench is built entirely for holding, not for assembling, but things do get assembled on it (if I can clear enough space amongst the litter that builds up on every job, no mater how much I try to keep it clear!). When I need a better assembly bench, I drag out an old desk-top I keep for the purpose. Laid across a pair of saw-horses, it makes a great surface at just the right height.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Soredust

Anyway, like I said, just thinking out aloud and killing time. Do you get away without a vice

Like Ian, my "vice bench" is burried under tools, materials, junk and other stuff.

For years I have used a series of flush panelled doors on saw horses as assembly benches and mobile work benches (with Zyliss vice attached). But I later realised that doors are not real flat!

So I built an assembly bench very loosely based on the Festool multipurpose table - it is flat and it does have holes - and with the use of QuickGrip Clamps as hold downs I find I am using it more and more as a work bench.



Vertical Hold-Downs.jpgHorizontal Hold-Downs.jpg

Perhaps the "vice bench" is really a storage bench.



Fair Winds

Graeme

Interesting replies, I guess if I did have some holding down devices I would have used them. Looking back there were a few occasions I need to clamp a few things to the bench for routing. But that's because I have been too slow building my router table.

I like the idea of a solid large top with multiple holes so you can slip hold down cam clamps pretty much anywhere.

At the moment I'm using an old table top and two saw horses, not ideal but if I waited until I had finished the shed and benches before projects commence, SWMBO would lose her generosity when it comes to hardware purchases.