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Thread: YAWBT - My new workbench
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17th April 2017, 11:28 PM #1
YAWBT - My new workbench
Yet Another Work Bench Thread, but this time its all mine!
Muhahaha!
Anyway, Ive a lovely little Festool workbench that has been here for 6-odd years doing its duty. But, one of my biggest gripes is I can't use any form of vice on it, plus its a little light for when I'm going full-bore on the smashing and banging.
One cant complain about all its doodaddery and accessories, but I've found my work moving away from the intentions of the designers.
Its also in need of a little TLC with a new top. Its been flipped, but its time for a new one.... ooorrrr....
So! I'm building a FAT workbench with a FAT top and MASSIVE weight.
Attached is a picture showing the current state of affairs (and this mornings work (two kids carts)). It seems reasonable to document the before, so the after looks even more awesome.
My ideas so far include some knicked from another thread here.
They include:
-- Use of holdfasts and 3/4" (19mm) holes everywhere
-- a front vice, at least, that uses an EPIC 50mm wooden screw by our very own IanW (thank you mr W!!!!!!) (pic attached).
-- A front and side skirt
-- A good thick top
-- Through tenons, that are wedged (like those by Ishitani)
-- A design soon, but probably quite similar to this as demo'd by Mike Siemsen)
BenchBefore.jpg Bench screws a.jpg
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18th April 2017, 12:16 AM #2
Watching.
I don't believe that the top needs to be the full monty 4" thick, especially if it's hardwood. Holdfasts work quite well in 50-60mm. For areas that you feel you want a bit of extra heft (say a 6'2" brute with a 2kg mallet in hand, eyeballing a quivering piece of timber), you can always add some extra thickness underneath that part of the bench. Otherwise, with too much heft, the bench becomes difficult to man (or indeed brute) handle (during construction at the very least, if not in use).
For the same reason I believe the legs etc can be softwood, such as Douglas Fir.
WRT Swiss cheesing the top with dog 'oles: I know Groggy did that and doesn't regret it, but remember they can always be added as required but are somewhat problematic to fill if one discovers that their populace is a PITA (dust falling through everywhere onto whatever is stored underneath, screws with a myriad of choices to annoyingly fall through, and any other problem that holes in a bench can produce). The reach of the holdfasts is pretty good, so maybe start with a couple of rows at ~200mm intervals, and then build on that as required.
Also, the HNT Gordon tailvise is a beauty, and very discreet. Easy to fit with a recessed handle (read scone & nads saver), and pretty reasonable price.
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18th April 2017, 01:38 PM #3Senior Member
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Have you thought about making up a steel frame for your Festool table, that would make it more sturdy and also gives you the options for castors.
I still think a new bench is in order, for what you want, but it might improve the current festool table to move it around your workshop
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18th April 2017, 03:02 PM #4
Its very useful and will be used somewhere, somehow... I dont use all its features and doodads due to the restricted setup I have at the moment.
The biggest problems are that it doesnt have a vice, its slightly too small and its a bit too light for the more "woodworky" things Im doing now.
It may yet be sold to liberate some casshhh!!!
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18th April 2017, 04:11 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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Excited to see what comes out of it.
Those bench screws are the business! I'm lucky enough to have those on my bench and, believe me, you'll break the bench itself before you strip or break off the threads on those bad boys.
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18th April 2017, 04:59 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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Can't wait to see all the pictures you're going to post.
90 mm is fair thickness for a bench and it's going to be heavy as well
Are you going to have wide aprons like Mike Siemsen's bench? You probably don't need it.
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19th April 2017, 11:21 AM #7Skwair2rownd
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Goody!! Another bench build!
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19th April 2017, 11:48 AM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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Happy to accept Mark I if it turns out not perfect enough for you ;-)
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19th April 2017, 02:09 PM #9
At the moment it is just a bunch of ideas! You know me LoveToRide, it will be a work of art - totally unsuitable for a workshop.
I will receive considerable criticism
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21st April 2017, 06:11 PM #10
Two Collosal Woodscrews
Just arrived this morning... they are HUMONGOUS!!!!!
How good are these?
All from IanW. Thank you! Thank you!
What an auspicious start to this journey
wood screw 2.jpg wood screw 1.jpg
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7th July 2017, 06:07 PM #11
IanW's giant threaded vices have been sitting here saying "usssseeee me".... "I'm lonely....."
I was on Gumtree Wednesday for a completely unrelated search and it said, "you might be interested in this...".... well, yes, yes I was!
It is an oak benchtop from the TGA here in Canberra. It is 2450x750 and 35 thick. Its pretty heavy indeed! Took my son and I to lug it and I'm no whimp.
It isn't particularly flat (as can be seen).... but I've two questions for the Brains Trust:
-- Would you prefer a long bench, i.e. 2400 if you could have it, or should I go with one that is a more standard 1800?
-- The top is finished with something unholy. It is as tough as all buggery. The 40 grit belt sander barely touches it. You can see in the photo where I've given it a blast and I can assure you it was hard going. It stank badly, a nasty chemical burning unhealthy smelling nasty... any ideas what it might be and an easier way to remove it?
I was thinking of using a router based sled to zing off 2mm or so, which would get it flat and take care of the finish. But there might be some other way I hadn't thought of!
All thoughts are welcome!!
DSC03142.jpg DSC03143.jpg
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In regards to the build, I've been on the back foot with client orders, so a nice spanky bench was lowered down in the list of Immediate To Do's
On design matters, these are the ideas so far:
-- IanWs beautiful screws (thankyou thankyou!)
-- A Roubo style
-- Use the new oak top and use the 50mm gum underneath. Laminate them together (not a problem, for I've 6 monster Frontline Clamps). I was thinking a 75mm top will be good for my hand tool ambitions
-- Route out 50mm circles and put in plugs for the nasty holes before....
-- Im ordering the Axminster Parf Guide System for doing bench dog holes
-- Giant legs flush to the front and side skirts
-- Drawers underneath (the shelf to the left can be removed if I shove all that Festool crap underneath the new bench)
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7th July 2017, 06:44 PM #12GOLD MEMBER
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There is one truism about all benches, the bigger it is the more crap gets stacked on it. I have cut my main bench down twice to minimise this problem and pulled another apart.
CHRIS
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7th July 2017, 07:54 PM #13
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7th July 2017, 10:37 PM #14
Go long my son,
My bench is over 2400 mm in a very small shed we'll actually it's a shipping container.
And I'm sorry Chris I'm never cutting it shorter [emoji12]
Cheers Matt
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7th July 2017, 10:48 PM #15Senior Member
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Longer the better, the length comes in handy, doing bigger pieces
There is a tendency to put more crap on, but thats why you make two benches
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