Thread: At last! I finally have a real bench.

Great job Col
Nice design. Looks like the workbench is going to see plenty of action. Well Done.

Good work Col, I did similar about 12 months ago and it was one of the best things I've built. I have struggled with planing on a workmate too and having a proper bench to use is a real treat.

I also agree that building it by hand is not very difficult, in fact if you plan to build anything by hand then the bench is the right choice as all the joints are large and if you take your time its hard to stuff up. I foolishly also did all the morticing manually which meant there was a little bit of trimming needed to get it all to fit nice and snug, I think your decision to use a morticer was a better one.

Enjoy it!

regards

Marios

Looks nice and the only 'little thing' I would change are those wing nuts on the planing stop.
I got some 6mm wing nuts that fit in my hand, not fingers, about $2 each and make life a little easier.

She looks a ripper, Col. Love the screwed-on dovetails for the lower stretchers. The three vises should be a very useful feature too.

I well remember the days of trying to plane things on a B&D workmate. I used to have a special length of pine with a birdsmouth on each end to brace the thing against a wall. Glad those days are over.

Originally Posted by joe greiner

Excellent workhorse, Col. I agree with keeping the workmate. If you yield to temptation of using benchtop power tools (eg, scroll saw, disk/belt sander, grinder, etc.), it can make a convenient mounting. Attach each tool to its own plank, with a strip of timber (say 4x2) on the bottom; for use, clamp the strip in the jaws.

Joe

Yep - I put the DeWalt thicknesser on a piece of 20mm melamine, with blocks underneath 10mm smaller than the widest opening of the jaws. Same with the router table, though I tend now to clamp one block in the bench vice and have it cantilever out - quick'n'easy!

I like your approach to the bench - cheap, recyle resources, lots of clamping options, rigid as an eskimo's, good dimensions. I for one wouldn't know what to do without a tool tray, as even with it I knock gear on the floor (hence the 1.2m wide 20mm conveypr belt rubber everywhere - chisels bounce!).
I think that you will soon find the limitations of the plastic dogs with the big vices - flexy and slippy. Apricot makes dogs from 19mm HW dowel and drills/glues a square top to them, I think with a 2° reverse vertical face - good idea as a couple of my planes and knuckles have suffered from the brass Veritas ones.
you may find that with heavy planing a bit more weight might be needed - maybe not.
Give yourself a pat on the back anyway, son!

That's a lovely job you've done there. I like the contrast in the different types of wood used. One thing I'm always wondering about why are the outside jaws on vices always so thick? I'm thinking of doing this too as everyone seems to do it. But are they that thick for strength?

Nice workhorse Col. The two vices are a great idea - beats putting a clamp under the bench when you're jointing a long board.

Good stuff Col.

No shortage of vices on that bench!

G'Day Good People,

Sorry to Hijack this Thread;
but I cannot start a new Thread from Work...Donno Why
Cannot get Smilies either?????....No! Not Disabled

Looking to build another BENCH.
I had a quick look at
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20846...-h/20846-h.htm

Lots of interesting STUFF there for me )


In there is Fig 264-10 Draw-Bolt......... just over Half way down.
Is this a good method for Joining Leg to Cross piece?
The Timber.....or is that wood/Lumber which I am using
is about 5" x 2" for the Cross pieces,
and
5" x 3" or 4" x 3" for the Legs
ALL Second Hand.
I would rather not cut them down any.
Also I was looking to check into the Leg about 5 - 10 mm,
to fit the cross pieces ends into.

Comments, suggestions please.

Thanks for digging this up Ivan
Excellent Bench Driver lots of appeal

I have decided the old one must be replaced this year the laminex topped old desk is giving up its starting to sag and groan.

It has to be multi functional not just for woodwork as metal work engine repair etc all take part and space means "There Can Only Be One" .

Hi Ivan,

Yes thanks for digging this up. I had actually missed it back in January.

By the way Col, terrific bench mate. You have some ideas there I have been toying with, for a long time. Very functional.

Perhaps the Mods could set up your new thread for you Ivan. (Hint, hint.)

Just love bench threads. When enough guilt builds up, (about my slackness to replace my wobbly excuse for a bench) I may just build a real one. So keep the threads coming people.

Keep us posted with 'Work in Progress' Ivan.

Cheers
Pops