Workbench Customisations: Bench Drawer Episode 2
Posted 14 September 2018
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We’re ready to make the drawer with dovetails at the front and housing dado at the back. Paul cuts a rebate on the dovetail section to help with constructing the half lap dovetail, then cuts the dovetails to size.
I remain a virtual woodworker at present. I anticipate having my workshop up by spring 2019. I look forward then to subscribing. I’m so pleased that Paul Sellers is teaching. I even caught some of your YouTube live “experiment.” Your production values are excellent, especially when Paul keeps his hair brushed!
Hi,
It states that this is a free video, but when i try to download, it is asking me to use one of my credits. Any chance you can check please?
Many thanks
Andy
Hello Andy!
Thank you for drawing our attention to this. We have fixed it! The video is now free as intended.
All the best,
Mark
These workbench customizations are great, the only workspace I have to put my bench is a shed with an incredibly unlevel floor (12×10 concrete slab with large cracks due to settling) and my bench rocks whenever I use it and the floor is so uneven that shims slip out. Any tips from administrators or site community on how you would semi permanently fix this issue (I am a tenant not an owner)
Joshua, a large machine bolt threaded intl a “blind nut” or a similar thread machine nut inset into the bottom of the offending legs will allow micro adjustments. Use as large as possible, 5/8 or larger for the best results. Used commonly for leveling machines, should fix you for your situation and irreversible if you find a level floor somewhere.
If your bench is in the same place every time i would shim the bench then scribe the other legs and cut them to match the floor. It will make your bench a little lower. the second thing is to glue the shims to the leg that rocks.
See these at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Leveler-Legs-Lock/dp/B00MOHS92I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537102604&sr=8-3&keywords=workbench+leveling+feet
(That’s all one line; you may have to copy and paste the URL into the address bar of your browser.)
Great video. Amazing precision. Enjoyed the additional tips. Looking forward to the next video.
Who is the maker of your vice?
I believe it is an Eclipse (based on the bench-build video v2.0). You can get them at Woodcraft, Highland Woodworking and surely elsewhere.
where can we find that kind of router plane with the big base on it
And we all thank you and your crew to be able to see such nice tube and learn your craftsmanship in front line
Patrick Flander’s field
If you have deep pockets, http://www.walkemooretools.com/shop/router-plane-model-2500/
Used Preston ones are about that on this side of the pond, but almost never come up for sale.
The rest of us will make do with a wooden sole.
It’s made by tyzack they go for a bit cheaper than a Preston 2500p but still about $200 unless you find one out in the wild.
“Where is my…” I’m happy to learn it’s not just me who asks that. Great Vieeo
Thanks
Been looking for my marking knife for months (always keep a spare around), and finally gave up and bought a replacement.
Found the old one in a box yesterday… 😂
Every time a coconut
Great video always learn something new. Anticipating the next episode. Hope it comes out soon. Great job guys….. Joe
Thanks so much for doing this! A pipe, a tumbler of scotch and watching Paul cut dovetails….great evening!!!
Great! Do you plan to continue with pin section?
The next episode will pick up where this left off. There are a few more episodes to come that will be released weekly until the drawer is fully fitted.
Recently, I have been using Paul’s dovetail technique, at the cut line by taking smaller chunks and supporting the end piece. I enjoy it better because it ends up cleaner/straighter. Thanks again!
Great video. Love watching Paul do the dovetails. Even though I have seen him do on other videos, I learn something new every time.
I enjoy the videos, but unfortunately they progress in a stuttering fashion and frequently the audio is not synchronized with the video. Is this a problem I can fix on my end or is there something you can do?
I have no problems with You Tube.
Thanks, JIM
Hello Jim,
All looks fine this end. Sounds like a streaming problem. Our video provider tends to try and play at higher quality than YouTube. Sometimes manually controlling or lowering the quality of playback helps. Click the gear icon to do this. Otherwise there is also the option to download the video. If you continue to have problems, let us know through the contact tab at the top of the page or the link in the second grey box below. I will delete this message in a week or so to keep the comments project focussed.
Many thanks, Phil
I sometimes have this identical issue, and Phil is right — download the video and play it clears it up.
I might have missed this, but does anyone know what thickness stock Paul is using for this? Obviously the height and length of the boards will be determined by the individual size of bench but how about thickness? It looks to be about 3/4″ but I’d love confirmation.
As always, I’m loving this series and look forward to each installment.
My previous comment is completely irrelevant here. It pertiains to the wood used in the Eco Bin project.
Apologies
Sven-Olof
Hello Tim,
I just checked and it is indeed 3/4″ stock.
Best, Phil
Fantastic. Thank you so much, Philip.
There is already a drawer making video. Although each video is slightly different and contains its own gems.
I guess in the workbench drawer, Paul will show how he makes the internal partition.
The workbench drawer is rather long ( about 55 cm for my workbench and I could only afford a 25 cm wide one in my short bench); it might need some extra tips also.
I am looking forward to the next episode. I have made the hole in the apron and installed the runners. It needs attention to put them perpendicular to the apron, especially if you don’t have a large square like Paul is using.
Agreed, the use of a framing square really helped, I guess another method would be to measure from the end of the bench to the opening and then transfer that measurement to the other apron.
You can measure the diagonals of the frame and do it that way also. You could square the frame up outside the box if you like and tack (or superglue) one diagonal brace to it until it’s mounted. Might save a lot of crawling and head bumping.
Paul,why do you cut the dovetails instead of sawing?
Do you mean chopping the waste between tails and pins instead of sawing it with a coping saw? If so, Paul tends not to use the coping saw method for fine woodwork and furniture making, as it is not as precise and there is also risk of tear-out. There is more discussion of this in his blog here: https://paulsellers.com/2014/10/making-the-toolbox-pare-and-chop-dovetails-and-pins/
Occasionally, in between larger, more complicated projects, Paul makes a project that is relatively easy. I think that’s a nice break in between the more lengthy projects. I noticed that on the shelf behind Paul, there was a box with drawers in it that Paul opened to find his dovetail template. Something like that, a box with drawers in it, might be a fun, project. And a useful item to have around the shop.
I was so pleased when I discovered that Paul was going to make the box with drawers in it that I mentioned in the post above. I’m certain my post had nothing to do with it, but it’s exactly what I wanted to see. A nice, smallish project that I’m certain I’ll learn a lot from. Thanks so much to all the people involved.