Reply To: Paul Sellers Workbench
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The only other adjustment needed was making the tool well narrower – everything else is the same. After attaching the aprons, I put the bench top in place, then measured and cut the board for the tool well. Once you’ve got the two frames assembled and the aprons attached you can make the rest up as you go, depending on your own requirements.
I completely understand your position about wanting to know exactly what materials are required and getting them all sorted out. I’m the same, but less so now. I’m a computer programmer by trade, so I think a lot of the mindset carries over – the need for clarity of requirements, tools, materials, etc. The toughest part of woodworking for me is letting all that go away. Woodworking plans aren’t a rigid specification – they’re more of a guide.
Once the leg frames and aprons are assembled, which governs the overall width of the bench, the number of lengths being used for the laminated top only changes the width of the top. If you use more, the top will be wider. You can use as many as you like, up to the distance between the two aprons. The bearers support the bench top and their length is determined by the distance between the aprons, so they won’t change if you use a wider or narrower top. Once you decide how many lengths to use for the top, the empty space between the back of the top and the rear apron is the tool well, which can be ripped to width as required. You may change your mind once you laminate the top and put it in place.
Sorry if I rambled a bit! Hope this helps.
George.