Plywood workbench
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10 June 2014 at 2:51 am #58179
I’ve started on a new workbench. I bought enough baltic birch offcuts to laminate into a 20 x 60 inch slab 2 3/4 inches thick which I will top with replaceable 1/8 th tempered hardboard. I plan to skirt the slab with some 4/4 red oak I got for a good price. I’m planning on an over size of 30 x 60 so I’ll have an 7 or 8 inch tool tray at the back.
I looked at makeing the top out of construction grade lumber but everything I bought turned into cork screws and hockey sticks when it dried. I managed to find enough to for the legs and stretchers by some selective cutting, but it suprises me that you can build houses out of this . . . stuff.
I guess there is a downside to living on the prairies. 🙂
10 June 2014 at 3:23 am #58183Now that is economizing but will be heavy enough when you start planing, are you going to be chasing that table around the shop.
I have 3 workbenches only one that I completely dispise is heavy enough the other I have to chase around if I don’t lock my foot behind the leg. Making a decent work bench is on my top priority list but never seem to get around to it. If they weren’t so damn expensive I would go out and buy one but even a $1200 one won’t get you a decent one.
10 June 2014 at 3:58 am #58184Well, I’ve laminated the slab and I’m guessing it’s about 80 lbs. I know I have to think carefully when I move it. 🙂 Adding the weight of the oak and the base, it’ll probably come in at 130 – 140 lbs. Remember, birch is a hard wood and it’s density is not much less than hard maple. Plus plywood is alway heavier than the solid wood.
I think stability has a lot to do with design as well. If I’m wrong I can alway throw some sand bags on the legs.
23 June 2014 at 5:02 am #58745Finished my now workbench this weekend. I moved my quick release vise and my inset vise to the new bench yesterday.
Some new things I tried on this bench:
Veritas bench bolts. I like them but they require careful layout and very careful drilling.Hide glue. I used the Old Brown Glue. It was not much bother and I liked the way it works. I’ll continue using it and may try the dry hide glue.
Using Miller dowels as a replacement for nails/screws. These work supprisingly well. There are no metal fasteners in the bench other than the screws and lag bolts for the vises and the L brackets which hold the top to the base.
Overall I’m pleased with the way the bench turned out. It’s rock solid and very stable.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.23 June 2014 at 12:00 pm #58753thats a fantastic bench Peter thanks for sharing Happy project building
23 June 2014 at 4:30 pm #58759[quote quote=58752]I like it!
Iḿ thinking adding the small veritas vise to my bench as well.
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I find the inset vise very useful. It (and the holdfasts) get a lot of use. -
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