workbench
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Well, it’s not the prettiest, and it’s a little different design than Paul’s, but it’s finished and now I can focus on building other projects. Don’t be fooled by the router, I cut, chopped and planned all surfaces by hand.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.7 April 2014 at 4:30 am #51596Congratulations Dan! The bench looks really good. There is nothing better than having a solid bench to work on. I hope that you enjoy many years of woodworking with it.
Thanks Greg! You have no idea what it means to have this built and in my garage, where I am setting up shop.I started this in January, but because of this awful winter I tried doing as much as I could in my basement. I couldn’t even begin to describe how I chopped and paired the tenons with out a flat surface. It’s solid and at, what I consider, a comfortable height. No more hunch back of Notre Dame while I cut dovetails! I also decided on screw vises purely based on cost.. I know the quick release vises are probably better, but sometimes economics is a deciding factor.
Cheers!
7 April 2014 at 7:33 pm #52381Looks a good sturdy bench Dan 😉
Will make woodworking life a lot easier.
What are you going to make for first project on this lovely bench?7 April 2014 at 8:32 pm #52534Looks good to me Dan! Sturdy with plenty of storage underneath. Always fancied a leg vice too. As long as it meets your needs I wouldn’t worry about following any special plan. Looks like you’ll have to get busy and make stuff now.
cheers
PS how does that big bow saw work for you?
Thanks all! I expect this to last as long as I need it to. If for whatever reason it starts to rack, I will add aprons like Paul’s design. Do you guys add any finish to you workbench? I was thinking a Danish oil just to give it some protection.
First project is going to be dovetail boxes. Also thinking about making the sofa table in the next series of online classes.
For the frame saw, I like it a lot, and it serves me well. Its a 28″ saw. It is a bit awkward to cut with. I like clamping material lengthwise on the bench and using the frame saw to rip boards down. For cross cutting, this is to aggressive of a saw, even with the”cross cut” blade. I’ve even used the frame saw to cut tenons on 2×4’s with success. I have a smaller frame saw, 24″ with a turning blade. Its not for tight corners, but more of sweeping curves. I would like to get additional blades for the smaller frame saw to be able to cross cut and rip with it. I enjoy using them. Both were bought before I found this website. I was looking at new hand saws and these were the cheapest western style saw I could find, that wasn’t a cheapo from a big box store.. However, not much information on how to use it correctly.
Cheers!
8 April 2014 at 12:28 am #52756like the leg vise on this lovely workbench! how did you release the bottom part of the chop? did you use parallel guide and pin or something else?
i´m planing my workbench and like to have a d.i.y. leg vise, too.sorry for my english – my last visit in GB was, i think in 92
cheers Nils
Nils,
Its going to be a parrallel guide and pin, just not completely finished. Currently, I just put the same thickness material on the bottom as I am clamping. I should note, the leg vise is currently made out of pine and has way to much give while clamping. It works, but as soon as I can get a thick piece of ash, I will replace it and use a parallel guide.
by the way, your English sounds fine!
Dan
Scott, you’re right, this workbench is totally functional. When I was planning on this build I saw others who built works of art as their workbench. I wanted that at first. But, I realized, this is tool that will get abused and will most likely evolve as I develop my woodworking skills. So why spend all of my free time and free money building something that will take a beating?
One thing I’m very glad I did, was make a tall workbench. At 6’4″, if I built something that was short, I probably would’ve struggled with comfort. Right now I can easily work a couple hours interrupted at this workbench.
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