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[quote quote=462916]If my use of HD lumber has resulted in the apron being approximately 1/4″ thinner than the 1 5/8″ in Paul’s plans should I compensate in any way? If the housing for the legs is 5/8″ deep should there be a give and take to allow for a full inch of remaining depth left in the apron?
Working with this lumber has definitely been challenging, but I feel like I am learning a lot more than I would have buying perfect wood from a hardwood dealer.
Cheers![/quote]Hi!
Maybe late to the party but this is my 2 cents on this question.
I’m no expert in woodworking but have some experience in construction and have been looking at/reading about workbenches quite a bit. My analysis of the primary function of the apron is stabilizing the bench through giving rigidity to the legs and the secondary function is supporting the laminated slab so it doesn’t bend under load (impact or static).As the height of the apron is far more important than the thickness for creating the load bearing strength/bending under load (when calculating the strength you use the thickness times the height to the power of 2, giving that double the thickness will give double the strength whereas double the height will give four times the strength). This gives that the apron probably could be very thin, maybe even ½ inch, and still do it’s intended job to support the slab and give rigidity to the legs. It would require a different fastening method than the current though.
What it would not do is add to the weight and heft of the bench, which is an important part of the impression, and presumably be too thin for attaching the vise.
I read in an FAQ regarding the workbench was that Mr Sellers has experimented with the apron height and concluded that the “breaking point” for height was some 23 cm/9 inches if I remember correctly.My laymans judgment is that having approx. 1 inch of wood in the bottom of the recess is plenty strong and enough for this bench.
Best of luck with your build! I hope to build one myself in the not too near future.
Regards, Jim- This reply was modified 6 years, 1 month ago by Jim Bruno.
I think you made the right decision to use it as is, especially when you have a family that will require a lot of time and attention.
This bench will serve you well for a long time and then, when your children are bigger, you will build a new bench knowing what was good and/or bad with this one and adapt it accordingly. Perhaps you will even have a little apprentice to help you who will learn from you and do this as a father/child project.To paraphrase Mr Sellers, it is not a prissy bench but a work bench to use and not to gawk at.
I hope you will enjoy the rest of your build and be proud and content in the knowledge that you MADE it not just went out and bought it!
Best Regards, Jim
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