Replies

1. 
   vonmagnuson | Jun 07, 2007 07:20pm | #1

   look at the Lee valley site under vises

   Magnus

   "Remember, a bad carpenter always blames his tools" -Joe Conti-

2. 
   Cincinnati | Jun 07, 2007 08:16pm | #2

   Lee Vallery/Veritas

   Garrett Wade

   Ask for a discount.

   GREG ••••••• Exo 35:30-35

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/7/2007 1:17 pm by Cincinnati

1. 
   killenwood | Jun 07, 2007 11:16pm | #3

   Unfortunately, I only see 1 1/8" diameter in Veritas site..... I would like 1 1/4 as specified by Frid. Also, the Tail Vice Screw is too long at 21 inches. This will not fit in the design.... shaft length (not overall length) must be less than 17".

   Tim

1. 
   killenwood | Jun 08, 2007 08:52am | #11

   Now I see on Lee Valley website that they have the shoulder vice screw at 1 1/4 D. Also, they have square German-made steel dogs that look OK. I don't see a compatible 1 1/4 D screw for the Tail Vice.

   Thanks for the information.

   Tim

1. 
   Hendo | Jun 08, 2007 09:00am | #12

    Try McMaster-Carr.  Look up Acme Lead Screws.

   http://www.mcmaster.com

   At least I think that is what you are looking for....

   -Tom H.Ventura, CA

   Edited 6/8/2007 2:00 am ET by Hendo

3. 
   AdamCherubini | Jun 08, 2007 12:47am | #4

   Can I talk you out of that bench?

   That bench has a lot of disadvantages associated with it. Yeah it looks cool. Yeah the vises work well. But more and more younger woodworkers are turning to the simpler, older benches (and hand tools). I think your woodworking group would be better served:

   -building simpler, cheaper, lighter benches
   -building benches that your younger members can learn on and easily copy
   -building benches that are more flexible, allow two guys on one bench if need be, and can handle a greater range of work.

   Chris Schwarz is ready to publish his own Workbench book, a tome he's been working on for years. Chris is a very thoughtful guy, not easily swayed by fads. His blog has some details and his magazine has run some articles on the subject. I think you should reconsider your bench and give Chris a listen. You should be able to find him via google.

   From my perspective, I don't think you can beat the 18th c Nicholson bench for a classroom setting. They are cheap, light, stiff, easy to build, and flexible. What they lack in geegaws you can make up for with accessories- many of which are very fun to make (like wooden hand screws, bench hooks etc). The original 1819(?) text describes a feature I've never seen reproduced. He described a "locker" inside the bench, accessible from the top by means of a sliding board. That could be a good way to store neccessary "bench tools".

   I'm looking forward to Chris' book. I hope you hunt him down.

   Adam

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jun 08, 2007 04:29am | #6

   Adam,

   Where can we see photos and diagrams of this bench?

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   killenwood | Jun 08, 2007 07:21am | #7

   Thanks Adam for your thoughtful comments. I am not aware of these other options that you have identified. I will look at these references, however I think we are locked into the Frid bench. We have 21 woodworkers ready to help with this project based on the Frid design. Only one of the 8 benches will be placed in the adult school. The others will be taken home as personal benches.

   I have not had opportunities to work on other types of benches. I built this Frid design many years ago and it has served me well in making many reproductions. I'm very comfortable with the way it works.

   The current benches and vices in the school are unacceptable for hand work and hand planing. I can't demonstrate techniques without a decent bench and vices.

   Tim

3. 
   killenwood | Jun 08, 2007 07:33am | #9

   Adam, I suppose there is another reason for continuing down my plan to build the Tage Frid bench...... I have it detailed in a 3D model in SketchUp. I've been able to clean-up all the dimensional errors in the original article. Also, since we will be working in a team environment in parallel, we will need a level of precision and accuracy in the building of components and sub-assemblies that helps ensure that the pieces will fit together. Having the model makes it much easier to produce full-size templates of all component faces for marking out the wood.

   I've attached pictures of the SketchUp model.

   Tim

   
1. 
   mwenz | Jun 08, 2007 08:05am | #10

   Easiest method is to review some of Chris Schwarz's blog entries on benches...here are a few.For the entries related to the English Bench:
   http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/CategoryView,category,English%20Workbench.aspxThe book Chris is writing:
   http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/New+Book+Coming+On+BrWorkbench+Design+Construction++Use+.aspxChris' rules for a bench:
   http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/A+Few+Rules+For+Building+A+Workbench.aspxBench design issues:
   http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Nothing+Is+Arbitrary+In+Bench+Design.aspxOn modern Euro benches:
   http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Bench+Critique+The+Modern+European+Workbench.aspxAnd poking around on the blog using the search function will reveal more, including the Roubo bench.If that doesn't make the head hurt, try emailing Chris. He's a very approachable and likable sort.Take care, Mike

2. 
   AdamCherubini | Jun 08, 2007 02:19pm | #13

   That sketchup is pretty cool. You've got a nice design there. Just a thought: No matter how cool that plan is, its not going to make a very difficult bench easier to build than a simple bench. A Nicholoson bench can be built by hand in a weekend.Its not sexy looking tho. I understand why woodworkers prefer sexy workbenches. Have fun building those benches. I think what you are doing is great.Adam

   Edited 6/8/2007 7:20 am ET by AdamCherubini

4. 
   DustyGeorge | Jun 08, 2007 01:05am | #5

   Tim,

   I built the Tage Frid bench about 20 years ago.  I made my dogs from pecan(?).  I used a bullet catch to give them a little friction sliding in the slot.  They still work great.

   I agree with the poster (AdamCherubini?) who suggested the you consider a different bench.  I still can't get comfortable working with the shoulder vise.  The tail vise is super but it seems like I'm always too far from anything in the shoulder vise.  Now that I'm retired and spending most of my days woodworking I may build another bench.

   George

   You don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard
1. 
   killenwood | Jun 08, 2007 07:24am | #8

   George, I also have maple dogs with the bullet catches.... we must have read the same article years ago.

   However, I still use the old steel dogs for many operations. I find they are stiffer and hold better in certain situations. I would not want to work without having them available.

   Tim