I wasn’t going to post about this, but what the heck. 2 weeks ago I picked up some 3″x14″x12′ (2 pcs) of hard maple and one of what looks to be black oak, 4″x14″x5′. I’m going to make a bench. Not knowing what I was exactly going to pursue for this project I ordered Tauton’s, “The Workbench Book”, but Scott Landis. Excellent book. Lots and lots of suggestions and ideas, but I’m really more confused now, then before getting the book. I don’t know what I want or need in a bench. I don’t know how else to put it. I’m not exactly the fine wood worker many of you are, but this is a big part of what I do for a living, so I would like a bench that is functional for what I do. I’m open to suggestions on what I should consider and what I shouldn’t consider. Shared experiences would be helpful also. I hope it’s not a boring subject. Sure isn’t to me! haha Thanks.
Don
Replies
Oh Boy, did you open a can of worms.. LOL... My personal opinion is that you need to build a work bench that fits you...Not what is proclaimed to be the best workbench ever. Heck, I can personally tell you that this beast does not exist. Don't get confused with a bunch of junk you just don't need but don't leave out the stuff you do. Start out with a 2x4 and solid core door bench and work up to the beech and bed bolt version. By the time you get there, you'll be selling your plans to FWW and making money instead of sawdust.
Don't sweat the small stuff, your skills are in your hands not your bench.
Edited 10/8/2002 11:32:22 PM ET by no one
Edited 10/8/2002 11:33:02 PM ET by no one
HI Don C. I to was looking to build the perfect workbench, about 3yrs ago, I to bought the workbench book, and was confused , (lots of ideas) do Ineed this vice or that gismo etc.etc. then I saw Frank Clause video on dove tailing drawers I seen him put his bench thru all his proceses, and desided his style of bench was right for me. so I built his bench , and it is a joy to use.
NO REGRETS
MARK.
Don,
Have you seen "Bob's Benches" web page? He's says we build 4-5 benches over a lifetime. I'm too old to do bench one, so I am starting on bench #3. This gives me two more chances to get it right....lol.
The key for me is a bench I can plane on...heavy solid base, with good vises....maybe a small draw for dogs, etc. If necessary, I will put it on a sheet of ply and attach to keep from moving.
Someplace I read the height should be equal to your thumb. That is, with arms at side, stick thumb out and measure to ground = height of bench top. Seems as good as any measurement...
In another thread, and also implied in this one, is the thought of threaded rod running through the top to keep the boards together. I'm still scratching my head over that thought...
The vise decision is tough! I'm listening for others inputs on that one..
Wow, Thanks for the input everyone. Haven't seen Clouse's video, and I just ordered some for tauton. And no, I've never seen Bob's Benches. I will check it out though. Yes, vices are a problem. I haven't used them enough to know what I would or would not prefer. There sure are a lot of them out there, and then the book has a lot of homemade, bench specific ones in it like the leg vices. This is going to be a lot more of a project then my original plans envisioned. Oh well, I guess that's really not unusual! lol
Don
Why not look at an Ulmia or equivalent workbench in a catalog or, say, Woodcraft store? These are the best around as far as I know and represent many years of "testing" by professionals. Last week I was in Italy and saw an old timer using the equivalent in his well-worn shop. I've had one for some years and only modified it with the addition of some drawers to hold hand tools. Got it from Garrett & Wade (sp?) because it saved a whole lot of time (and, probably, money when you start looking at good vises), plus it's made of over 350 pounds of European beech.
Have you looked in the archives? This is exactly what I mean. There must have been three or four extensive threads on benches in the last six months.
FB
Well, the archives are nice, but people come and go, attitudes change, etc. Beside, the archives does not address the specific woods I mentioned! Everything else so far has been just good additional info. Besides, there is nothing here that is really new when it comes to woodworking, and this sure isn't rocket science. It would get to the point where there really is no need for the board because you could just run the archives, and since people participate, regardless of your bordom, apparantly everyone is not bored. As I said before, maybe tomorrow I'll know everything also and I too can get bored. But this ain't tomorrow, this is today and I don't know everything. Besides, there has been no bence discussion since I have come to this board, and maybe you don't care what I have to say, that is your right, but I do, as is my right! Besides, if you are so bored, why do you bother? Why do you care?
Don
Don,
Don't let some of these folks get you frustrated! I too found myself in the same state you're in after reading The Work Bench Book - thought I'd have to build four different benches to get everything I liked. I finally settled on a hybrid of my own. Bought a top from Grizzly (very nice), mounted it on a heavy cabinet I built, then added a tail vise, dog holes, and a leg vise. Looks a lot like Norm Vandal's bench pictured on p.43. Rather than building drawers, I built the base with three doors. On the shelves inside, I have small "tool boxes" I just take out and place on or near the bench. In these I have my chisels, screw drivers, hardware, etc.
If I can offer any advice, it would be just to pick out the features you like from various books and magazines, then give them a try.
Jeff
Jeff,
No doubt, the book is pretty overwhelming. I've come to a conclusion that is in line with your advice. I'll spend some time thinking about this, and then go for it. Norm's bench is sweet, and I like those leg vices. For the work I do, they are right up my alley. That Bob's Benches site is pretty good also.
Don
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