I have watched the “How to Make a Workbench” video and am following Asa Christiana’s plans for a workbench. Two questions:
1. It looks like if I line up the upper holes in the legs with routed slots in the stretchers so that the threaded rods pass through, then the upper stretchers are not going to be flush with the top ends of the legs. I checked my measurements a few times. Do I rout deeper than 3/8″ to make up for the difference? Or do the rods sink into the routed slots when you pound the piece together?
2. I’ve never cut threaded rods before. I bought a hacksaw. Any tips to make the cuts smooth?
Thanks,
Alan
Replies
Hello Alan
To answer your first question, I first want to say that I built this bench. I had the same problem with the top stretchers not being flush with the top of the legs. Of course, I didn't realize this until after I routed the slot and drilled the matching holes in the legs that allow the threaded rod to pass through. If you are in the same predicament as I was, cut enough length off the top of the legs so they are flush with the stretchers. If you use MDF as the plan calls for, and the stretchers are not flush with the top of the legs, the MDF table top will sag. Nothing is worse than a bench whose top is not flat. So again, if you drilled the holes and routed the slot, do as I explained. If you didin't drill or rout yet...well, you get the picture. The bottom line is to make sure the stretchers are flush with the top of the legs because this will add support to the MDF top to prevent it from sagging.
Regarding your second question, a hack saw will work fine to cut the rods. After you've cut them, inspect them for burs as this will prevent the nuts from being threaded onto the rod. If there are burs, use a small file to smooth them out. Those little packages of small files that come in packs of five or so...the kind that comes with a triangular, round, tapered, etc set. These work good for removing the burs.
Good luck. Measure twice, cut once.
Work Bench
Can you post a photo of the bench in progress ?
For the threaded rods - screw on a nut and make your cut in front of it - when you unscrew the nut it fixes the cut end of the threaded rod -
SA
Great tip, thanks. I trimmed the stretcher that was too high with a circ saw. All set for now... until my next goof.
thank you
I think I'm going to like this forum. Thanks for the quick help. My measurements were fine. One or two of the holes I drilled were angled slightly, leaving the rear upper stretcher above the legs. I did what a beginner does - I trimmed it with a circ saw.
Do you like your bench?
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