Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 10, 2003 10:31pm | #1

   I don't have the catalog in front of me, but which bench are you referring to????  Seem to remember that they sell an economy model and some others.  The economy model is made of laminated strips of fingerjointed stock, which sent one of our Knotheads into orbit when he received it.  Lee Valley has an excellent customer service rep, so whatever you order, unpack it promptly and if there are any problems, give them a call and they'll take care of you.  Remember, if there is outward evidence of shipping damage (carton bashed in, for instance), simply refuse delivery.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 10, 2003 10:44pm | #2

   It is the one with the iron leg set.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&page=31152&category=1%2C41637&ccurrency=2

   I remember the post you are talking about. I belive the president of the company answerd directly on the forum. This I like.

   Dale

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 10, 2003 11:25pm | #3

   Yep, that be the post.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 11, 2003 02:02am | #4

   timber

      I looked at the bench on the web-site only. I looked at others also. I have the lumber down in the shop to build one. I made the mistake of buying "The Work-Bench Book" by Taunton Press. Here's some fuel for thought.

      Take a close look at the both the trestle an cast iron bench on the Veritas site. The wooden one has butt-joints an looks like it is tied together with bolts or lags. The cast iron is also tied with bolts. Check the foot-print on the cast iron. My opinion is it would be great to assemble on, but the force of hand planing puts a load on the base. I have almost tipped several trestle tables with a plane stroke. I don't think it is wide enough to compliment the top. If I had it, I would add a runner across the feet to widen the foot-print. I would probably add a couple more stretchers for longitudial strenght.

     

      The problem with adding a wider foot is it raises the top height. To plane, it should be so you are balanced and leaning into the stock with slightly bent knees. I deemed the top not for me at that price. Look at the top slab price on Veritas. Check the twin tail vise price an a face vise. Around $600. The question is, can you build a sturdier through morticed an tenoned base (pinned or wedged) that is considerably sturdier for the $300 difference?

      I have some recovered Doug Fir beams an am going to build an old German style bench. This is just where I decided to go after shopping the "already builts". Each will have there own priorities based on budget, time and amount of effort you are willing to spend.

   Good Luck...

   sarge..jt 

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 11, 2003 03:39am | #5

   Thanks for the input Sarge. In the long run I will be building my own. As of now I need something nice in a hurry. I am opening my own studio/gallery and a comercial will be filmed later this month in the new space. Since I will be doing woodcarving and furniture making on site at this location it is important to have a bench in view. The carving bench I have now is much to large and to time consuming to disasemble and move. Ulmia is nowhere to be found and I am unsure of the Sjoberg's in the same price range. I will be adding runners since I need added height, I am 6'5". I do like the top and the vices on the Veritas so I hope I am getting a good bench.

   After I build my bench this one will be used for carving and furniture making classes. Also for displays when no classes are held. I like the iron legs more for the looks and the extra weight. I am concerned about the looks because this space needs to be pleasing to the eye and give the right atmosphere to atract customers. The iron will also compliment shelf brackets a local blacksmith made.

   Take Care

   Dale

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 11, 2003 05:38am | #6

   Dale

      I believe you will be fine with the decision. If you are 6'5" a short bench isn't the ticket for you anyway. I prefer a 34" but will build mine 34 1/2" as I have a 1/2" floor mat. I have an assembly table behind that an the TS is the same height. I can actually rip 20' stock as they are all the same height and lined up as extentions. Just add flip-top supports on the out-bound side with the shop doors open.

      The Verritas might be OK without the extra beef, you will know when you get it. If you have the opportunity, e-mail just how sturdy it is out of the box. Someone local will be asking an I would like to be able to give first-hand info from someone that has it an used it.

      Good luck with the venture.......

   sarge..jt

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 11, 2003 06:30am | #7

   Thanks again Sarge,

   I will place my order tomorrow and hopefully get it within two weeks. I will post a review that same week. Don't forget to let me know when your ready to give carving a try.

   Dale

1. 
   BBrady | Aug 11, 2003 06:50am | #8

   Regarding bench height. Some food for thought, an experiment to try.

   A week or more ago, an electrician and I at work started talking wood and wood working. He asked what I use for a bench, so I described it. Of course, I also stated that (like most wood workers), I am currently working on making a bench. We then moved on to ideal height. He (and I) had heard that for most normal adults, that the distance from the floor to the bottom of your palm with your hand bent at the wrist (as if on top of an invisible bench) is the same (give or take a very slight margin). So we tested it. He is about 5'-6" tall and I am about 6'-2" tall. We grabbed a tape measure and checked, and what do you know, we both had heard right. In fact, the distance was the magical 34" that many benches see to be made at.

   Go out and try it. I always read (hear) that "I'm tall and that bench would be too low" or "I'm short and ..." you get the picture.

   Brian Brady

   "If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting." - Unknown

2. 
   ian | Aug 11, 2003 04:15pm | #10

   I'm told that with golfing it's the same answer.  However, whislt 34in may be right for planing how much hand palning do you intend to do?  The comparision I always make is with kitchen counters.  I'm 5' 8" and find any counter lower than about 39" too low and uncomfortable to use for a long period.

   Ian

3. 
   BBrady | Aug 11, 2003 04:55pm | #11

   Ian,

   That's probably why I have two benches with another on the way. My primary bench right now is about 37" high. Great for most everything but hand planing. That is why I'm building a jointers bench that is about 34" high. I do quite a bit of hand planing, so it should see it's share of work. My current second bench is my assembly and finishing bench at about 28" high (it was 24" before I added casters). I also have a built in counter top style bench for general non-woodworking stuff as well as piling high with anything I don't want on my working bench. That one is about 39", because I agree that most kitchen counters are too low.

   Brian Brady

   "If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting." - Unknown

2. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 12, 2003 04:12am | #14

   Glad to hear you are going to make your own.  Frank Klaus uses his, as a sales tool, by making presentations on it.  You might find that is true as well.

   Alan

2. 
   badoyn | Aug 11, 2003 06:07pm | #12

   Sarge,

   I haven't see the workbench book you mentioned but have heard good things. Does it actually give you plans for different styles of workbenches?

   Thanks,

   Michael

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 12, 2003 03:35am | #13

   Michael

      Yep, it has about 4 or 5 plans. Klaus's, Ian Kirby's, Shaker an several others. It also has a history of work-benches an by looking at the pics you can figure out what they did with no problem. The book is fascinating to me an worth every penny. I get mesmerized sitting in the shop looking at it.

      I'm going to do a simple German work-bench with a few ideas off Kirby's an my own. I like mass an sturdy. I do have a few modifications in mind. I seem to have a tendency to modify everything to suit my expectations.

      Be careful if you buy the book. I had no intention of ever building another work-bench after 30 years. Well, now it's "full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes". ha..ha..

   Have a good evening...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   badoyn | Aug 12, 2003 05:30am | #15

   Sarge,

   Thanks for the input. I was thinking of finally building my own workbench and I've heard that's the book to get. I've been slowly buying and hoarding maple for the top and I'm almost there.

   Michael

2. 
   Napie | Aug 12, 2003 05:31pm | #16

   Be very very careful, I have built three benches since my wife and daughter bought me that book.  Latest one has John Nyquists, (sp?), tail vice and a Yost pattern makers vice, so far the best, but have this collection of hard maple and walnut.............

3. 
   PaulReuter | Aug 11, 2003 06:57am | #9

   See my post on Lee Valley twin screw bench vise. (Aug. 7 - Tools For Woodworking)  Ibought mine 'top only' as I already had some steel cabinet bases to use.  Picked mine up at LV store, but I believe it could have been shipped to China.  Good heavy cardboard & a piece of 1/4" masonite packed against the top to protect it.  You'll need some help  to move it, heavy & long.  IMO,you should find it photogenic enough.  Enjoy.

   Paul