Replies

1. 
   noviceneil | Dec 23, 2010 03:43pm | #1

   workbench material

   Art,

   Douglas fir should be fine for the top...the important part is getting it flat after the glue up....another important aspect is weight, you want it pretty heavy so it doesn't move when you're working on it....if you're new to woodworking, one of the tough parts is going to be deciding what style of bench you want to build which should be based on what type of woodworking you will be doing...I started out using lots of machines and gradually moved to hand tools....if I did it over I would not have made the top as wide (36 inches- I think 24-30 inches would be better as I'm only 5'7" and don't have the reach...if you've got room length should be 6-8 ft to support your long boards (again depending on what you're gonna make...if it's toys and boxes this obviouly doesn't apply)...some research would be most helpful..Chris Schwartz has become mildly obsessed with bench design and construction and has extensive info both on his blog as well as a couple DVDs and a book...for a different perspective and a wider array of choices there is another book, aptly titled The Workbench Book whose author escapes me just now but well worth looking through..

   Can't tell you anything about your other wood but if it's hard it might be useful and interesting to make the base from that.

   Neil

1. 
   ScrapArt | Dec 23, 2010 04:55pm | #2

   thank you most helpfull

2. 
   cblouin | Dec 23, 2010 09:09pm | #6

   Hello Art, I made a bench out of framing lumber in the spring. Softness isn't really an issue and the weight is right. A front vice would be nicer than my setup with pipe clamps, but I'm most happy with it. I've posted some pictures on this site: New Fangled workbench

   Some picture of the half completed bench: Blog Slideshow

   Go for it, my bench cost me next to nothing (~$150 CAD) to build and will serve me well for as long as I want.

   Christian

2. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 23, 2010 05:09pm | #3

   There are a couple of schools of thought with respect to building one's first bench.

   School #1 is to study the extensive bench design materials available, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of all the various features, and then either pick one of the designs, or design your own by combining features from those you've researched. If you can devote enough time to the research, you should be able to start on your bench within a year or two.

   School #2 is to build a simple bench to start with, so you'll have something to work on fairly quickly. Theres a video on the home page of building one of the latter type - laminated MDF for the top, 4x4 fence material for the legs, etc. A weekend project. You can still do the research for a fancier bench in your spare time. By then, however, you'll have the experience to know what you need, as opposed to features that fit with someone else's working style.

   Inexpensive, but good quality, wood acquired now will only become even more inexpensive compared to what it will cost in the future. So, if you have storage room, it might make sense to take advantage of your current situation - even if you don't use the material for the initial bench. Neither Cambara nor fir is particularly interesting grain-wise, so it might not be appropriate for furniture applications. But, if cheap enough, either would be good to learn and build skills with.

1. 
   noviceneil | Dec 23, 2010 05:46pm | #4

   first bench options

   Ralph makes a good point about throwing together a working bench aimed at function without form (or at least, not much form) and certainly this is the way to go if you want to get to work quickly on other woodworking projects....there are excellent craftsman on this forum who produce work lightyears beyond what I can make and use a work bench made of doors glued and screwed on saw horses with a plywood top...I think though, he indulged in a bit of hyperbole when he stated that with lots of time invested in research and one or two years you could have the workbench you want. Most basic workbenches don't take advanced skills to put together, so that if you have the right machines and are fairly precise in your measuring and cutting, most of the workbenches are doable within a month if you've got weekends free..obviously if you get fancy with dovetailed end vises and drawers beneath the bench things get trickier....also keep in mind that a basic bench, solidly made can be modified down the road....personally I'd like to build a Roubou style bench and a Klaus style European bench..I like the look of both but mine works just fine and the only people who really appreciate a great bench are other woodworkers....I seldom see one in my shop...

   have a great holiday season,

   Neil

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 23, 2010 06:06pm | #5

   research vs. build time

   I wasn't suggesting that it would take two years to build it, Neil, but rather that two years could easily be spent doing the research.  Once the decision is made, it would only take a week or two, at most, to build it.  ;-)

   I've been at this for over 50 years, and still haven't decided on my dream bench. So, I plug away on the old 36"x72" wooden desk I' adapted to the job about 40 years ago.

1. 
   noviceneil | Dec 27, 2010 09:04am | #7

   research vs build time

   Ralph,

   hope you had a nice Christmas....I knew you weren't suggesting a long build time, but I didn't think the research would take as long as you implied....perhaps you're right though in the sense that it probably will take several years to figure out what one REALLY needs in a workbench as interests and styles evolve...many of the benches I admire were built as much to show off the woodworker's ability as they were to aid their woodworking...no matter what kind of "workbench" we end up using there are lots of modifications  and additions that can be made to make the bench more user friendly down the road...one of the older threads in Knots asked the question "what is the most useful tool in the shop?"  of course someone mentioned the woodworker's brain, but many suggested the workbench, a suggestion with which I would have to agree....

   Neil, plugging away at my less than ideal but still functional workbench

3. 
   camcompco | Dec 28, 2010 01:52pm | #8

   Material for my first work Bench, i did this and it is great

   I made my entire bench out of 3/4" plywood (final top of MDF), unbelievably strong, no issues with warping, and you don't need anything other than a power saw of some sort (i used a table saw, but a hand held power saw with a rip fence would work).

   Like you, this was the first thing i built (just did it last week), Built the entire thing for $135 bucks (excluding vise) and it is custom for me, height is 1/4" below my table saw so it acts as an extension.

   I have attached the pdf on construction, also shows how to rip the plywood to avoid waste (think ahead if you want to change something for you particular saw (now or future) if you want to do what I did.

   Happy new Year to all

   John Cameron

   
4. 
   jimbell | Dec 30, 2010 12:50am | #9

   Workbench

   What do you use a workbench for?

   Clamping, holding, bracing, securing . . .

   So the vices are crucial. Ten years ago I didn't know any better and bought three cheap ones and regret it.

   So holes for dogs are also crucial. Before drilling allign with vices, and think of what work you'll use them for. Ten years ago I put an nice even pattern of holes in the top, and I don't use half the dog holes and some are actually unusable because they hit the vices I've mounted.

   Cheers,

   jimbell

1. 
   noviceneil | Dec 30, 2010 09:44pm | #10

   Workbench

   I would second Jim's observation...next to a really flat work surface,  the vise would be the next most important feature and should be the best you can afford. A quick release vise is great, I bought inexpensive vises recommended by the article I read..wish I had gotten the better ones. Last year I upgraded to a Veritas twin screw which really made work holding more effective.

   Neil