Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Oct 27, 2006 12:22am | #1

   What follows is a reply I made recently to someone else also looking for plans: 

   I still have and use the bench, and feel that it works well. Probably a few hundred people have built the bench, and several dozen have told me they were pleased with it, although they all seem to have made some minor modifications in the design when they built it.

   The center panels have proven to be quite strong when supported by the pipes, but I would recommend running a rabbet down each long side of the well as a simpler and somewhat sturdier method of support.

   The following is an answer I sent in response to a question similar to yours:

   I’m the designer of the original bench and other than what was published in the original article, neither I, nor the magazine, have produced any additional information on it.

   If I were to build the bench again, I would only make minor changes. I think the idea of using ledger or rabbet to support the inserts is a good one, it automatically keeps the panels flush with the top of the bench. I would also make the well a bit wider, probably a full 12 inches, or a bit less, so that panels could be made out of MDF shelf stock. I know that some people have used 3/4 inch pipe and clamps for the bench, but I have found that the 1/2 inch pipe and clamps have been perfectly adequate.

   I feel that adding cross dowels for the lag bolts is not needed, as long as you don’t get overly strong when tightening the bolts. The bolts don’t have to be much more than just snug for a totally rigid base.

   I do have a number of ideas for accessories for the bench and I will be writing them up at some point, but they will require photos, drawings, and a dozen pages of text to fully explain, so I can’t begin to cover them in an e-mail. I’m thinking about producing an updated set of plans with a full set of accessories as a booklet, but I haven’t committed myself to the project yet."

   I hope this helps some, I’m sorry that more isn’t available at the moment, but your request and the one that came the other day are making me think hard about writing up an updated version of the bench. Thanks for your interest.

   John White