Replies

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Dec 24, 2008 05:45am | #1

   I am not sure why you think that it is so controversial, or that we need to load weapons to reply.

   I believe that most woodworkers create a wide range of projects, with a wide range of techniques, and that a wide range of equipment is appropriate.

   Whatever works for you is fine with me.

2. 
   Thorvald | Dec 24, 2008 06:09am | #2

   Let me say this about that: how many of us would settle for one chisel, or one plane, or one saw?  I think those of us who've built and use a traditional joiner's bench like the Klausz are convinced that it's the bench for hand work.  However, it is a tool, and how many tools are there that do everything well?  Most of us probably have a simple table or bench we use for glue-up and finish work -- a joiner's bench doesn't work very well for those things, and who wants glue and spaters all over that surface any way!

   The welders bench is a great starting point for a woodworkers assembly table.  The biggest propblem it has is that it doesn't work very well with some of our clamps, so I'd start with the concept and build toward a woodworker's version that is purpose built to work with the kind of clamps we use.  It could, perhaps, have a whole passel of racks that fit on the top to meet different needs -- even a lazy susan for finish work. 

   Happy Holidays!

   Verne

    

3. 
   BG | Dec 24, 2008 02:06pm | #3

   roc,

   I think your going the wrong way in your thinking. Not that my opinion is worth a tinkers damn, but I've become increasingly impressed with how stock was clamped/held or not in the old days. It almost seems as tough excessive clamping requirements is a sure fire indicator that either your doing it the wrong way or trying to overwork the tool. I personally don't practice what I'm preaching, I'm just impressed with it :).

4. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 25, 2008 04:28am | #4

   Given sufficient floor space, I could see where the welding table would be handy. One would need to be careful with the depth of the circular saw, though. Angle iron is really tough on blades. ;-)

1. 
   roc | Dec 25, 2008 07:28am | #5

   re-read please. Thanksroc

5. 
   philip | Dec 25, 2008 07:49am | #6

   Rocky,
   You are doing something strange with those links- I have never been able to get any that you send to open.....
   I think a work bench like a lot of things needs to suit the owner and his work methods.
   Any body who looks at my bench will say that I am abnormal- and could be right, as I prefer to have an engineers type vise , an overhanging top not of great thickness and cupboard space to store those things which I like to have at hand all the time-which does not mean that all tools are thrown under bench.
   I think there are some absolute requirements such as rock steadiness, knock down, suitable height .I don't find it necessary for the top to be hellish flat.
   I prefer to do assembling or panel glueing on separate benches or trestles, where there will be no tools etc in the way.Philip Marcou

   
   

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   Edited 12/25/2008 12:10 am by philip

1. 
   roc | Dec 25, 2008 08:54am | #7

   Philip,>something strange with those linksI am no computer pilot. I am guessing you are using another web browser than I am that may be causing some problems. Sites that are available to my browser are not to yours or some such. The other day some body designated Forestgirl as official computer expert for Knots so lets ask her. : )Any suggestions you may have, Philip, are welcome.I tried some links from Hibilis the other day and was taken to the general site but not really successful in finding specific info. though other time I was.I am on a 2008 Mac running OS 10.5.5 for what that is worth. I use Safari. I click in the web address window and select all then copy and paste to this message window. I put an empty line above and bellow so it is easier to separate the address from my scribbles.The table that I am referring to is about like if you made ladders from 1-1/4" square tubing then put the ladders flat on the floor and welded them together side by side. Well not like that. Eliminate one side of the ladder (no reason to have double tubes side by side.OK do the same again. Weld uprights about one foot long all over the place and put the second ladder assembly on top of the uprights and weld together. Put the "cage" that we have made on legs and brace with cross members to prevent wiggle at the legs.Now reproduce the same thing out of wood but with roughly 3" x 3 " or what ever. Since I am having trouble TIG welding purple heart I recommend half laps or lincoln log like joints at this early stage of prototype development.The beauty is one can clamp things at an angle across the front and place clamps in many places as needed to hold work being cut or glued.The first link was right here on FWW and I just searched up a title to an article called:A Circular Saw in the Furniture Shop? to see an article by Gary Williams where you should see a panel cutting table that is similar in one layer to the table I am presenting for discussion.The second link is to Mother Earth News and search for an article called:MOTHER'S UNIVERSAL WELDING TABLESorry for making this tiresomeBy the way I said weapons up because I expect people to hack this to pieces pointing out the limitations or cutting to the good parts. Also people here like to joust a bit with each other.One interesting point is this table passes shavings and chips to the floor automatically. It will do the same with tools but I am used to putting tools on roller carts and a set of shelves on big squishy rubber wheels. Also mostly I put smaller tools on big cookie sheets so I can clear the bench, floor or cart quickly. Mostly because I tend to need to switch back and forth at the drop of a hat between working on an electrical appliance, the car, the bike, and my wood working projects not to mention metal work. A lot of my tools are in another room so putting away and taking out would be all I do if I did not just leave the tools on my sheets until the project is completed. I just set my cookie sheets out of the way here and there and load up my roller carts and rolling shelves with more cookie sheets and away I go. Gets a bit nuts but I am a bit nuts so I feel at home.Looking back I have written another novel here. Sorry: )roc

   Edited 12/25/2008 1:15 am by roc

6. 
   ring | Dec 25, 2008 10:34am | #8

   roc,

   1. I've spent a good bit of time (in previous reincarnations) in welding shops. The needs of a welder are somewhat different than ours, but even in a metal shop this kind of bench doesn't answer all needs. Welders commonly "tack" their work to the bench, then grind it afterwards to release it from the bench. This kind of frame bench is great for that. However, metalwork also calls for hammering something with brute force, and there's nothing that can replace a very very heavy bench when it comes to that kind of work. So, it's been my experience that metal shops need to have heavy benches, and they improvise "frame" benches as required. You can make one of these in about an hour or so, and it's like making a jig for a certain operation.

   2. If you're cutting sheet goods with a circular saw, first of all you have my condolences. But the best way I've found is to cover a plywood sheet with styrofoam panels, at least 3/4" thick. You can then use your Festool system (or similar) and cut anywhere you please, kerfing the styrofoam with pure delight. Eventually one needs to replace the foam panels, but it takes a long time. It's a great jobsite way to work, but I wouldn't want to use a circular saw in the shop as a matter of course.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 25, 2008 09:46pm | #9

   Bothersome neighbor kids can also make a good, albeit irregular, substitute for the styrofoam. ;-)

1. 
   ring | Dec 25, 2008 10:07pm | #10

   What was that about "Peace on earth, good will towards men..."?David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Dec 25, 2008 10:38pm | #11

   Hmmm, well, David, you have a point. However, as we were noting this morning, many of our neighbors' Christmas tradition includes sending their offspring to our house as fast as possible. However, must say that although our goodwill is sometimes strained, we haven't sawed any of them.Don't suppose you have that particular problem where you live...J

2. 
   roc | Dec 26, 2008 12:52am | #12

   >substitute for the styrofoamor cats. cats are good. Less amo for the CATapult though.>Good will verses making neighbor kids aware of the degree of their bothersome behavior and resulting consequences.Helps them become "men" and wo "men" deserving of all that good will.roc

   Edited 12/25/2008 5:00 pm by roc