Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 26, 2002 12:32am | #1

   Catman,

   So you noticed the lack of plans?  My hardware was made by Lee Valley, and didn't include instructions either.  When I called them, they suggested I buy Scott Landis' The Workbench Book.  Really ticked me off, but that's probably the best advice I can give also.  Besides that, it's a great book.

   Jeff

1. 
   dojo | Oct 26, 2002 05:55am | #2

   I have that book...did not see any real dimensions, just a lot of interesting history and different designs for table as a whole.

   How do others install hardware without plans?

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 26, 2002 03:41pm | #3

   catman,

   Check pages 236 & 237; drawings there are for the Nelson vise on 76-79.  You'll probably have to add some blocking to the underside of the bench to have a large and strong mounting surface for the benchplate.  The one one the illustration on p.76 won't be heavy enough.

   Your particular hardware may necessitate some changes, but it gives you a good guide to at least start from.  I substituted the 1/4" stove bolts with 3/8" rod with nuts on both sides of each guideplate for greater stability and ease of adjustment.

   Others install without plans the same way you will the next time (and there will be a next time.)  They just go by what they've used or seen or thought of.  Good luck.

   Jeff

1. 
   jim11 | Oct 09, 2007 01:42am | #4

   Jeff for the tail vise, Woodcraft has a few writeups on the installation.  Front vise hardware is #77A42 and the Tail Vise is #77A41, both available at their website for free download.  I too have the Woodcraft Large Tail Vise hardware and have to build my vise as well.  The wokbench plans they sell written by Carlyle Lynch are also very helpful and contain the literature I am referencing.  I bought the Large Workbech plans and though my bench will not be the same, have learned a lot from them and worth the price.  The plans are of the classic Ulmia woodworking bench and are excellent as is everything Carlyle has done. 

   Another writeup that has helped me considerably is in Fine Woodworking No. 162, April 2003 issue starting on page 50, "Rock Solid Workbench".  John Leppo does a very good job in his "End Vise" foldout explaining why you do what you do in building a tail vise using the Gebruder-Busch (German) Hardware  that Woodcraft sells.  BTW this is the same hardware Lie Nielsen uses, but they weld the plates together along with screw hole attachments so you don't have to make a wood spacer between the plates like you do with the Woodcraft version.  I bought quartersawn padauk to make my spacer.  I would suggest you use a very stable wood species in quartersawn grain configuration to minimize wood movement for your spacer too. 

   The information is out there on the web, especially in forums like this by people with more experience than me.  It just took me some time to find and understand it and I am still learning.  A wokbench looks deceptively simple, but in my opinion is not.  I designed, drew and literally built my own home and there is an old saying, "if you can draw it, you can build it." That approach worked well for me.   I still have not gotten all the details down on my bench design, so have not started it yet, since I still cannot draw it.  Other guys are better just plowing ahead, but I have learned, that is not me as I would make too many mistakes and waste too much lumber and money.  Take a look at Carlye Lynch's plans  and see if you can understand the cross sections he drew.  Remember if you change one thing, it will affect several other things, so copy and change at your own peril.  Whatever method you choose, good luck!

   Edited 10/8/2007 6:49 pm ET by jim11

2. 
   Samson | Oct 09, 2007 03:19am | #5

   For what it may be worth:

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=7063.1