After finishing (for the most part) my miterbench, router table, outfeed table, and lumber rack, my shop is almost complete. The only thing left is the work bench. To anyone out there that has pics of their bench, I would be greatful if you posted them here.
I went through the archives here on Knots, but after about a year, the attachments were no longer active (probably removed to make space on the server).
Thank you in advance.
PS. Pics of shops are welcome too, I alwas like to see how other people put there shops together.
Replies
I built this out of a plantation grown wood called Lyptus.
I can send you the plans in a .pdf file if you like.
_________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
MichaelP,
What did you use for your feet? I just posted a question on Knots today about workbench feet and it looks like you have a different type of wood on your bench for your feet. Also, how you affixed them would also be helpful to me. ThanksRegards,
Buzzsaw
The feet are made from HDPE plastic I got my from Woodcraft.
I slide the bench around the shop and the plastic acts like a cheap set of rollers. I just screwed them on._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
Michaelp,
Can you do any type of levelling with this plastic? Also, if you can slide the workbench around easily doesn't it slide when handplaning on it?Regards,
Buzzsaw
I have a spot where all four legs rest solid. It is not that easy to push and anyway it weighs about 250#.
_________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
Edited 8/4/2004 2:40 pm ET by MICHAELP
That looks like a very big bench, what are the top dimensions? Also, is there a reason you decided against an end or tail vise?Jim
Coventry Woodworking
The top is 35x72.
I wish I had decided on an end vise now, but at the time it looled like I wouldn't be using it that much. Wrong._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
Hello Jim
I just posted in 'the gallery' my bench I finished about three weeks ago, listed as WORK BENCH at last. hope you find it useful
all the best .Teabag
Teabag,
Just finished making my bench and just posted some pics in the "Gallery" section this morning. Check it out... The title is "Work Bench"
I didn't have a lot of $$ to sink into the bench so I built mine out of whatever I could find in the rafters of my garage (The previous family who owned our house left me a TON of wood in the garage).
Cheers!Dark Magneto
hello Dark Magneto.
Nice clean bench and I like the joints between rails and legs ,are the top and bottom edges of the rails stub tenoned? into the legs.
I didn't spend a great deal on my bench but after 40 years my salvage stock contained a fair bit to choose from. I hope you enjoy your bench over the coming years .
regards Teabag.
Thank you, I did see yours, which is what made me search the archives. Where did you get the vixe screws, I don't think I've seen those ones before.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
hello Jim
The vices are both Record 52 1/2 quick release they have been making them for years. The beech facing on the tail vice has been fitted over the cast jaw. I would think Record would be available in the USA. (assuming thats where you are)
all the best Teabag.
Actually I heard they are no longer available in the US and you now have to go through Canadian or British suppliers to get them. I'm not sure if it's true, but I think I remember reading that here.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
I just finished the Fortune/Nelson bench in Scott Landis's book "The Workbench Book". The directions were really helpful. The bench is made of ash. I made the tail vise of ash as well. I couldn't get a Record vise so I substituted the large Jorgenson for the front vise. I especially liked the design feature that the dog strip is continuous from the tail vise to the end of the bench. The breadboard on the left end is set back which allows the front vise to be placed clear to the end of the bench. On a comercial bench I had trouble with the breadboard interfering with the front vise at certain times of the year (expansion and contraction). I'm pleased with it, but it was a lot of work. I attached a tool well in my own way. If I were to do it again I would be much more careful in my selection of wood, it will pay off in time and money.
Here ya go... My picture taking ain't too hot!
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Hey, Sarge!
Nice bench. I'd put that one in the living room. Very nice. Don't see any sawdust though. Ha, ha.
Regards,
Phillip
Phillip
"Nice bench. I'd put that one in my living room".
Thanks... Cash or check??
"Don't see any saw-dust though".
The electric leaf-blower was a great buy! Check the drive-way and the acre beside it. My wife tells guest I'm waiting for the remnants of a hurricane to blow it over the property line. Need any, bring a dump truck. I'll leave the out-side shop light on in case you get here late. Shovel is standing by the door. Just be sure to get here before the hurricane though. ha.. ha...
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 8/4/2004 10:12 am ET by SARGE
Very nice, can I ask why you decided on a two handle end vise instead of a "geared" one. I've heard people complain about a single screw vise and was told to use a geared double instead.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
Jim
Actually my twin handle is geared. If you look at pic #1 you will see a face plate on the front of the front jaw that stretches across from handle to handle. If you removed it, you would see a sprocket on each handle screw. A chain (just like a bicycle chain # 14 I believe) runs around the sprockets.
When you turn one handle the chain turns the other in sync so the entire front jaw face moves in-out together. You have a lock pin on the right side sprocket that will release the sprocket an allow that sprocket to free-wheel. This allows the right side of the front jaw to cant slightly. 5* degrees is about the max without putting undue stress on the screws. Usually enough for most situations, but if you use a lot of cant as a pattern-maker; that would require a Emmert or similar as that is one of the various things it is designed to do.
If you want to explore the vise up close, click on the Lee Valley web-site: http://www.leevalley.com : go to vises and click on Veritas Twin Screw. Then click on the tech and you will see a break-down of the vise.
Hope that helps...
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Thanks for the clarification. I have seen a few geared twin screws, but they all had one central handle and was confused when I saw yours.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
Jim,
Here are some pics of my bench with explanatory comments. I have additional information I can send if you are interested.
http:www.lesco-design.com/workbench.html
Peter
Lovely bench, I especially like the walnut/maple contrast. Which issue was the drawer slide in. I have been a subscriber for a coupla years and don't remember it.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
Jim,
The drawer slides were fashioned similiar to those described by Christian Becksvoort in the Jul/Aug 2000 (#143) on page 74.
I hope this helps.
Peter
All of the pics posted here look like they could be dining room tables. The vices could be used to hold bread while slicing or crack lobster claws. Hmmmm....now I'm getting hungry.
Nice job.
Of course thats right before I started subscribing. Oh well, I'll have to go and buy the back order.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
JIm,
Here are some pix of mine, made several years ago. 12/4 hard maple. I built it for a regular fast action shoulder vise, but have since put a No. 2 Emmert on in its place.
Notes,
My basement takes on water from time to time. Used rubber feet to lift it up a bit, out of poss. water, adn teh rubber really grips the floor, so no sliding when planing, etc.
I used the LV dogs, rectangular on the tali vise section (front) and round LV dogs elsewhere.
Have since added a bottom shelf for offcuts, etc.
Have since added roller bearings off of the tail vise side foot, so I can pick up one end, onto the rollers, and drive it as necessary.
In the tool tray I made blocks the exact height of the depth, so I can clamp to that easily as well. Bottom of the tool tray is 12mm BB ply.
Plan was a modified one from the Landis book, which is excellent!!!
Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
I saw yours in the archives. Very nice bench, probably the closest to what I am thinking about so far. Do you like having a tray. I was thinking of puting a shelf about 6-10" below the top so that I can maximize the work surface.Jim
Coventry Woodworking
Yes, I do like having a tray. There are certain measuring and marking tools that I use all the time, and having them at hand, quickly, speeds my work, I think. On the left, I keep pencils, marking knives, marking gauges, etc. On the small right on I keep bits of sandpaper, and small cauls for the vises, etc. In the middle one is 12" rules, comb. square, and a bit of junk I find useful. Each to his won on this decision; there are at least 2 schools of thought.Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
S4S,
Please talk a little bit about your tail vise. How difficult was it to install and can you speak about how often you use it. ThanksRegards,
Buzzsaw
Buzz,
The hardware was from Woodcraft, if I recall correctly. I went with them since their hardware was the heaviest, I think. It came in two lengths, and I opted for the shorter, given it was only a 6' bench. The hardware consists of a flat steel plate, which mounts on the bench, and two plates, each with a groove about 1/4" or so off the edge, and they mount to the top and bottom of the tail vise. The bench mounted plate, top and bottom, is captured in the grooves. A large nut screws onto the bench plate, and this is what makes the screw work. A piece of wood covers it the top plate, but it is loose in the slot. The tension on the plate is adjusted from the bottom, and will need to be adjusted, winter to summer, as the vise's MC changes.
At one time the tail vise was made of one piece, deeply sculpted with recesses for the screw, nut, etc. Now they are more typically laminated up to leave the needed spaces for hardware. This leaves an opportunity for the use of pretty woods for the covers. My end cap is a scrap of zebrawood, for example.
I use mine all the time. It is a critical fixture on my bench, both for planiing, and otherwise. For example, I use it for the sawing of dovetails. the stock, if pushed up afainst the bench side, is thus held perfectly vetrtical. The amount of force which can be applied with this vise is surprisingly great. You can also reverse the dogs, and use the vise as a spreader, for taking apart things such as a chair needing repair. The dogs can extend up maybe 3" or 4", which can also be handy, for gluing up a drawer, for example. Use paulownia as cauls (very soft wood), with a piece of wax paper, and the softness of the wood will push the tails tight without making special cauls or marring the work.
Were I to build another, I would put probably 2 additional dog holes in it. Klaus says that the one tool not yet invented that he wants is an electric tail vise since one spends so much time spinning it in and out. I can live without that feature. It is probably on Felder's drawing board. I think the screw is a 4 tpi.
Mine is built from the drawing in the Landis book, which I very highly recommend. A great read! And, plans for several benches. Mine is a modified Fortune bench. I wish it were 8' instead of 6', but space constraints prevailed. I work form both sides of the bench, regularly. A quick 3' by 5' piece of mdf, and it is my drawing table (using a 36" wide roll of paper form a copy center).
I have the LV thingees which fit into the 3/4" dog holes, with screws thrugh them, for inboard clamping. Handy when you need them. I also have the screw holddown from LV, but prefer my old screw type Jorgie, and a fender washer and 3/8" bolt throgh a dog hole lets me position it anywhere, without additinal drilling.
I don't care for the thicker front section seem commonly since I think it screws up clamping to the bench. With 12/4 maple, there is no need for a thicker edge to resist flex. I think my bench must weigh near #300, and that is not a disadbantage. Plus, it comes apart, should I ever need to move it.
Obvious, but important, is to get the hardware in hnad before you get to the final drawing.
Hope this answered your questions.Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
Alan,
Thanks for all of the information. I am currently reading Landis's book and am leaning toward the Klauz bench. I appreciate all the information...Regards,
Buzzsaw
No problem. My bench has given me much pleasure, as I am sure yours will for you. I liked the Klaus bench as well, but the way that the front vise protrudes would be a PITA for me becuase of my shop configuration.
Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
Yeah Alan,
I will not build the front protrusion into my bench but I really like the tail vise that he uses because I want to have the ability to stand up a piece of wood to be able to do dovetailing. A lot of people use the twin vise from Lee Valley but I am really going to try to do the tail vise. Thanks for all the information. I have a problem now that I have a slight wobble with my base ever since I inserted my stretchers. I have had a suggestion to use lag bolts under each leg and insert them into crutch tips for levelling. I'm looking at your bench and it looks like you use some type of levelling bolt that goes through the post on the bottom. Please let me know what you used because I am interested in doing the same thing. Here is my base...
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Machinery feet, from mscdirect.comAlan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
Alan,
You don't have the part number do you? When I plug in machinery feet at that web site it brings me to a form with a multitude of prompts for brand name, etc, etc. Sorry to be a bother.Regards,
Buzzsaw
pn 03507282, or somethi9ng along those lines.
Alan
http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com
Thanks Alan...Regards,
Buzzsaw
Here's mine completed last winter. All maple.
Jim W
If you want to build a relatively quick and functional workbench, I built one from American Woodworker #89 (Oct 2001). It only took 3 weekends and was inexpensive, yet has performed quite well for my amateur needs. It was rock solid, spacious and could be customized with relative ease. I would not say it is an heirloom bench, but I am sure it will outlast my needs (unless I get greedy ;-)).
Jim,
Here's mine. It's more shaker inspired. The link has lots of pictures and a brief explanation of the construction.
http://www.terryhatfield.com/bench.html
Terry
Registered Shopaholic
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled