Replies

1. 
   roc | Sep 21, 2010 12:07am | #1

   Open to suggestions; any help would be appreciated.

   Well since you said that and since nobody has jumped in here and since I love to talk work benches and vises.   What the heck . . . 

   >12/4 lumber<

   Nah just make up what you need by jointing/laminating 8/4 etc.  More stable and less splits and cracks anyway.  In the photos I have included, if you look at the end grain of the square shapes, you can just make out that they are made up of two layers with the seam running vertically on both.

   >Dovetails;  working on dovetails now<

   Perfect: just keep on till dawn but make big dovetails (see same pics)

   All the commercial benches I looked at were limited.  Puny vises, unstable materials SERIOUSLY EXPENSIVE.  See the "Big vise" pic.  I just was not able to find the massive vises that I was after and for me that is the point of this bench.   I put the bucks into better materials and the tools and books I needed to make the bench.

   Now I have a better bench and some killer tools I would have bought anyway but would have had to put off because of the cost of a comercial bench.  Well it is true you won't be making much else for a while (long while (heck of a long while )).

   Once you get the bench partly done you can use it to make the rest of the bench, that's why I made my top first against the advice of the pros.

   Also can use it to make smaller quick projects when you need a break.  And you WILL need a break.

   Go slow, pay attention, don't work when you are tired.  Eventually you will have killer skills and a killer bench.  In that order.

   :    )

   
1. 
   AZMO | Sep 21, 2010 11:33pm | #3

   Tool Box

   hey Roc,

   Under your bench, image Big_vise.jpg is an old tool box. I think I have one like it from my great uncle. Does yours have an old leather handle? Mine has split and gone by the way side. I still use ithe box to store some of my odd tools and such. I'll have to post a pic for you.

   OK, did you finish the legs yet.....;>)

   Morgan

2. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 21, 2010 07:33pm | #2

   commercial benches

   I don't have any personal experience with the benches you mention. A couple of folks here, however, have had good things to say about the higher-end Sjoberg benches, available through Woodcraft and other places. Lie Nielsen also makes an excellent bench, but it's better-made and correspondingly more expensive.

   The choice, I think, really depends on what you have to spend, how you want to spend it, and what you can get by with in the short term. You could, for example, "get by" in the short term with a simpler design made of 4x4s, 2x4s, and laminated ply or MDF, while planning to build your "ultimate" bench in the future. There's a video here about doing a bench of this nature "in a weekend".

   Working on an "interim" bench for a while will also give you a better idea of the features you'll eventually want.

3. 
   RabbetRun | Sep 22, 2010 12:29am | #4

   Thanks for responding! Perhaps, I should rethink buying a bench. I've been reviewing the info on FW about workbenches. There are a couple of inexpensive beginner build ones that I could practice on. Later, when I have more skills, I could tackle building a proper bench. Also, I can keep saving, either for the build or for a better bench. Thanks Ralph for the info on commercial benches. Hum     

1. 
   AZMO | Sep 22, 2010 09:40am | #6

   Bench

   Rabbet,

   While you are pondering, check out this book, Chris Schwarz Workbenches from design to construction. IMO, his inexpensive Roubo bench made from Doug fir or Southern Yellow Pine is fairly easy to build and very servicable. $200 or so to build and some great skills to come with it. Worth a thought for sure. Lots of discussions here on knots as well, amazing how many great projects get built on an old solid core door....

   AZMO

2. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 22, 2010 12:00pm | #8

   Practice on.. Good idea..

   "There are a couple of inexpensive beginner build ones that I could practice on. Later, when I have more skills, I could tackle building a proper bench."

   And I would say.... 'What is a 'proper bench'?...

   A bench can be made from almost anything (wood top of course for woodworking).

   Could I suggest that you do NOT purchase a 'junk' vice (or two) for your first bench. Get a quality vice and you can use it when the time comes to make your fancy bench. Yes, a good woodworking vice can be more than a bit expensive, but why get one that you will have to replace in the next year or two?

4. 
   roc | Sep 22, 2010 12:33am | #5

   Legs ? What Legs ?

   Morgan,

   Yep.  Leather handle.  It was my Father's box.  May have even been my Grandfather's but I don't know that for sure.

   I keep small bottles of solvents and things like that in it.  Probably on the verge of exploding and there by spawning some unstoppable mutant life form that will take over the planet killing all in it's path.

   Legs ? Oh those legs.  Er . . . no . . .  I have bigger fish to fry and important matters to attend to and er . . .

   no . . . not yet.

   ( :    )

   PS: see phrases above :

   heck of a long while

   Once you get the bench partly done

   use it to make smaller quick projects

   when you need a break.  And you WILL need a break.

1. 
   AZMO | Sep 22, 2010 10:03am | #7

   All you can eat Fish Fry at Rocs House!  Sounds like a break that has has turned into a time warp. Perhaps the fumes coming from that tool box are addeling the brain. Turning sound logical thinking into Pro Crasternation.... I myself am perfectly guilty as charged. Have a project waiting to finish all summer. Jus because it was 111 on Sunday is no reason not get out there and geet er done...heeheh. 

   Soon Grass hopper, Soon and you can too can join the others in the shop for some fun.

   Morgan