Replies

1. 
   Oldblock | May 14, 2002 03:55am | #1

   Yes I built it with slight modification. The rise and fall shelf is great - use it frequently. The long bench top clamps are a bit questionable, I find them a bit cumbersome to use on the few jobs that I've done that required a big clamp up function.

   I'll have another look at the article and write a more detailed comment when I have more time.

   The method af feneral construction is ok but I used biscuit joints instead of bolts and have incorporated shelves under the benchtop and a vertical long panel to stiffen up the whole assembly.

   Ray ( I don't know why I put Uncle in as my name I'll have to change this)

1. 
   user-204458 | May 14, 2002 10:59pm | #2

   Dear Uncle Ray,

     DId you use the douglas fir he mentions ?  Also the vertical panel you mention where did you position it? I had a concern regarding the stiffness of the unit due to the way it was horizontally afixed to the ends ( I guess I mean the strechers).

   Thanks for your help

   Richard   [email protected]

1. 
   DMullins71 | May 15, 2002 01:36am | #3

   Hi

        I have also made the bench. I was looking for ages for a bench but none I had seen were as versitile as this idea. I made mine from  Messmate a local hardwood here in Australia.

    I found the design to be very steady i could not get the bench to move no matter how hard i pushed when planning a board. I made my top longer than in the drawing to accomodate larger table tops or panels and it works very well.

    If i was to make this bench again i would use joinery instead of the bolts, i would prefer that to the look of the bolts. Although as it states in the article you can tighten them if you need to if things get loose. Mine has not moved in over a year now and i use mine every day.

    I also found the top clamping idea that holds large panels so you can work them to be the best part. I have a one man shop and am always planning large table tops. This bench works great for that.

    Good luck in making this bench it is fun to make and works well

   My 2 cents worth

   Shakaen

2. 
   Oldblock | May 15, 2002 03:31am | #4

   Nope I used local framing pine (Western Australia) for the general frame and Jarrah (Local hardwood) for the business side of the top.

   There are three pine cross frames a base shelf and two intermediate shelves of 9mm ply. The vertical divider was also 9mm ply rising to the upper int. shelf.

   I've got a thing about timber shrinkage and didn't like the adea of relying on bolt threads to hold everything together when the bench gets a pounding.

   I forgot to mention that I installed my old Record vise on the Jarrah side and consequently I have yet to use the short pipe clamp option.

   My frequently used planes and power tools live on the shelves accessd from the Jarrah side and on the planing rail side ther is nothing. My reasoning being that if I have a large piece on the rail it will obstruct access.

   Hope that helps.

   Uncle Ray