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Dirt Cheap Workbench Build

13K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  waho6o9 
#1 ·
Gluing up the top & starting the legs

Well, I've started on my workbench build…I'm going ahead to start writing this blog even though at my pace (a few hours a week), it may take a few more months to finish.

Here's the general goal…I'm sure it will evolve a bit as I build it:

Table Outdoor table Outdoor furniture Wood Bench


This bench has a few design parameters that contribute to it's odd look:
-It has to fit in my small workspace in the corner of the garage, so 5ft is the length.
-I want my Anarchist-style tool chest to roll underneath it when not in use, so that means no front stretcher…the apron will have to compensate in holding it steady from racking.
-I wanted to keep using Pipe-clamps as my twin-screw vise, so holes were made to accomadate for that.
-I plan to use a press-screw for a wagon vise.
-I want the bench to be dirt cheap…that means I hope to spend less than $50 on it, including buying the lumber!

Outdoor bench Tire Wood Outdoor furniture Street furniture

This is the lumber: Three ten-foot 2×10's from the big box store….

Wood Cabinetry Drawer Floor Wood stain

...Stickered to dry a little bit…

Wheel Wood Automotive tire Tire Flooring

Marking the lines for ripping. I ripped it all into thirds (about 3") except for one 5-foot board that will become the front apron. That equals about 50 feet of ripping…30 feet done by hand-saw (took about an hour), then I got lazy and ripped the last 4 cuts (20 feet worth of cuts) on my cheap table saw (took about 5 minutes once I got the saw set up.

Saw Wood Sewing machine Household appliance accessory Machine tool

Ohio Tools wooden jointer plane…face-planing the boards for the top glue-up. I completely ignored the rough edges from the rip cuts at this stage, deciding they will be evened out later when I hand-plane the bottom of the top, and the top of the top.

Wood Rectangle Art Font Tints and shades

The top Glued up!!! I did this in about 3 stages to get to this point…leaving various gaps and openings in the top will prevent me from having to chop mortises later. Some are for legs, some are for the movable parts of pipe clamps, and some are for over-sized dog holes (1.5×1.5 square). Each Dog will be large, and able to serve as it's own bench stop, working with or without the wagon vise.

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

This Picture shows an example of how the pipe-clam-vise will work. The movable part of each clamp will be inserted into the top of the bench, with easy access for adjusting.

Wood Floor Wood stain Flooring Hardwood

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Machine

Test-fitting 2 of the legs in their mortises. The rear legs were cut at an angle, then I saved the cut-off which will be inserted in the gap created at the top of the bench, serving as a wedge of sorts.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT SO FAR! Sorry for the Cell-phone quality pictures. Hopefully I'll get some time to put on the apron, and get the base put together soon.

Thanks for reading!
 

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#2 ·
Gluing up the top & starting the legs

Well, I've started on my workbench build…I'm going ahead to start writing this blog even though at my pace (a few hours a week), it may take a few more months to finish.

Here's the general goal…I'm sure it will evolve a bit as I build it:

Table Outdoor table Outdoor furniture Wood Bench


This bench has a few design parameters that contribute to it's odd look:
-It has to fit in my small workspace in the corner of the garage, so 5ft is the length.
-I want my Anarchist-style tool chest to roll underneath it when not in use, so that means no front stretcher…the apron will have to compensate in holding it steady from racking.
-I wanted to keep using Pipe-clamps as my twin-screw vise, so holes were made to accomadate for that.
-I plan to use a press-screw for a wagon vise.
-I want the bench to be dirt cheap…that means I hope to spend less than $50 on it, including buying the lumber!

Outdoor bench Tire Wood Outdoor furniture Street furniture

This is the lumber: Three ten-foot 2×10's from the big box store….

Wood Cabinetry Drawer Floor Wood stain

...Stickered to dry a little bit…

Wheel Wood Automotive tire Tire Flooring

Marking the lines for ripping. I ripped it all into thirds (about 3") except for one 5-foot board that will become the front apron. That equals about 50 feet of ripping…30 feet done by hand-saw (took about an hour), then I got lazy and ripped the last 4 cuts (20 feet worth of cuts) on my cheap table saw (took about 5 minutes once I got the saw set up.

Saw Wood Sewing machine Household appliance accessory Machine tool

Ohio Tools wooden jointer plane…face-planing the boards for the top glue-up. I completely ignored the rough edges from the rip cuts at this stage, deciding they will be evened out later when I hand-plane the bottom of the top, and the top of the top.

Wood Rectangle Art Font Tints and shades

The top Glued up!!! I did this in about 3 stages to get to this point…leaving various gaps and openings in the top will prevent me from having to chop mortises later. Some are for legs, some are for the movable parts of pipe clamps, and some are for over-sized dog holes (1.5×1.5 square). Each Dog will be large, and able to serve as it's own bench stop, working with or without the wagon vise.

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

This Picture shows an example of how the pipe-clam-vise will work. The movable part of each clamp will be inserted into the top of the bench, with easy access for adjusting.

Wood Floor Wood stain Flooring Hardwood

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Machine

Test-fitting 2 of the legs in their mortises. The rear legs were cut at an angle, then I saved the cut-off which will be inserted in the gap created at the top of the bench, serving as a wedge of sorts.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT SO FAR! Sorry for the Cell-phone quality pictures. Hopefully I'll get some time to put on the apron, and get the base put together soon.

Thanks for reading!
Looks great. Looking forward to part 2!
 

Attachments

#3 ·
Gluing up the top & starting the legs

Well, I've started on my workbench build…I'm going ahead to start writing this blog even though at my pace (a few hours a week), it may take a few more months to finish.

Here's the general goal…I'm sure it will evolve a bit as I build it:

Table Outdoor table Outdoor furniture Wood Bench


This bench has a few design parameters that contribute to it's odd look:
-It has to fit in my small workspace in the corner of the garage, so 5ft is the length.
-I want my Anarchist-style tool chest to roll underneath it when not in use, so that means no front stretcher…the apron will have to compensate in holding it steady from racking.
-I wanted to keep using Pipe-clamps as my twin-screw vise, so holes were made to accomadate for that.
-I plan to use a press-screw for a wagon vise.
-I want the bench to be dirt cheap…that means I hope to spend less than $50 on it, including buying the lumber!

Outdoor bench Tire Wood Outdoor furniture Street furniture

This is the lumber: Three ten-foot 2×10's from the big box store….

Wood Cabinetry Drawer Floor Wood stain

...Stickered to dry a little bit…

Wheel Wood Automotive tire Tire Flooring

Marking the lines for ripping. I ripped it all into thirds (about 3") except for one 5-foot board that will become the front apron. That equals about 50 feet of ripping…30 feet done by hand-saw (took about an hour), then I got lazy and ripped the last 4 cuts (20 feet worth of cuts) on my cheap table saw (took about 5 minutes once I got the saw set up.

Saw Wood Sewing machine Household appliance accessory Machine tool

Ohio Tools wooden jointer plane…face-planing the boards for the top glue-up. I completely ignored the rough edges from the rip cuts at this stage, deciding they will be evened out later when I hand-plane the bottom of the top, and the top of the top.

Wood Rectangle Art Font Tints and shades

The top Glued up!!! I did this in about 3 stages to get to this point…leaving various gaps and openings in the top will prevent me from having to chop mortises later. Some are for legs, some are for the movable parts of pipe clamps, and some are for over-sized dog holes (1.5×1.5 square). Each Dog will be large, and able to serve as it's own bench stop, working with or without the wagon vise.

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

This Picture shows an example of how the pipe-clam-vise will work. The movable part of each clamp will be inserted into the top of the bench, with easy access for adjusting.

Wood Floor Wood stain Flooring Hardwood

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Machine

Test-fitting 2 of the legs in their mortises. The rear legs were cut at an angle, then I saved the cut-off which will be inserted in the gap created at the top of the bench, serving as a wedge of sorts.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT SO FAR! Sorry for the Cell-phone quality pictures. Hopefully I'll get some time to put on the apron, and get the base put together soon.

Thanks for reading!
What a start, can't wait to see more. Better man that I, to use a hand saw that many feet before going power saw
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Gluing up the top & starting the legs

Well, I've started on my workbench build…I'm going ahead to start writing this blog even though at my pace (a few hours a week), it may take a few more months to finish.

Here's the general goal…I'm sure it will evolve a bit as I build it:

Table Outdoor table Outdoor furniture Wood Bench


This bench has a few design parameters that contribute to it's odd look:
-It has to fit in my small workspace in the corner of the garage, so 5ft is the length.
-I want my Anarchist-style tool chest to roll underneath it when not in use, so that means no front stretcher…the apron will have to compensate in holding it steady from racking.
-I wanted to keep using Pipe-clamps as my twin-screw vise, so holes were made to accomadate for that.
-I plan to use a press-screw for a wagon vise.
-I want the bench to be dirt cheap…that means I hope to spend less than $50 on it, including buying the lumber!

Outdoor bench Tire Wood Outdoor furniture Street furniture

This is the lumber: Three ten-foot 2×10's from the big box store….

Wood Cabinetry Drawer Floor Wood stain

...Stickered to dry a little bit…

Wheel Wood Automotive tire Tire Flooring

Marking the lines for ripping. I ripped it all into thirds (about 3") except for one 5-foot board that will become the front apron. That equals about 50 feet of ripping…30 feet done by hand-saw (took about an hour), then I got lazy and ripped the last 4 cuts (20 feet worth of cuts) on my cheap table saw (took about 5 minutes once I got the saw set up.

Saw Wood Sewing machine Household appliance accessory Machine tool

Ohio Tools wooden jointer plane…face-planing the boards for the top glue-up. I completely ignored the rough edges from the rip cuts at this stage, deciding they will be evened out later when I hand-plane the bottom of the top, and the top of the top.

Wood Rectangle Art Font Tints and shades

The top Glued up!!! I did this in about 3 stages to get to this point…leaving various gaps and openings in the top will prevent me from having to chop mortises later. Some are for legs, some are for the movable parts of pipe clamps, and some are for over-sized dog holes (1.5×1.5 square). Each Dog will be large, and able to serve as it's own bench stop, working with or without the wagon vise.

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

This Picture shows an example of how the pipe-clam-vise will work. The movable part of each clamp will be inserted into the top of the bench, with easy access for adjusting.

Wood Floor Wood stain Flooring Hardwood

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Machine

Test-fitting 2 of the legs in their mortises. The rear legs were cut at an angle, then I saved the cut-off which will be inserted in the gap created at the top of the bench, serving as a wedge of sorts.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT SO FAR! Sorry for the Cell-phone quality pictures. Hopefully I'll get some time to put on the apron, and get the base put together soon.

Thanks for reading!
12strings,

Now there's a story to tell the grandkids.
...I once ripped 30 feet of SYP with a Handsaw, ...barefoot, ...uphill, ...both ways!!!
What were you thinkin' my man?? ...I'm thinkin', HEART ATTACK !!! ;-)

We've had power saws since before the early 1900's. It's no longer in our genes to push a saw that far.

Seriously though, I can appreciate the Hand Tool resurgence, albeit when it takes less time than to set up the power saws and this was ingrained in my tutoring by my Grandfather.

Lovin' your enthusiasm. - Grandpa Len.
Work Safely and have Fun.
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Gluing up the top & starting the legs

Well, I've started on my workbench build…I'm going ahead to start writing this blog even though at my pace (a few hours a week), it may take a few more months to finish.

Here's the general goal…I'm sure it will evolve a bit as I build it:

Table Outdoor table Outdoor furniture Wood Bench


This bench has a few design parameters that contribute to it's odd look:
-It has to fit in my small workspace in the corner of the garage, so 5ft is the length.
-I want my Anarchist-style tool chest to roll underneath it when not in use, so that means no front stretcher…the apron will have to compensate in holding it steady from racking.
-I wanted to keep using Pipe-clamps as my twin-screw vise, so holes were made to accomadate for that.
-I plan to use a press-screw for a wagon vise.
-I want the bench to be dirt cheap…that means I hope to spend less than $50 on it, including buying the lumber!

Outdoor bench Tire Wood Outdoor furniture Street furniture

This is the lumber: Three ten-foot 2×10's from the big box store….

Wood Cabinetry Drawer Floor Wood stain

...Stickered to dry a little bit…

Wheel Wood Automotive tire Tire Flooring

Marking the lines for ripping. I ripped it all into thirds (about 3") except for one 5-foot board that will become the front apron. That equals about 50 feet of ripping…30 feet done by hand-saw (took about an hour), then I got lazy and ripped the last 4 cuts (20 feet worth of cuts) on my cheap table saw (took about 5 minutes once I got the saw set up.

Saw Wood Sewing machine Household appliance accessory Machine tool

Ohio Tools wooden jointer plane…face-planing the boards for the top glue-up. I completely ignored the rough edges from the rip cuts at this stage, deciding they will be evened out later when I hand-plane the bottom of the top, and the top of the top.

Wood Rectangle Art Font Tints and shades

The top Glued up!!! I did this in about 3 stages to get to this point…leaving various gaps and openings in the top will prevent me from having to chop mortises later. Some are for legs, some are for the movable parts of pipe clamps, and some are for over-sized dog holes (1.5×1.5 square). Each Dog will be large, and able to serve as it's own bench stop, working with or without the wagon vise.

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

This Picture shows an example of how the pipe-clam-vise will work. The movable part of each clamp will be inserted into the top of the bench, with easy access for adjusting.

Wood Floor Wood stain Flooring Hardwood

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Machine

Test-fitting 2 of the legs in their mortises. The rear legs were cut at an angle, then I saved the cut-off which will be inserted in the gap created at the top of the bench, serving as a wedge of sorts.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT SO FAR! Sorry for the Cell-phone quality pictures. Hopefully I'll get some time to put on the apron, and get the base put together soon.

Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the comments…

Regarding ripping: I actually began trying to use my cheap old table saw for the ripping…but it wasn't working the blade kept bogging down in the wood, so I gave up and hand ripped what I needed for the top…i happened to have a proper sawbench and a sharp handsaw, so it went pretty well.
When it came time to start working on the legs, I went and got a new blade, (the old one was given to me with the saw, and apparently was extremely dull, because the new blade went through the wood like butter).
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Apron, Legs, & stretchers.

Next up is the apron on the front. As I noted before, I will not be having a lower front stretcher, so this apron will need to combat racking forces.

Wood Flooring Hardwood Plank Wood stain

Glued on with some dowels to help with alignment and strength.

Window Wood Hardwood Plank Flooring

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain

Legs are through-tenoned into the top. (Mortises were left during the top-glue-up process).

And here are a few pics of the half-lap dovetails joining various stretchers to the legs:
Wood Natural material Wood stain Hardwood Plank

Wood Picture frame Interior design Tints and shades Hardwood


The legs at this point are only about the thickness of a 2Ă—4, but they will be doubled later.

And here is a shot of the end of the benchshowing where the end-cap will go. It will be grooved to recieve this stub tenon, and also dovetailed into the front apron, and bolted to the end, to resist the forces of the wagon vise.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Hardwood Table


Here you can see the legs with their doubled pieces added to beaf them up (not trimmed smooth yet).
Table Wood Floor Wood stain Plank


Here you can see me working on the large half-lap dovetails for the rear lower stretcher…I can use the bench and one pipe clamp for this step, and get a feel for how it might be using the front vise once it's finished:
Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Plank


And lastly, a preview of the double-pipe-clamp face vise…Without the chop (I haven't made that yet).
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Plank


Wood Hardwood Flooring Plank Wood stain

Here's a shot of the whole thing so far. I can use it now, using the one bench dog I have made, but there are still lots to do:
-trim the leg pieces flush with each other
-flatten the top
-permanently install a rear stretcher (it is only screwed on now temporarily)
-Install end-caps and rear tool well.
-make front vise chop
-drill series of holes in apron to support long pieces.
-Install wagon vise
-Decide on a final height. It may be a bit tall right now, but i wanted to err on that side and chop it down later if I decide to.

Thanks for looking! I should have at least 1-2 more installments in this series to get the bench done.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Apron, Legs, & stretchers.

Next up is the apron on the front. As I noted before, I will not be having a lower front stretcher, so this apron will need to combat racking forces.

Wood Flooring Hardwood Plank Wood stain

Glued on with some dowels to help with alignment and strength.

Window Wood Hardwood Plank Flooring

Table Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain

Legs are through-tenoned into the top. (Mortises were left during the top-glue-up process).

And here are a few pics of the half-lap dovetails joining various stretchers to the legs:
Wood Natural material Wood stain Hardwood Plank

Wood Picture frame Interior design Tints and shades Hardwood


The legs at this point are only about the thickness of a 2Ă—4, but they will be doubled later.

And here is a shot of the end of the benchshowing where the end-cap will go. It will be grooved to recieve this stub tenon, and also dovetailed into the front apron, and bolted to the end, to resist the forces of the wagon vise.
Wood Rectangle Flooring Hardwood Table


Here you can see the legs with their doubled pieces added to beaf them up (not trimmed smooth yet).
Table Wood Floor Wood stain Plank


Here you can see me working on the large half-lap dovetails for the rear lower stretcher…I can use the bench and one pipe clamp for this step, and get a feel for how it might be using the front vise once it's finished:
Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood

Wood Floor Hardwood Wood stain Plank


And lastly, a preview of the double-pipe-clamp face vise…Without the chop (I haven't made that yet).
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Plank


Wood Hardwood Flooring Plank Wood stain

Here's a shot of the whole thing so far. I can use it now, using the one bench dog I have made, but there are still lots to do:
-trim the leg pieces flush with each other
-flatten the top
-permanently install a rear stretcher (it is only screwed on now temporarily)
-Install end-caps and rear tool well.
-make front vise chop
-drill series of holes in apron to support long pieces.
-Install wagon vise
-Decide on a final height. It may be a bit tall right now, but i wanted to err on that side and chop it down later if I decide to.

Thanks for looking! I should have at least 1-2 more installments in this series to get the bench done.
Great bench with nice joinery, good job 12 strings!
 

Attachments

#8 ·
Vices, End caps, and flattening

So I've decided to use 2 pipe clamps for the face vise, and a veneer press screw for the wagon vise.

FACE VISE: EARLIER IN THE BUILD, I drilled two holes all the way through the bench from front to back, and durring the glue-up, left spaces for the movable parts of the pipe clamps to be inserted. In use, I can make large movements in the vise by releasing the clamps from the top. Those spaces can fill with shavings, but I can pull them out with my fingers, and if need be, easily pull out the front of the vise and let the small piece drop out to clear the space. I also drilled a series of holes in the apron to serve as additional supports for large boards. So if I was jointing the edge of this 3 ft maple board, I would have 2 options: Face vise alone, or have it lower using the peg holes. The vise chop is a piece of hard maple laminated onto a piece of walnut. (It's what I had lying around).

Wood Hardwood Flooring Wood stain Plank

Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood

Table Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood

Automotive lighting Wood Circuit component Rectangle Hardwood

Wood Wood stain Plank Workbench Hardwood


WAGON VISE & END CAPS: I also left space during the top glue-up for the wagon vise. I then glued on 2 guide runners, and made a matching block of wood to slide between them holding a dog hole or two. I drilled and rasped a hole in the right end-cap to hold the support for the veneer screw.
-> The end caps are an important part of the wagon vise system, as they need to resist a lot of pressure. SO Here's what I did…it may be overkill: (1) groove the end cap to match the large tongue on the end of the bench. (2) Cut a large dovetail at each corner of the bench to resist the outward forces. After sliding the end-cap piece forward into it's dovetail joint in the apron… (3) Insert 2 bolts in each end-cap in oversized holes to allow for movement. (with space for the nut bored out under the bench…see pic). (4) finally, bore a 1/2 hole down through the entirety of each dovetail joint and drive in a 1/2 dowell (no glue). These dowells can be driven out later for dissasembly/repair to the wagon vise, etc. The back piece for holding the tool well is attached the same way with pinned dovetails.
-> the last pic you can see the wagon vise in use…sorry the board is the same wood as the bench, so it's hard to see.

Wood Rectangle Table Flooring Hardwood

Wood Tints and shades Stairs Hardwood Rectangle

Wood Hardwood Tints and shades Flooring Composite material

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

Fixture Wood Wood stain Plank Hardwood

Wood Tire Wheel Automotive tire Gas

Smoothing plane Plane Jack plane Scrub plane Rebate plane


FLATTENING: I flattenend the top using mostly this wooden Jack plane with a heavy camber, and then my wooden jointer plane. You may remember that I didnt' plane the edges of my top boards before gluing them up, so they were still all rough-cut, and fairly uneven, so I ended up removing up to 1/4" at some places. It turned out well, but it was a lot of work, and I could probably mulch a small flowerbed with the shavings.
Smoothing plane Wood Tool Automotive exterior Flooring

Wood Saw Tool Flooring Floor


HERE'S THE BENCH AS IT STANDS NOW: Still need to make and insert the bottom of the tool well, make a few more of my over-sized bench dogs, and perhaps finish the whole thing…I put a coat of tung oil on the top, the apron, and the face vise. You can also see how the bench design allows me to roll my tool chest underneath when its not being used. This was important because a car needs to be parked in this garage sometimes too. Thanks for looking!
Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Plank

Wood Table Wood stain Floor Plank


PRICE TALLY FOR THE "DIRT-CHEAP WORKBENCH" MATERIALS:

3 syp 2X10X10FT BOARDS: $33
3/4" dowel: $3
1/2" dowel: $2
4 Bolts & Nuts & washers: $4
Veneer press screw: ($15…but I got it for Christmas)
Pipe clamps: ($30 total for clamps and pipes, but I bought those years ago)
Screws: Not sure, but I had enough lying around.
Maple & Walnut for face vise: Free
Plywood for tool well: Free scraps (not attached yet)

TOTAL COST TO ME: $42!!! :)
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Vices, End caps, and flattening

So I've decided to use 2 pipe clamps for the face vise, and a veneer press screw for the wagon vise.

FACE VISE: EARLIER IN THE BUILD, I drilled two holes all the way through the bench from front to back, and durring the glue-up, left spaces for the movable parts of the pipe clamps to be inserted. In use, I can make large movements in the vise by releasing the clamps from the top. Those spaces can fill with shavings, but I can pull them out with my fingers, and if need be, easily pull out the front of the vise and let the small piece drop out to clear the space. I also drilled a series of holes in the apron to serve as additional supports for large boards. So if I was jointing the edge of this 3 ft maple board, I would have 2 options: Face vise alone, or have it lower using the peg holes. The vise chop is a piece of hard maple laminated onto a piece of walnut. (It's what I had lying around).

Wood Hardwood Flooring Wood stain Plank

Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood

Table Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood

Automotive lighting Wood Circuit component Rectangle Hardwood

Wood Wood stain Plank Workbench Hardwood


WAGON VISE & END CAPS: I also left space during the top glue-up for the wagon vise. I then glued on 2 guide runners, and made a matching block of wood to slide between them holding a dog hole or two. I drilled and rasped a hole in the right end-cap to hold the support for the veneer screw.
-> The end caps are an important part of the wagon vise system, as they need to resist a lot of pressure. SO Here's what I did…it may be overkill: (1) groove the end cap to match the large tongue on the end of the bench. (2) Cut a large dovetail at each corner of the bench to resist the outward forces. After sliding the end-cap piece forward into it's dovetail joint in the apron… (3) Insert 2 bolts in each end-cap in oversized holes to allow for movement. (with space for the nut bored out under the bench…see pic). (4) finally, bore a 1/2 hole down through the entirety of each dovetail joint and drive in a 1/2 dowell (no glue). These dowells can be driven out later for dissasembly/repair to the wagon vise, etc. The back piece for holding the tool well is attached the same way with pinned dovetails.
-> the last pic you can see the wagon vise in use…sorry the board is the same wood as the bench, so it's hard to see.

Wood Rectangle Table Flooring Hardwood

Wood Tints and shades Stairs Hardwood Rectangle

Wood Hardwood Tints and shades Flooring Composite material

Wood Floor Flooring Gas Hardwood

Fixture Wood Wood stain Plank Hardwood

Wood Tire Wheel Automotive tire Gas

Smoothing plane Plane Jack plane Scrub plane Rebate plane


FLATTENING: I flattenend the top using mostly this wooden Jack plane with a heavy camber, and then my wooden jointer plane. You may remember that I didnt' plane the edges of my top boards before gluing them up, so they were still all rough-cut, and fairly uneven, so I ended up removing up to 1/4" at some places. It turned out well, but it was a lot of work, and I could probably mulch a small flowerbed with the shavings.
Smoothing plane Wood Tool Automotive exterior Flooring

Wood Saw Tool Flooring Floor


HERE'S THE BENCH AS IT STANDS NOW: Still need to make and insert the bottom of the tool well, make a few more of my over-sized bench dogs, and perhaps finish the whole thing…I put a coat of tung oil on the top, the apron, and the face vise. You can also see how the bench design allows me to roll my tool chest underneath when its not being used. This was important because a car needs to be parked in this garage sometimes too. Thanks for looking!
Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Plank

Wood Table Wood stain Floor Plank


PRICE TALLY FOR THE "DIRT-CHEAP WORKBENCH" MATERIALS:

3 syp 2X10X10FT BOARDS: $33
3/4" dowel: $3
1/2" dowel: $2
4 Bolts & Nuts & washers: $4
Veneer press screw: ($15…but I got it for Christmas)
Pipe clamps: ($30 total for clamps and pipes, but I bought those years ago)
Screws: Not sure, but I had enough lying around.
Maple & Walnut for face vise: Free
Plywood for tool well: Free scraps (not attached yet)

TOTAL COST TO ME: $42!!! :)
$42.00 for a Solid Woodworking Bench???!!

Life is Good!!
Nicely appointed and well executed.

Work Safely and have Fun. - Grandpa Len.
 

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