Hand Tool Journey #4: Building a Work Bench

I’m sure the bench will end up looking like a million bucks, but that is one seriously skanky looking chisel.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I am not going to call you a butcher! That is going to be an excellent bench, Blake, can’t see any reason why you’d ever have to make another. My Dad made his bench in the same fashion, only with same-width Oak flooring, back in “63 or so- it’s still going very strong…

-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Great work and great lumber!
Really looking forward to seeing the progress update, next.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Great job so far , keep the pics coming .

The only issue I can see with that method is having a flat surface to mate with the bench’s base so the top doesn’t to be shimmed to level it. Other than that, might run into an issue with mounting a vise possibly. I suppose you could flatten just the parts that need it on the underside though. Look forward to seeing it finished. Oak makes a nice tough work surface.

-- Ooo, er.

super wood and good bench start

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

That poor chisel!! It is a sad looking little tool but it will get the job done. I have one of those as well. It is the first chisel I bought and, due to my nelglect and abuse over the years, it has been consigned to a role similar to yours.

The bench is looking pretty good. Oak is a nice wood to work with and machines well. It looks good too so you not only are going to end up with a well constructed bench it will look good as well. This is going to be an interesting series to follow.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Way to go Blake. This will be fun to watch. Oak should not affect your allergies.

I have such a chisel. Also I have a favorite scratch awl that gets used for all kinds of poking and digging.

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

It’s gonna be a gorgeous bench Blake. Heavy as a beached whale. Maybe you aught to put some wheels on it with some thingys to raise it up off the wheels. Just so you can move it if you have to. I did and l’m glad I did. Made mine out of maple top and 4X4 treated bottom.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Looks like you are well on the way to a very nice bench Blake. Glad to see you are back at it again after the allergy problems.

-- Mike, American in Norway

I am REALLY trying to limit the sawdust. I seem to be ok after this last shop session. Only a little itchy.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Great start on what’s going to be an awesome bench. Don’t think you will have a problem of it not be sturdy enough.
Looking forward to seeing the completed product.
Just got back in from my shop….checking to make sure my chisel was still there!

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

Blake,

This looks like it is going to be a great bench and cannot wait to see the progress on this. Great price too. But so help me god if you knock this out in a week I am giving up woodworking altogether!!:-) I have been working on my bench for 10 months now and just now am I almost complete.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

Brian…

All I’m doing is squishing boards together with glue. You’re lucky I only have one afternoon a week for woodworking right now, otherwise you might have to let it go.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

A few months back I stumbled upon the tail end of a two-day garage sale where a huge box of oak flooring sat in a dusty corner nobody wanted. Not enough to floor a room but enough for a knock-about benchtop. For $5, glued to oak ply sheets it looks a beauty. You can bang away to your heart’s content.

My trusty “glue chisel” has been with me more than 30 years. Opens paint can lids and scrapes glue from concrete floors, it’s one of my best beloved tools.

Best,
Peter

That is going to be one helluva of a hefty bench, as it should be. I look forward to followiing the progress.

-- Brad, Oregon- Wood, it's what's for dinner.

Lookin’ good!

I got a kick out of your “I don’t like working with “oak” comment”... I totally share the sentiment with red oak, but I really like good white oak and find the two quite different from each other.

Glue chisels are an unsung hero.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Looks great!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker