Hello, this is probably my last workbench blog entry, now that my bench is complete! Like I said in my last blog, the workbench has been complete a couple weeks before this post on November 12. With my last post I had wrote about completing the base. After I had the base assembled, glued up, and drawbored I placed the bench top onto the base. Previous to putting the top on the base I had put one coat of boiled linseed oil on the underside of the top. The top is removable from the base, I decided not to drawbore or glue the tenons that insert into the bench top because I feel there is no need to, and it will make moving the bench in the future much more easy. After I had the top in place I did a final flattening of the top surface and a light scrapping.
Then I began work on the sliding deadman. I had a piece of walnut I had kept for this part and milled it to size. The deadman is around 2 3/8” thick. I then cut the angled groove in the bottom of the deadman with a router and 90 degree cutter. This took a lot of fine cuts to ease up to the final fit. I also cut the top portion out which goes into the groove in the bench top. Next I drilled the holes out which are spaced up and down every 1”. Then I cut and shaped it. I am sorry but I forgot to get some pictures of the work in progress.
After the sliding deadman was complete I worked on the leg vise. This turned out more complicating than it should because I could not find a 2 1/2” drill bit. I attempted a try at a brace with an adjustable bit, but just as I thought, drilling a 2 1/2” diameter hole in hard maple by hand is impossible. I finally obtained a circle cutter to cut a template which I used to route out the hole in the legvise chop that I needed. Before routing the hole I used the largest drill bit I had to remove most of the waste. I then used my horizontal mortiser attatchment on my table saw to cut out the place for the internal garter. I also made a screw that fit nicely into the nut in the leg. Before shaping the leg vise chop I made the guide that goes on the bottom of the vise which has the holes drilled in it. After the vise was complete I made a handle for each of the 3 vises on my bench and applied the boiled linseed oil.
I was in a hurry the final week of the build so I forgot to get pictures of the legvise and deadman in progress. But here are two pictures of the completed workbench.
Here are two videos I made going over the bench now that it is finished. The first is more technical, where I go over the reasons behind the design and construction, while the second I show how each vise works and performs.
-- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord... Colossians 3:23
21 comments so far
Andy123
home | projects | blog
226 posts in 645 days
#1 posted 549 days ago
That is a very nice bench. I also like the video. You can tell you took your time with the project and it show in the finished product.
-- The mistakes I make in woodworking are not mistakes they just give my projects character- Me
Woodbutchery
home | projects | blog
228 posts in 1756 days
#2 posted 549 days ago
Nicely done. Great bench, and it’s obvious that a lot of care and passion went into it.
-- Making scrap with zen-like precision - Woodbutchery
SeaWitch
home | projects | blog
149 posts in 565 days
#3 posted 549 days ago
Beautiful work. I guess I’m going to have to go back and read all the bench entries. You are going to continue blogging, right? On other projects?
-- When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.” Theodore Roosevelt
Marty Backe
home | projects | blog
123 posts in 943 days
#4 posted 549 days ago
Great videos and run down of your bench design. I enjoyed listening to your explanation of the various design choices and details.
By ‘last blog entry’, I assume you mean last entry concerning the bench. You should definitely continue blogging your woodworking adventures.
StumpyNubs
home | projects | blog
5044 posts in 971 days
#5 posted 548 days ago
I think there’s a good audience for your blog here. You should keep doing it.
-- It's the best woodworking show since the invention of wood... New episodes Wednesdays at: http://www.stumpynubs.com
JimDaddyO
home | projects | blog
280 posts in 1250 days
#6 posted 548 days ago
Brilliant design and construction
-- I still have all my fingers
Bertha
home | projects | blog
13111 posts in 864 days
#7 posted 548 days ago
As close to my dream bench as I’ve seen.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
CartersWhittling
home | projects | blog
444 posts in 845 days
#8 posted 548 days ago
When I said possible my last blog entry, it meant concerning the bench. I will post more on my other projects, and in fact I am going to finish my chessboard project I started a year ago but postponed. So if anyone wants to check out the chessboard blog entries they can, as I will be finishing the project soon.
Thank you for the compliments, I hope it helped others get a better understanding behind my bench and possibly how they can construct theirs. Again I will say I am going to make a tutorial on how to make the tap and screw jig, but I am sorry they have not come out yet, I have been busy.
-- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord... Colossians 3:23
Brandon
home | projects | blog
3769 posts in 1122 days
#9 posted 548 days ago
Well done! Like Bertha said, that’s basically my dream bench. I also love your planes. :-) May the serve you many many years to come!
-- "hold fast to that which is good"
RGtools
home | projects | blog
2839 posts in 825 days
#10 posted 548 days ago
Great bench and lovely shavings that you are making with those planes. Keep up the great work.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
hhhopks
home | projects | blog
546 posts in 548 days
#11 posted 548 days ago
Yes, the tap & screw jig. It would really make it simple for all the screws and nut out there ;-)
I am impressed.
-- I'll be a woodworker when I grow up. HHHOPKS
SASmith
home | projects | blog
1368 posts in 1158 days
#12 posted 548 days ago
Wonderful bench/series.
I am also looking forward to the screw and nut blog.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Scott Smith, Southern Illinois
nobuckle
home | projects | blog
1046 posts in 932 days
#13 posted 548 days ago
Now that’s a bench. I look forward to seing it use in future videos. Nice work.
-- Doug - Make an effort to live by the slogan "We try harder"
Brit
home | projects | blog
4199 posts in 1014 days
#14 posted 548 days ago
One of the best blogs I have ever read on LJs. Thank you for your detailed explanations, I’m sure you will get many many years of use out of that bench. Enjoy every minute.
-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.
CartersWhittling
home | projects | blog
444 posts in 845 days
#15 posted 548 days ago
I am glad you enjoyed the blog Brit.
-- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord... Colossians 3:23
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 21 comments
Have your say...