Traditional Workbench #2: Updated Sketchup Model

impressive, down to the bolts and nuts, SKU on the vises, and the threading of the screws… impressive!

considering all the details that are in the model, and all the components – I didn’t find it heavy at all- meaning that it causes your computer to lag when you pan/orbit/zoom around the model. but it is very responsive and quick. even not considering all the components in it- it was pretty fast still.

nicely done. thats awesome- now I don’t have to sketchup my next bench…. one step down… lol.

I just built my own bench last week, and although it’s a very stripped down version, and not as fancy. I did put a case of drawers under the top, and not only does it make great use of that empty space, it also helps stabilize the entire bench by adding all that physical weight to it and bolts it down to the floor.

looks like a great bench! hope to see it live (photos) sometime.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Hi Scott,

Nice bench. As PurpLev alluded to, “heavy” refers to the file size being huge and possibly causing the computer to bog down. Your file would be a little stocky but I wouldn’t call it obese. The culprits in this are the threads on the vise screws. They could be drawn more lightly than they are. Actually, the vises could be lightened a fair amount and there’s probably a lot of unneeded detail. Did you draw them? They do look very nice.

Without the vises though your bench is only 308Kb which is pretty light. You did a great job of using components and I’m pleased to see that you used no groups. You nested components logically and didn’t overdo the nesting which is good.

Here are a few other things I noticed since I’m babbling away.

First, why did you bury the bench in the ground? The top is flush with the groundplane. That’s not really a big deal unless you want to display it with shadows turned on or you send it to a rendering application.

You did a great job of flipping components including parts such as the panels on the drawer case back and bottom. Although it may not seem like a big deal now, if you resize the bench, or any of the components, The resizing be done symmetrically. This ends up resulting in less work at that point. It appears that you missed flipping the stretchers, though. I’m happy to see you didn’t rotate components when copying them from one side to the other.

I noticed in the end vise that the handle is drawn a bit crooked but that doesn’t show much.

The material with which the vises are painted is a fairly small file size and that’s good.

Keep up the great work. What’s your next model?

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Thanks PurpLev and Dave,

I indicated the source of the shoulder vise in the previous post but for the sake of transparency I'll repeat it here. I did draw the end vise my self using the acme screw from the shoulder vise however.

Thanks for pointing out my origin issue. I think it was just because I started the drawing the top first. I corrected it.

I do have some other models but I already know about their shortcomings because they are some of my early SU work.

A coffee table loosely patterned after the Gamble Entry Hall Table. Here is the model.

A coffee table loosely patterned after the Thorsen Side Board. Here is the model.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Nice work, sir. These models are pretty good.

FWIW, I reduced the Gamble coffee table file from 531Kb to 121Kb. Much closer to the Thorsen coffee table. I’ll bet that one could be reduced too but at its current size, there’s not much point in spending the time.

Although at 531 Kb the first table isn’t really a huge file, if you were to use it to add context to a room layout, it wouldn’t take very many 500Kb pieces to bloat the file to an unmanageable size.

Glad to see your nice work. Are either of these tables destined for the real world? Or have you already built them?

Dave

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Wow! Nice work! Maybe we could start a LJ contest: Build one of Scott’s designs before he finishes the nightstands, and get the full set of sketchup drawings free!

I really like the Thorsen coffee table, that would look great in my house…

Robb

Chico, nice work! I love that bench….and that table looks cool also! One way to try and control your file size is to remember to purge your drawings before you save them..materiels also. If you drag a component into your drawing and then delete it it still lives in the background and increases your file size unless you purge…Great work…will we be seeing a textured version??

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

That’s cruel Robb,

And the contestants are . . .

Maybe we could have a contest for longest running project blog LOL

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I made some modifications to this model and thought I would shamelessly bump it for your review ;)

The link to the model is the latest version and the jpg reflects the changes too.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net