Dan's Blackbutt Roubo Bench #8: Metal Work

Metal Work
I can list the number of metal work project I’ve completed on one hand. All of which I completed at school. However, the need arose when some research showed certain components of this build required re-enforcement.

Strong Underwear
Before I glued the top, I cut a section to receive the spike from the sliding leg vice. Despite the 140mm of wood between the slot and the front, several sliding leg vices I’ve seen (including Bill Liebold's ), use metal to prevent warping of the bench front. Using coach screws I installed 3×40x40mm galvanised steel angle.

A Stronger Stretcher
I also needed to re-enforce the bottom section. Not only does this re-enforce the vice, it also reduces twist and warp in the stretcher. I used 2 pieces of 3×30x30mm galvanised steel angle, attached with coach screws.

The Sliding Leg Vice Spike
The final piece is a little more delicate. This is the spike which bolts to the sliding leg and runs in the groove on the underneath of the table. This pieces uses 2×20x20mm aluminum angle. I used a drill to remove most of the material for the slots, and a router to clean up the edges, using structural epoxy to hold it in place. The slots allow the spike to be flush with the top for installing, and than raised vertically into the groove under the bench.

-- Daniel - http://theloveofwood.blogspot.com/