I spent more time with with Sketchup and have finished the base for the bench. I drew the stretchers up with through tenons. Most plans show using bolts on the stretchers. I haven’t decided which way I’m going yet.
I also spent a day visiting my local lumber suppliers. I found a good deal on some Ash. Ash is a nice hardwood and has the stiffness a bench needs.
For those of you in the Seattle area, you might want to checkout Compton Lumber. They are over near Crosscut Hardwoods, in south Seattle. They have a really nice selection, at a competitive price. The people there are friendly and helpful. I haven’t made my purchase yet, but plan to go back after the first of the year. I was mainly going to find out pricing and to see what this bench was going cost me. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be :).
Here are some new images of the bench.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
4 comments so far
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 858 days
posted 718 days ago
It looks like it will work for you , Mike, but where is the tail vise?
-- Thos. Angle
Dorje
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1767 posts in 892 days
posted 718 days ago
Tail vise is on the wagon out of town…
Great looking plans Mike! Hoping to see this happen live and in person!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Mike Lingenfelter
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458 posts in 1010 days
posted 718 days ago
I didn’t draw in the details of the tail vise but Dorje hinted at it will be a “Wagon” vise. It will be inside the open slot you see at the end of the bench. There is a link on the first blog that shows the “Wagon” vise.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
Brad_Nailor
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1217 posts in 853 days
posted 716 days ago
Nice Sketchup work and a great design for the bench!
-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"