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Workbench

10K views 30 replies 16 participants last post by  MedicKen 
#1 ·
New workbench getting started

Now that I have a table saw again its time to get going on a few projects. First on the list is a new workbench. It will be solid maple that I picked up from fellow LJ, John Ormsby a little over a year ago. John had some really nice 8/4 kiln dried maple at a good price so I came with about 500bf. More than enough for a bench.

I pulled some of the maple out today and got started milling it up for the legs. The wood was nice and flat and really didn't need to be jointed. So, I didn't. It went straight to the planer. It was a full 2" thick and varied from 8-11 in width. After about 30 minutes of planing I was at a consistent 1 3/4" thick. The legs are going to be 3 1/2 square and I will face glue 2 of them together to make the legs.

I decided that being my table saw does not have any type of splitter I would rip the boards on the band saw. The part for the splitter on the saw is in the works but will take a while. I did not feel comfortable ripping the stock on the saw without some type of splitter. The band saw did a great job. I did mill them slightly over size so after gluing I can size them correctly.

I will glue them tomorrow after letting them sit over night. I dont think they will move much if at all. I have had the wood over a year and being kiln dried they should be nice and stable. But you never know.

Here is what I have set aside for the legs and part of the end assemblies.





 
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#5 ·
I'm in the process, too, Ken. A man like yourself with thousands of pounds of equipment? I doubt your bench will end of being all THAT traditional;) Mine? Mine going to be a monster. I'm shooting to reach 1000 pounds. Starting with 6" thick maple on the top. Leg, hook, and wagon. You'll probably beat me to it, but I'll be watching.
 
#7 ·
"That's a pretty tall bench are you tall?"

No. I am 5'9" but I have worked at benches of different heights and have found 34-35" to be the most comfortable for me. I also happens to be the same height as my table saw so, it will also be able to double as an outfeed table.

I built my first bench at 32", which was MDF and 2×4 framing material, and started experimenting. I added plywood shims under the legs and worked at the bench for awhile to see how I liked the height. I had to change the shims a few times until I finally decided on the final height.
 
#8 ·
Progress made

I need to apologize for not updating on the workbench build. Between work and the lack of a camera I have not been real good at updating.

When we last left off I had milled the stock for the legs. Well, the legs and stretchers are all done. But, I don't have a picture of them completed. I will be able to get that tomorrow. I do have another update though.

I have milled all the stock for the top, glued and flattened. The top was made in 2 sections so that I could pass them through the planer so they would be uniform in thickness. The top was rough milled to 2 5/8 and final dimension is 2 1/2". Today I glued the 2 sections together.





I took extra care to make sure the twp pieces came together flat. I used a few scrap pieces of maple on the ends and clamps. The cauls are covered with packing tape so they didn't stick to the top. The middle cauls are scrap doug fir that were jointed flat and also taped. It came out nice and flat.

 
#15 ·
Top finished...well almost

I have spent the past couple of days trying to get a little more done on my new bench. For the most part the top is finished. I added another few strips of maple to it and capped off the ends with some walnut. The ends are held in place with a tongue and a couple of 5/16"x4" lag screws. No glue was used as I didnt want to have a problem with movement later. Next will be gluing up the trestle assembly and then vises. First though will be trip to a local cabinet shop with the top for a nice wide sanding.



 

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#16 ·
Top finished...well almost

I have spent the past couple of days trying to get a little more done on my new bench. For the most part the top is finished. I added another few strips of maple to it and capped off the ends with some walnut. The ends are held in place with a tongue and a couple of 5/16"x4" lag screws. No glue was used as I didnt want to have a problem with movement later. Next will be gluing up the trestle assembly and then vises. First though will be trip to a local cabinet shop with the top for a nice wide sanding.



Wood Flooring Machine tool Floor Composite material
This is looking dining room table beautiful. You sure you're going to chisel out mortises on this?
I ask because I'm making a bench right now, too. I have already figured that when I do gouging
or stainy work, I'll slide a piece of MDF on top.
Curious.
 

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#21 ·
Getting closer

I spent a few hours the past couple of days getting the base of the bench glued together and pegged. I used 1/2" walnut pegs at all the tenon locations. Here is the bench with the top sitting on it. I still have to put the front apron on and mount the front vise and then construct the tail vise. I will be a week or so before I can get to it, work tomorrow.

Table Wood Desk Workbench Hardwood
 

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#22 ·
Getting closer

I spent a few hours the past couple of days getting the base of the bench glued together and pegged. I used 1/2" walnut pegs at all the tenon locations. Here is the bench with the top sitting on it. I still have to put the front apron on and mount the front vise and then construct the tail vise. I will be a week or so before I can get to it, work tomorrow.

Table Wood Desk Workbench Hardwood
it sure is coming along nicely ken

i was hoping you could get it to me
before i finish my new shop

the extra week
puts a crimp
in my plans
 

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