finally getting to work on the actual bowling alley part of the “bowling alley workbench”, although I really found Damian’s comment on a previous installment entertaining, and might refer to it from now as the “Alley Workbench”...lol.
The top as can be seen in the sketchup model is made of 6 different components: Main Slab (nails and all), Dog holes strip, buffer strip, 2 skirts (front and back) and a breadboard End Cap.
In reality this will change slightly as I decided to drop the rear skirt, but might add another end cap.
Up to this point I had cleaned and had the main slab roughly ready, and the dog hole strip:
I then hand planed the bottom of the main slab flat. I only planed the areas that will rest on the leg cross braces, as the rest really has no need to be flat.
I mortised 2 rectangular mortises to fit the tenons on the back legs. these mortises are slightly (1/8”) wider than the tenons to allow for seasonal movement.
The main slab now fit on the leg cross braces and is flush with the back legs. at this point I hand planed the bottom of the dog hole strip where it would rest on the legs, glued and clamped it to the main slab while keeping both pieces resting on the legs (they are not yet flush and flat on the top – that will be done later, right now the bottom is my reference):
Next is the buffer which helps keep the dog holes from running above the legs, and also gives some support on the front side of the wagon vise (once installed). I cleaned up some more strips of the maple, and laminated them together for the buffer strip (none is long enough for the entire length, so they are staggered shorter pieces):
Once that dried, I motrised rectangular mortises in the buffer strip to fit the front leg tenons. my mortises are getting better and better which I really like:
and this fits (still dry) together like this to give the main work surface of the top:
Next would be the end caps which will also allow me to install the wagon vise. followed by the front skirt.
the nice thing is that I am now already working on this semi functional bench, and it seems very stout and steady…. and starts to really shape up now.
Thanks for reading,
Peace.
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
15 comments so far
Karson
home | projects | blog
25794 posts in 1292 days
posted 123 days ago
It’s looking great. Nice job on the construction so far.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
16577 posts in 469 days
posted 123 days ago
Hey Sharon
This is really a great bench a lot of hard work to get her done. Almost done.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
sIKE
home | projects | blog
1094 posts in 646 days
posted 123 days ago
Thats one nice looking Roubo you have there Sharon. You have this coming your way now. It is very nice to be able to use the bench even before it is done! Excited to see the finfish product!
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
5632 posts in 991 days
posted 123 days ago
That mortise looked really clean, I am impressed.
This has been fun to follow.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Jon3
home | projects | blog
439 posts in 997 days
posted 123 days ago
Now that is starting to look pretty benchlike!
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
3710 posts in 871 days
posted 123 days ago
Hi Purplev;
I get tired just looking at this project!
Looks good though.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
PurpLev
home | projects | blog
2732 posts in 540 days
posted 123 days ago
Thanks everyone, I can feel the end is near… time to use that 3rd wind and push through.
Lee – you keep saying that… so come on over and help me finish this thing already! lol – Thanks.
Todd – Thanks. this bench is rewarding as a bench, but more over it has been an excellent opportunity to finesse (and the road is still long) some techniques, in different scales. for that alone, I’m very pleased that I chose to build my own.
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Cato
home | projects | blog
138 posts in 204 days
posted 123 days ago
Hey PurpLev,
I’ve been following with interest. I am curious to see the leg vise and how that will be used. The mortise and tenons look great.
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
20538 posts in 714 days
posted 123 days ago
This is looking really good. It makes me want to get started on one myself.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
blackcherry
home | projects | blog
730 posts in 715 days
posted 123 days ago
Houston the tools have landed!!!!!!!! Starting to look and feel like a very stout bench. All your hard work is almost behind you now, the light at the end is near. Thanks for sharing and enjoy ….Blkcherry
ellen35
home | projects | blog
529 posts in 324 days
posted 123 days ago
This is one very nice bench. It will be worth every minute you spend on it.
If it doesn’t work out for you, you can always resort to bowling as a hobby ;-)
Ellen
-- Ellen on Cape Cod
SCOTSMAN
home | projects | blog
2238 posts in 477 days
posted 123 days ago
I think this will be awsome when finished, it definitely will last a few hundred years give or take a number of coats of finish during that time.A great looking project well done again Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease
kenn
home | projects | blog
217 posts in 612 days
posted 122 days ago
Nothing like that feeling when a plan comes together and you can start using a new workbench, Looking good.
-- Every cloud has a silver lining
ryno101
home | projects | blog
247 posts in 556 days
posted 117 days ago
Looking great, Sharon!
I have been closely following this… and you’ve been inspiring me!
I’ve got all my base pieces cut to finsihed length, and have marked all for the mortise/tenon cuts, even got mortises (first-ever!) cut for one of the leg assemblies…
Unfortunately, I’m too busy to blog all this, so I’ve been blogging vicariously through you, hope you don’t mind!
We should get together again soon, maybe sometime this month? I’ve got some 2×4 hard maple raw pieces with your name on them for turning into vise handles!
-- Ryno
PurpLev
home | projects | blog
2732 posts in 540 days
posted 117 days ago
sweet! Thanks Ryan. be my guest to ride on the blog train… my pleasure. we def. need to get together. if you want, I have the router sled to flatten the top that you can take.
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.