Workbench Build #1: Stock prep and Completed Towers

” I used Douglas Fir as it was easy to find, and I was able to purchase some fairly clean pieces”, if these are fairly clear ;-) I’d like to see some clear ones you can’t find wood that good looking at any BORG close to me. Great post please keep us informed.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Looks great so far. I gave up trying to find Douglas Fir at anything close to a reasonable price here in Texas when I was buidling my current bench. Had to settle for SYP. Keep the photos coming.

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

This is looking great so far. You will end up with a bargain once the bench is completed as if you purchased something like this it would cost far more than $200.

Keep us posted on your progress.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Great looking job so far! I’m looking forward to seeing your progress.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Hey Tom, nothing wrong with southern yellow pine. I can’t find that in Maryland. The DF was about $10 a stick for 8 footers. I am near two Home Depots, and one of them does not carry it. The sides of the pieces I selected for the top have a few knots, but the top surface sure is pretty. When I cut them down to 6 feet, I did pick the nicest section to keep.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Looks good! Cant wait to see it finished

Thanks for the post and keep us up to date

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Dang it, Steve. This is looking to purdy to be a workbench!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

wow, looking good. thanks for posting a blog on the build. cant wait to see the next steps.

-- David - Houston, Texas.

Steve,

It looks good so far… That DF sure looks pretty good from what I can tell. What would you guess the moisture content was when you purchased it?

-- Chris

Chris, good question. These things seemed to loose a lot of weight in the couple of weeks that I had a dehumidifier aimed at them. I should of at least weighed one first.

I always wanted a moisture meter. I just checked online and it seems that you can find some for about $20. Don’t know if they work, but if it is anything like calculators, thermometers, or digital calipers, the price should drop for a cheap version.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Good looking start, man that sucker is gonna be heavy, thats good it won’t go anywhere while you’re working on it. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Nice start to what looks like a killer bench and I took a look at your CNC router write up and man that just over the top… my complements…enjoy that new smoother you just recieved, I have a # 4 and its my favorite tool…any question you might have on sharpening or toubleshooting let me know…Blkcherry

That is some Select and Better Fir. Great looking stuff and a great start.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Splintery stuff that DougFir is. Great looking start to what should surely be a fine bench. That reminds me… I’ve got one to work on too. Geez… all these benches… so little time…

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

Nice!! Looks really good. I like how the fir looks. I never worked with the stuff. It looks a lot like yellow pine, which is also splintery. That’s what I made my 2 work benches out of. I didn’t buy mine, though. I’m a firm believer in using scrap wood. I visit the local construction sites. Talk to the GC (general contractor) involved. He usually gives me the ok, to scrounge in the trash box. If I am dressed properly ( hard hat, long sleeve shirt, pants & boots).
They get a lot of things delivered in crates made out of God know what kinds of wood. It’s usually some type of pine, sometimes even hardwood. Whatever it is, I take. Heck there maybe all kinds & types of wood in that box, or even laying around on the site. Just ask permission first. Usually they think, hey that’s something I don’t Have to haul to the box.

Thanks guys. Yes it is splintery. You can see some blowout on one of my dowels in the closeup pic, but hey. It jointed much nicer than I would have thought, at least on the good side. My longbed jointer came in real handy, but I hate jointing knots.

I debated and shopped a bunch about wood sources. I finally just needed to get going so I bought mine, as this looked like a good buy and good quality. I also really wanted a top over three inches thick and was not able to find much for cheaper.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Nice looking workbench base Steve.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker