A Solid Foundation to Build a Future - A New Workbench #1: building the bases

So my latest project is officially underway. Click Here http://lumberjocks.com/bfd/blog/8062 to see the back story and details. I decide to build from the ground up so I start with the slab legs first.

Here you see one end panel with the heavy duty glides attached and the 3 inner layers of Particle board. The glides are rated for either 1000 or 2000 lbs (either way they should hold!) The layers are glued and screwed together to make a particle board sandwich.

I then attach the other end panel along with the back piece.

Next I mill some 8/4 solid maple leaving it slightly proud of the end panels and glue them in place. Once the glue has cured overnight I come back and plane down the maple until it is flush with the end panels. Once I veneer the sides I will come back and add an additional 1/4” solid maple piece to the front and back giving the look of a solid maple slab. I ordered both my walnut and maple veneer from VeneerSupplies.com and should be receiving that in the next week. Until then I am at a stand still with the legs. The legs prove to have the weight I wanted for stability. the Legs at this point weighs in at 75 lbs a piece!

Here is a picture of the top that I picked up locally.

While I am waiting for my veneer to arrive I decide to mill up my stock for the 4” thick apron.

And then start on the center storage case by cutting the panels that will be veneered in Walnut. Here I have done a quick dry fit and have labeled the parts. I also resaw some walnut to a finished 1/4” thickness that I will use as edging for the case. I also take stock of my other outstanding materials and order the vises and drawer slides from Lee Valley. Hopefully they arrive soon so I can continue work on the top.

Here you can see the current multi purpose bench that will be replaced by the bench I am making. This solved the conundrum of needing a bench to build a bench. It will get reused some where else in my shop.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com