Conceptual Design 1 - feedback appreciated
So after we've got the bowling alleys. now it's time to put them to to use (not really 'now now' but … you know what I mean).
So, I really would like to make this one a keeper, and not have to redo this bench unless I really fancy it in the future with lots of extra time on my hands and nothing better to do with it (hence - not likely it'll happen), and in order to do that, I figured I'll make this one as close as I can to the 'ultimate' bench for me- having the things I need, and could use the most.
obviously the vises play a major part in this - after thinking it through, I decided to dump the idea of a tail vise for it's tendency to rack, and drop below the surface of the bench itself. and go with a wagon vise. I still need to figure out how to make the rails for it to ride as I'll most likely use the Lee-Valley Tail Vise screw for that one (budget) - sure I'd love to have one of them $350 benchcrafted vises... but I could find better uses for $350 right now. the other vise I wish to have is a shoulder vise which will let me clamp boards vertically without any guide rods in the way for endgrain work (joinery).
All of this is based on the fact that I have 1 large slab of 77"x24" which is the bowling alley and has nails and god knows what else in it - so drilling it for bench holes or the likes is out of the question. I will be skirting it with maple boards that I have at hand, and some breadboards to keep it aligned and secure on both edges. and dog holes will go into those.
Anyways - here is the preliminary design, any feedback, ideas, suggestions, and what not - are MOST WELCOME!
So after we've got the bowling alleys. now it's time to put them to to use (not really 'now now' but … you know what I mean).
So, I really would like to make this one a keeper, and not have to redo this bench unless I really fancy it in the future with lots of extra time on my hands and nothing better to do with it (hence - not likely it'll happen), and in order to do that, I figured I'll make this one as close as I can to the 'ultimate' bench for me- having the things I need, and could use the most.
obviously the vises play a major part in this - after thinking it through, I decided to dump the idea of a tail vise for it's tendency to rack, and drop below the surface of the bench itself. and go with a wagon vise. I still need to figure out how to make the rails for it to ride as I'll most likely use the Lee-Valley Tail Vise screw for that one (budget) - sure I'd love to have one of them $350 benchcrafted vises... but I could find better uses for $350 right now. the other vise I wish to have is a shoulder vise which will let me clamp boards vertically without any guide rods in the way for endgrain work (joinery).
All of this is based on the fact that I have 1 large slab of 77"x24" which is the bowling alley and has nails and god knows what else in it - so drilling it for bench holes or the likes is out of the question. I will be skirting it with maple boards that I have at hand, and some breadboards to keep it aligned and secure on both edges. and dog holes will go into those.
Anyways - here is the preliminary design, any feedback, ideas, suggestions, and what not - are MOST WELCOME!