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A coworker asked I help him build a workbench for his garage. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to get more time in the shop. It's especially fun when it's somebody else's project and materials and they are learning alongside you.

The workbench is very simplistic and from a plan in ShopNotes. As the description eludes, it is built with three 10" planks for the worktop surface. What is interesting is the use of mortise and tenon joints in a non-traditional buil up method. Instead of drilling the through mortises with a dedicated mortiser or other method, the legs are split down the middle and using a dado blade, I was made cooresponding half laps. The legs were then glued up and the matching half laps created mortises!

Next Steps: Finish cutting and attaching the 8' stretchers for both the top and bottom of the bench. Cut and install bottom shelving. Cut and bolt the top to the bench. Sand everything, then finish with some protective coating.















8/6/07 Update

All the stretchers are installed and I've dry fit the top planks. Need to finish with some cross supports for the top and then cut and install the bottom shelving. Once everything is where it should be, I'll disassemble to add some chamfers, fine tune anything, sand it down and finish it up.

10/29/7 Update

The bench is now completed and delivered to customer, he chose to not have me finish it so the look is a bit incomplete.

edit: got my Zooomr account back up and running so the images are now hotlinked. Enjoy!





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1,342 Posts
I am looking forward to seeing the top for this workbench. Looks good so far though.
 

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1,832 Posts
Doing a great job!
 

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yes indeed… lookin' GOOD ! :)
 

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Look like it going to strong. Can't wait to see it when it's finished.
 

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367 Posts
Looking good! The bridle joints and through-tenons are a nice touch. I'm curious to see how the top goes on.
 

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3 Posts
I've not yet decided on how to finish the worktop. Any suggestions?
 

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367 Posts
I used Watco on mine, then found out that a 50:50 mix of boiled linseed oil & spar urethane would work just as well for a LOT less money. If you go that route, just be sure to add turpentine to the first coat to make it 1:1:1 so the first coat will penetrate.

A good coat of paste wax over the last coat will help keep glue etc. from sticking.
 

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Looks like a fun project!
 

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Gravedigger, I'll let my client know, sounds like a great finish.
 

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Looks like the bench came out well. Good job.
 
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