This weekend I have a little time to work in the shop. I have plans for the next couple of weekends, so it might be a little while before I can work on the bench again.
Today, I cut all of the legs and stretchers to size and cut the tenons on the legs and stretchers.
The Legs
The stretchers
I also had time to start to hog out the mortises. The first step was to mark out the mortises. I just used a combination square and the stretchers themselves to layout the mortises. The stretchers need to be flush with the outside of each leg. This is one of the features of the bench. The legs and stretchers can be used as clamping surfaces.
I also took a close look at each of the legs, and found the faces I wanted to see. There are some small knots on the legs, so I faced them to the inside or back.
Next I used a router and a ¾” spiral cut bit, to hog out the mortise.
This is one big bit! It cuts really nice, but you do need to take a few passes to get to its full depth. The bit isn’t long enough to go to the full depth of the mortise. I plan to use my drill press and a forstner bit to take it to full depth. The router gives me very straight walls on the mortises. I thought my chisel would fallow these walls much better than if I had just used the drill press alone.
Here’s the first cut from the router. It will take a couple of passes to hog out the entire mortise.
I also plan to use this router bit to cut my bench dog holes. I saw a nice demonstration over at www.popularwoodworking.com, on cutting bench dog holes with your router. Look in the Gallery for the video.
I had to call it a day. I will try and finish of the mortises tomorrow.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
10 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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9949 posts in 362 days
posted 306 days ago
So far so good Mike. I like this detailed approach to the construction process. Thanks for taking your time for the pictures and the narrative. If you are anything like me once you get on a roll it is an aggravation to have to deal with interruptions.
I am looking forward to seeing some more posts.
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Tomcat1066
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621 posts in 336 days
posted 306 days ago
Looking good so far Mike! I can’t wait to see this puppy when it’s all put together! Have you gotten the wooden screws for the vise in yet?
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
Mike Lingenfelter
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405 posts in 654 days
posted 306 days ago
Yes, it can be a distraction to take pictures. I had planned to take more, but forgot to stop at different stages.
No screws yet, but the check has cleared so I hope to see them soon.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
Karson
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14323 posts in 940 days
posted 306 days ago
Good start. I like the drilling with the router. Looks easy.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Dorje
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1749 posts in 537 days
posted 306 days ago
Yeah – nice work – I too like your idea of the router bit to establish the walls of the mortise.
Looks like you’ll have the leg assemblies done tomorrow!
So, the tenons on the top of the legs will be mortised into the top?
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
gizmodyne
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1486 posts in 630 days
posted 306 days ago
Lookin good. Keep up the posts.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Mike Lingenfelter
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405 posts in 654 days
posted 305 days ago
Yes the tenons on the legs are mortised into the top. Also, each mortise and tenon will be pinned using drawbore pins.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
Dorje
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1749 posts in 537 days
posted 305 days ago
Oh! From the front of the top – right? I think I get it…
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
WoodworkersResource
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33 posts in 512 days
posted 305 days ago
Looks great Mike. I hope to get started on my own Holtzapffel Workbench soon. Are you going with wooden screws for the vise? If so, where were you able to find them?
Thanks for taking the time to chronicle your progress here!
-Craig
-- Craig, www.WoodworkersResource.com (Where Information meets Inspiration)
Mike Lingenfelter
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405 posts in 654 days
posted 305 days ago
Craig,
I sent you a private message with the contact information for large wooden screws. I didn’t want to post email addresses in a blog, so I sent you the private message.
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/