| Project by Artesano | posted 396 days ago | 1510 views | 4 times favorited | 19 comments |  |
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I completed this workbench using reclaimed barn timber from a barn that had stood for over 90 years in southern Maryland farm. The barn was taken down and the timber had been left out for mother nature to care for it when I got to them, a lumber jock dream….
The wood timbers took a couple of months to dry fully while I research the workbench project. for years I have been using an old solid wood old military desk that I purchased from a garage sale while I was in the service. This shiny workbench will serve me well but it will not shine for long.
I spend about 4-months working out the details as I like to work of my ideas and a rough drawing with basic measurements only. As I considered the design and settled for an ideal height and length consistent with my special physical needs.
The top is 60” Long, 24” Width, and 34” Tall. The vises used are both from Veritas Large Front and the Large Tail Vise. The Tail vise is mounted on a solid 5X5 oak sections which I routed, drilled and carved to fit the hardware. I used used oak and walnut dowels to bring together all of the joints. I used dowels to secure the timbers from splitting in the future. The only metal hardware are the vise’s. The bench was built in two sections, top and bottom support frame/legs. I used a series of dowels to secure the two sections. I want to be able to separate the two section in the event that I have to move it to another location in the future. I have a history of moving around, this bench is moving with me. Next is the tool rack and cabinet witch I am working on in combination to the much needed drawers.
The cabinet unit is composed of 4 drawers designed for hand tools and 2 large drawers to store power tools and more. I used a combination of old and new woods as you can see from drawers handles, they are left over oak and old pine that i reclaimed to follow my building tradition.
I want to give credit to my good friend Lou Aranda for allowing to use the wood from his grandfather barn which is dated to approximately 90 year old oak..
-- Artesano Taino
19 comments so far
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 621 days
posted 396 days ago
Artesano, what a great workbench! You’ve done a beautiful job on it. Looks like you could drive a tank over it. Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
Bigbuck
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1366 posts in 561 days
posted 396 days ago
Nice bench, looks nice and strong, but way too clean.
-- Glenn, New Mexico
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 621 days
posted 396 days ago
I just love work benches that can double as furniture. Great build.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Tim Dorcas
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130 posts in 756 days
posted 396 days ago
Count me in as another workbench lover. Fantastic job. How long did it take to make? Any lessons learned?
-- www.responsetolight.com - A Woodworking & Renovation Blog & www.craftedbytim.com - I make. You buy.
woodworm
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8310 posts in 488 days
posted 396 days ago
Beautiful workbench. Looks solid and heavy.
Great job.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
sry
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137 posts in 506 days
posted 396 days ago
Wow, that top looks rugged enough that you could use it for a bomb shelter in a pinch
Great work!
-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio
Eric
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784 posts in 682 days
posted 396 days ago
Very nice!
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Bob42
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285 posts in 688 days
posted 396 days ago
Great Job!
May it serve you well. It looks very solid and I like the tung oil finish.
Now go ahead and build.
-- Bob K. East Northport, NY
Grant Davis
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481 posts in 806 days
posted 395 days ago
Very nice, thanks for posting.
-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"
snowdog
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808 posts in 881 days
posted 395 days ago
Great bench but I want to see it in the shop with a new project on it now :)
Of all the different projects I think Work Bench is the one I love looking at most.
-- "so much to learn and so little time"..
botanist
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44 posts in 436 days
posted 395 days ago
Very nice job! I’m extremely jealous :-)
blackcherry
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731 posts in 721 days
posted 395 days ago
Hey,hey here to another 90 years…nice reclaim…recycle…restored project…Blkcherry
Grumpy
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14932 posts in 749 days
posted 395 days ago
Great bench & nice piece of history Artesano.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
AgentTwitch
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34 posts in 394 days
posted 394 days ago
Great looking bench!
I can just imagine milling those beams to reveal that warm oak in all its glory!
-- Regards, Norm
mjlauro
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239 posts in 659 days
posted 394 days ago
Nice looking bench, I like the plugs on the ends…
Artesano
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20 posts in 683 days
posted 337 days ago
Thank you very much for the comments. I finished the cabinet unit which I had to fit in since I wanted the unit to sit un-bolted without screws or fasteners. I have several dents and scratches since I took the pictures… It’s still shinning…
-- Artesano Taino
Cantputjamontoast
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174 posts in 330 days
posted 325 days ago
One word…....
WOW!!!!!!
-- "Not skilled enough to wipe jam on toast!"
WoodSpanker
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298 posts in 290 days
posted 284 days ago
That is a lovely bench. Solid as a rock, beautifully finished, and eminantly functional. Plus, its made of recycled lumber, so its “green” and has a significant history. I like history. You can almost feel it when touching a piece. What a wonderful job.
-- Adventure? Heh! Excitement? Heh! A Woodworker craves not these things!
Beginningwoodworker
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4217 posts in 571 days
posted 258 days ago
Nice looking workbench.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker