| Project by ic3ss | posted 04-15-2015 10:34 PM | 4990 views | 18 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
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I finally went and did it, I built myself a proper woodworking bench. I tore apart my old plywood bench I built 17 years ago when we bought our house. It was just a quickie bench made from plywood and tubafors. It was stout and worth having but it was not for woodworking, no woodworking vises. This has been a real hassle for me since I re-started in woodworking five years ago.
I wrote up a 19 part blog here: http://lumberjocks.com/ic3ss/blog/48881 on building it. From beginning to end it took 8 weeks working only on my weekends. A challenging project to be sure, mistakes made, certainly. But nothing went wrong that I had to either scrap a workpiece, or affect functionality of the bench except one thing. I had some serious issues all day in episode 16, Easter Sunday of all days. One of the problems was resawing an 8/4 board to make the gap stop went horribly wrong and it ended up being about 8 inches shorter than I was planning on. But it still works.
You may notice the lack of round holes in the deadman and the top. I don’t have any holdfasts yet. I have the 3/4” bit ready to go but I’m going to wait ‘till I get holdfasts before drilling anything, but that’s all it needs at this point, except a project being built on it.
I bought the Benchcrafted hardware and plans. Made from 8/4 Hard Maple and Walnut. Top is 3 3/4” thick, 84” long, 24” wide, 34” tall. I don’t have the weight yet, my scale doesn’t like it. I estimate it to be right around 300lbs.
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Wayne
-- "I am endeavoring, ma'am, to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bear skins."
15 comments so far
swirt
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2810 posts in 3021 days
#1 posted 04-16-2015 01:20 AM
A great looking bench. Nice work.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
wunderaa
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248 posts in 2252 days
#2 posted 04-16-2015 01:20 AM
killer. Well done! Have enjoyed following along with your blow.
Heisinberg
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40 posts in 1649 days
#3 posted 04-16-2015 01:33 AM
Love it! Great work. Can’t wait to see all the projects you will make on it.
-- "I've still got things left to do." – Walter White
R_Stad
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411 posts in 1892 days
#4 posted 04-16-2015 02:30 AM
That’s a beauty Wayne. Wood, hardware, and craftsmanship are all top notch. I’ll be checking out your blog. Well done.
-- Rod - Oregon
Pat3
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106 posts in 1929 days
#5 posted 04-16-2015 02:38 AM
Well done shipmate, it looks awesome!
DD6
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7 posts in 1212 days
#6 posted 04-16-2015 08:43 AM
Very Nice job!
-- Sam Hall TMC(SS) USN Ret
Isra
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135 posts in 1453 days
#7 posted 04-16-2015 11:26 AM
It is beautiful, you are lucky with that workbench. I think that benchcrafted hardware is the best you can get, in my next workbench I have to get it. Thanks for sharing.
-- Isra, Salcedillo (Cantabria), http://www.lacabraenlaescalera.com
HoarderBoarder
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12 posts in 1454 days
#8 posted 04-16-2015 02:45 PM
Benches like these make more motivated to attempt one myself.
I’m curious, when does the split down the middle of the table become useful? I’m only curious because when I finally do get to building my workbench, I want it to be able to handle any task.
mafe
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11734 posts in 3139 days
#9 posted 04-16-2015 03:32 PM
Beautiful bench.
Good build, must have been great fun.
That hardware are just so sexy.
Best thoughts,
Mads
-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
SteveGaskins
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752 posts in 2636 days
#10 posted 04-16-2015 04:16 PM
Definitely on my bucket list. Congrats on a beautiful build which will last more than a lifetime.
-- Steve, South Carolina, http://www.finewoodworkingofsc.com
ic3ss
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390 posts in 2826 days
#11 posted 04-16-2015 05:40 PM
HoarderBoarder; The gap stop sits between the two top halves and is raised up 3/8” to be used as a plane stop. When not in use it sits flush with the bench top and out of the way.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words.
Wayne
-- "I am endeavoring, ma'am, to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bear skins."
exelectrician
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2328 posts in 2477 days
#12 posted 04-16-2015 06:41 PM
Very nice bench, uh, can’t think of enough good things to say,,,,,,
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
gsimon
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1272 posts in 2163 days
#13 posted 04-17-2015 11:42 PM
really nice bench – hats off!
-- Greg Simon
pierwood
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4 posts in 1667 days
#14 posted 04-19-2015 09:43 PM
Wow, wonderful. I hope to make a Benchcrafted workbench one day…! I love that hardware!
thedude50
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3603 posts in 2527 days
#15 posted 04-19-2015 10:37 PM
Very pretty
-- Please check out my new stores http://woodratnest.com and http://woodshopstore.com
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