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This workbench was inspired by a truckload of free oak boards that I ended up with. I don't like oak furniture, but I thought it would be perfect for a bench. Its my first real bench, and I built it to be practical more than beautiful.

The entire top is laminated with 3/4" boards with varying widths from 2 1/2" to 4". The top is about two feet by four feet. Its small, but I barely have room for it as it is. The last photo (above) shows a piece of curly-figured Oak (which I've never seen before) that I used for the tool tray.

The base is construction grade 4×6 Doug Fir painted black.

I installed two large vices and a hold down for chopping dovetails. The front vice is a really nice, old Craftsman with a quick-release mechanism that I bought from the flee market years ago. The vice I used as a "tail" vice is unmarked except for "U.S.A." The Hold down is marked "Sheffield England 146" and was a gift from my boss.

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Both vices got 8/4 solid oak jaws to facilitate the use of Veritas brass bench dogs, which I ordered from Lee Valley. I made the tail vice jaw extend the entire width of the bench for clamping large and irregular pieces.

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I went to Home Depot for 7/8" dowel stock for temporary vice handles because I know it only comes in some cheap semi-hard wood. But I found a dowel in the pile that was spalted-whatever wood and I decided I liked it enough to make it permanent. So I gave it Bubinga caps and black leather cushions to protect it from the impact of sliding back and forth (thanks for the idea Todd).

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I still have several bench accessories that I want to build including a chest of drawers built into the base for tool storage, bench hooks, chuting boards, etc. But the first of the accessories I made was a movable lamp stand. I can place it in any dog-hole so I always have light where I need it for hand tool use. Or I can remove it completely when it is in the way.



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I have been researching, collecting, restoring and sharpening an accumulation of beautiful hand tools that I haven't had much opportunity to actually USE since I haven't had a proper bench. I think this will be a turning point for me as a woodworker as well as my work. I can't wait to cut my first hand-cut dovetails.

I blogged the building process of this bench HERE in my series Hand Tool Journey if you would like more information.

UPDATE: Here is a link to the completed chest of drawers I installed in the bench:

Gallery

Comments

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143 Posts
Great looking bench. Good Job
 

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258 Posts
Very nice bench, nicely done

Alonso
 

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755 Posts
Nice bench. Like the dog hole lamp a lot. Happy dovetailing!
 

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219 Posts
Blake this turned out great! Massive and great job on all the accessories. Really dig the light with the peg to fit into the bench dog holes. Looking forward to seeing what you build on this. Black paint on the base was the way to go.
 

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9,309 Posts
great build blake ,

and a good use of free wood .

it should help with your projects allot .

great light idea !
 

· In Loving Memory
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8,391 Posts
Magnificent bench Blake. The painted base looks great too. With the hold-down and clamping alternatives you should be able to build about anything on your new bench. Congrats on a very well done project. Of course we now expect to see a lot of advanced projects coming from your shop, LOL.
 

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66 Posts
Sweet! I will Private Message you with my address. You can drop it off at any time. ;-)
 

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138 Posts
I like it! What are the dimensions of the top? I like the setup, especially the end vice and the hold-down. Makes for a nice "joinery bench".
 

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96 Posts
That looks like an excellent bench. Looks a bit smaller then other benches, but still a productive size. I am also curious of its dimensions.
 

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69 Posts
Very nice bench. BZ
 

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16 Posts
Wow that is great!! Hope you dont mind me working off your idea, but I gotta make one like it ( well with my own tweeks of course)
 

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623 Posts
Love It!

The idea to hole the work lamp is great. thanks for the pic's
 

· In Loving Memory
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3,873 Posts
Great job Blake!

I noticed that you bolted it to the floor. Wise more with such a narrow footprint.

The light idea is cool also.
 

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9,145 Posts
Blake: a great looking bench. A very nice piece of oak with the grain. The vise handle looks fantastic. I'll have to try something like that also.
 

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1,487 Posts
blake sweet bench i like how u put together the top with just little strips of wood. cool
 

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1,460 Posts
Nice job Blake!!
 

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42 Posts
Very nice, I like the size of it.
 

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690 Posts
Wow, that's a beautiful job. You'll enjoy using this for many years.

Nothing like some "free" wood to get the projects going!
 

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166 Posts
Just as beautiful as practical, nice job!
 
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