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Seems like I've been working on it most of the year, but finally here is my completed workbench.

It's basically a Holzapffel design but I modified it to have a split top. I think the split top has several advantages:

1) A parallel clamp fits in the middle for more options when clamping things to the bench
2) A board placed there can be used a planing stop
3) A place to store tools close at hand while working at the bench
4) Each half still fits through my planer if I ever needed to re-flatten that way. During the construction I found it easier to just hand plane it flat. The pieces are too big and heavy to easily maneuver through a planer.

I still have to build that tool holder / planing stop piece to really take advantage of 2) + 3). I plan to make something similar to the "gap stop" that is shown in this split-top roubo video: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Z2kd0rg4Y).

It's made entirely out of SYP except for the twin screw vise chop which is cherry and the tool holder on the back right corner which is walnut.

The twin screw vise screw and nut hardware were purchased from Lake Erie Toolworks (http://www.lakeerietoolworks.com/)

The top is connected to the legs with lag screws. The two end assemblies are glued and pegged mortise and tenon joints. The long front and back stretchers have tenons that fit into mortises in the end assembly and use bench bolts so that I can take the bench apart if needed.

I finished it with 3 ragged on coats of danish oil.

Gallery

Comments

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690 Posts
Very nice build! I'm sure you'll get many years of pleasurable use out of it.
 

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274 Posts
That's a great bench! I have to ask-are you by chance left handed?
 

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Awesome bench. You will really enjoy using it.
 

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Beautiful job !

I ask because I genuinely don't know: is SYP generally considered a bit soft for your typical top ?

I like your thoughts on the split top. Really a great looking bench !
 

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@dfdye: Yup, south paw.
@NBeener: Followed The Schwarz's recommendation. Lots of good info about wood selection in the first chapter of his workbench book. sYP is definitely more prone to denting than hard maple, but I'm not to worried about that. And since it's all over the orange and blue box stores it's bdft price is ridiculously cheap compared to anything else in my area.
 

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Ordered the (used) book. Heard too may good things about it, and seen TOO many nice benches, based on his advice … not to :)

Thank. Enjoy it. Should be a great bench for generations !
 

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Great bench. Looks like your efforts paid off handsomely.
 

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That is one great bench.
Jamie
 

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Very nice job. I also like a softer top. Better a dent in your bench than one in you project piece.
 

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Jon,First things first, a stunning bench to say the least ! It looks like it would give a Sherman tank hell in a wrestling match ! It"s got to be a good feeling when something of this size comes together and turns out as nice as it certainly looks. I will at some point bite the bullet and set out to construct a must have shop fixture such as this. If You don't mind me asking,what would You guesstimate Your hours and ballpark figure on cost to be ? Once again beautiful work and thanks for the post !!
 

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Simply exquisite! Great job. Enjoy … you deserve it.
 

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Looks so rugged. I definately need to build myself one of these next summer. Congrats on achieving it in style.
 

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From one South Paw to another: Very nice bench and the first that I've seen with face vice on the right (correct) end. I can really appreciate it. I've found that it's difficult at times being a lefty. We have to find our own way to do things.
 

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Really nice bench. I am building a breakfast bar at present out of hard maple and trying to saw and chisel accurate joinery on a Black and Decker Workmate is driving me to distraction. I can't wait to build my dream bench which will also be a lefty.

Well done and enjoy.
 

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I love your bench. I have been researching different benchs in hopes of building one soon. I am embarassed to asked, but what is SYP?
 

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Sweet bench! Just when I had my mind made up on a Roubo…
Love the cherry chop and the wooden vice screws. Now if I could only make the room for the bench I want to build :).
 
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