Project Information
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.
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.