| Project by Sanity | posted 731 days ago | 2937 views | 30 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
 |
It has been a while since I posted any projects on the LJ’s site. This is the latest – my new mobile workbench.
I had looked at the small workbenches that were available on the market and was not particularly impressed and so decided to construct my own. It was originally supposed to have been a simple design but then, as happens with a lot of the things that I do, it took on something of a life of its own.
I wanted to use a solid maple worktop for durability but after I completed the glue-up I noticed that there were some cracks in the ends of the maple, so I cut a couple of inches off each side, and added walnut “breadboard” ends. After that I decided to construct the trestle legs using a maple and walnut laminate, and also the shelf that joined them together.
As my garage is my workshop I have limited space and so everything has to be easy to move around, and consequently I needed to add locking castors. The 5 inch diameter ones that I purchased only had a stem of about an inch, so in order to flush mount them I had to make some plates out of steel, and then drill and mortise the bottom of the trestle. I used Domino loose tenon joinery all around and finished the wood with General Finshes Arm-R-Seal wipe on oil and urethane top coat.
The hardware and wood all came from the local Rocklers store, and I have to say a big thank you to all the guys there for their on-going help and advice.
-- Stuart
| Pin It |
10 comments so far
glassyeyes
home | projects | blog
135 posts in 1526 days
#1 posted 731 days ago
I like it. Mine’s as clunky as a 40’s Studebaker—and half as heavy. Nice, clean lines.
-- Now, where did I put those bandaids?
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13238 posts in 1870 days
#2 posted 731 days ago
Nice looking workbench.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
JL7
home | projects | blog
3721 posts in 1162 days
#3 posted 731 days ago
Very nice – I like it!
Jeff
-- Jeff - I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
10720 posts in 1885 days
#4 posted 731 days ago
Very nice looking design , and I know you have the locking casters , but is it heavy enough to stay put while planing ?
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
beginner1
home | projects | blog
71 posts in 755 days
#5 posted 731 days ago
Great job.
-- Gerald, Illinois
Froggy
home | projects | blog
71 posts in 858 days
#6 posted 731 days ago
Looks very nice and solid, but I second Dusty’s question—is it stable enough to use hand tools like planes and chisels? If it is, you’ve got a great workbench for a small shop!
Russ
home | projects | blog
353 posts in 1274 days
#7 posted 731 days ago
Nice work. I’m also curious about the stability. Love the contrasting woods used.
-- Russ
Sanity
home | projects | blog
143 posts in 887 days
#8 posted 730 days ago
Thanks for the comments. Regarding the question of stability, obviously this is a light duty table but at the same time by using the domino joinery it’s very strong. I will simply apply what I occasionally have to with my lathe when additional stability is required – a couple of big bags of sand to the bottom shelf.
-- Stuart
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
10720 posts in 1885 days
#9 posted 730 days ago
I was wondering if that was your weapon of choice against the possible stability issue. LOL
Have a great day !
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
AJswoodshop
home | projects | blog
1053 posts in 473 days
#10 posted 217 days ago
I love this table! You did a amazing job on this. I love maple and walnut when they are together in projects. Looks like the vice is very nice to. It’s almost like a mini roubo workbench!
-- If I can do it.....so can you! -AJswoodshop
Have your say...