The Base

Too often we let fear of making a mistake or failure prevent us from starting a project. As I have often said I feel that we learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. To me this project is coming along nicely. Sure there are some glue stains but just break out a scraper or belt sander and they are history. The joints look tight and this bench is pretty heavy as it now stands so once the top is on this baby should be rock solid.

Keep up the posts as you go along. This is one thing that I should do as well. But right now my to-do list is too long.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

One of the lessons I’ve tried to learn (and can’t seem to get through my thick skull) is mistakes aren’t necessarliy a bad thing. Some of the best projects right here in LJs started out as an “OH S*#!” and ended up as fantastic projects. And you didn’t bite off more than you can chew, it looks like a very heavy and stable base, a little scraping and the glue is gone. Looking real good, keep updating so we can watch your progress.

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

Looks like a great start to what will become a very solid, and oft used work bench.
I don’t see anything wrong with the glue stains unless this is going to be a show piece
bench not destined to be actually used. I don’t care how careful you are in the future,
using this as it was meant to be used, you add more over the years.

If they bother you though, as mentioned above, a card scraper or sander will make
them go away with a quickness.

Great job, and do please post more on it’s progress.

-- Still learning everything

What kind of wood are you using (looks great)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Looks like it will be a great heavy solid bench that would last you a lifetime and then some.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

OK I’ll be the bad guy. It does leave a lot to be desired. And if I were you I would start over. Oh by the way you can send the old one to me since your not going to use it.
I did the easy way 5 years ago and purchased a flat top from Grainger and wish I would have done what your doing. I know I’ll never get rid of what I have but it will never be what I really want or need. Life’s too short to short change yourself. Do the best you can and you will alway love it.
PS. Don’t forget the draws. you’ll wish you had some.

-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida...Lets be safe out there.

Don’t think of the overall project, just one thing at a time, you will get there trust me.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Looks fine to me. Of course, it could use a top of some kind. It looks stout and heavy. Who cares about the glue stains. They are all over my bench and the floor and the walls. Get the danged thing finished and get to building something important. Then, you will know where to change things on the bench. Don’t say” I wish I had” just change what needs to be changed.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

What’s with the through tenons on only one side? Other than that it looks great! It was asked before, but what kind of wood is that? I built my bench with only construction grade douglas fir from the big box store and hand tools, (with the exception of drilling the holes, that was done with a cordless drill.) If I could have afforded better wood, you’d bet I would have used it. Your bench looks solid and I’m sure as others have said it will last you a lifetime. Good work!

-- Looking for free wood working plans? Visit us at www.AwlFreePlans.com

That realy looks great, you’d laugh if you seen mine. Please show pictures when your done. Nice work.

-- Tom D

Great start! I really enjoy work in progress photos.

-- Dave Herron, Boise, ID -- “That which does not crash the browser, makes it stronger”

Ok, I’m going to try to answer all the questions. The material is all soft 8/4 maple. I will be using rock or hard maple for the top. The glue will be coming off as soon as I have seome time to dedicate to that fun task.

Thos.Angle if you look closely you will see an old door that I have been using as a make shift top, that was the set up I used to build a cherry side table a couple of weeks ago. Also there is a cat door in the door, whick is kind of nice for sweeping shavings through.

Mark D. I was hoping no one would notice. Shucks, Ok here is the whole truth. What you are seeing is actually not a tenon at all. I chopped the mortises on the wrong side! Doh! I didn’t notice until I assembled the entire base and realized it was set up for a left handed woodworker. So what you are seeing is actually a patch job, I will be filling it with a maple filler to try to conceal it better. Thankfully it is still structurally sound, this base does not rack at all.

one side is wider. what gives is the top going to be angled

-- Do it right the first time. Becuase fixing it is a wast of time.

The extra leg is to add support to what will be the shoulder vise.

Don’t sweat the imperfections. Remember, it’s not sunshine and rainbows that turns coal into a diamond. It’s intense pressure that does it! You’ve got a really nice start on what, I suspect, will be a killer workbench. I can’t wait to see this bad boy finished!

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

I, for one, have “bench envy.” I just don’t have the room for a ‘real’ workbench. Yours looks well underway for a great work platform.

-- Maplewood, MN

Soooo, why isn’t it finished? I take sides with Thos on this one. Get-R-Done son!

Here’s a little trivia for ya: Rock maple is a slang term derived from a furniture maker of long ago. We’re talking colonial times here. He manufactured under the name “Rock’s Hard Maple Furniture”! What it really is, is Sugar Maple and it is very hard indeed. The name “Rock” stuck! This is the favored maple used in fine woodworking today.

Now, “Soft Maple” really is also called “Swamp Maple” and has different shaped leaves which are highly toxic to horses.. The grain runs a bit wider and the wood “moves” more so it’s not favored as much as you can see. But both Maples are tapped for the syrup and both are equally as sweet. And nothing says “Springtime” any more as the aroma in the valleys here when they’re boiling the syrup! Which reminds me…It’s breakfast time! Bye!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Thanks for all the great feedback. I’m hoping to get her done as soon as possible just need to find more time in the shop. Thanks again all.