Project Information
I've always wanted a stable woodworking bench. I read the blogs, books and articles extolling the various options and styles. I'm on a budget, so I made a low-cost blend that suits my needs.
I started off with a pile of leftover wood from a home build graciously given to be. First, I took some of the builder's sawhorses, slapped on a support beam joist, and added a large apron with dog holes. It took me all of two hours.
I built a few fundamental shop devices like a sawbench, bench hooks, shooting boards, miter boxes, etc. after that.
Happy with the thick top and apron, I chose to scrap the sawhorse base and make something more solid. $40 later I had some super soft white pine at my disposal.
With 2"x6"s, I laminated the sizeable legs. The center board in the leg lam. was 2" longer to form a natural tenon. I chose to make the long and short stretchers at the same height without top stretchers of any sort. I wanted beefy legs and less need for many cross pieces.
After drawboring the stretchers, I mortised notches in the top to receive the leg tenons. After much banging, I had a solid and stable top. Lastly, I added dog holes to the top and legs, plus elected to make one side with a large apron - British-style.
So far, I have no complaints. My Veritas Wonder Pup and cheapo 6" wilton vise on the french side handle most sawing and planing operations. Holdfasts for chiseling. I plan to add the sliding deadman, replace the small face vise with a leg vise and build a crochet and/or Moxon-style vise.
Less than a hundred bucks. Can't beat it! You can see me working on it here.
I started off with a pile of leftover wood from a home build graciously given to be. First, I took some of the builder's sawhorses, slapped on a support beam joist, and added a large apron with dog holes. It took me all of two hours.
I built a few fundamental shop devices like a sawbench, bench hooks, shooting boards, miter boxes, etc. after that.
Happy with the thick top and apron, I chose to scrap the sawhorse base and make something more solid. $40 later I had some super soft white pine at my disposal.
With 2"x6"s, I laminated the sizeable legs. The center board in the leg lam. was 2" longer to form a natural tenon. I chose to make the long and short stretchers at the same height without top stretchers of any sort. I wanted beefy legs and less need for many cross pieces.
After drawboring the stretchers, I mortised notches in the top to receive the leg tenons. After much banging, I had a solid and stable top. Lastly, I added dog holes to the top and legs, plus elected to make one side with a large apron - British-style.
So far, I have no complaints. My Veritas Wonder Pup and cheapo 6" wilton vise on the french side handle most sawing and planing operations. Holdfasts for chiseling. I plan to add the sliding deadman, replace the small face vise with a leg vise and build a crochet and/or Moxon-style vise.
Less than a hundred bucks. Can't beat it! You can see me working on it here.