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I finished my bench last night. What a project! I took time off during the holiday and spend at least 8 twelve hour days on this! I'm not exaggerating - I'm that slow!

I poured over plans and designs for a month before realizing that I simply wasn't ready to build the massive bench that I want. The one I really liked was Jon Leppo's, but 8/4 raised panels was a bit out of my realm right now! I found a scaled down version, but neither could hold my hand like I needed during the construction. I needed plans.

So I settled for their Not So Big Workbench. I bought the detailed plans and watched the videos a few times each. I did change some details because I had thicker wood and figured I should use it.

This was BY FAR the most ambitious WW project I've taken on so far. I feel that I learned more in the past two weeks than I did in the past year. I am 1,000 times more comfortable with my jointer and planer now. My chisel work has improved tremendously, as well. Sure, I have a long way to go, but still. And just coordinating so many pieces and steps is something you have to go through many times. Reading and watching videos does nothing, compared to DOING!

The base is made from cherry that I had in stock. The drawer boxes are red and white oak. One of the pics is of the white oak being re-sawed for drawers. The cabinet is cherry ply that I had. The top, chop and drawer fronts are beech from a local guy for $2.50 bd ft. Four of the drawers are made from a single beech piece so the grain flows across them. Eh … not that noticeable, but fun trying.

After giving flattening by hand a try I gave up and used the router trick. LOVED IT! The grain switched in a few places and I just couldn't figure out how to avoid tear out in the middle of the top.

I made quite a few mortises by hand, again for the practice. After chopping the jaw mortise, I couldn't open a container from the fridge the next morning. No hand strength!

I made a single row of dog holes and one opposite the front vise. I installed a cool Veritas inset vise.

I'm not happy with the colors in a couple of ways. I really liked the contrast of the beech fronts being almost white. Well, the "clear" poly tinted it. Oh well. Guess I should test next time! Also, the solid frame around the drawers looks awful. I think it's worse in this picture than real life, but still. Maybe I'll sand it down and try again. Finishing is a huge weak area for me.

So … I finally have a bench and no more excuse as to why I can't make those solid panel interior shutters she's been asking for … for two years!

My hope is that this post helps at least one person to gain the confidence to tackle something way beyond their ability. Sure, you'll make lots of mistakes doing it, but so what?

Gallery

Comments

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looks great and also 'not so small'!
it does look stout and capable, which is what is really important at the end of the day.
 

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It looks really nice. If I had one like this I would not hide it. (If you look to my workshop you will understand what I mean)
 

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You did a great job. The cherry really pops. :)
I'm building this bench this year.
 

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What a fine job! I never sweat the natural colors. Finishin Baby Steps: Little oil (BLO or Tung), shellac (amber brings color up faster, clear less color but same "grain pop". Finish up with light wax (turps, beeswax and a tiny bit of carnuba - very light coats). For darker, I've read here (LJ) try shoe polish. I have the stuff for spraying varnish and lacquer, just need to give it a shot. On Wisconsin! Steve
 

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Thanks guys. Steve, I used shellac and then varnish on the base. I'm happy with the base, but the drawer fronts came out too orange, for some reason.

Funny story about the top. I kept reading recommendations for BLO, but I didn't know what it was. I thought it was a brand named product. So I gave up and just decided to use what I was going to use all along. I went downstairs and grabbed the can. As I brought the can of boiled linseed oil closer, I suddenly felt like a complete idiot. I had a good laugh at myself.
 

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Great job indeed. I love the size of this workbench and the craftsmanship is top notch! Congrats. I'm very envious as I keep having other projects pop up before I can build my own.

I wouldn't sweat the color of the poly on the beech too much. It looks just fine!
 

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Beautiful job on that bench.

You'll likely get many years of enjoyment out of it.

As will your heirs!

Lee
 

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Man! If I had a work bench like that I would be eating dinner on it every night. Beautiful work.
 

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It is clear that you put a lot of effort to make that! Fantastic!

www.bandsawparts.com
 

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Thats a great looking bench! Im about to tackle one this coming spring. Cant wait, but am very nervous lol.
 

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I have watched all the videos for this bench as well, it's nice to see that someone has built one and it looks great. I'm hoping to tackle one myself later this year.
 

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Stellar job on the work bench…great looking project…there's nothing like having a good, stout solid bench to work on…..enjoy…!!
 

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That is a gorgeous workbench!

Glad it all worked out for ya!
 

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Great job! I have to say that I thought Ed Pirnik did a really nice job combining several plans that were out there into a smaller but nice workbench that makes sense in a lot of different ways for people building their first or second (but not umpteenth) workbench.

And you executed this perfectly. How do you like the Veritas surface vise?
EDIT: Not the surface vise. I meant inset vise.
 

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Great job on the bench. At the end of the day it sounds like you picked up skills, had a good time and that is important. I would not worry about the looks. Go for function before looks. If it works for you then you won. Thats what really matters. A seasoned work bench will have chips, dings, stains and the occasional glue on it. Its a work bench. Eventually it will all blend in with your wood colors. Wait til you get the 1st chip or spill the 1st can of finish on it. Lord that is so painful… LOL.
 

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I think you did a great job and enjoyed the story and your critique of the bench. I like reading about how others felt they improved their skills. It gives me hope for the improvement of my own.
 

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That's a really nice bench. Congratulations on all the new skills gained. The size would be perfect for my small shop. Thanks for posting it.
 

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Great bench. This size would be great for my shop.

Thanks for posting,

Garry
 

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Thanks everyone!

I went home last night and took a peek at my shiny bench. That color isn't so bad. I can live with it. I think I should focus on something more useful, like the cool drawer chisel storage I saw the other day. And now I'll need a wall mount tool storage!

After a quick win for Boss, of course!

The inset vise? Well, I used it for somewhere between 2-3 minutes, but I'll give my feedback. ;) I like it. I thought for a smaller bench it made sense. I didn't want the extra hassle of installing a tail vise, and it wasn't in the plan for this bench that I purchased. I do think the instructions should include precautions about the mortising size. They talk about minimums, but no maximums. And I cut it awfully close for the screw holes along the deeper mortise. Also, it came with what I feel are cheesy screws. I snapped the first one off. Had to chisel a block out from around it and glue in a new block. Switched to my own stainless screws.

@Ken, I can't believe you put the thought of spilling paint on my bench. That was uncalled for! ;)
 
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