Project Information
First of all, thanks for checking this out. I'm so thrilled to finally post a completed project. I've looked at so many other people's work on this site, and I've learned a ton from them.
This is my very first completed project. I started a small coffee table, but quickly became frustrated with not having a bench to use. Yes, this bench is, in fact, in my living room. I plan on using it for hand tool and carving purposes only. I have a very small space in the basement where I keep my table saw. To build this, my husband (countless times) carried my portable planer and miter saw onto the front porch to use. Most of the work was done outside which made for a chilly couple months for me here in WNY. It's going to be great for carve right here inside where I can be around my husband and our two dogs. It also makes it a lot more likely that it will be used very often.
Now for a better project description: the bench is 48×24x32". I'm only 5'5", so I wanted something that wouldn't be too tall. I even feel more comfortable carving a little bit lower (I felt better about this after reading a blog post by Peter Follansbee that he likes to work lower as well). The top is glued up from ash, red oak, and a strip of walnut. The tool rack is also walnut. I got a great deal on some wood ($.55/board foot) from a guy who had a storage problem. The end caps are secured by counter sunk screws (oversized for movement) and lag screws in the center. There's a hickory brace at a diagonal at the back since it didn't have the ridgidity I wanted without it. The dovetail braces got better as I went along, but the first ones I did were on the long cross-piece on the bottom. They aren't nearly tight enough. Learning to trust the line and cut to it was a big take away from this project. Most of the things I did on this bench were firsts, so it was a great learning experience. Ask anything else you want to know, and I'll be glad to tell you more. Criticism (please be kind ) also welcome.
This is my very first completed project. I started a small coffee table, but quickly became frustrated with not having a bench to use. Yes, this bench is, in fact, in my living room. I plan on using it for hand tool and carving purposes only. I have a very small space in the basement where I keep my table saw. To build this, my husband (countless times) carried my portable planer and miter saw onto the front porch to use. Most of the work was done outside which made for a chilly couple months for me here in WNY. It's going to be great for carve right here inside where I can be around my husband and our two dogs. It also makes it a lot more likely that it will be used very often.
Now for a better project description: the bench is 48×24x32". I'm only 5'5", so I wanted something that wouldn't be too tall. I even feel more comfortable carving a little bit lower (I felt better about this after reading a blog post by Peter Follansbee that he likes to work lower as well). The top is glued up from ash, red oak, and a strip of walnut. The tool rack is also walnut. I got a great deal on some wood ($.55/board foot) from a guy who had a storage problem. The end caps are secured by counter sunk screws (oversized for movement) and lag screws in the center. There's a hickory brace at a diagonal at the back since it didn't have the ridgidity I wanted without it. The dovetail braces got better as I went along, but the first ones I did were on the long cross-piece on the bottom. They aren't nearly tight enough. Learning to trust the line and cut to it was a big take away from this project. Most of the things I did on this bench were firsts, so it was a great learning experience. Ask anything else you want to know, and I'll be glad to tell you more. Criticism (please be kind ) also welcome.