Project Information
I have been using a Workmate with a removable plywood work top for more than 20 years - through the latter half of an Army career, 10 years of civil service and two more of retirement. I found a good vice on sale a couple months ago, and today finished building a bench to hold it. I see many benches on LJ that are true works of art - mine isn't. But it is really solid and rigid, and a vast improvement on my old workaround. The top is laminated from three layers of 3/4 inch oak plywood and is edged with oak that was part of an orderly room sign I rescued from a dumpster on Fort Lewis a couple years ago. The base is made from 2 X 6 studs. It is held together with a lot of glue and some 1/2 inch dowels. The only metal fasteners are the pocket screws holding on the top and the lag bolts for the vice. I finished the whole thing with a couple coats of Danish Oil and some wipe-on poly. I had no plans, just an image in my head, but I am pretty happy with the result. My old "bench" will move into peaceful retirement - just like its owner.