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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.

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That is a beautiful bench! You sell yourself short, that is a work of art. I love the before/after pictures of the workmate and the new bench.
 

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17 Posts
Thanks for your service and welcome to LJ's!
 

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31 Posts
Nice Bench, I also agree this is a work of art. Have fun with the new bench.
 

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8,101 Posts
Very nice bench. You made it sturdy and strong. I bet you use the heck out of it.
 

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6,580 Posts
Very nice bench. All the better that you designed it yourself!
 

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1,038 Posts
very nice work looks sturdy enough to park a truck on!!!
 

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1,088 Posts
Awesome bench. That thing will serve you well and make things around the shop much easier and less frustrating. A good bench is one of the best ways to make a shop a more enjoyable space to work in.
 

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1,656 Posts
That thing is a BEAST!
Honestly, I've toyed with the idea of buildig a Roubo, as well as some other fancy designs. But when I finally get around to the build, I might just (shamelessly) knock-off your design.
 

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2,397 Posts
Excellent job and story behind it!
Like yourself, I'm sure the bench will provide many years of faithful service.
Thank you for your service. It does not go unappreciated.
 

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2,242 Posts
Wonderful bench. Remember, if it meets your needs and it works there is nothing wrong with any bench and/or any other item
 

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26 Posts
Echoing the others, that is a sturdy looking bench just waiting for many years of use. Hope the rest of your retirement goes as well as the bench turned out.
 

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1,179 Posts
I think you had better beat it up a little before your Wife takes the Vice off of it and puts into Kitchen for a work Table for her.
If it came form a thought in your head to the final product I see here , it is Art.
 

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164 Posts
The bench is 25.5 inches wide, 61.5 inches long and 34.5 inches high. It has proven to be rock solid. I am really pleased. I think the photos show how I sandwiched the studs to make the frame.
 

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282 Posts
Man that thing is solid. A little over kill maybe? Maybe I missed it but how large is it?
 

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164 Posts
See the previous comment, Charlie. A lighter bench would have been fine for most power tool and assembly tasks. But I was tired of having my previous work surfaces shift around when I was using hand tools. This bench has solved that problem.
 

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2,671 Posts
That's one heavy duty bench.
Nicely done!!!
 
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