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My start to woodworking began when I wanted to make a cedar strip canoe. The plans I used called for the construction of an 18 foot long strong-back from 2×10 SPF upon which the canoe would be made. I made the strong-back, and over a long period of time completed the canoe. When the canoe was all done, I was left, essentially, with a long, low, narrow table and I needed to something with it. I decided to disassemble it and use the materials to make a workbench. Despite the gobs of hardened epoxy resin on some parts and the screw holes in others, that workbench served me well for almost 25 years. I broke down and reassembled that workbench for three moves; it did everything I could ask of it and more.

Many woodworkers long to have a workbench like those featured in the woodworking magazines, I know I sure did. Finally, I decided, it was time to make a new workbench for myself. Something with a couple of vices as my old one only had one plastic vice screwed to the top. Something stable so when I worked a board on the top the whole bench wouldn't wobble and squeak as I have been accustomed. Something that is a good height for woodworking as my current bench was about 3 inches too high making it awkward for many applications. And finally, something that offered lots of storage space - maybe not as much as the two 7' full length open shelves of my old bench, but something with a cabinet where I could keep things organized and free of dust.

I looked through many books and magazines on different workbench designs and landed on a hybrid. I really liked the cabinet of the workbench featured in ShopNotes Issue #84 and the bench top of Woodsmith Issue #173, so I combined the two. My workbench cabinet is made of straight grain Douglas Fir while the top is made from Ash. I had wanted to use Maple for the top but where I live Ash is less than half the cost and consuming about 100 bf on the top alone, the savings was significant.

I am very happy with how my bench came out. It took some creativity to figure a way to join the top to the base but it all worked out very well. I wasn't seeking to have a shelf under the bench top but this is what worked best for my design; I'm not sure it this will end up being a blessing or a curse. Although I have good useful storage space, my old bench offered much more and I am still trying to figure how the make the best use of the space I have.

I hope you enjoy these pictures of my new bench. Looking at benches that other Lumberjock's have posted on this site sure was helpful for me; it allowed me to understand the pros and cons of different design features and determine what was most important to me. Perhaps my posting may help others.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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5,244 Posts
Very nice! Great storage, and plenty of workspace.
Well done.
 

· Registered
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17,161 Posts
What an awesomely functional bench. I kove how you set back the cabinets and drawers to keep clamping room available at the face and end. Excellent job.
 

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2,185 Posts
That is just spectacular.
Very well done.

Steve
 

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8 Posts
Beautiful work Alan. I know what you mean about having a sturdy "third" hand to hold your work piece while you do what you have to do. After I built my workshop, my workbench was the first project that was built in the shop and I have had excellent service from it ever since.
 

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79 Posts
Very nice.
 

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1,675 Posts
Beautiful bench…I like the dividers inside the drawer….thanks for sharing…
 

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29 Posts
Wow!...beautiful bench and storage space under it for tools ect….Great job, excellent job.
 

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169 Posts
Excellent !!!
 

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19,753 Posts
Outstanding work bench ,great design and build.
 

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10 Posts
That is one beautiful bench. If I were a single guy I would put that in my bedroom…which would also make me a single guy…
 

· In Loving Memory (Eddie)
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6,710 Posts
love that bench great build , will get many years of enjoyment there
 

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73 Posts
Damn that is beautiful. Makes you want to be very careful when you are using it. Wouldn't want to put a mark on that. This could double as a dinning room table. Nicest looking bench i've seen
 

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168 Posts
I would say you waited long enough. And it paid off. What a wonderful looking bench. You should get many years of use with this one.
 

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0 Posts
Thanks for sharing. You made an awesome workbench; one many of us LJs envy.
 

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101 Posts
That's a great looking, really functional bench. Well done.
 
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