Project Information
A few months ago I posted a version of the Milkman's Workbench that used wedges instead of wooden screw vises. Originally it was just to see if it worked. It did and then I discovered it was nice to take out on the deck on nice days. You can see the original post here http://lumberjocks.com/projects/84338. It has links to the sources of the bench and the vises and some versions made by other people. (Theirs are much prettier.)
As several of you pointed out, when a part or a tool rolled off, you have to go down to get it. It was a nuisance but still better than going back in the basement. There was a second problem, too, which was where to store all the little wedges, etc.
Eventually I came up with the idea of a removable cover. It catches the parts and supplies a storage space for the wedges when closed. The bench is hardwood but the cover is pine. If the little bench is clamped onto my bigger bench or a table, I just remove the cover. I wouldn't put anything heavy like a plane in the cover. When closed it covers the wide shim in the front vise to keep it from falling out.
The hinges are offset a bit so a plane won't hit metal should it go off the edge a little. They are made from ordinary hinges with one end cut off with a hacksaw. Also I softened the edges of the "handle" at the middle just a bit to make it easier to carry.
As several of you pointed out, when a part or a tool rolled off, you have to go down to get it. It was a nuisance but still better than going back in the basement. There was a second problem, too, which was where to store all the little wedges, etc.
Eventually I came up with the idea of a removable cover. It catches the parts and supplies a storage space for the wedges when closed. The bench is hardwood but the cover is pine. If the little bench is clamped onto my bigger bench or a table, I just remove the cover. I wouldn't put anything heavy like a plane in the cover. When closed it covers the wide shim in the front vise to keep it from falling out.
The hinges are offset a bit so a plane won't hit metal should it go off the edge a little. They are made from ordinary hinges with one end cut off with a hacksaw. Also I softened the edges of the "handle" at the middle just a bit to make it easier to carry.