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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.

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535 Posts
very clever bench!!!
 

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0 Posts
Balcony workbench? That´s something new for me. Not for balconies in the city, I suppose.
 

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8 Posts
Excellent idea!. Full workbench. Now like any artist, you might anger a park and work there with him. Or go camping and take.
Thanks for share it.
 

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56 Posts
Great job; really nice build and it looks very functional
 

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6,114 Posts
Really cool - less is more!
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
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