| Project by gSpin | posted 456 days ago | 1557 views | 8 times favorited | 21 comments | ![]() |
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I was pretty much convinced from the start, that if I was going to take this woodworking hobby head-on, my first project would definitely have to be a woodworkers table. I had a fairly rough idea of what I wanted from some research I did on the internet. Unfortunately, much of what I found was way beyond my skill level. Keep in mind, the last time I did anything with woodworking was back in high school, and that was ummm… well, let’s just say that was awhile ago. So after a few rough sketches I came up with a basic design that focused on simplicity and core functionality. I was still tooling-up at this time and started to base my tool purchases off of what it was I needed for this project. After a few weeks of hunting down the remaining tools I was set to go. I decided to start with the top first. I began by ripping a 4′x8′ sheet of 3/4” ply straight down the center length-wise. I then stacked and glued the two pieces to form a 1 1/2” base which would later become the underlayment of the top. After taking the space limitations of my garage into consideration, I decided to trim 24” off the end, leaving me with a 2′x6′ rough top. I then glued up some 1/2″ Alder to form the finish of the top and sides. Why Alder? Honestly, that decision came down to me being the naive newbie woodworker that thought “hey, wood is wood” and “The only place you can buy wood is at the big box store, right?”. If I would have known then what I know now, I think I would have gone a different route. All in all I’m still pretty happy with it, not to mention it gets plenty of use. Enjoy!
-- www.gSpin.com































21 comments so far
jeanmarc
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1750 posts in 595 days
posted 456 days ago
The bench looks great!Very nice job
-- jeanmarc manosque france
king
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43 posts in 826 days
posted 456 days ago
GOOD LOOKING BENCH
-- franklinalbert@sbcglobal.net
thetimberkid
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1944 posts in 582 days
posted 455 days ago
Nice bench!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/
jcame
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68 posts in 455 days
posted 455 days ago
Very nice workbench, but you woulld have more space in your vice if you morticed your two face pieces of stock.
-- Jed,Ala,jmwoodworks057.com
snowdog
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806 posts in 861 days
posted 455 days ago
That really looks nice in your shop, you should be proud.
-- "so much to learn and so little time"..
woodworm
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7845 posts in 469 days
posted 455 days ago
Well..very good start. Nice bench indeed. The other projects too are excellent..!
Take care and work safe.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
trifern
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7890 posts in 646 days
posted 455 days ago
Awesome job! Thanks for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
ChicoWoodnut
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894 posts in 694 days
posted 455 days ago
Nice bench. Alder is very good straight grained and stable wood. That’s why those kitchen cabinet guys use it so much. (and the electric guitar guys too)
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
suliman
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290 posts in 683 days
posted 455 days ago
Congratulations .
I looking to mak the same.
-- Suliman , Syria, jablah ,
Lee A. Jesberger
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3709 posts in 858 days
posted 455 days ago
gSpin;
From the looks of you bench, you sir are a natural!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
SPHinTampa
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154 posts in 564 days
posted 455 days ago
great work.
-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn
Bigbuck
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1366 posts in 542 days
posted 455 days ago
nice looking bench
-- Glenn, New Mexico
Rob Drown
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324 posts in 712 days
posted 455 days ago
Wow. Mine is still in pieces. You are using yours.
What is the finish?
-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.
GarageWoodworks
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180 posts in 502 days
posted 455 days ago
Nice looking bench! If I could change one thing I would have made the dog holes in the bench in-line with the dog holes in the vice. This ‘might’ present problems. Look at benches made by Lie-Nielson, Hoffman & Hammer and Garrett Wade.
-- -Brian of High Point, NC (http://www.garagewoodworks.com)
brianinpa
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1363 posts in 602 days
posted 455 days ago
Very nice work bench. I can not fault your choice in wood. After looking at your first project, I would say you are pretty good at it.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
JerryS
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73 posts in 489 days
posted 450 days ago
I think you made a great looking very functional bench .
Chardt
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141 posts in 480 days
posted 450 days ago
Thats a good, solid looking bench, and it can be modified to suit your needs as your skills increase. You’ve got a great foundation there.
I agree with the philosophy that if your going to learn wood working, start by making what you need to learn…tool cabinets, a work bench, etc.
My cabinets are a little wonky, and my box joints are pretty laughable…no wait, they’re proud..very, very proud…and loose…and a little bit torn out…but proud. :-)
I learn as much from my mistakes as from what I get right.
-- When my wife ask's what I have to show for my wood working hobby, I just show her the splinters.
SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 593 days
posted 449 days ago
Great job, this bench looks great. It will give you years of failthful use.
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
Budgie
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112 posts in 817 days
posted 434 days ago
Nice Bench.
-- Bud, NY, http://tpww.libsyn.com/
sandhill
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608 posts in 803 days
posted 354 days ago
I want one!!!!
-- Sell it here> http://woodworkerslist.com
Dusty56
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3402 posts in 567 days
posted 282 days ago
I need a small bench as well due to the size of my shop . Your top is two feet wide so the legs appear to be about 16’ + or – apart . Is it tippy at all ? Do you plan on making a low shelf to put sandbags / weight on it for stability in case you start doing some hand planing ? Were you going to put in another double row of dawg holes in line with the vise , or do you just span the opening between your present holes with a 2’ long board ? The other benches that I’ve been looking at have the vise to one side . Is there a reason that you centered yours so that I might think about working it into my bench ? Thanks : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .