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Basement Workspace / V8 Mini Workbench

65K views 167 replies 24 participants last post by  rhybeka 
#1 ·
Moving South for the winter....

Admittedly I have lived in Ohio my entire life….and there are much colder places to live. Experiencing temps in the single digits with wind chills between -30 and -40 listening to the furnace barely kick off and being extremely thankful that the windows had been replaced so the majority of the heat would stay inside instead of escaping - showed me how much of a pipe dream it was that my little heater would be able to warm half of the garage well enough for me to work even on warmer days. Heating my workshop will not happen until I have a space of my own instead of the garage, so it will be a few more years.

I began mulling over the possibility of there being room in the unfinished side of our basement that I might be able to have a small work area for DIY projects, hand tool practice. I began muling over what kind of bench would meet all of my needs, be cheap enough to put together, fit my skill level, and hopefully not frustrate me too much. Enter Paul/SW with his mini V8 Bench. I'm getting ahead of myself though.

Last weekend I was able to get approval for the space to use to set up my area. It's about 5 feet from the water heater and furnace so it will be toasty warm in the winter and cooler months. The wall the bench will be on is about 64 inches long - so plenty long and wide enough. My plan currently is to install blocking on the metal studs and possibly some drywall (if I must), but I already have pegboard hanging across from the space that can be used. I'll need to run an extension cord for light and/or power. There is a small ceramic one bulb fixture near the pegboard (not even sure what you call them), but it doesn't throw enough light far enough. Any constructive input on the space/journey appreciated. Working through this from a newbie perspective so we'll see how this goes!

Building Wood Floor House Rectangle


Before :

Shipping box Gas Machine Box Plastic


After :

Wood Pipeline transport Gas Space Flooring
 

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#86 ·
one of those nights I'm somewhat glad I'm stubborn.

First - the good stuff.
TS Fence arrived
Plant Wood Hardwood Gas Wood stain


and I got some storage up near the bench
Brown Property Wood Purple Interior design


now for the stupid.
I was working on my bench this evening, excited because I was finally going to get to start getting it all together. Got the bottom glued to the legs and weighted down. We went to dinner and came back. I worked on getting the peg board hung up and the room tidied. Started looking at the next steps in the blog section I was on for the bench ( I have it printed out) and realized something. I had pieces that were glued and screwed on upside down.
On the long sides, the rabbets/holes should be facing upwards, and on the short ends the rabbets/holes should face downwards

Table Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor


obviously yours truly has it backwards. So I started by unscrewing everything and trying to carefully dismantle it. I will have to re-cut one long side, and redo the long dog hole pieces. I went to take it off and forgot it had a weak end so it shattered on me. :( practice makes perfect! and I can work from the piece
 

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#87 ·
one of those nights I'm somewhat glad I'm stubborn.

First - the good stuff.
TS Fence arrived
Plant Wood Hardwood Gas Wood stain


and I got some storage up near the bench
Brown Property Wood Purple Interior design


now for the stupid.
I was working on my bench this evening, excited because I was finally going to get to start getting it all together. Got the bottom glued to the legs and weighted down. We went to dinner and came back. I worked on getting the peg board hung up and the room tidied. Started looking at the next steps in the blog section I was on for the bench ( I have it printed out) and realized something. I had pieces that were glued and screwed on upside down.
On the long sides, the rabbets/holes should be facing upwards, and on the short ends the rabbets/holes should face downwards

Table Wood Rectangle Wood stain Floor


obviously yours truly has it backwards. So I started by unscrewing everything and trying to carefully dismantle it. I will have to re-cut one long side, and redo the long dog hole pieces. I went to take it off and forgot it had a weak end so it shattered on me. :( practice makes perfect! and I can work from the piece
What a BUMMER!!!
Glad you will be able to (relatively easily) recover from the opps'.
No biggy, just keep pushin' on….

Looking forward to the fence build!!!
 

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#92 ·
Back in the saddle... Again

Just a short one since I've only made slight progress. I'm happy with the re-cut of the long dog holes though - free handed those and they came out real nice. Probly due to all the practice! See the pics below in the comments. Shipwright had to fix them for me :)

Looks like I'll be cutting the dog holes once again so they match the bottom and top plywood. question is which to match them to if they are different??? ooooh boy!

Addenum So after my faux pas the other day I decided to start the put together again just to make sure I hadn't put something together backwards - and for sure I had. I had the frame on reverse - upside down AND backwards. So here's this mornings put together and attempts to square…not there quite yet! So far still able to use the J and M/N pieces I had to recut - the holes don't quite line up - more worried about the top than the bottom though.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain

Pneumatic tool Handheld power drill Wood Drill Saw

Wood Rectangle Drawer Table Flooring


Some of my hole alignments…

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


As for square….
from left to right its -
Tape measure Office ruler Rectangle Ruler Line


from right to left its -
Rectangle Tape measure Line Office ruler Font
 

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#93 ·
Back in the saddle... Again

Just a short one since I've only made slight progress. I'm happy with the re-cut of the long dog holes though - free handed those and they came out real nice. Probly due to all the practice! See the pics below in the comments. Shipwright had to fix them for me :)

Looks like I'll be cutting the dog holes once again so they match the bottom and top plywood. question is which to match them to if they are different??? ooooh boy!

Addenum So after my faux pas the other day I decided to start the put together again just to make sure I hadn't put something together backwards - and for sure I had. I had the frame on reverse - upside down AND backwards. So here's this mornings put together and attempts to square…not there quite yet! So far still able to use the J and M/N pieces I had to recut - the holes don't quite line up - more worried about the top than the bottom though.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Wood stain

Pneumatic tool Handheld power drill Wood Drill Saw

Wood Rectangle Drawer Table Flooring


Some of my hole alignments…

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood


As for square….
from left to right its -
Tape measure Office ruler Rectangle Ruler Line


from right to left its -
Rectangle Tape measure Line Office ruler Font
Will you be doing all of your woodworking….
ON the ceiling???
 

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#106 ·
Deviation

Soooo yeah… I ended up deviating from the plan. The plywood torsion pieces and I weren't getting along and I was quite frustrated and running into a brick wall. I remembered I had some 2×4 I could use for the frame to help square things up better, so I started there. Decided to see if I could work with the dog holes as well, and I ended up with this:
Wood Wood stain Floor Hardwood Plank


Nothing is glued down yet, just screwed. I laid the plywood top on to see what the dog hole alignment looked like. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think i was on crack or something when I had this secured down and drilled the first time. The long set of dog holes seem to be ok. The short set of dog holes have more that don't line up. Like:
Wood Ball Flooring Hardwood Wood stain


The wagon vise hole seems pretty ok for the moment.
Wood Flooring Building Hardwood Automotive tire
 

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#107 ·
Deviation

Soooo yeah… I ended up deviating from the plan. The plywood torsion pieces and I weren't getting along and I was quite frustrated and running into a brick wall. I remembered I had some 2×4 I could use for the frame to help square things up better, so I started there. Decided to see if I could work with the dog holes as well, and I ended up with this:
Wood Wood stain Floor Hardwood Plank


Nothing is glued down yet, just screwed. I laid the plywood top on to see what the dog hole alignment looked like. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think i was on crack or something when I had this secured down and drilled the first time. The long set of dog holes seem to be ok. The short set of dog holes have more that don't line up. Like:
Wood Ball Flooring Hardwood Wood stain


The wagon vise hole seems pretty ok for the moment.
Wood Flooring Building Hardwood Automotive tire
Adapt, Improvise & overcome!!!
You be doing all that.
Will you use the ply top or fabricate a new one???

Keep on keeping on…. You'll be there, sooner than you know….
 

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#117 ·
Legs! it's got Legs! well...kinda

I had some time to work on the leg vise last night. Very little progress but at least some :) I'd already rough cut the holes, and needed to cut the sides. Here's how I started

Wood Table Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


I've been scratching my head on the chamfer at the top since I've seen different variations of it and it seems to be taking me FOREVER to get it cut with my block plane. I'm thinking that's a user issue but I'm trying to get a feel for the plane and it is cross/end grain after all so what a better time to learn?
Brown Wood Rectangle Natural material Hardwood


Table Wood Cabinetry Desk Wood stain


So I put that down for a bit and did the easy part - rough cut the sides with a jig saw. I left enough of the top to do the curves still - wanted to make sure they matched and my hand sketch on the wood wasn't cutting it and my protractor had walked off! (found it later on the kitchen table). Here's how I ended:

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Plywood


Not sure if I want to cut them down to finished depth or sand/rasp them down. Guess I could plane them down with either the block or the smoothing plane? I think? I Have to do the same to the insides of the squares but I'm thinking they may just get a sharp chisel :) TBC

So I started working on the log centre piece. I cut it down to rough size using two 'new to me' hand saws. I'm left with the dilemma of how to get the board to finish size…. cut again with the handsaw (don't think I trust myself to cut true enough for that option), take it out to the table saw and cut it there (table saw is buried and it's getting quite nippy out again) or block/smoothing plane it down to final dimensions? I'm leaning towards the last since I started hitting it with a block plane but I'm getting a bit of chatter… may need to sharpen/hone the blade again.

Wood Tool Hardwood Table Wood stain


Wood Beam Building Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Office ruler Natural material Wood stain Tool
 

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#118 ·
Legs! it's got Legs! well...kinda

I had some time to work on the leg vise last night. Very little progress but at least some :) I'd already rough cut the holes, and needed to cut the sides. Here's how I started

Wood Table Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


I've been scratching my head on the chamfer at the top since I've seen different variations of it and it seems to be taking me FOREVER to get it cut with my block plane. I'm thinking that's a user issue but I'm trying to get a feel for the plane and it is cross/end grain after all so what a better time to learn?
Brown Wood Rectangle Natural material Hardwood


Table Wood Cabinetry Desk Wood stain


So I put that down for a bit and did the easy part - rough cut the sides with a jig saw. I left enough of the top to do the curves still - wanted to make sure they matched and my hand sketch on the wood wasn't cutting it and my protractor had walked off! (found it later on the kitchen table). Here's how I ended:

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Plywood


Not sure if I want to cut them down to finished depth or sand/rasp them down. Guess I could plane them down with either the block or the smoothing plane? I think? I Have to do the same to the insides of the squares but I'm thinking they may just get a sharp chisel :) TBC

So I started working on the log centre piece. I cut it down to rough size using two 'new to me' hand saws. I'm left with the dilemma of how to get the board to finish size…. cut again with the handsaw (don't think I trust myself to cut true enough for that option), take it out to the table saw and cut it there (table saw is buried and it's getting quite nippy out again) or block/smoothing plane it down to final dimensions? I'm leaning towards the last since I started hitting it with a block plane but I'm getting a bit of chatter… may need to sharpen/hone the blade again.

Wood Tool Hardwood Table Wood stain


Wood Beam Building Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Office ruler Natural material Wood stain Tool
You're getting awfully close to needing a V8degree logo.

:)
 

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#126 ·
Pig n Lipstick? Or something along those lines....

So it appears I'm in something of the home stretch.

Wood Floor Wood stain Plank Flooring


All of the leg vice log pieces are cut - just need a light sanding and staining before assembly. I believe the center needs some endgrain sanding/smoothing as well. I still need to cut the shims for that from 3/4 in ply

I cut the three shims for the wagon vice (there's an extra because it's a hair too short). Still working on cutting all of the other pieces.

I picked up some 1/2 rod at Lowes - they didn't have any 3/4 in though. wondering if I can fashion a handle of some kind for this?

Onwards! plodding a long, singing a song…. :D
 

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#127 ·
Pig n Lipstick? Or something along those lines....

So it appears I'm in something of the home stretch.

Wood Floor Wood stain Plank Flooring


All of the leg vice log pieces are cut - just need a light sanding and staining before assembly. I believe the center needs some endgrain sanding/smoothing as well. I still need to cut the shims for that from 3/4 in ply

I cut the three shims for the wagon vice (there's an extra because it's a hair too short). Still working on cutting all of the other pieces.

I picked up some 1/2 rod at Lowes - they didn't have any 3/4 in though. wondering if I can fashion a handle of some kind for this?

Onwards! plodding a long, singing a song…. :D
Progress! Keep working on it.
 

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#136 ·
vices...vises....etc

So I've finally gotten to the point of trying to get the vice pieces cut out. Here's the two pieces I'm working on;





I'm close on the first one - sorry - not many in process pics - basically I just measured the crud out of the SU piece and transferred that to the wood.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain

Table Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring

Wood Rectangle Packing materials Shipping box Hardwood

Brown Rectangle Wood Natural material Hardwood


The second is still in the transfer stage. not quite sure how to start cutting on this one.
 

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#137 ·
vices...vises....etc

So I've finally gotten to the point of trying to get the vice pieces cut out. Here's the two pieces I'm working on;

Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Diagram


Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Plan


I'm close on the first one - sorry - not many in process pics - basically I just measured the crud out of the SU piece and transferred that to the wood.
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Flooring Wood stain

Table Rectangle Wood Floor Flooring

Wood Rectangle Packing materials Shipping box Hardwood

Brown Rectangle Wood Natural material Hardwood


The second is still in the transfer stage. not quite sure how to start cutting on this one.
You can do this Becky.

:)
 

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#144 ·
What's left? Regroup

Just trying to gather up what I have left and get a game plan together. The bench has been in quasi use as I finish the vises up but the vises are going to be necessary for a few of the projects I have on board so the quicker I can finish these up and get them in use, the better! Something tells me they'll be the toughest parts though.

1. Lower Brace - needs cut and holes bored
2. Wagon pieces - are cut but not assembled /holes drilled.
3. base block /wedge 2 - cut and assembled but not fine tuned
4. angle fillers - cut but not planed to thickness
5. vice shims - not yet cut
6. wheel - not yet cut
7. Vice log center end wedge piece - cut but not installed

As much as I wanted to give a try to the facing pieces and their joinery, I think I'm scrapping that for now so I can get the rest of it completed. My other dilemma is the vice log cheek and centers are glued and finished, but I checked yesterday and they are just shy of being able to fit in the hole created for it in the leg… in this case I would've rather had them a bit too small than a bit too big. just have to decide if I want to plane the vice log cheeks or try to enlarge the hole on the leg. Leaning towards the former, but I have enough to work on before I get there I can stew on it a bit more. Pictures to follow!
 
#148 ·
More headway... in the wrong direction?

Long time getting back to this I know :) It's been a wild summer so far!

I got back to working on one of the wagon vise pieces and I'm hoping I'm doing this right. I worked on it mainly with a chisel and a dovetail saw, trying to get the material all cut away. it's not pretty but measurement wise I think it's close. here's the original SU item followed by my pics:

Rectangle Font Handwriting Parallel Wood


Wood Rectangle Art Tire Flooring


Wood Tints and shades Pattern Linens Hardwood


Ingredient Wood Cuisine Dish Cutting board


Wood Natural material Tints and shades Pattern Rectangle


Wood Rectangle Natural material Material property Wood stain


Wood Rectangle Material property Wood stain Hardwood
 

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#149 ·
More headway... in the wrong direction?

Long time getting back to this I know :) It's been a wild summer so far!

I got back to working on one of the wagon vise pieces and I'm hoping I'm doing this right. I worked on it mainly with a chisel and a dovetail saw, trying to get the material all cut away. it's not pretty but measurement wise I think it's close. here's the original SU item followed by my pics:

Rectangle Font Handwriting Parallel Wood


Wood Rectangle Art Tire Flooring


Wood Tints and shades Pattern Linens Hardwood


Ingredient Wood Cuisine Dish Cutting board


Wood Natural material Tints and shades Pattern Rectangle


Wood Rectangle Natural material Material property Wood stain


Wood Rectangle Material property Wood stain Hardwood
That's pretty coarse grain to be dealing with but it should work.
A band saw is a real asset for this piece. The good news is that it is a solo piece so if it doesn't work, you just have one piece to re-make. Let me know how it works out.

:)
 

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#152 ·
Lipstick...

Sorry all, pics will have to come later as I didn't have my phone in the shop with me last night and I wanted to get something posted. I've been plodding along and got a few more things done. I got the front face of oak on the vise leg stained/poly'd/nailed on. I also had a box of pre-finished oak flooring that was rescued from my aunts garage and going to the dumpster if I didn't take it, that I decided to use as edging around the top of the bench. It's just nailed on so it can be removed if necessary. Makes a great pencil ledge! Also attempted to work some more on the front of the leg vise. Pondering starting over since my top hole seems to be extremely wonky and already appears to be too big on the one side…

EDIT Including the pics :)
Wood Table Drill Desk Power tool


Table Wood Desk Office supplies Tool


Wood Rectangle Hardwood Fixture House


Table Wood Desk Workbench Tool
 

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#153 ·
Lipstick...

Sorry all, pics will have to come later as I didn't have my phone in the shop with me last night and I wanted to get something posted. I've been plodding along and got a few more things done. I got the front face of oak on the vise leg stained/poly'd/nailed on. I also had a box of pre-finished oak flooring that was rescued from my aunts garage and going to the dumpster if I didn't take it, that I decided to use as edging around the top of the bench. It's just nailed on so it can be removed if necessary. Makes a great pencil ledge! Also attempted to work some more on the front of the leg vise. Pondering starting over since my top hole seems to be extremely wonky and already appears to be too big on the one side…

EDIT Including the pics :)
Wood Table Drill Desk Power tool


Table Wood Desk Office supplies Tool


Wood Rectangle Hardwood Fixture House


Table Wood Desk Workbench Tool
Yup….
Sounds like progress was made, but….
No pictures…. it DIDN'T happen!!! ;^)
 

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#156 ·
Leg Vise - #2

I decided the other day to take another crack at the front leg vise. just too much gone wrong with it. So I went to Lowes and picked up another 2×8. I got the material on the main hole hogged out via drill press and have been working on the chiseling around the edges since then. I believe the main hole on the bench is skewed and not straight hence the rest of it is off as well…at least that's what I'm finding.

Wood Floor Wood stain Hardwood Door


Wood Rectangle Art Font Hardwood


I could really use some good progress. starting to get frustrated and I really need to get this leg vise going to get some work done on other projects!
 

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#157 ·
Leg Vise - #2

I decided the other day to take another crack at the front leg vise. just too much gone wrong with it. So I went to Lowes and picked up another 2×8. I got the material on the main hole hogged out via drill press and have been working on the chiseling around the edges since then. I believe the main hole on the bench is skewed and not straight hence the rest of it is off as well…at least that's what I'm finding.

Wood Floor Wood stain Hardwood Door


Wood Rectangle Art Font Hardwood


I could really use some good progress. starting to get frustrated and I really need to get this leg vise going to get some work done on other projects!
You certainly get an "A" for perseverance. I hope it works out for you this time.
Fingers crossed here ….
 

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#163 ·
Wagon Vise...maybe?

So I've got the big pieces of the wagon vise 'finished' and trying to see how they all go together before I make the hole in my bench any larger to compensate. I also realized I may be in need of making a second one as the hole I cut for my bench is not in line with the leg vise but along the other line of bench dogs. Whoops! Nothing huge though - at least I've had some practice :) Mine doesn't look a ton like Shipwrights though…hm…

Wood Gas Hardwood Grille Wood stain


VS

http://lumberjocks.com/shipwright/blog/31867

better get back to it!
 

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#164 ·
Wagon Vise...maybe?

So I've got the big pieces of the wagon vise 'finished' and trying to see how they all go together before I make the hole in my bench any larger to compensate. I also realized I may be in need of making a second one as the hole I cut for my bench is not in line with the leg vise but along the other line of bench dogs. Whoops! Nothing huge though - at least I've had some practice :) Mine doesn't look a ton like Shipwrights though…hm…

Wood Gas Hardwood Grille Wood stain


VS

http://lumberjocks.com/shipwright/blog/31867

better get back to it!
.... as long as it works Becky….....
:)
 

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#168 ·
Picking it back up...

I got frustrated with the vises and busy with life and other projects so I set this down. I've decided to pick the vices back up and get this done so I can have access to some vices! Oh! and I picked up some some Osage orange yesterday and thought about Shipwrights pins :) I already have the steel rod but the OO would be prettier. Hopefully I'll get to this at some point this weekend and pictures will follow!
 
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