Workbench base WIP - COMPLETED! - Page 2

Workbench base WIP - COMPLETED! · 07-11-2007, 11:29 AM

As some of you may remember I bought a Maple pattern makers bench top from Tarhead a while back. I am now in the process of making a base for the top. I have most of the wood cut and it's time to start gluing. I am using the Black Walnut and Maple that I got from Jeff. Everything will be mortise and tenon. I am using the Maple for the legs and Black Walnut for the feet and rails. I'll post more pics as the gluing continues.

Here are the legs glues up.

MikeH · 07-11-2007, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Cool - that maple top will clean up nice with a few passes in the planner.

I'll need a very big planer. It's 36" wide and I'm a little hesitant to take it apart. Tarhead why don't you try it on yours and let me know how it works out.

Tarhead · 07-11-2007, 09:42 PM

That's my plan. But I'll just use the jointer to clean up the top side of each piece (after checking for metal and scrubbing it real well with a wire brush...remember that chunk of brass in yours? I've found 2 drywall screws and a couple of nails and staples in mine!!!). There is enough slop in the bolt holes to allow for some variability in thickness if you reassemble it top side down on a flat surface. Plan to use some 2X4 cauls clamped on edge to keep it flat against my assembly table and tighten the bolts. This is the only way they could have assembled it in the beginning as the bottom of each piece is rough and puting it through a planer would telegraph through to the top.

LeftyTom · 07-12-2007, 10:06 AM

Snappy-looking work. It will be heavy-duty, and up to the task.

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 10:42 AM

Does anyone know of a cabinet shop in Charlotte that might have a 36"+ drum sander?

07-12-2007, 02:49 PM

Mike - mind if I do this project with you? I got a bunch of wormy RO over here I need to do something with, so I figured it would make it into a fancy bench. So far I need 4 3"sq legs - what will be the final length of the legs?

I figured I would make the top out of face joined RO (like a big butcher block), that way the edge grain will be showing and a bit stronger than if it were edge joined, what is the dimention of your top (L/W/T)?

I should be able to start on it after next weekend - I got a bunch of lumber in the shop waiting for Scott's kiln to open up.

Thanks

nelsone · 07-12-2007, 02:52 PM

Come on Mike! Go pick up a #7 Stanley and get to work!

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Mike - mind if I do this project with you? I got a bunch of wormy RO over here I need to do something with, so I figured it would make it into a fancy bench. So far I need 4 3"sq legs - what will be the final length of the legs?

I figured I would make the top out of face joined RO (like a big butcher block), that way the edge grain will be showing and a bit stronger than if it were edge joined, what is the dimention of your top (L/W/T)?

I should be able to start on it after next weekend - I got a bunch of lumber in the shop waiting for Scott's kiln to open up.

Thanks

Jeff that would be fun to do. I've just emailed you the drawings I did in Sketchup. The top is 69" x 36" x 2 7/8". I think face joined would be the way to go and this top is done the same way.

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by nelsone

Come on Mike! Go pick up a #7 Stanley and get to work!

That would take more skill than I have at the moment. I might give it a try on a slightly smaller scale first.

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 03:11 PM

Made a little more progress on the base last night. I cleaned the majority of the glue on the legs and will run them through the planer tonight to bring them to final dimensions.

Then cut the feet pieces to length and glued them up. The picture below is both feet glued and clamped together. Each foot is 3 pieces of 1"x3"X36" Black Walnut.

ptt49er · 07-12-2007, 03:40 PM

Looking good Mike! Guess my back going out has given you a few more days with my planer, best make good use of it

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by ptt49er

Looking good Mike! Guess my back going out has given you a few more days with my planer, best make good use of it

Thanks Phillip and THANK YOU for sharing the planer. I REALLY need one of these. Take care of that back!

ptt49er · 07-12-2007, 03:45 PM

Atleast one of us is making sawdust!! I'm happier with it being used, making saw dust than collecting dust in my shop/basement

07-12-2007, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by hpm67

Jeff that would be fun to do. I've just emailed you the drawings I did in Sketchup. The top is 69" x 36" x 2 7/8". I think face joined would be the way to go and this top is done the same way.

Just got your drawings - looks pretty cool pinned tendon construction. you gonna to do drawers or a vise(s)?

Thanks

MikeH · 07-12-2007, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Just got your drawings - looks pretty cool pinned tendon construction. you gonna to do drawers or a vise(s)?

Thanks

I will probably do some drawers, but I want to see how everything comes together first. I also have a vise the Gotojeremy gave me that will work perfectly.

07-12-2007, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by hpm67

I will probably do some drawers, but I want to see how everything comes together first. I also have a vise the Gotojeremy gave me that will work perfectly.

Could you point me to the vise you got and are there any plans for dogs? - just trying to figure what I need to round up.

I think I need to rip a bunch of 3" boards

Always wanted to build a cool WW'ing bench looks like nows the time...

Thanks