Workbench base WIP - COMPLETED! - Page 3

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 · 07-12-2007, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by jeff...

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

I'll see if I can find a similar one and post the link.

Gofor · 07-13-2007, 10:30 PM

Last issue of American Woodworker has plans for a pretty nice bench with tail vise in it. Even has an adjustable feature for the top to let you raise or lower it to what height you want (for $480 hardware

). Good idea tho, that I think would be adaptable to home mnfgr for the mechanically inclined.
I might modify mine (after the garage er shop cabinets, end tables, coffee table, kitchen table, built-in bookcase, nieces deck, kitchen floor tile job for another niece, puttin in garage door openers for BIL, and cutting the grass.)

Go

nelsone · 07-13-2007, 11:21 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.

Make sure to think through how you are going to use the bench before you add drawers! If you want to use a holdfast or dogs you will need clearance below the benchtop.

nelsone · 07-13-2007, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by jeff...

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

Jeff, here's the vise hardware I used (items C & D). The tail vise is somewhat of a pita. You can also make your own dogs, especially if you go with the square dog holes. I should have some pics of my bench in my gallery if you are interested.

MikeH · 07-14-2007, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by nelsone

Make sure to think through how you are going to use the bench before you add drawers! If you want to use a holdfast or dogs you will need clearance below the benchtop.

Good thought Ed. Thanks.

Jeff - This is about as close as I can find to the vise I was given. Thanks again Jeremy!!!

Gofor · 07-14-2007, 10:32 PM

Jeff. For mine I used this http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...64&cat=1,41659

To see how I designed the vise, please see my gallery (wood bench album). Works good and doesn't rack. However, if you are just wanting the tail vise to push the bench dogs, you can get away with a simple sliding mechanism. I use mine for a lot of hand work (resawing, tenons, dovetails, etc) as well as providing dog pressure to clamp for planing so I needed the vise jaw to really work on all sizes of material.
One thing I did learn was buy the vise hardware first, as it will definitely affect the measurements/clearances needed on the bench.

Go

MikeH · 07-18-2007, 05:32 PM

Well I finally got back out in the ~~gara~~..er..shop last night and made a little progress on the feet. Here is what I got done.

I drilled out both mortises with a 1" forstner bit and will chisel out the rest. I planed the tenons on the legs just proud of 1" so the mortises will be nice and tight.

MikeH · 07-23-2007, 11:38 AM

Last night was fairly productive.

I decided to try a little different approach in drilling out the second foot. Instead of using the 1" forstner exclusively I used a 1/4" regular bit to drill out the corners and then a 3/4" forstner to remove excess material. The regular bit went all the way through, but the forstner went in about 2 1/2". I could have adjusted the forstner in the chuck and drilled all the way through but I chose to chisel out the remaining material on the underside of the foot. I think it worked pretty well.

ptt49er · 07-23-2007, 03:50 PM

Looking good, looks like you'll be a mortise master here shortly

MikeH · 07-23-2007, 11:26 PM

I've made a little more progress tonight although I need some advice. I've got 2 mortises finished but one is not square to the foot. I have a couple ideas on squaring it up, but would like to hear what others would or have done. Here is a picture of what I've got.

07-24-2007, 02:07 AM

Dude I'm like way behind you - I have not even started yet

MikeH · 07-24-2007, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by jeff...

Dude I'm like way behind you - I have not even started yet

Well come on!!! I'm working at a snails pace. You still have time.

PeteM · 07-24-2007, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mike Davis

Has anybody tried one of those handheld electric planers and a set of rails to level a bench top? Might take a bit of engineering to make the guide but it should work.

I haven't used a planer but here's the router sled I used to flatten my headboard. Worked great with a 1.5" bottom cleaning bit from MLCS.

pete

nelsone · 07-24-2007, 08:31 AM

Looks like you have 2 choices. The first is to trim the cheeks. You should be able to set up your tablesaw for the cuts. This will be the better looking option. The other option is to cut a shim to fit in the gap. This will also work fine, but will always show the shim.

Oops, I thought you were talking about the tenons, then I saw the other thread. I think you could shim the mortises pretty easily!

MikeH · 07-24-2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by nelsone

Looks like you have 2 choices. The first is to trim the cheeks. You should be able to set up your tablesaw for the cuts. This will be the better looking option. The other option is to cut a shim to fit in the gap. This will also work fine, but will always show the shim.

Oops, I thought you were talking about the tenons, then I saw the other thread. I think you could shim the mortises pretty easily!

Thanks Ed. I still need to cut the shoulders on the tenons. When I glued it up they moved a little. You can see that in the pic. I think since the moritse and tenon are hidden I chisel out the mortise and shim it.