Looking for thoughts / opinions of the Benchcrafted Shaker bench and Hardware

[wghatcher]

I bought the plans for the Benchcrafted Shaker Bench a while ago and it is time for me to get started on the actual bench. The shaker bench was discussed a bit in the post below, but I have not seen much discussion of it since.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/s...t=benchcrafted

When I bought the plans, they also sold a hardware kit at the time that included the shaker hardware (hinges, etc) and the vise hardware. I opted for the hardware kit without the tail vise - just the leg vise. But now I am thinking that I may want to add the tail vise. I am looking for feedback from those that use this type of vise especially the benchcrafted version. If anyone has built this bench, I woulb be especially interested in getting your feedback.

Thanks,

Greg

[eyekode]

Greg, I built a bench using their hardware a few years ago. I probably use the tail vise more than the leg vise.

They both are excellent! And if you use the tail vice hardware don't wimp out on making the first dog hole mortised into the leg. I use this one the most often!!

I haven't had any desire to change my bench since I made it. Use the search feature to see my build thread on this forum.

If you are in the Apex area you are welcome to drop by, just PM me.

Salem

[KenOfCary]

I also used the Benchcrafted tail vise hardware and found it to be excellent. I went another route for the leg vise (Eirie Wood Screw.)

I highly recommend the tail (wagon) vise as well as their Barrel Nuts and Bolts.

My bench was going together at almost the same time as Salem's. You can also find my WIP thread on the bench via search. The bench was also featured in the October 2012 NCWW Calendar.

And I'm not far from Salem, down NC-55 from Apex - if you head over to see his feel free to swing by here to see mine. Just PM me.

- Ken.

[Barron]

I used their hardware for my Roubo that I built following along with the Wood Whisperer. Both vises are great. I installed the tail vise with square dogs and they work great, but honestly, round dog holes would work about as well and collect less dust. If you are going to the trouble of building a bench like this, get the tail vise. It makes so many things easier.

[wghatcher]

Thanks guys, sounds like that is the way to go. I am near US 1 and Ten-Ten so probably pretty close to Salem and Ken.

[bluedawg76]

i made a similar diy design w/ a Lee Valley shoulder vise screw. The vise block rides in a wood slot rather than the metal glides on the Benchcraft. I can post a photo if you're interested.

Here's the screw I used:
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/pag...34&cat=1,41659

Sam

[aamak]

I built my bench using Benchcrafted's split top Roubo plans and used their hardware for both the tail and leg vises. Photos are in my gallery here: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showg...00&ppuser=3390. At the time, I had a traditional bench screw that I was going to use for the leg vise, but Jameel @ Benchcrafted and a friend of mine encouraged me to go ahead and spend the money for their hardware. I'm completely, 100% happy that I did, and I encourage you to go ahead and do the same so that your lifetime-quality bench has the very best hardware on it that you can have. You won't be sorry.

[bluedawg76]

Here are a couple of photos of my bench at a near completion stage. You can sort of see the tail vise block w/ the Lee Valley shoulder screw. I put 3/4" wide grooves (3/8" deep) into both sides of the vise block and similar grooves into the cutout sides of the bench w/ a router. I glued 3/4" x 3/4" strips into the slots (both sides) of the vise block to act as guides along the grooves cut into the bench. I lag screwed an end cap to attach the vise screw collar/guide. With a little bit of sanding and waxing, it will glide very smoothly and still has after ~3 years. FWIW, I used a tail vise screw also from Lee Valley to construct the leg vise and have been very pleased w/ it as well. I'm sure the BC design will be great, but for me, it was well out of my price range.

View image in gallery

View image in gallery

[wghatcher]

Lots of nice benches. I hope mine will be comparable. I am definitely leaning towards the benchcrafted.

Sam, is the "Dawg" part of bluedawg a Georgia Dawg?

[eyekode]

Just for fun:

[bluedawg76]

Lots of nice benches. I hope mine will be comparable. I am definitely leaning towards the benchcrafted.

Sam, is the "Dawg" part of bluedawg a Georgia Dawg?

yep. i'm both a ga graduate and a duke graduate hence the blue.

[wghatcher]

Salem, The bench looks great what type of wood? It appears you needed to stack the wood a bit to get to the top thickness - Is that correct? I may need to do that as well.

Sam, I am a two time UGA Grad - BBA and MBA. Go Dawgs!

[eyekode]

Salem, The bench looks great what type of wood? It appears you needed to stack the wood a bit to get to the top thickness - Is that correct? I may need to do that as well.

Sam, I am a two time UGA Grad - BBA and MBA. Go Dawgs!

Thanks! The top is very poor quality oak. Lots of character but hard to work and a real pain to flatten! The legs are laminated shorts from a stair tread company (read free ). The leg vice chop is an amazing piece if QSRO from Scott Smith.

Using SYP for the top would be much more practical!!
Salem

[KenOfCary]

OK, digging through the gallery for some shots to show off my Benchcrafted Tail Vise.

View image in gallery

View image in gallery

View image in gallery

View image in gallery

I used the Lake Erie Wooden Screw front vise which works great, but I think the Benchcrafted version would be just as satisfactory.

- Ken.

[wghatcher]

Ken, that looks great. What type of wood is your bench?