Well, I had the day off and spent the past hour reading Monty's workbench [strike]saga[/strike]post... http://ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1131&highlight=workbench
I also downloaded Monty's plans. If you haven't had a chance to look them over and have the time to spend on them, download and view the plans. They are very impressive. Detailed, plenty of views. I followed his post while he was building his bench but had no clue how much planning was involved in making his masterpiece until I began planning for my own bench.
So, overall I have spent quite a few hours each of the past 3 days looking at bench plans. I picked up vises from WC Saturday - thanks Tom, Steve, DaveO for the suggestions. I have a decent stash of very heavy oak that I bought about a year ago to use on the trestle base.
I am going to build a Monty style bench but will modify the plan dimensions to fit my needs. I'm not including a tool tray and will not use a twin screw vise (man, wish I could afford it). The base will be oak and the top will be 3 inch (finished) maple or whatever economical hard, closed grain wood I can find in 8/4 or larger KD stock.
I REALLY need to be able to move the bench in and out from the wall where it will sit in order to load or unload my lumber storage shelves. I would appreciate any ideas you may have for mobility. I have thought of using casters under the feet (maybe a Zambus style) but would prefer that the base sit flat with casters I could employ as needed with a locking foot pedal or something similar. One day I may expand the shop and have space to make the bench stationary.
Any thoughts or ideas are much appreciated.
Chuck
I also downloaded Monty's plans. If you haven't had a chance to look them over and have the time to spend on them, download and view the plans. They are very impressive. Detailed, plenty of views. I followed his post while he was building his bench but had no clue how much planning was involved in making his masterpiece until I began planning for my own bench.
So, overall I have spent quite a few hours each of the past 3 days looking at bench plans. I picked up vises from WC Saturday - thanks Tom, Steve, DaveO for the suggestions. I have a decent stash of very heavy oak that I bought about a year ago to use on the trestle base.
I am going to build a Monty style bench but will modify the plan dimensions to fit my needs. I'm not including a tool tray and will not use a twin screw vise (man, wish I could afford it). The base will be oak and the top will be 3 inch (finished) maple or whatever economical hard, closed grain wood I can find in 8/4 or larger KD stock.
I REALLY need to be able to move the bench in and out from the wall where it will sit in order to load or unload my lumber storage shelves. I would appreciate any ideas you may have for mobility. I have thought of using casters under the feet (maybe a Zambus style) but would prefer that the base sit flat with casters I could employ as needed with a locking foot pedal or something similar. One day I may expand the shop and have space to make the bench stationary.
Any thoughts or ideas are much appreciated.
Chuck