Finally I go busy and finished my new work bench and took some pics. I know there are things that I learned and mistakes I made on this one that hopefully I can correct on the next one. The idea for the top came from Bas and I used 2x4's jointed and glued together. It probably wasn't necessary but I did use 4 biscuits on the middle pieces and 7 on the ends.
The main thing I learned was to glue up the top like it will lay on the bench. I had a bright idea and turned them upside down for the glue up in hopes that I would have a more even top and wouldn't have so much sanding to do to make it smooth. Well that didn't work so good! I think it might have worked OK had I had the right clamps like the big money Besseys but instead I used my half dozen $4 36" Harbor Freight specials and it allowed the top to cup and while the bottom lined up wonderfully with nice tight joints the top had a few problems with gaps.
The base was build using 3/4" plywood laminated together. The plan I would have to search for since I'm at home and they are booked marked at work but I'm too tired and lazy at the moment. Even with my limited woodworking knowledge I managed to make the base straight and level (until I clamped the top on and screwed it down...thank God for shims) and square.
All in all the base I am proud of the top not so much. I can always build a new top after I acquire a little more skill and the right clamps (oh, honey I need to buy a few more tools.....).
Thanks for playing along!!
The main thing I learned was to glue up the top like it will lay on the bench. I had a bright idea and turned them upside down for the glue up in hopes that I would have a more even top and wouldn't have so much sanding to do to make it smooth. Well that didn't work so good! I think it might have worked OK had I had the right clamps like the big money Besseys but instead I used my half dozen $4 36" Harbor Freight specials and it allowed the top to cup and while the bottom lined up wonderfully with nice tight joints the top had a few problems with gaps.
The base was build using 3/4" plywood laminated together. The plan I would have to search for since I'm at home and they are booked marked at work but I'm too tired and lazy at the moment. Even with my limited woodworking knowledge I managed to make the base straight and level (until I clamped the top on and screwed it down...thank God for shims) and square.
All in all the base I am proud of the top not so much. I can always build a new top after I acquire a little more skill and the right clamps (oh, honey I need to buy a few more tools.....).
Thanks for playing along!!