Workbench project completed!!

[kooshball]

A few weeks ago I convinced myself that in order to make the drawers required for my dresser project that I first need a proper bench; so the research began. I bought Schwarz' latest book, asked a few questions here and came up with the following bench:

-All SYP construction from the BORG (~$70 worth)
-6'5" X 27" 3" TOP
-33.5" height
-4" x 4" legs
-Jorgensen 10" quick release vise for the front and a Peachtree quick vise for the end (thanks Eyecode)
-Veritas brass bench dogs and a surface clamp round out the accessories
-finished with BLO

The short top and bottom stretchers are m&t with draw bore pegs and the long stretcher is secured using two bed-bolts in each end for a total of 8 bolts (this WILL NOT rack).

I made the front of the top flush with the front of the legs and keyed it into place with a 3/8" dowel going down into the leg. I then cut a slot in the back of the top stretchers to place a lag bolt that would keep the top flat but allow for seasonal movement (see photo).

Total weight of this is ~250 lbs and I believe it may be strong enough for an elephant to use as a park bench.

 

[Glennbear]

Nicely done, when you start whacking away with a chisel and mallet on a project you will be thankful for the mass of the bench. :wsmile:

 

[Canuck]

Very nice bench, David!:icon_thum:icon_thum

That will outlast most of us and provide plenty of optimal work surface and enjoyment.

(Hope you don't have to move it too often.:wsmile

Thanks for sharing the pics with us. You have inspired a bunch of us, I am sure.

Wayne

 

[Gotcha6]

A photo of that bench belongs in the dictionary under the phrase, 'heavy duty'. :icon_thum :icon_thum

 

[Bas]

Very nice David. Looks familiar, although yours is a lot heavier than mine 27" wide sounds just about perfect. Super jobs on the vises too.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Excellent bench, David! :eusa_danc Looks like it will serve you well for many, many years to come. Good choice on the vises.

Bill

 

[toolferone]

Very nice bench! And you knocked it out quick.

 

[eyekode]

Wow... that was fast! Can you point me to a link for the hardware you used on the long strechers?

Looks great by the way David.
Salem

 

[Charlie]

Very well done:icon_thum

 

[bassndboat]

Looks really nice !!! :icon_thum

 

[kave]

Nice work! The Cave is gonna get a nice work bench like that soon! Sure would like your input and advice!!

Kave

 

[toolferone]

Here is a link from Woodcraft for bed bolts.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001096/2982/Bolt-6.aspx

 

[toolferone]

What kind of finish did you use and did you flatten the top?

Once again, I really like it.

 

[kooshball]

Thanks for all the replies; let my try and address some of the questions:

Eyekode, I kind of cheated with the "bed bolts". I used these for the bed I built last year and loved them for that purpose but they are expensive and require more precision than I was willing to exercise for a bench:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=12
Lee Valley also has a version that will require the same amount of precision:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=31147&cat=1,41637

I ended up simply using 3/8" x 6" coarse threaded hex bolts for the "bed bolts" on my bench. They were very cheap and rather than having to precisely locate a hole (like with the Veritas option) or a mortise to hold the square nut (like with the Rockler option) I just cut a ~1.5" wide x .5" mortise on the hollow chisel mortise machine and was done in a matter of minutes. This allowed me to slip a wrench into the mortise to grab the nut while I use a ratchet on the bolt end to tighten things up. It was done in a fraction of the time that it took to do the true bed-bolts when I built my bed, so for "shop furniture" I recommend it (see photo). If you want to stop by for a closer look just let me know.

Toolferone, I used some leftover boiled linseed oil from last year's bed build for the finish and yes I did have to flatten the top but in stages. For the top I started with 2x8x14 SYP, cut them in half, then ripped them down the middle (using the HD Freud rip blade that you recommended; thanks!!). I face jointed (power jointer), then squared what would become the top, then ran the other "face" through the planer to get parallel sides for glue-up. I managed to glue 4 or 5 together at once (no biscuits, etc.) using the 4" x 4" legs as cauls. This yielded pieces that were ~5" - 6" wide and ~3.25" - 3.5" thick. These "new" pieces were then face jointed on what would become the top then squared up, then planned for parallel. I then glued two of these together to get a ~12"-13" wide piece (using biscuits this time to keep the tops dead flush), this went through the planer then the jointer (VERY HEAVY work at this point) to get square. I repeated this process to get another ~12"-13" chunk then
glued these two together (biscuits again). It was at this point that I changed by original plan to have a 24" wide top to a 27" top since I had a few ripped 2x8s left over and 24" just looked too narrow. So I glued these up, then glued this small extension to the 24" top (biscuits) and was left with a fairly flat top. The middle was slightly high (only 1/32 - 1/64 or so), so the hand plane work went very fast, but it was a great way to clean up the top.

If there are any other questions let me know.

 

[DougW]

Looks good David and if you need to store it I can help you out. :gar-La;

 

[eyekode]

I like your solution. I don't like the idea of spending 40 in bolts.
Thanks!
Salem

 

[bluedawg76]

Looks awesome! Seems like only yesterday when I was building mine, wait it was just a couple of months ago. ccasion1 I also went with the 27" b/c I thought 24" was a tad narrow and think this was a good choice. Enjoy!