My bench is done (for now) - Woodworking Talk

**Daren** · 04-30-2008, 05:28 PM

I showed some pictures of a bench I was working on in this thread ok... i want to make a work bench. I Had some ideas for things that would help me. I like the idea of a bench hook...but it seemed like I would always be bumping into it. So I made one that was movable/removable. 2 actually, one goes in the dog holes on the vice. I made a little adjustable board jack to hold up the middle, seems to work pretty good. (and I can store my extra dogs someplace handy) I have lighting problems in my shop, I know the simple solution would just be buy more light and flood the place. But my little workshop is in the garage and the bench is under the door when it is open so the door blocks artificial light. Sunny day no problem, on a nice night when I want to work with the door up problem. I took a 1X" piece of ash and just turned the end to fit in any dog hole, I can move it anywhere I need it and clip a light (or 2) on it for task lighting.

**Daren** · 04-30-2008, 05:33 PM

A closer look at the adjustable/removable hooks. With one cheap little vice I can pretty much do it all. Holding boards stood on edge longer than the bench is the next thing I am stewing on.

bigredc · 04-30-2008, 06:14 PM

Very, very, very nice. as usual. Your going to really like having a place to lock a board down like you are doing there. For hand planing you can't beat it. Maybe you already had something. I know I hemmed and hawed over drilling holes in my plywood bench. Once I did it, it was so nice. I like the way you set the vice into the bench. But you only have wood on one side. What's your thought on that. I'm sure you have a reason. PS I'm back to regular work. Once I get some checks coming in regular, I have some sharpening I need done.
Chris

leejb · 04-30-2008, 06:15 PM

Nice work bench Daren. You can make me one.

smitty1967 · 04-30-2008, 06:16 PM

Daren, that looks awesome, dude! What material are you using for the bench top? Could we see a few better pictures of the 'superstructure?' So's we ( me) can get a good idea what it takes to build up a sturdy work bench....

great job, thanks for the pics

smitty

**Daren** · 04-30-2008, 06:40 PM

Chris, the reason I set the fixed jaw into the bench was so I would not lose any more travel. I put such a thick piece on the moving jaw so that I could drill dog holes in it I did not want wood on both sides. The bare metal jaw is smooth and anything that gets clamped is really clamped as much to the side of the bench as the vice anyway.

Smitty, there are pictures of about every step in the thread I linked in the first post.

smitty1967 · 04-30-2008, 08:22 PM

Daren: man, how in the he!! did I miss that original post about your workbench? I remember reading the "OK...I wanna make a workbench..." but I distinctly don't recall seeing your threads.

My mistake. I'm sorry I overlooked it for it being such a quality post. Good info all throughout.

On the topic of Hackberry, I have to say I like it....do you have more for sale? I think maybe I could build me a bench top out of it, too...let me know here or PM me.

regards,
smitty

Aaronmcc · 04-30-2008, 08:46 PM

Very very nice.

daryl in nanoose · 05-01-2008, 12:14 AM

Assume Daren

woodman42 · 05-01-2008, 09:49 AM

Great looking bench Daren! Looks very well thought out.

knotscott · 05-01-2008, 02:24 PM

Great looking bench Daren! What's the primary wood?

Love those handplanes underneath too!

bigredc · 05-01-2008, 05:42 PM

Daren
I knew there was a good reason. I just didn't think of it. That makes sense, your spanning a much larger area that way. I like it.
Chris

crapenterallday · 05-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Beautiful bench! how did you attach the apron to the top and the top to the legs? I've heard it has to be done a certain way otherwise it will crack and pull itself apart.

**Daren** · 05-02-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crapenterallday

how did you attach the apron to the top and the top to the legs? I've heard it has to be done a certain way otherwise it will crack and pull itself apart.

I don't see much movement. The wood has been in my shop for 3 years, I did not just drag it home from the store and throw this together

, it has to be acclimated by now ? In the picture you can kinda see the 2"x3"'s that are glued/screwed to the bottom of all the top boards. The top boards are of course glued to each other and the skirt glued and screwed all the way around. The outer 2x3's underneath are glued/bolted to the leg assembly. In the winter when I have the shop woodstove going I would not be totally surprised by maybe some small gaps in the top boards at the very worst. The top was all 1/4 sawn which will help some too.

**Daren** · 05-02-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knotscott

Great looking bench Daren! What's the primary wood?

White oak legs/shelves, hackberry top, ash skirt, bits and pieces of turned osage for dowels and dogs.

mr_build · 05-02-2008, 07:15 PM

Nice bench! Solid woodworking. Now you just need some decking materials to build a deck in the backyard.

**TexasTimbers** · 05-02-2008, 07:55 PM

Daren I can't think of anything to insult you about on this crappy-looking, shoddily-built, excersize in vanity so I will just say hey, nice looking POC bro.

Honestly it is a freaking jewel of a bench. Very nicely done. I like all the features you incorporated they are very Daren; innovative, functional, and looks great.