Hello Everyone,
This is my first post but I've been reading for several weeks. Years ago, I built a Tage Frid workbench from plans published in FWW. (I reversed the plans and built it left handed.) After over 20 years, I've decided to build another bench with changes that I have identified as necessary for me. I want the top wider and without the tool tray. I'm going to use the Lee Valley twin screw system for the tail vise. I will use round dogs for both the tail vise and for the face vise and a large Record vise (yes, I bought one from Lee Valley before they disappeared) for the face vise.
I'm thinking about the Lee Valley "X" cast iron legs but I'm not sure. The positives as I see them are that they are simple to set up, very heavy and probably very stable. What I'm not sure about is accounting for wood movement (the connection holes in the legs are not elongated) and a lack of flexibility in height. I want the finished bench to be 35 or 35 1/2 inches high. The legs are 33" by themselves.
Does anyone have any experience with these? Are there any hidden problems with them? Why would you prefer these or solid wood legs? Thanks for your opinions.
Mark Blumer (East Lansing, MI)