Workbench almost done

[Matt Meiser]

I've been working on building Popular Woodworking's "24 Hour" workbench this week. The premise is that you can build the bench in a total of 24 hours of work. I've been trying to figure out for a year now what I wanted to build for a workbench. I've been afraid to spend the money a "real" bench would cost in case I didn't get it right. Finally, I decided this would be the way to go.

I started last Saturday picking up the lumber. Sunday I glued up the top. A few nights this week I spent a couple hours each machining parts and building the base. Yesterday I glued the banding on the top, and finished everything else today. All that's left is to apply finish. I figure I'll be right about at 24 hours when I'm done, not including cleaning up the mess. I'm also adding a couple of enhancements that I've seen in my other readings on the subject.

The top is 4 layers of 3/4" baltic birch banded with 2x SYP. The base is all SYP. The vises are Record's which I picked up at two different liquidation places over the past 2 years. It is very solid, but possibly a little light. I plan to build tool storage for underneath which should solve the weight issue. In all, I'll probably have about $200 in the bench.

[Jim Becker]

Matt, that's really looking great! Sturdy comes to mind when I look at the picture, too. You are right on about adding weight, however, especially if you plan on working in the Neander way a bit. That's the major downfall of my current bench. It's nice and good quality, but way too light...something I'm going to have to rectify one of these days!

[Jerry Olexa]

Good looking bench...solid and sturdy.. You'll enjoy having it when you start your next project...

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Great looking bench, Matt!

[Roger Barga]

nice bench. inspires me to build one of my own. keep us posted on your progress. roger

[Frank Pellow]

Well done, Matt! And, congratulations on the fact that you will complete the bench in the estimated time. I have undertaken a few magazine "complete in x hours" projects over the years and it usually takes me about 25% more time than x.

[Jack Hogoboom]

Matt,

Really nice bench. Can you talk a little more about construction and the modifications you made? I'm looking to build a bench too and would like to hear more about your experiences.

Thanks for sharing.

Jack

[Tyler Howell]

Nice Matt,

Looking at some designs now for my own creation.

[Louis Bois]

Nicely done Matt...very impressive considering the timeframe!

[David Tang]

I built a similar bench, not as nice looking as yours, but I did install a 3/4" plywood shelf down below and put my power tools down there. It's pretty heavy.

[Marshall Harrison]

Nice looking bench Matt.

Question for everyone - what is the best way to add weight to a bench? Like several people here my bench is too light. Great work area and the vises are ok but it needs more weight.

[Chris Padilla]

Marshall,

Cinder blocks and sandbags come to mind as fairly cheap and heavy.

[Louis Bois]

...or some old steel weights that can be had really cheaply at most garage sales...

[Russell Svenningsen]

I built the same bench and love it. I too added a plywood shelf. It holds my Delta 22-580 planer, Delta mortiser, Dewalt belt sander, biscuit jointer, and a 1967 Chevy Nova. Sits still most of the time. Okay, I made up that one part.

I don't own a mortiser!

[Chris Padilla]

I *knew* the mortiser was the fake part on your bench....