The Learning Bench (Pics)-(LONG)

[Jerry Olexa]

John, really OUTSTANDING work! Looks very solid,and functional. I have the same top and built my own underpinnings etc w 4X4 posts and 2" rails and many M/Ts but mine doesn't look even 1/2 as professional or solid as yours. I like the way you incorporated the dowels and the plane rack. Great job! You'll enjoy it on your next project!!

[Dean Baumgartner]

Very nice work John

[John Miliunas]

A great BIG thanks for all of your kind words! You are most generous. Like I said before, a learning process and I guess I'm kinda' proud of the fact that it went along with very few mistakes, and those were minor and/or easily corrected.

Roy, yes, the legs are attached to the top via two cross-braces on the bottom of the top. One was there, I added one on the other end, again out of Hard Maple.

Oh, and for those of you guys saying it will be years before you "can build one like it", I beg to differ with you. I've seen some of your work and I'm the one who feels like I'm playing "catch-up"! Heck, if All-Thumbs here can do it, ANYone of you can! Thanks again!

[Lou Morrissette]

Looks strong and purdy too. Good job, John.

Lou

[Karl Laustrup]

WOW! Don't really know what else to say, Spring. You have managed to create a wonderful work station. I hope you will allow me to borrow some of your ideas when I do my bench. I've already started to figure out if I want to make mine [I do have enough Maple I think] or buy the top and build a base.

Thanks for the inspiration and details on the build.

[Joe Mioux]

John: The bench looks great, your fit and finish is superb. I especially, like the way you set your planes. They are right where you need them.

Joe

[Kelly C. Hanna]

John....very nice work on your bench! I like the contrasting dowels a lot.

[Chris DeHut]

Hi John,

Just wanted to say "Great Bench". Many woodworkers choose to make their own tops and I see that you took the direction of purchasing your top.

Here at the magazine, we get many requests for a workbench project. Everytime I go over the economics of it, I come to the same conclusion, a purchased top is your best value. With the purchased top you get, good quality materials, a flat surface, and good vices, all around a good combination of value and quality.

You have done a great job of adding your personal touch to it with your base and your pane rack.

Enjoy it!

Chris DeHut

[John Weber]

John,

Great project and nice write up, now what we need is a full blown shop tour!

Yeah, I recall the day you pulled the W&H out of the forrest, let's see all the additions from last year...

John

[John Miliunas]

Many thanks again, for the additional comments! Man, you make a guy's head sweal! Fun project and lots learned!

Chris, that's pretty much the conclusion I came to, as well. That, plus the fact that, I'm a slo-o-o-o-o-ow woodworker, still learning as I go. Had it been necessary for me to make the top, as well as the base, it may have been next Summer before completion!

Karl, "steal" any ideas you like. I can send you detailed pics of things in particular, if that would help.

John, yeah I know....Shop tour. When I get the place tidied up a bit! (Ahhhhh, that means it may be a WHILE! ).

Now I just need to complete projects worthy of the bench!

[Alan Turner]

Nice work, John, You will use it with pleasure for many years to come.
Alan

[Byron Trantham]

So much for claiming you "don't know how!" Very nice execution.

[larry merlau]

well john you just gave me one more reason to come see ya!! the first was the mention of a barbucue with your D-C friend very nice and you do deserve all your credits. so dont know when but this yankee is comin yur way/ great job john.

[Christian Aufreiter]

Hi John,

great job and good-looking bench.
Although I'm not a big fan of storage under the workbench you concept inspires me to design me a useful storage under my workbench.
How do you like the Sjöbergs top? I have anolder Sjöbergs bench with square dog holes and like its versatility. But sometimes I wish the top would be heavier.
Do you always retract the blades of your planes before storing them? Just a thought, how about attaching some kind of blanket (this stuff which is often used for jewelry chest) to the plane shelf?
Did I see your Systainer collection in the background of the second pic?

Regards,

Christian

[Dennis Peacock]

John.......That looks so GREAT!!!!!!! Man.....I'm jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on a job well done my friend. I would LOVE to have a bench like that. One day soon....I hope!!!!