Jay,
As most every one has said the same things I would have about how pretty and functional the bench is I'm going to skip that part and ask some questions.
1: Is the top covered with something or just MDF. What about damage to the top most piece of MDF if not covered.
Top is just MDF, if it gets chewed up, so be it. If it gets REAL bad, I guess I'll take the router to it, chew it out and inset another top -- or buy a wood top, remount the vices and go from there. That concern is a LONG way down the road.
It is also going to encourage me to "work neat" and to protect the top with wax paper when I'm doing glueups. I'm also keeping the old bench that you see on the back wall -- solid core door nailed to cleats on the walls -- for the "dirty stuff" that goes on in any shop.
I thought about doing a solid wood top, but liked the simplicity and relative cheapness of the MDF apprach as presented in ShopNotes. Furthremore, the commercial version I was considering was the LV version which has an MDF top as well.
2: Is there some type of framing under the top to support the vice's?
The side vise is set into a pocket routed out of the back of the apron and is bolted to the botton of the top, the screw/guide rails run through holes in the apron. This makes the inside face of the vise flush with the apron, so I can put a long piece of wood in the vise and use a clamp on rail to stablize the end away from the vise,
The twin screw end vice has fittings that screw into the back of the apron on the end. If you want details on the vise you can download instructions from LV's site.
3: Did you consider putting it on casters so as to move it about the shop?
Thought about it, didn't want to move it around, (even though I have one side of the garage for my stuff) was more interested in stability when working with hand tools. I can "nudge" it around by myself, but if I had to move it far I'd call a buddy and save my back.
4: Did you consider making the drawers accessable from both sides?
They are on full extension slides so that wouldn't work. I primarilay work on one side, I set the bench away from the wall so I could use both sides for glue ups
I can assure you I'm just looking for answers rather than being critical. Just trying to avoid any mental anguish when I mull over the design of a bench of my own.
I will mention something that everyone missed. I like the red top
Thanks!
Jim
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Originally Posted by Jay Knoll
some of you guys make my desk top slab mounted on an old Singer sewing machine treddle frame look so sad... Wait a minute, it's sad no matter what! Beautiful job!
