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Thread: New Workbench

  1. 02-01-2012, 9:57 AM #1
    Michael Koons
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    New Workbench

    P1050127.jpg
    I'm posting this picture mostly as a "Thank You" to this group for all your help and advice as I embarked on building a nice workbench for the shop. I borrowed the design from several workbenches and made some adaptations on the fly, but it's mostly based on FWW's "Essential Workbench." I did not put in the Lee Valley end vice, mostly due to cost but I'm very happy with the shoulder vice the way it is.

    I still need to hand plane it to "dead flat." Right now, it's flat to 1/64" across the width, but I'd like to get it flatter. I'll work it with my #7 plane over time to flatten it out. I also will build the drawer unit that FWW published for the workbench, but I have to build some stuff for the family first.

    If anyone wants to know about the process for the 2 1/2 thick maple top or anything else that went into building this, let me know. Thanks to everyone for tips on techniques and processes. This is a great group of experts and your advice is greatly appreciated.

    Mike
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  3. 02-01-2012, 10:05 AM #2
    Stephen Cherry
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    Thumbs up

    Looks great!
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  4. 02-01-2012, 10:15 AM #3
    Jerome Hanby
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    Those wagon style tail vices have such clean lines it sure makes it tempting to go with that style. Very nice bench!
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  5. 02-01-2012, 10:26 AM #4
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    Dick Mahany
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    Nice work and looks great. Now enjoy it !
    Dick Mahany.
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  6. 02-01-2012, 10:28 AM #5
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    Sam Layton
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    Hi Michael,

    That is a great looking work bench. I like the shoulder vice as well. You will get excellent service from your new bench.

    Sam
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  7. 02-01-2012, 4:19 PM #6
    Dave Mura
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    Nice job! Looking good!
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  8. 02-01-2012, 5:48 PM #7
    ian maybury
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    Good going Michael. Encouragement for those of us just about to head down that road....

    ian
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  9. 02-01-2012, 7:07 PM #8
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    Terry Hatfield
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    Very nice!!!! There is something very special about building your own bench. Congrats!!!
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  10. 02-01-2012, 7:40 PM #9
    Neil Brooks
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    Very nice job !

    I agree: working on my bench is a real pleasure, every time.
    He's no fun. He fell right over !
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  11. 02-01-2012, 9:58 PM #10
    Bobby O'Neal's Avatar
    Bobby O'Neal
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    Very nice work.
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  12. 02-01-2012, 10:10 PM #11
    Gary Pennington
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    Mike,
    Your bench looks super! Congrats on a job well done.

    I'm building a similar bench--the FWW Essential with some mods using 4/4 red oak throughout. The base assembly is complete ready for sanding and finish. What front vise did you use? Is it a quick release? I'm going to forego an end vise for the time being, thought I'd start with a couple of the Veritas Wonder Dogs and see how things progress. I'm a limited neander, time will tell if I need a real end vise.

    Gary
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  13. 02-01-2012, 11:38 PM #12
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    Bruce Page
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    Mike, nice bench. I love the shoulder vise. I wish I had gone that route when I built mine.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney
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  14. 02-02-2012, 12:40 AM #13
    Dennis Puskar
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    How are you going to check it for flatness ?
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  15. 02-02-2012, 8:13 AM #14
    Jerome Hanby
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    Quote Originally Posted by Terry Hatfield View Post
    Very nice!!!! There is something very special about building your own bench. Congrats!!!
    Sometime it even defies common sense. I recently cut down my Ikea beech counter top and stacked it in the configuration it will have when I glue up the stack to make the workbench top. I j ust have it sitting on a pair of saw horses and I already love working on it <g>
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  16. 02-02-2012, 8:47 AM #15
    Brian Kincaid
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    Great design! I built mine in exactly the same configuration (except lefty). Yours is much nicer though! I used construction lumber and an oak top. I don't cry when I hit it with a chisel, gouge, or other cutter, but there are times when I wish the top was in a little better shape
    -Brian
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