Alright, everyone. I've heard that when you make commitments to others, you tend to be more faithful in following through, so I'm starting my workbench build thread as incentive to get this done!
I just hauled 404.7lb of DSS SYP into the basement (*pant*pant*pant*) and stickered it to dry. In another thread I mentioned that I found an builder's supply place just 5 minutes up the road from me, so I called and convinced them to sell me some select SYP. The pricing worked out to less than BORG prices for #2! Given that we just had a lot of snow and these were stored outside, it'll likely take a couple of weeks for everything to dry, but in the meantime I'm going to start planning out the cuts/etc.
My plan is to build two benches: a Nicholson for me and a mini-Nicholson for my kids. I'm going to follow the design/plan from Mike Siemsen's Naked Woodworker DVD with a couple of minor modifications that I will document as I get to them. I'm thinking to make mine 7' long and the kids' one 3' - 4' long...that depends on where I decide it will stay.
I thought about things a lot and have been planning a Roubo build for a couple of years, but for three reasons decided on this:
- First - it's far more budget friendly. I bought the SYP for ~$120 and need to pick up some 1-by lumber for ledgers/etc., so I figure ~$150 for lumber for BOTH benches.
- Second -I have a Moxon vise I built ~4 years ago, so my work holding requirements are less than the Roubo provides. I mean, yes, a leg vice would be nice, but for now, I can use a crochet because any work on vertical boards can be done with the Moxon vise.
- Third - this is really my first "real" workbench. I've had flat surfaces to work on for years, but this is the first woodworking workbench I'll be building. I'd like to get to know how my methods evolve before building the bench to end all benches.
- Fourth - I'm a lefty, but have been working at the right side of my bench (facing the wrong way) for a few years because of space limitations/etc. I want to figure out how I work with a real workbench before deciding where to place a leg vice.
I'm going to try to be brutally honest during the build, noting where I make mistakes, because I want to learn from you guys and from my experience. I've been a hybrid woodworker for the last several years, but this build will be as much neander as I can.
Anyway, that's my public commitment. Gonna build a workbench, stay tuned for updates and pictures!
daniel