Woodworking

Will start on a new workbench soon

This one




https://australianwoodsmith.com.au/collections/back-issues/products/issue-89

There are American magazines too.
Obviously Australian suits me more

Looks good Sprint . I built my shed with the anticipation of building a bigger work shop in it but things happen along the way and it didn't own out . I always wanted a work area to fully get the use out of my router and that bench looks like it does just that . Nice

That looks nice. I'd add lockable casters to make it portable.

I'd add a slot along the back of it so a shop vac hose could be attached too .

Daily Bread wrote:Looks good Sprint . I built my shed with the anticipation of building a bigger work shop in it but things happen along the way and it didn't own out . I always wanted a work area to fully get the use out of my router and that bench looks like it does just that . Nice

Yes, 'stuff happens.'
It's gorgeous looking bench. Mine won't be that quality, but I'll make a MUCH better workbench using those plans, directions AND shopping list .

Did an isometric graph today of what I have currently have and how the new one will fit there.
That was important for me. If I can 'see it' and draw it, I can make it.

Right, so here is where theory meets reality.
I love this phrase 'In theory, Theory and reality are the same.
In reality, they aren't ....'


So, googled the available current timber. What is available is not what is in the plans.
It is an old magazine and industry standards have changed.
That's ok, I can make minor changes to suit what is available.

Went to the local timber shop to see what they have in stock.
The size plywood for the top will not fit in the stationwagon.
I can use a free trailer.
The size plywood for the top is not available anyway.
There is not practicable alternative.
There IS a Clear Pine 'glulam' Laminated Panel. New technology.


OK, in time, will get a free trailer, buy a glulam panel, the long bits of wood to make the legs, braces, upper and lower rails.

Sprintcyclist wrote:

Daily Bread wrote:Looks good Sprint . I built my shed with the anticipation of building a bigger work shop in it but things happen along the way and it didn't own out . I always wanted a work area to fully get the use out of my router and that bench looks like it does just that . Nice

Did an isometric graph today of what I have currently have and how the new one will fit there.
That was important for me. If I can 'see it' and draw it, I can make it.

Good for you. As for me, I'm more like Bill Cosby in his recording "Why is there Air?" He tells about shop class where most everything he turns out, he adds two grooves turning it into an ashtray. Shoe shine box etc. But I have yet to attain that awesome level of competence... I'm still at the stage of creating "decorative fire wood".

The pine panels expand and contract with the climate changes. A LOT.
Across the width, not along the length so much
Point is, you cannot glue or screw the table top to the base!
Have to allow the top to 'breathe' else it will warp or distort the base.

I never knew that.
Use table top Z clips or the like

https://youtu.be/lPm9RZ2DrpY

Got the benchtop delivered, arrissed it, did 3 coats of linseed oil on it. Looks lovely, very warm coloured
Working out the wood required for the frame is hard for me.
I'm not used to working in 3D, had to do my own drawings to scale. Take measurements off that.
Weird little things have cropped up, the floor is not level. Some legs have to be longer than others to make the table level.
Made sure I can mount the vice.
Will put extra legs on it for more strength.



oohh, look at these.

Hanger bolts, for mounting my vice under the bench

This is SO good to obsess over. What a bargain.

So I decided to put 2 extra legs in the middle of the table to give extra support. We do this sort of thing at work, it makes a huge difference. The top won't bow.
Levelled up the new top while it was resting on the old warped kitchen table/workbench.
Measured down from the top to the ground in all 6 places as the concrete floor has a step in it and may not be perfectly level.
In theory, could expect 2 legs at one height, 4 at another.
In practice, got 2 legs at one height, 2 at another height, 1 at a 3rd height and 1 at a 4th height !!!!
Enough of a difference that I would have been putting bits of ply under a few legs to stabilise it.

Phew, that would have been disappointing