Workbench #1: My Bench is Started... My first BIG project in a long time...

It seemed like never ending planning. A few books, a few magazine articles, some time in Solidworks playing with designs until I found a design I liked. It is closely based on the LVL workbench from Popular wood working. http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/video_tour_LVL_workbench A friend of mine had some scrap LVL from a construction project he was doing at his home so that was another deciding factor. Unfortunately when I went to get that scrap LVL it was all cut into short 36 inch pieces. He did however have some 6’ long pieces of PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber) enough to make the legs and long stretchers. I did not have enough LVL to make any sort of top, and PSL had too many voids in it. Somewhat bummed my friend said “Hey lets go to the barn I have some wood in there you can have.” So to my total delight I was given at least 150 board ft of 7ft long 6/4 oak boards. I should have enough to glue up a nice solid wood top. I won’t have the 8ft long bench I was planning but I can live with and enjoy a 6’8”ish top. Tonight I sent the PSL through the jointer and planer and glued up the legs. Tomorrow I will start the stretchers and rails. I will try and include some photos this weekend. This is my first BIG since my table saw accident of a few years ago so keep me in your thoughts!

Take care all Dave M

-- I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way!