| Blog series by Vance100 | updated 08-08-2013 02:09 AM | 4 parts | 8537 reads | 22 comments total |
Part 1: Real Woodworking
I’m building the workbench from Paul Sellers’ book. I’m using hand tools out in the front yard, planing “whitewood” stud 2×4’s from the blue big box store. If you have ever seen Paul Sellers on youtube, it should look familiar. The tools: I’m using a Stanley corrugated #4 that I purchased along with a Millers Falls #18 from a friend at work for $75. He tried to use them a couple times and couldn’t get them to make shavings...
Part 2: Bench Top Glue-up
I planed the suface defects off the faces of the 2×4’s and cut them to 74”. The width of the glued up lamination will be 12”. I am going to saw the length down to 72” when I’m done. I did find out I have trouble consistently cross-cutting a board square. To help myself out, I made a line down the side of the board instead of just across the top. I could then start off square by cutting along both lines and then sawing across as usual. This really improv...
Part 3: Aprons and Bottom of Top
I flattened the bottom of the top last night and started the aprons. I was a little apprehensive about flattening the underside of the top; I never flattened anything that size before. I did plane a small piece of walnut for a saw handle but I wouldn’t call that anything more than moving the plane across a scrap. Someone mentioned that using the #4 only might have been a little ambitious, so I decided to use a #5 Stanley, I picked up off the auction site for $30. After all IR...
Part 4: Legs
The legs were a new challenge, especially with hand tools. This process took me 3 days, working a couple hours a day. It was really tough to resist using my miter saw, but I did and learned a lot in the process. Picked up the 2×4’s for the legs. Used the same method to cut these to 36” length. The finished length will be 34”. I planed the mill marks off. Opps! I somehow cut one leg shorter than rest. Good thing I gave myself some room. I ...
