Project by WirelessWoodworker | posted 02-29-2016 06:18 PM | 14612 views | 7 times favorited | 7 comments | ![]() |
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The new workbench is finally complete and I’m loving it so far! It’s based on a bench design by David Barron, but I’ve modified it quite a bit to suit my space and preferences.
The bench is all 8/4 ash except for a few bits of oak and the pine bottom shelf. It’s fairly small, at about 5’ long and 20” deep, but was made for a specific area of the shop and fits there nicely. I also don’t typically do large projects, so it works well for me.
The front vise is a small shoulder vise with the Veritas inset vise as the tail. The top measures about 3.5” thick and the legs and stretchers are about 3.5” square, except for the front left leg which was reinforced to support the vise. The joinery is all drawbored mortise and tenon.
I have a few blog posts on the construction, so feel free to take a look:
The Workbench Build – Part 1 – Initial Planning
The Workbench Build – Part 2 – Design
The Workbench Build – Part 3 – Rough Construction
The Workbench Build – Part 4 – Joinery
The Workbench Build – Part 5 – Finishing Touches
The Workbench - Complete
Also, my very first video describing the bench.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFTMJEhHtgg
I think the video turned out alright actually, except for the dog barking and the ‘umms’ and ‘ahhs.’ I’ll probably start making a few more as I enjoyed the process quite a bit.
Thanks for taking a look!
Cheers,
Tim
-- Tim, Delaware, http://www.thewirelesswoodworker.com and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheWirelessWoodworker
7 comments so far
helluvawreck
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32122 posts in 4357 days
#1 posted 02-29-2016 07:05 PM
Tim, that is a beautiful workbench.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Scott Oldre
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#2 posted 03-01-2016 12:14 AM
nicely done. It’s on my bucket list, one day. Thanks for sharing.
-- Scott, Irmo SC
hoss12992
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#3 posted 03-01-2016 07:49 AM
That is really cool. Great job
-- The Old Rednek Workshop https://www.facebook.com/theoldrednekworkshoptn
WirelessWoodworker
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88 posts in 2747 days
#4 posted 03-01-2016 02:17 PM
Thanks guys! It really is amazing how working on a purposely built woodworking bench makes such a huge difference. Everything is so much more efficient now.
-- Tim, Delaware, http://www.thewirelesswoodworker.com and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheWirelessWoodworker
RGtools
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3372 posts in 4145 days
#5 posted 03-05-2016 02:20 PM
That bench is going to treat you well. It’s a great combination of a lot of ideas.
-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan
builtinbkyn
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#6 posted 03-05-2016 02:41 PM
Really nice bench Tim. How do you like using the shoulder vise? It seems like it would provide a lot of clamping options, especially for vertically clamping stock.
-- Bill, Yo!......in Brooklyn & Steel City :)
WirelessWoodworker
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88 posts in 2747 days
#7 posted 03-05-2016 05:52 PM
Thanks Bill, ditto to you! I’m jealous of your split top actually. My close second bench design was a split top Nicholson.
Yes, the shoulder vise is great. It’s smaller than a traditional shoulder vise, so the opening capacity may cause some issues if it’s your only vise, but other than that it’s ideal. Like you said, vertical clamping is one of the big positives – no screw clearance issues underneath and direct clamping force right in the middle of the piece. The other great thing about the design is the built in planing stop. Large panels can be butted right up to the side of the vise support, so no slipping whatsoever.
Cheers,
Tim
-- Tim, Delaware, http://www.thewirelesswoodworker.com and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheWirelessWoodworker
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