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This is only a test, lol. Well, not much was purchased for this bench. Had some 3/4 used plywood, an old mdf bookcase, some 4×4s and an old cedar picket fence. Bought the screw for the vice, some maple boards, oak boards and some pine 2×4s and some bolts to hold it together. The top is 3 layers of the plywood topped by the mdf (figured its flat right?). Well what they say about best made plans, lol. Ended up making the top in two pieces thinking it would be easier to laminate the plywood that way instead of one wide piece. The front half actually came out great, nice and flat, the back half warped on me so trying to get the two pieces level with each other was a real challenge and i finally went with close enough. Wrapped the edge with the maple boards just to make it look nice. The leg vice is red oak. The bottom shelf is cedar boards from the picket fence. All in all im happy with it, its sturdy, stable and so far functional. Will definitely do the top different on my next bench tho. Haven't decided if i want to add a sliding deadman or a sliding leg vice, gonna use it awhile and see what my needs are to see which one will work best for me. I really like that leg vice, its got more clamping power than i would have believed!

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Comments

· In Loving Memory
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Garald, you did a great job on this bench. Also, using recycled stuff to make it with is in the true spirit of craftsmanship in my opinion. Your bench looks set up for very efficient woodworking and it looks very sturdy and good looking too. I am sure you have a bench that is every bit as good as any bench whether purchased or built from expensive materials. Well done!
 

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Hey Garald
This is a super bench it should last for years to come well done.
 

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Welcome to LJ's. You'll love it here.
 

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1,190 Posts
Gerald, your bench turned out great. welcome to LJ's
 

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Nice bench. I had the same issue in laminating up plywood/MDF for a top. I wasn't careful enough to ensure the surface that I used to laminate the layers was dead flat and the slight curve translated into my top. As long as the front is flat you should be good for most hand tool tasks.
 

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243 Posts
Very nice bench.

Where did you get the leg vise screw?
 

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Thank you all for your comments. Cantputjamontoast, got vise screw at woodcraft online tho there are other places you can order from.
 

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Workbench update.
Bench is holding up well, havent gotten the sliding deadman or sliding vice made yet and have decided i do really need something. Made a wagon vice out of a piece of allthread…handy, not sure i want to stick with that. Thinking i would benifit from a tool well on the back half of the bench, I use mostly the front half and am constantly knocking tools off the back, grrrr. Bench got a bit wobbly last fall, a quick tightening of the bolts and solid as a rock again. At six feet long its a bit short for hand planing longer boards. Removed crochet as for me it seemed to be more in the way than usefull. Made a pop up bench stop and am thinking of an adjustable bench stop at the end of the bench. Overall its been a great starter bench and sees plenty of use.
Longer bench
Tool well
Sliding deadman or vice
Solid wood top
Figure out what kind of tail vice setup works for me
Adjustable bench stop

Changes for next bench (there is always a next one right)
 
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