Project by MC | posted 09-05-2016 07:38 PM | 3765 views | 7 times favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
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Definition of insanity: Building two workbenches simultaneously, in a non climate controlled garage, during the summer, in Georgia. Had a good time building these but I think I will be thirsty forever.
The large bench is 2’ by 8’, with a 5” thick top; the small bench is 18” by 4’, with a 4” thick top. Both are made from southern yellow pine. I started by picking through the 2×12’s at the local lumber yard, they were very patient with me. I let these dry for several weeks in the garage before starting to rip them down to width. I then stickered all the boards and waited a few more weeks before jointing and laminating.
I selected the best boards from my stock to laminate the tops and avoid any knots on the surface. The next selection was for the legs, what was left made the rails.
Finish is just a simple Danish Oil.
On to the next project.
18 comments so far
at anchor in Orlando
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#1 posted 09-05-2016 07:54 PM
Very nice!
I’m on my Summer break from major projects here in Orlando, because of the heat and humidity, and you get more heat than I do…
Well Done Dad!
-- Jack
helluvawreck
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#2 posted 09-05-2016 08:41 PM
Nice workbenches. Ya’ll will enjoy working together.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
htl
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#3 posted 09-05-2016 10:48 PM
Super nice projects and know what you mean about the heat being from Al.
How come your son gets a bigger vice than you do? LOL
-- An Index Of My Model making Blogs https://www.lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/130264
SteveGaskins
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#4 posted 09-05-2016 11:03 PM
Extremely nice benches. I have often thought of building a couple out of yellow pine as well. And yes, its been a very hot and humid summer in South Carolina as well.
-- Steve, South Carolina, http://www.finewoodworkingofsc.com
DadRambles
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#5 posted 09-06-2016 02:17 AM
I’m in GA as well, so I hear you about the heat. It will DRAIN you. Great work on the bench, definitely look like you can get good use out of them for a LONG time.
-- My "stuff" can be found at http://Dadrambles.com and http://Youtube.com/DadRambles
ShaneA
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#6 posted 09-06-2016 02:23 AM
Those are awesome. Is one a benchcrafted wagon vise, and the other a veneer press clamp? If so, how would you compare them in terms of function and value?
MC
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#7 posted 09-06-2016 12:08 PM
ShaneA, It is a Benchcrafted vise, the other is shop made with a veneer press screw. There is no comparison. I am going to write a review of the vise this month. The shop made version tends to flex when I apply a lot of pressure. With a 4’ long bench there was no room for the 18” required for the Benchcrafted vise.
MC
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#8 posted 09-06-2016 12:36 PM
This is the shop made version using a veneer press screw.
Richard H
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#9 posted 09-06-2016 02:59 PM
Very nicely done. I struggled to build one bench I can’t imagine trying to build two at once.
Smitty_Cabinetshop
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#10 posted 09-06-2016 03:16 PM
Wow, your workmanship is incredible. Very, very nice!
-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. - OldTools Archive -
JPJ
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#11 posted 09-07-2016 01:13 AM
Nice job!
pottz
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#12 posted 09-07-2016 06:53 PM
very cool dad the pleasure of woodworking with your son will never fade,my son didnt like dust and noise so he was never interested until now(25) so we are building him a platform bed together.you did a great job on those.how old is your son and how much does he do in the shop?
-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Scott Oldre
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#13 posted 09-08-2016 03:35 AM
NOw I really want to build a bench. Why do you all torture me so?
-- Scott, Irmo SC
Dakkar
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#14 posted 09-10-2016 01:39 AM
That’s a great idea, MC. The little bench is rare gem, too. Yellow Pine is a great wood for building heavy duty items like those and has a beautiful grain look. The good news is you shouldn’t ever need to build a workbench again.
curliejones
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#15 posted 09-16-2016 01:14 AM
Outstanding build! Checking the grain direction, you did an outstanding job of picking your lumber. I built a shop about two years ago and bought wide SYP and ripped it down for horizontal “nailers” because it had far fewer knots. I did, however find that once I ripped it and released some of the inner tensions, it bowed up a bit and some way more than a bit. Since it was being nailed to studs 16” o.c., I was able to push and pull it into place with it being ripped to 2-3/4” wide. Your rips were considerably wider, but did you experience anything similar in movement?
Also, please what wood glue did you use and was there any special prep? planing or jointing the faces to be glued? I am about to start my workbench build (my first REAL woodworking bench) and want to cover my bases. Thanks.
-- Like Guy Clark sez - "Sometimes I use my head, Sometimes I get a bigger hammer"
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