Modified rock solid plywood workbench

I started this workbench just before Christmas 2020 and “completed” it by the end of February 2021. I have a wife and two small kids so it was built “at the speed of dad”. I’m sure many of you are or have been in this boat.

Previously I had been cobbling projects together on whatever surfaces were available. It wasn’t very ergonomic or fun to work on. It’s safe to say that I’m quite excited to put this bench to use.

The design is borrowed from the “Rock-Solid Plywood Bench” article on Fine Woodworking. I modified the design a bit because I wanted a bigger bench and I wanted the face of the legs to be flush with the edge of the top so I could clamp to them. Also my original intent was to laminate one more layer of plywood to the top apron so it would be flush with bench edge but ran short on wood. I can always add those on later if I decide I still need them. The top is two layers of 3/4” plywood glued together and a top layer of 3/4” MDF. I also modified the apron and stretchers to be 65” long because I wanted a longer bench. The top layer of MDF is 23.5” deep and 7.5’ long. Edges are trimmed out in 3/4” maple boards, yielding a total bench depth of 25”.

The vise is a “Heavy Duty Quick Release Front Vise” from Rockler. The front chop is two 3/4” thick maple boards glued together.

Finish applied is two coats of Minwax wipe-on poly.

I still need to drill some dog holes but I’m holding off until I decide how I want them laid out.