| Project by CottageDreamer | posted 02-15-2011 09:14 AM | 19409 views | 26 times favorited | 36 comments |  |
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My first project posting. This is my version of the Woodsmith Shop weekend workbench, built a few weeks ago. I’m still in the process of getting my basement shop organised, having been using a rickety old bench that was in the basement when we moved in.
Constructed from framing lumber 2×8s ripped to appropriate size. The top is approx 80”x32” x 36” high to match my R4511 table saw. I have not really decided on the location for the bench, but it works very well doing double duty as an outfeed table too.
The bench is on the large size now it’s built, but I think I will get used to it’s bulk. The thing is HEAVY, with the top being fab’d from 4x layers of 3/4 mdf plus 1/4 mdf as a sacrificial top. 3/4 mdf side panels and shelf, wrapped in 2x lumber also. It is dead flat and was excellent to use for the next project I built, a Norm Abram style router table.
One of the reasons I did this particular bench was that it would be heavy and I will be using some hand tools so wanted some mass. Due to the weight I actually found I could not move it alone. In fact, it sat exactly where I built it for a month before I figured out some mobility. It’s on swivel casters with a simple mechanism that allows the bench to lift 1/2” to move it.
The finish is 3x coats of wipe-on poly. I think the top could probably do with a few more as the mdf soaked it up a lot.
Eventually I plan to add some drawers under the bench for storage. The vice I installed is a cheap example I happened to have already, not ideal but does the job quite well for now. Really enjoyed the project, learnt a lot and found out the hard way that I should have cut my stock slightly oversize as the spruce did move a little and needed some work on the jointer once ripped down.
Thanks for looking!
-- Anthony
36 comments so far
Splinterman
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23074 posts in 4821 days
#1 posted 02-15-2011 09:26 AM
Hey CD,
Nice strong bench…good job.
Hallmark
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432 posts in 4566 days
#2 posted 02-15-2011 09:35 AM
That’s a nice solid looking bench.
-- Style is simple, but not my execution of it.
steliart
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2895 posts in 4148 days
#3 posted 02-15-2011 11:13 AM
Very well made bench
-- Stelios L.A. Stavrinides: - I am not so rich to buy cheap tools, but... necessity is the mother of inventions !!!
DrewM
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176 posts in 4458 days
#4 posted 02-15-2011 01:34 PM
Nice bench, I used to have a hardboard top on mine but I took it off since I felt it allowed the work to slide around to easily. That bench should last you a long time, good job.
-- Drew, Delaware
Scott Bryan
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27248 posts in 5281 days
#5 posted 02-15-2011 01:49 PM
This is a nice looking bench that should be a tool that you will use for years to come. I have one of these on my list as well.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Wilt191
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98 posts in 4151 days
#6 posted 02-15-2011 01:56 PM
Hey, great job. Looks super sturdy and aesthetically good as well.
Ken90712
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18113 posts in 4648 days
#7 posted 02-15-2011 01:59 PM
Well done
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
dbol
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136 posts in 4457 days
#8 posted 02-15-2011 02:19 PM
Nice bench. Are you planning on putting any dog holes in it. Or just using it as is. Looks real nice.
Maveric777
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2694 posts in 4536 days
#9 posted 02-15-2011 03:25 PM
Looks to me like one solid addition to any shop. Well done!
-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.
itsmic
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1419 posts in 4578 days
#10 posted 02-15-2011 04:06 PM
Good looking bench, you did well to make it heavy, that will serve you for many years to come, thanks for sharing
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
CharlieM1958
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16292 posts in 5678 days
#11 posted 02-15-2011 05:20 PM
Nice. I could sure use one of these myself.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
xanderzub2
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3 posts in 4118 days
#12 posted 02-15-2011 05:40 PM
excelente persentacíon!!
NBeener
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4816 posts in 4633 days
#13 posted 02-15-2011 05:46 PM
This is one of the benches that I printed out plans for. I figured it would be a wonderful option.
And … seeing yours … I was right.
Beautiful job !
-- -- Neil
ianlee74
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153 posts in 4407 days
#14 posted 02-15-2011 06:10 PM
Nice. We’re moving in less than month and I get to start rebuilding my shop (again…). This is now on my list. Where are the plans? I’d love to see the details of your casters. It’s hard to tell exactly how that works from your pics.
How long did it end up taking you to build? Did you actually get it done in a weekend?
Thanks for sharing!
-- Ian, Tennessee
Woodwrecker
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4240 posts in 5035 days
#15 posted 02-15-2011 07:07 PM
Great looking bench.
And welcome to Lumberjocks.
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