Project by Wellsw | posted 11-21-2011 02:47 AM | 9369 views | 5 times favorited | 11 comments | ![]() |
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21st Century Workbench
Spalded Maple base with ash top and walnut accents. it took me about 2 months to finish and I think it came out quite well. My wife wants to use it as a buffet for thanksgiving. I told her she is welcome to as long as she can move it. I have a nice piece of quilted maple to make a leg vise from and havent quite decided on an end vise yet. most likely a lee valley. any recommendations would be welcome.
11 comments so far
woodworm
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14477 posts in 4597 days
#1 posted 11-21-2011 03:39 AM
Very nicely done. Beautiful bench and too beautiful for buffet table for sure!
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
schuft
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#2 posted 11-21-2011 07:13 AM
Awesome bench.
MTMan2
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#3 posted 11-21-2011 03:54 PM
The center pieces appear to be shallow and removable/rearrangeable. How will you use that feature in practice? Looks beautiful.
-- - The most recognized name in all of recorded history was worn by a woodworker.
CartersWhittling
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#4 posted 11-21-2011 07:08 PM
Nice looking bench, I guess your range of endvises is limited since the top is complete. You could still buy a metal face vise with a wooden jaw and drill dog holes along your bench top. Or you could make a twin screw, and depending on the style still have dog holes through your top if you want them. I really enjoy having the ability to clamp stuff between bench dogs, so I would recomend getting a vise that could accomodate them. I am thinking the twin screw might be the best choice for both end grain work and using bench dogs to do face grain work.
-- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord... Colossians 3:23
Dennisgrosen
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#5 posted 11-22-2011 12:01 AM
great work … well done
may it serve you well in the next many years
Dennis
chirostu
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#6 posted 11-22-2011 12:04 AM
Too nice for a workbench ;) Looks fantastic!
Richard B
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#7 posted 11-22-2011 12:05 AM
I too chose a 21st century style benchtop.
I added my vises after I completed the construction of the tops too. As long as you can remove the top again (flipping it upside down and back again makes vise additions much easier), you should be ok.
I added a face vise and a tail vise. The tail vise was a devil to build but is definitely my most-used vise. However, I use both vises every time I’m in my shop, so I would argue that you need both (or a leg vise and a tail vise, perhaps).
I just cut out (CAREFULLY!) the area that the tail vise was to occupy, and installed it. An easier solution to this is one of the inset vises or quick release tail vises from veritas. Much easier to install. That’s probably the way I will go with the next bench I build.
Enjoy your bench! It looks amazing.
-- Richard B, Birmingham Alabama
Bob, Oregon
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#8 posted 11-22-2011 03:46 AM
Beautiful work! You’re going to love it!
-- 73, Bob
exelectrician
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#9 posted 11-22-2011 07:31 AM
Git those vices on, and put a more than a few sweat drops on – and the obligatory scars, then it will be the bench of your dreams. For now we will just stare at it and drool.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
Beginningwoodworker
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#10 posted 12-02-2011 12:57 AM
Beautiful workbench.
HorizontalMike
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#11 posted 12-04-2011 04:33 AM
I love the Walnut accents! Well done! WOW!
As far as vises, I have my own vices, but only my doctor knows ;-)):
For my 21st Century Bench I used the Veritas twin-screw and a 7in Lee Valley end vise. Here on LJs and also here on my own Website.
I chose to surface mount the end vise so that repairs to the sacrificial block and face could more easily be made.
http://www.horizontalheavens.com/GarageWorkshop/Projects/21stCenturyWorkBench/TailViseBlockCover1.jpg
-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."
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