Project by pinebox | posted 05-15-2013 09:43 AM | 24791 views | 54 times favorited | 19 comments | ![]() |
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Last summer I saw the wedge vises that Shipwright showed on the Lumberjocks site and really liked them. You can see these at http://lumberjocks.com/projects/70524. Shipwright has a nice little video on how they work and a Sketchup drawing showing the details.
Later I saw the “milkman’s workbench” in an article by Chris Scwarz and immediately liked it too although I didn’t know what I would do with one. You can see the original article at http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workbenches/schwarz-workbenches/the-modern-milkmans-workbench and an updated article at http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workbenches/schwarz-workbenches/the-milkmans-workbench-in-use which includes a video of it in use.
Why not combine the two? I didn’t want to spend the time to make the wooden screws anyway. Of course as I was typing this up I found that Ilkka Sivonen of Finland had already done something similar. You can see his version at http://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/milkmans-workbench-without-screws. Sivonen’s version is really nice but he used big wedges whereas mine uses small ones like Shipwright’s to allow a plane to get at the project easier.
So here is my version, warts and all. I tried it out on the deck and really liked it. It works better than expected. The front vise has a removable spacer which is just a super-wide version of the spacers in Shipwright’s vise. The bench is made of pallet wood and I haven’t cleaned it up yet but you can look at the different versions for ideas to make your own.
It’s a fun project. A view of the trees sure beats a windowless basement when the weather is nice.
19 comments so far
dragonnotes
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82 posts in 4527 days
#1 posted 05-15-2013 10:40 AM
Wow, just checked out your videos. You are the real deal. If i can even make some of the joints required in this piece, I would love to make one for working outside as well. Thanks for sharing. After looking at this a bit. There is so much to it I am intimidated. :) Where do you start?
Ken90712
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#2 posted 05-15-2013 10:49 AM
Nice work, should serve you well.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
Brandon
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4382 posts in 4446 days
#3 posted 05-15-2013 12:20 PM
Nice rendition of the milkman’s bench! These are great for using on those days where it’s just perfect outside.
-- "hold fast to that which is good"
helluvawreck
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#4 posted 05-15-2013 12:24 PM
That’s a wonderful design and it looks like it would be a joy to use. Nice work.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
JoeinGa
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7741 posts in 3502 days
#5 posted 05-15-2013 12:34 PM
Nice little bench!
Just make sure you dont drop anything while working near the edge :-(
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
Don W
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#6 posted 05-15-2013 01:10 PM
Excellent project.
Any idea why its called a “milkman’s” bench
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
waho6o9
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#7 posted 05-15-2013 01:38 PM
A definite favorite, thanks for posting a great idea.
Brandon
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4382 posts in 4446 days
#8 posted 05-15-2013 01:41 PM
Don, it’s called that because Chris Schwarz saw one of these that was owned by a milkman.
-- "hold fast to that which is good"
Airframer
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#9 posted 05-15-2013 02:04 PM
Very nice!
-- Eric - "I'm getting proficient with these hand jobbers. - BigRedKnothead"
shipwright
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#10 posted 05-15-2013 03:10 PM
Good one.
I like it and it’s nice to see someone else using the wedge idea.
I’ve been using my bench a lot and am still impressed with how well they work.
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
Dakkar
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#11 posted 05-15-2013 03:29 PM
The wedge vise idea certainly is interesting. You seem to have found a sturdy base to clamp it to, as well, but I don’t think that would work for me. I’d be spending half my time jumping over the rail and chasing things that roll down the hill.
stefang
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#12 posted 05-15-2013 04:48 PM
Looks very handy and easy to use. Well done.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
pinebox
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40 posts in 3463 days
#13 posted 05-15-2013 04:49 PM
The main problems with this bench are parts falling off when it is clamped to a railing and storage of all the little wedges and spacers. I’ve got the beginnings of an idea of creating a drawer on the bottom of the bench that would extend and work as a tray to catch rolling parts when the bench was in use and then slide in and act as a storage compartment for the loose parts when not in use. If I make another one, I would try to work out the bench dog spacing better too.
Philip
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1277 posts in 4034 days
#14 posted 05-15-2013 07:14 PM
Bravo! Looks like a great idea. I’d like to figure out a good way to make a tote that transforms into a mini bench/vise.
-- I never finish anyth
whitebeast88
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4128 posts in 3685 days
#15 posted 05-15-2013 09:40 PM
very nice,great build.
-- Marty.Athens,AL
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