Project Information
2015 is going to be the year of simplification and getting back to roots. In my commitment to going mostly unplugged, I decided to take it a step further.
First is the new bench. I decided on a traditional english jointers ("Nicholson") bench. That means there are no vises of any kind at all. work holding is done with planing stops, crochets, and holdfasts. This makes working a lot faster and more efficient since I don't have to keep messing with vise screws The center support can be positioned at 2 different heights and used as another planing stop.
Cross grain planing is easy with the adjustable planing stop (that runs 2 feet down the leg and is captive on 3 sides), and a doe's foot. This keeps the piece captive against all planing forces, but I can freely lift it, and flip it and get going on the other side with no adjustments.
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Edge planing is done with the crochet, a peg or two, and a holdfast
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Same for sawing tenons
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The planing stop is also useful for bench hooks and shooting boards
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For delicate joinery, I like to raise the work up a bit. That's where the moxon comes in. This was made on the cheap with some select cherry that turned out to be really nice. The bocote knobs on the handle spin freely, and the front chop is sleeved so it slides easily on the threads. It's 24" long, 6" deep, and 18" between the screws.
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It's secured to the bench with holdfasts
![]()
The saw bench is based on one from Shannon Rogers. It took me about an hour to make it using some select pine. I painted the base with some old paint in the basement to give it a little protection. It's about knee height for me
![]()
First is the new bench. I decided on a traditional english jointers ("Nicholson") bench. That means there are no vises of any kind at all. work holding is done with planing stops, crochets, and holdfasts. This makes working a lot faster and more efficient since I don't have to keep messing with vise screws The center support can be positioned at 2 different heights and used as another planing stop.
Cross grain planing is easy with the adjustable planing stop (that runs 2 feet down the leg and is captive on 3 sides), and a doe's foot. This keeps the piece captive against all planing forces, but I can freely lift it, and flip it and get going on the other side with no adjustments.
Edge planing is done with the crochet, a peg or two, and a holdfast
Same for sawing tenons
The planing stop is also useful for bench hooks and shooting boards
For delicate joinery, I like to raise the work up a bit. That's where the moxon comes in. This was made on the cheap with some select cherry that turned out to be really nice. The bocote knobs on the handle spin freely, and the front chop is sleeved so it slides easily on the threads. It's 24" long, 6" deep, and 18" between the screws.
It's secured to the bench with holdfasts
The saw bench is based on one from Shannon Rogers. It took me about an hour to make it using some select pine. I painted the base with some old paint in the basement to give it a little protection. It's about knee height for me
