[KenBry]

I was looking at the instructions\templates on Benchcrafted's website. It seems allot of the information on the bench dog rail is not provided in their hopes that you buy thier bench plans or sign up on Woodwhispers site to get the info. Not digging that…marketing ploy. That's probably not the case but it sure does get frustrating quick when you hit a roadblock.

The front laminate is going to be important for me as I am going to have it flush to my front legs. I'm not at a dead stop but things are definatly slowed due to their back log. Not their fault really, but it wasn't expected on my part… Piss poor planning on my part I guess.

 

[mochoa]

Ken do you use Google Sketchup? Its free and you can go onto 3d Warehouse and download drawings. I bet someone has sketched up their bench with benchcrafted hardware, you can pull the measurments from there.

 

[KenBry]

I have the program downloaded at home, unfortunatly I am at work and can't do that here. LOL But I am a real NOOB on Sketchup. Keep meaning to sit down and learn it some but just run out of time. I also tend to build by what I have in my head not on paper or plans. But since I was going to use their vise hardware I wanted the dimensions they call for. After watching the vieo on thier sight I thought the rail they built would do the job. Just looking for tidbits of info that arn't provided

 

[mochoa]

Yeah its frustrating at first. I dont have it down yet. The good thing is you dont need to learn it for this. just go onto 3d warehouse find a bench with the hardware, use the little tape measure button to pull jot down your dimensions. That is assuming they are correct… Hopefully there are a couple you can check for consistency.

 

[mochoa]

Here is a link to one with a benchcrafted wagon vise.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=42bc03109fd242c22489d4bc3e2d50d0&prevstart=0

 

[lj61673]

Ken,

This is not a project to attempt flying by the seat of your pants. Their website clearly states the lead times for their vises. Gotta plan accordingly if you want to use their components. Also, the templates and measurements are FREE in their FAQ section of the website. I belive they include all needed dimensions. Purchasing the plans is not required.

 

[Smitty_Cabinetshop]

Kenbry asked: What spacing are you guys using from the front of your bench to the edge of your dog holes?

You'll get as many answers as respondents on this one, but I'll bite.

Some place holes very close to the front edge, as in a couple inches. Mine are further back, maybe four inches, on center. I haven't seen many go back more than that. Why did I do what I did? One, to (ultimately) allow me to use a pop-up dog of an end vise to hold work in the row of dogs, and two, to allow a board up to 8" wide to be fully supported by the benchtop if it's pinched in the center and being worked on it's face. Why 8"? That's as big as I could figure would need such support that I'd make (think drawer fronts of a dresser, for example).

Good luck, Ken!

 

[lysdexic]

Ken you have a PM.

 

[RGtools]

Smitty 2" is what I drilled my new set at…wonderful.

I yhave another dog hole related question….how the hell do you operate dogs in a Nicholsen type bench? Does the skirt get in the way or am I just overthinking this?

 

[Smitty_Cabinetshop]

Ryan, vise hardware aside (and that may be a big aside!), there's not a wrong answer. Nobody has ever insisted stuff be pinched on center in order for it to be held securely. Too far back, though, and it's more unstable and you're leaning to far over the bench.

 

[lysdexic]

I think the only variable that needs consideration is planing stock using a fence. Often you need the edge of the stock to hang over the edge of the bench top. Thus if you are planing narrow stock the dogs need to be foward enough to grip the piece and still have it hang over the edge. My 3 cents.

 

[Smitty_Cabinetshop]

Yep, good point.

 

[KenBry]

Scott, I wrote you back, Thanks very much

LJ, I appreciate the concern, but after reading allot of your posts, not going to bite and argue with you.

Smitty, I am really looking for a concensis and to hear the reasons some people did what they did. Your answer was spot on. Thanks!

 

[lj61673]

No argument. Do as you like. But you'll never learn a thing listening only to people that agree with you.
Good luck with your bench…

 

[mochoa]

Ken, my bad, I may have misread your question.

 

[Smitty_Cabinetshop]

For working narrower stock with fenced planes, a sticking board may be the answer. But Scott's concern is valid. One countermeasure is working edges first on wider stock and then ripping it to size after. Not always a choice though…

 

[Bertha]

Scott, I thought about that, too. Since you have square dogs, you could make several t-shaped dogs of different thicknesses to extend the reach for thin stock. The square shape would prevent twisting. I guess us round hole guys could span two of them using the same principle.
.
It's a very interesting thought. I really enjoy running long rebates with the fence. That's a functionality that I'd like to keep.

 

[mochoa]

Have you guys seen this recent post by Schwarz? Its supposed to be a portable bench.

http://blog.lostartpress.com/2012/05/02/a-workbench-for-the-shop-deprived/

 

[Brit]

Looks like a pile of doggy doo to me Mauricio. I stick with my Workmate.

 

[KenBry]

So I am getting my top of my bench into it's major parts and I am thinking.."Can I make it look pretty too?". What do you guys think? Should I put on some accent pieces? I have some 1/2" thick walnut that could make for some interesting accent pieces. Since nearly the entire bench is laminated Hard Maple tacking in some walnut might be kinda nice.