A Bench build just kick-started - I.e in stick!

[Benchwayze]

Took delivery of some Southern Yellow Pine last week. So far I have done nowt but cut the planks for the top. (I used an Irwin hard-point handsaw.)

I can't really justify any pics, but just to prove the stuff is here:

Nowhere to put it 'in stick' but on the planer for now. I am hoping to get started next weekend, by which time any bad movement will have become apparent (I hope)!

The 12 x 2" planks will be ripped down to 4 x 2" (Approx) and then sandwiched together to finish with a benchtop as close to 4" thick x 72" long as possible. I am going to put a 4 x 2 hardwood piece on the front edge. It will make good dog holes and soak up some wear. I have an old window cill (somewhere) that will just do the job!

A Paramo Q/R front vice and a full width twin screw vice across the tail.
So far so good.

John

 

[woodbloke]

I do like the look of that SYP John...need to pick up a lump and Yandles next time I'm there - Rob

 

[Paul Chapman]

What twin-screw vice are you fitting, John?

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Benchwayze]

The timber came from Sykes in Atherstone Rob. It was in 16 foot planks. Maybe not what we could call 'economical' in price, but free delivery.
And it looks okay with no shakes. We'll see how we go when I start milling!


Paul,

I bought two 'York' vice-screws from 'Axyminister' and I'll be making my own twin-screw vice with some Maple I have. At least that is the present plan. I want to use it mainly for dovetailing, so I am hoping to get 2' between the screws. If I can't arrange that, I'll stick it in 'main position', and use the Q/R vice as a tail vice.

Thanks fellas.

John

 

[Paul Chapman]

I want to use it mainly for dovetailing

I recently bought the Veritas twin-screw vice (not fitted yet) and, like you, mainly for things like dovetailing where the screw and guide bars of a normal vice get in the way. I'll be fitting mine on the front of the bench, where I think it will be of most use, and leaving a Record 52D on the end as a tail vice.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Benchwayze]

Paul,

I did consider a Veritas vice. The problem is, I am not used to anything other than a Q/R. So whilst I'm prepared to use a twin-screw for some tasks, I'm not sure I'd be happy using one as a general purpose vice.

At the moment I have time to relax on that and think it through. I might be able to live with no Q/R now I am slowing down anyhow! :lol:
Of course the big advantage of the old type of vice is the absence of guide bars to get in the way of a 'drop' when dovetailing.

John

 

[Paul Chapman]

At the moment I have time to relax on that and think it through.

If I get mine fitted before you get around to doing yours, I'll post some pics and let you know how it works out.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Benchwayze]

At the moment I have time to relax on that and think it through.

If I get mine fitted before you get around to doing yours, I'll post some pics and let you know how it works out.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

That is an odds-on bet Paul. It's going to take me a week before I can even start making the top. And that itself isn't going tobe easy. It's a big lump of wood to shift around!

I am very conscious of how much I have slowed down this last year or so. Take things slowly, says I. It'll all get done in the end. If it doesn't, someone will have to finish it for me! :wink:

 

[Paul Chapman]

I am very conscious of how much I have slowed down this last year or so. Take things slowly, says I. It'll all get done in the end. If it doesn't, someone will have to finish it for me! :wink:

You sound about as fast as me :lol:

 

[Benchwayze]

I am very conscious of how much I have slowed down this last year or so. Take things slowly, says I. It'll all get done in the end. If it doesn't, someone will have to finish it for me! :wink:

You sound about as fast as me :lol:

Hence the resurgence of my interest in my hand tools! (Mostly!)
Still slurping over a Domino mind...:wink:

John

 

[Jake]

There is a very easy way I've posted about before for making a really solid quick release twin screw vice out of your Paramo if you can find a twin for it. Way better than the Veritas (good as it is).

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks Jake...
Let me see if I can figure it out without finding the post... I'll keep you up to snuff! Okay? :wink:

Cheers...
John
8)

 

[devonwoody]

Nice feeling building a workbench, remembering things of the past and then contemplating the builds of the future.

Every time I have opened some liquid container, turps or whatever, I always wipe the residue from the brush somewhere on the bench even the glue.
It creates a homely patina.

 

[matthewwh]

Strewth that's a lot of work for an irwin handsaw! I'd have taken them to the sawmill myself. Still you've made a beautiful job of it!

 

[Benchwayze]

There is a very easy way I've posted about before for making a really solid quick release twin screw vice out of your Paramo if you can find a twin for it. Way better than the Veritas (good as it is).

Ok Jake:

I checked my Paramo vice.
Bearing in mind, the Veritas has two sprockets and a bicycle chain at the front. I reasoned that however you use twin vices, to connect them, I would need a chain and sprocket/s. But with the Q/R vices it's got to be simpler to do it at the back I would say.

Looking at my vice I'd have no problem, other than a bit of metalwork - if I can find suitable fixed-wheel sprockets. I should manage that, but the problem is a matching vice! I can't even find one to match my Record let alone the Paramo, which is one BIG vice!

I could buy another Record, but right now there isn't even one of those on eBay that twins with mine. But if I do find either, I'm going to look at this possibility.

A question..

The Q/R... At the moment, I usually operate that one-handed, with the work in the left hand. With twin vices I presume you have to use both Q/R levers together. So holding the work in my teeth would be okay!

Aside from that, I think I could make this work.

Now I suppose you will tell me you did it in a completely different way!
:lol: :?



Regards
John

 

[Benchwayze]

Strewth that's a lot of work for an irwin handsaw! I'd have taken them to the sawmill myself. Still you've made a beautiful job of it!

I contemplated the sawmill Matthew. But I didn't want to subject my car to the weight of three 16' lengths of that timber. Plus, my roof bars would have sagged and I'd have dented my roof, with all the speed-bumps around here... Not to mention the potholes.

Fact is those hard-point saws are darned sharp, so it was a case of nice steady work... The worst part was stacking the cut lengths on the planer!

Regards
John

 

[Jake]

You've pretty much nailed it, John.

Re QR, you remind me that I originally intended to link the two with a rod across the front, so that tugging the rod sideways would release it. I have never got around to it, and just QR to around the right place and then hold the work with one hand and twirl the handles (one finger job) with the other for the last bit. But, I think it would work all the same and will try it sometime.

Details are on the other side (the original other side) here

 

[Benchwayze]

You've pretty much nailed it, John.

Re QR, you remind me that I originally intended to link the two with a rod across the front, so that tugging the rod sideways would release it. I have never got around to it, and just QR to around the right place and then hold the work with one hand and twirl the handles (one finger job) with the other for the last bit. But, I think it would work all the same and will try it sometime.

Details are on the other side (the original other side) here

Thanks Jake,

I winged it over't t'other side, and yes, that's more or less as I figured it.

Is this the RS you mentioned. Looks like the type of sprocket I'd need. I have a few lengths of chain hanging up in the garage too. (From my br0thel-creeper days as a 'Ted! 8) )

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear ... &R=0183710

Regards
John

 

[Jake]

I've just checked and that's the same one I used.

You'd have to check chain pitches etc

 

[ByronBlack]

A leg vice would solve all those problems John - you can clamp very wide boards for dovetailing - and you aren't limited by the internal dimension of the twin-screw, as soon as you reach the maximum you can't go wider, with a leg vice and a deadman/holdfast in an apron you can go as wide as the workbench. A leg vice is also a lot cheaper, you could then place your Q/R vice at the end and have it work as your tail vice.