Hi From New Woodworker

[Vmanchoppy]

Hi all, thought I would say hello, seems like a great community that is happening here. I have just started woodworking and I am looking to try to build a simple work bench. Wish me luck. I do have some questions about buying tools second hand, any of your input will be greatly appreciated when I start a thread.

Thanks Vinny

 

[Argus]

Well, good to see you and your new interests.

On the subject of benches, they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes .............. so, I will start you off with a recommendation for what is a standard book on the subject that first came out in the 1980s and has recently been re-issued by Lost Art Press, , " The Workbench Book" by Scott Landis.

It is a good read on all sorts of benches in its own right and contains a set of various bench designs intended for readers to make their own to suit their particular uses. Very general in its context.

Alternatively there are various online videos by various woodworkers that will pursue a particular design that they approve.

Secondhand tools are another matter altogether......... not a lot of choice nowadays compared to what was once available...

Good luck.

 

[Vmanchoppy]

Thanks, I will need to check that book out. I have been watching lots of online videos, most of them it seems like you need a work bench to build a work bench.

I am starting another thread about my second hand table saw, titan saw for £15, seems okay but likely an accident waiting to happen.

Thanks Argus

 

[Phil Pascoe]

As long as you have a table or something to work on you can build a bench. Don't get fussy over it, as long as it's sturdy enough it'll be fine - you'll build another one at some stage anyway when you find out what you really need for whatever type of work you end up doing.

 

[Vmanchoppy]

Yeah I’m going to get on with it, rather than procrastinating over every detail like I seem to do with most things.

 

[Argus]

.................................. I have been watching lots of online videos, most of them it seems like you need a work bench to build a work bench.



Thanks Argus

It often looks that way.

I built my first big bench on a busted B&D Workmate and a couple of saw trestles, using surplus joist wood..

The Workmate was even more broken when I finished and it was retired - permanently.

The second one - I'm using it now - was based on a design in the back of Landis's book that coincided with a pile of 2 1/2 inch thick waney-edged Beech.

 

[MARK.B.]

Hello and Welcome

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

Hi Welcome

 

[Fitzroy]

Nice to have you along for the ride. My first benches were from CLS timber and OSB tops. Still in use today although I am part way through building a 'proper bench'. On many posts over the years I've declared to have managed without any vices etc with no problems. Having recently fitted a leg vice to one of these benches as a prototype for my main build I have wholeheartedly realised how wrong I was! Whatever bench you build get a vice fitted, it makes life so much easier.

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

Nice to have you along for the ride. My first benches were from CLS timber and OSB tops. Still in use today although I am part way through building a 'proper bench'. On many posts over the years I've declared to have managed without any vices etc with no problems. Having recently fitted a leg vice to one of these benches as a prototype for my main build I have wholeheartedly realised how wrong I was! Whatever bench you build get a vice fitted, it makes life so much easier.

Must be Hell with that bench fastened to the ceiling and keeping work and tools on bench?

 

[Peter Sefton]

Welcome to the forum

Cheers

Peter

 

[throbscottle]

Welcome! I'm on my own Big Bench Build journey - pallet wood layered up so the edges form the top surface. It's slow going! (11 layers and 7" deep so far...) I made a temporary bench to be going on with out of a bit of old kitchen worktop and some thick pallet risers for the frame and legs. It's remarkably sturdy considering it's just screwed together with no jointing and no bracing.

I think second hand tools is the way to go. You might find a market stall near you specialising - it's convenient if nothing else and you can get decent gear occasionally that just needs some TLC. I know a few on here visit car boot sales and pick up some very good stuff sometimes.

Very cheap tools can surprise you with how much use you get out of them (my best clamp came from the £1 shop years ago, and my £1 shop set of chisels is still going strong). Just don't pick anything that's going to slice you when it breaks...

Most of my recent new tool purchases have come from Lidl and I've been pleased with them, so that and the Other German Discounter are worth visiting. Everything else of mine is either ancient, cheap or home-made (or all 3). The exception being a shiny new (birthday present) Metabo angle grinder. Deep joy...

Well anyway, good luck in your creative journey