New workbench thread

[Karl]

Hi All

I was recently inspired by Paul Chapmans workbench, which has a 3 layered MDF top. I had been toying with the idea of making a top from laminated Iroko sections, but having seen Pauls bench I thought i'd have a go at a "quickie" with MDF, and see how it went. It's cheap, so if it doesn't work out, not much lost.

This was my starting point.

2 x 1000mm B&Q base units (not fixed to each other or the wall) and a couple of sheets of 18mm MFC. This was literally dumped in situ, ready to be sorted at some point.

So I started by getting myself a couple of sheets of 18mm MDF ripped in half - giving 4 x 8' x 2' pieces. Then, the base units (which provide much needed storage in my small garage workshop) were levelled, fastened to each other and screwed into 4" x 2" posts which had been fixed to the wall with frame fixings:

Next up, two of the MDF sheets were secured to the base units. The third was then added on, and plenty of carcass screws used to hold it secure. These were sunk well below the surface, as I inteded to plane this third sheet flat in order that the final layer would be nice and level.

After about half an hour, we got to this stage with the flattening. You can just see two light patches, which indicates the areas not yet being planed

Then the final layer added

The result - a nice flat surface.

Over the weekend added the Veritas twin screw vice (which has been sat in my shop for about 3 years awaiting this bench!) and some softwood lipping. Also added a softwood buffer at the back - to stop my planes hitting the wall with any over zealous planing !

The Veritas vice wasn't cheap - but it is very well made and gives great capacities. There is 22" between screws

Unfortunately I didn't have any 2" timber knocking around for the jaws (which are 30" long each). Will be picking some up during the week and replacing the MDF/MFC ones. I also need to get a longer chain and chain cover for the vice - the one supplied was only meant for centres upto 17". Must contact Veritas this week. With the longer chain, only one handle need be turned to open the jaws, whereas at present each screw has to be opened individually.

And finally, the bench in use - the pine battens screwed to the top are used as planing stops - one at the end of the piece, and one at the back of the piece.

Next up - replace the jaws on the vice, apply some finish to the top (any suggestions?), add some doors to the cabinets and reinforce the footing of the cabinets.

All in all i'm well chuffed with how this has turned out.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Escudo]

Very nice Karl, my bench has an 18mm plywood top. When it gets a bit rough, I can easily replace it. I suspect you will be able to do something similar.

I like your vice as well, much better than my little jobby.

What is that orange thing hanging down on the wall? It looks like a tripod is attatched?

Well done. Tony.

 

[Gordon T]

Hey up Karl,

a simple and effective workbench, well done

GT

 

[Karl]

Tony

The Orange thing is a Triton Multistand - it's hung (upside down) on a 6" nail in the wall

The fourth layer of MDF is simply held down with a screw in each corner - if it gets scuffed I can simply replace it.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Paul Chapman]

apply some finish to the top (any suggestions?)

Hi Karl,

Bench looks great :wink:

I went over mine with one coat of Sadolin Classic wood preservative, and thereafter give it an occasional polish with Liberon Black Bison wax polish. Not sure that the Sadolin was necessary but it didn't hurt.

I'd be interested to hear how you find that vice after you've been using it for a while - they look the business.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[ByronBlack]

ooh, very nice indeed! I like the look of the veritas vice

 

[Karl]

Paul & Byron

I have some Sadolin - think i'll give it a going over if nobody has any other suggestions. I use waterstones for sharpening, and want something to repel any water spills. HHhhmmmm..... may have to switch to diamond stones.

The Veritas vice is excellent. The jaws let it down at the moment, but i'm off to the timber merchants in the morning to get something to replace them with. I may just manage to get some Iroko into this bench yet...... :lol:. I'm sure the vice will perform much better when it is "one handed" so to speak. Gonna e-mail Lee Valley now.

Cheers

Karl

 

[Paul Chapman]

Would a bicycle chain fit? You can get them in 1/8" and 3/32" and they are very easy to shorten or lengthen with a link extractor.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[wizer]

That's a nice quick solution. Please don't show MarkW this thread...

 

[Karl]

Paul - bike chain - never thought of that. I've got an old bike outside - think i'll see if I can salvage something off that in the morning.

I've decided to just give the top a few coats of wax - i'll see how I get on with that.

Cheers

Karl

 

[PowerTool]

Nice bench - particularly like the idea of the softwood "bump-stop" at the back (simple and effective )

Andrew

 

[Paul Chapman]

If you've not used one before, the link removers look like this http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp? ... gn=froogle

You just lay the chain across it and do up the threaded part, which pushes the rivet out. Don't push it right out - just enough to remove the link. Putting it together is the same - you use the threaded part to push the rivet back - or you can use a spring link so it's easy to take off and put on.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Lark]

i will be going something like that with cupboards and draws under. a long way off from starting it as making speakers first and then small box, then a big clear out of the garage for junk.

 

[dedee]

Cheers Karl,
That is just the solution I need for a quickie bench in the garage prior to the barn been remodelled.

Could someone post a link to the Paul Chapman bench referred to as I must have missed his thread and a quick search did not find it.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Karl]

Andy

Check out this thread - https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22429

The bench is surprisingly sturdy. I surface plane all my timber by hand, and I was a little worried that the base of the bench wouldn't be up to the job and would rack, but I needen't have worried - its as solid as a rock. Been planing Oak and Beech boards yesterday and today, and its been a pleasure to work on the bench.

Cheers

Karl

 

[OPJ]

Really like the idea of using a 'disposable' surface - plus, you don't have the same issues of expansion and contraction, as you would have with solid timber.

The Veritas vice looks interesting too - haven't personally considered anything other than the traditional Record models until now. It'll look and work even better with some solid timber jaws too!

 

[Karl]

Olly

Went to the timber merchants this morning to get some stock for the jaws. Didn't have any Iroko, but did get a nice board of Beech which I have started planing up. Will hopefully get the jaws on at some point this week.

The expansion problems of solid benches was a consideration - my 'shop' is the garage. Quite cold and drafty - the original door can't be blocked up as I need to be able to get my gear out for day to day site use. So I was a little concerned that if I went down the solid top route, it would be constantly moving due to the varying humidity within the shop (no heating). So after seeing how well Paul C's bench held up after 10 years, I thought i'd give it a whirl.

If the bench holds its own, I will definitely re-lip the edges with Beech stock, and may even replace the top with a veneered panel. That should give a great looking bench, with an easily replaced surface.

Cheers

Karl

 

[OPJ]

Thanks for that. You've given me something to think about now as I work in a cold garage also and was, until now, planning on making a solid, traditional cabinet maker's bench from beech... Maybe one day!

Have you decided whether the grain of your jaws will run vertically or horizontally? It's a lot easier to plan it flush with the grain running lengthways but, some people think you get a better hold with the end grain gripping the timber vertically. But, that's more difficult to plane - especially with beech!

 

[WellsWood]

That's a nice quick solution. Please don't show MarkW this thread...

What you trying to say?

I'll have you know I'm not slow, I'm thorough :twisted: :wink:

 

[Karl]

Ok, so I have the Beech for the jaws, and will fit them over the weekend.

But I have been musing over the Veritas range of Wonder dogs/pups and hold downs. I don't use an end vice and have been toying with the idea of buying a couple of dogs. Does anybody use them, or the Veritas hold down? Of the latter, I am thinking particularly about being able to clamp jigs to a shooting board (as the bench doesn't have a removeable tool tray, or any tray come to mention it). A hold down could be positioned behind the shooting board.

Cheers

Karl