Sellers inspired workbench

[nosuchhounds]

Making good progress on this however it racks like mad. I measured and re sized the legs as it was a bit too tall for me. Any tips?

 

[Spectric]

Diagonal brace on the rear or a shelve between the legs.

 

[nosuchhounds]

Is that because theres a chance theres twist in the legs?

 

[thetyreman]

it shouldn't really rack much, mine doesn't, was the joinery nice and tight? I don't have wheels on mine, is the floor definitely flat and straight?

 

[Seascaper]

Making good progress on this however it racks like mad. I measured and re sized the legs as it was a bit too tall for me. Any tips?View attachment 148721

Hello,
Well done, it looks like it will be a really useful workbench when you have got it sorted. To stop it rocking I suggest you add two horizontal beams front and back and dowel joint the mortices. This will also give you the further useful addition of an underwork bench shelf to put all those useful bits of wood.
Regards

 

[thetyreman]

I can also recommend shelves on the left side for a place to put sharpening stones and a strop, I built drawers as well on mine on the right side which is handy for a bit of extra storage.

 

[Ttrees]

Is it definitely racking, or could it just be rocking and walking about?
I'd say the floor is worse than you think.

I'd definitely add a strecher or two, it would add mass to counter the former,
and would lend a hand to making a shelf, be it a few boards or whatever laid on top.
It would hold more if necessary or perhaps should some other approach be used instead,
i.e bracing it against a table, (simply butted against I mean)
which might be against the wall, would work either/aswell.
Beats fixings and brackets any day.

 

[Agent_zed]

I built an English Bench like this one and its rock solid. I can't quite see if your front (and rear) side/skirt is cut into the legs? Mine has it so the legs are inline with the skirt (I have a leg vice on the one side) and I cut triangles into the top like this English Workbench Designs - The Nicholson Workbench

 

[Hornbeam]

You could glue and screw a couple of blocks to the back of each apron on either side of each leg
Its looking good
What type of vice are you planning on using
I would also recommend recessing the heads of the coach bolts so they set just inside the depth of teh apron as it will make it easier if you are planing a large board on edge clamped to the apron

 

[D_W]

Box the back legs with hardwood ply - from the back. Just screw them in. I had to make do with a bench that was wobbly for a couple of years and I ultimately boxed the legs with plywood (it already had a built in cabinet, so it didn't look that bad) on the outside and put 100 pounds or so of bricks in the bottom cabinet and it behaved like a much nicer bench.

if a bench moves a little when you're really laying into something unusual (very rare), it's tolerable. If it wobbles in regular use or sawing, you'll be annoyed with it very quickly. It's disorienting and distracting.

Regular sawing and planing generally is about rhythm and finesse and setting things up so they aren't you wailing on things, but a wobbly bench will develop a rhythm with that, too.

 

[Linus]

I built the same bench and it is rock solid after eight years. The only difference I can see is that the aprons on mine are secured at three points on each leg whereas yours seem to have one coach bolt only. Perhaps?

 

[johnnyb]

I assisted 1275gt to build one and it really surprised me how solid it was. the legs need to be carefully wedged to the apron.

 

[johnnyb]

I would also suggest your legs seem a bit close together...sorry.

 

[johnnyb]

post a pic of yout apron wedges

 

[thetyreman]

same as linus my legs were screwed and also glued into the aprons, 3 screws per leg.

 

[nosuchhounds]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Each leg is wedged and then has 2 mechanical fixings, a coach bolt and a long screw which has been plugged with a dowel. It could well be the floor. It feels more like an uneven leg or floor issue than the joinery moving. I have considered adding stretchers but wanted space to have be able to have a shop vac under that i could roll in and out. I may shelve thay idea though.
I have a Veritas face vise to fit to it which should also add mass.
In terms of size. I made the bench shorter in length due to the size of my workshop, the spacing from end to end on the legs is same as the plans

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

If you press down above either of the front legs does it rock? If so it's the floor.
If its racking front to back then I suggest you add a plywood panel between and securely fixed to the front and back legs to brace them. A diagonal brace would be just as good but probably more difficult to add well now the bench is finished.
If it's racking side to side then mack sure the legs are really secure to the apron - more screws, glue........
Have fun
Martin

 

[nosuchhounds]

Yeah i think its more that case that its rocking on on an uneven surface. I have some glazing shims i could use to level up.