Farmer Giles
The biggest tool in the box
Seeing as my current woodworking "bench" is an OSB packing case side on two Workmates I thought it was about time I knocked a proper one together. I nearly did it 2 or 3 years ago after doing some research into my ideal bench, making some drawings and putting together a cutting list.
Unfortunately all I can find now is the cutting list and I can't reverse engineer the drawings from that so I went back to the books and was edging towards some kind of Roubo bench when I saw the Benchcrafted split top Roubo. It hit a chord as it had all the clamping qualities I wanted and I do remember having factored in a sliding deadman in my last design, but I'm not sure if I had a leg vice. However I've thought about it I like the idea that Benchcrafted have developed from the old Roubo plans of the criss-cross, but I don't want to pay that kind of cash. I also like their tail vice. 8)
So I have bought some Douglas Fir, which I think strikes the right balance between density, stability and cost, a couple of metal hand wheels off fleabay for about 6 quid each, and a couple of York 24mm acme threaded bars and nuts from Axminster for about 20 quid each . I shall fabricate the Roubo criss-cross mechanism from stuff I have in my workshop, I have the tools for this.
The timber cost 360 quid however there is nearly enough wood for 2 benches as I have some other mini projects in mind so in reality about 200 quid's worth is for the bench. Add about 60 quid for the hardware and I bought the plans from Fine Tools. So hopefully it should come in around 300 quid or so if I don't count any holdfasts etc.
The timber was plain sawn, I didn't think I needed to quarter saw it as much will be laminated, I saved on the cutting cost and less wastage. I also bought a 14 foot x 20" pippy oak log for a future dining table and other dining furniture however as the missus hasn't nailed the design she wants yet it is still at the sawmill waiting instructions :roll: This will be partly quarter sawn, at least the planks for the top and any rails will be. We won't know how deep the pippy bits go into the log until we cut it but its looking good.
The Douglas fir is at about 14% to 16% moisture and my shop is around 12% ambient so as I'm not intending to do much for a few months and the top is made up of small pieces I think it will be good enough for a bench soon. I'm not even thinking about using the oak until next year.
Here's a couple of pics of the bench timber and my oak log
The black marks aren't knots, just muck from loading it. There are a few small knots in the larger sections which I can cut around but the rest is knot free.
and the oak log
There is a shake that goes through the log but the sawyer reckoned he could cut around it and as the centre is off to one side so we should be able to get some nice wide boards for the top. Its a bit of a lottery but I think that is part of the fun!
Next update when I make progress on the criss-cross or the top. it may be a while!
Cheers
Andy
Unfortunately all I can find now is the cutting list and I can't reverse engineer the drawings from that so I went back to the books and was edging towards some kind of Roubo bench when I saw the Benchcrafted split top Roubo. It hit a chord as it had all the clamping qualities I wanted and I do remember having factored in a sliding deadman in my last design, but I'm not sure if I had a leg vice. However I've thought about it I like the idea that Benchcrafted have developed from the old Roubo plans of the criss-cross, but I don't want to pay that kind of cash. I also like their tail vice. 8)
So I have bought some Douglas Fir, which I think strikes the right balance between density, stability and cost, a couple of metal hand wheels off fleabay for about 6 quid each, and a couple of York 24mm acme threaded bars and nuts from Axminster for about 20 quid each . I shall fabricate the Roubo criss-cross mechanism from stuff I have in my workshop, I have the tools for this.
The timber cost 360 quid however there is nearly enough wood for 2 benches as I have some other mini projects in mind so in reality about 200 quid's worth is for the bench. Add about 60 quid for the hardware and I bought the plans from Fine Tools. So hopefully it should come in around 300 quid or so if I don't count any holdfasts etc.
The timber was plain sawn, I didn't think I needed to quarter saw it as much will be laminated, I saved on the cutting cost and less wastage. I also bought a 14 foot x 20" pippy oak log for a future dining table and other dining furniture however as the missus hasn't nailed the design she wants yet it is still at the sawmill waiting instructions :roll: This will be partly quarter sawn, at least the planks for the top and any rails will be. We won't know how deep the pippy bits go into the log until we cut it but its looking good.
The Douglas fir is at about 14% to 16% moisture and my shop is around 12% ambient so as I'm not intending to do much for a few months and the top is made up of small pieces I think it will be good enough for a bench soon. I'm not even thinking about using the oak until next year.
Here's a couple of pics of the bench timber and my oak log
The black marks aren't knots, just muck from loading it. There are a few small knots in the larger sections which I can cut around but the rest is knot free.
and the oak log
There is a shake that goes through the log but the sawyer reckoned he could cut around it and as the centre is off to one side so we should be able to get some nice wide boards for the top. Its a bit of a lottery but I think that is part of the fun!
Next update when I make progress on the criss-cross or the top. it may be a while!
Cheers
Andy
