Woodwork Bench Build (Using Only Hand Tools) - Progress

[D_W]

Hard work and I’m constantly battling using hand tools when I’m surrounded by power tools! Still, it’s a challenge and ironically, I’m enjoying it because it’s hard not easy.

It may not be clear yet, but you are building serious neural development in your arms, hands, brain, hips...whatever else it may be. The fastest way to get good at the fine work is to do a lot of the coarse work by hand early on, because the cost of inaccuracy or overdoing something is so evident and so fast. To rough saw 8/4 lumber and do it accurately so that planing is minimized is more difficult than cutting clean dovetails, but it's not more difficult to do rough sawing. Just to do it in a way that will minimize you're following on with a plane, and then the work keeping the plane in the cut and breaking chips to avoid unnecessary follow-on to that will make you better with a plane.

You're giving yourself free instruction more or less that you couldn't get from any guru at any price (partially because none of the gurus actually do much hand work - they do the work that beginners will do).

 

[Molynoox]

looks brilliant Rob! I'm planning the same build sometime in future once I've finished my other project so very interested to see this.
Martin

 

[Dynamite]

It may not be clear yet, but you are building serious neural development in your arms, hands, brain, hips...whatever else it may be. The fastest way to get good at the fine work is to do a lot of the coarse work by hand early on, because the cost of inaccuracy or overdoing something is so evident and so fast. To rough saw 8/4 lumber and do it accurately so that planing is minimized is more difficult than cutting clean dovetails, but it's not more difficult to do rough sawing. Just to do it in a way that will minimize you're following on with a plane, and then the work keeping the plane in the cut and breaking chips to avoid unnecessary follow-on to that will make you better with a plane.

You're giving yourself free instruction more or less that you couldn't get from any guru at any price (partially because none of the gurus actually do much hand work - they do the work that beginners will do).

Wise words DW, thanks for that… Rob

 

[Molynoox]

It may not be clear yet, but you are building serious neural development in your arms, hands, brain, hips...whatever else it may be. The fastest way to get good at the fine work is to do a lot of the coarse work by hand early on, because the cost of inaccuracy or overdoing something is so evident and so fast. To rough saw 8/4 lumber and do it accurately so that planing is minimized is more difficult than cutting clean dovetails, but it's not more difficult to do rough sawing. Just to do it in a way that will minimize you're following on with a plane, and then the work keeping the plane in the cut and breaking chips to avoid unnecessary follow-on to that will make you better with a plane.

You're giving yourself free instruction more or less that you couldn't get from any guru at any price (partially because none of the gurus actually do much hand work - they do the work that beginners will do).

interesting comment
Martin

 

[Orraloon]

Nice going on the bench. You are well on the way to a seriously good bench. The hard work will pay off as things get much easier and comfortable to do on a good solid bench.
Regards
John

 

[pe2dave]

4TH NOVEMBER

View attachment 122502

Now that's a router plane and a half! Great idea, I'm always thinking 'is this wide enough'.

 

[Dynamite]

Nice going on the bench. You are well on the way to a seriously good bench. The hard work will pay off as things get much easier and comfortable to do on a good solid bench.
Regards
John

Thanks John. Yes looking forward to completing it to be honest.

Rob

 

[Dynamite]

Well, I’ve moved a little closer now. Leg frames have had their top tenons cut and planed flush, sanded and then given a coat of Boiled Linseed Oil.…

 

[Hornbeam]

Great write up and really good progress.
Your picture with the router shows how to set up and final pare teh sides of tennons for a really good fit as discussed in another thread, If you put 2 tennons end to end you can do 2 at once with no risk of teh router tipping .
Great work

 

[Dynamite]

Great write up and really good progress.
Your picture with the router shows how to set up and final pare teh sides of tennons for a really good fit as discussed in another thread, If you put 2 tennons end to end you can do 2 at once with no risk of teh router tipping .
Great work

Many thanks Hornbeam. It will be little steps now as my shop is freezing and some of my spare time is taken up with Christmas stuff... Rob

 

[Dynamite]

Planing and squaring the apron boards next I reckon so that will keep me warm!

 

[sawdustandwax]

If you can work it into the design of your bench I have a 7 foot length of 6x4 inch beech you can have gratis. Ideal for some bench dog holes along the front, if you're putting in a tail-vice? It's rough-sawn and will need planing, if can stand anymore of that!
Great work btw, and reminds me to build a proper bench from the rest of it.

 

[Cabinetman]

If you can work it into the design of your bench I have a 7 foot length of 6x4 inch beech you can have gratis. Ideal for some bench dog holes along the front, if you're putting in a tail-vice? It's rough-sawn and will need planing, if can stand anymore of that!
Great work btw, and reminds me to build a proper bench from the rest of it.

That’s a really kind offer you are making the op, I know he wants to do it all by hand, but I can add to your offer by saying he can bring it over the river to have it surfaced and thicknessed at mine if he wants. Ian

 

[Dynamite]

If you can work it into the design of your bench I have a 7 foot length of 6x4 inch beech you can have gratis. Ideal for some bench dog holes along the front, if you're putting in a tail-vice? It's rough-sawn and will need planing, if can stand anymore of that!
Great work btw, and reminds me to build a proper bench from the rest of it.

Wow, thats unbelievably kind and generous. Its very humbling and very much appreciated for offering. That said, I don't think I will be able to incorporate it anywhere to be honest as I already have my aprons laminated together and they are ready to square off and plane, then it's tackling the well board and fitting the vice.

Kind Regards... Rob

 

[Dynamite]

That’s a really kind offer you are making the op, I know he wants to do it all by hand, but I can add to your offer by saying he can bring it over the river to have it surfaced and thicknessed at mine if he wants. Ian

Yes, totally agree, it's very kind, as is your offer too Ian, it's much appreciated and kind of restores faith in humanity a bit to be honest. I only hope one day I can offer a kind gesture to you both on similar lines.... Rob.

 

[thetyreman]

the bench is looking good so far @Dynamite

 

[Dynamite]

Well, after spending the vast majority of the weekend planing the aprons flat, I’ve now started cutting in the housing dado’s(think that’s the term for them) into the aprons for the legs. I’ve also glued the timber I’m using for the well boards together(more flaming planing to get those flat at some stage!). Still enjoying it though. Must admit, I’m wavering when I also think I’ve got to saw the well boards all the way down long wise when my battery circular saw is hung up 2 feet away from me!!

 

[Jameshow]

A workbench I found in 1977 woodworking annual!! Might be of interest to someone.

Cheers James

 

[Dynamite]

Well, I've made some more progress but fast running out of space as I'm now putting it together. My old table needs moving soon and a bit of a sort out! Aprons now done as well as the grooves with my plough plane (which I've yet to refurbish). The well board is next.

 

[Cabinetman]

**** that's a solid bench!
Stopped housings btw. Dado is the American word.
It’ll only take three or four minutes to cut down the well boards– just think of it as being character building and arm muscle building as well lol.