Work in Progress - Bench Update

[Alexam]

For the last couple of weeks I have been updating and improving the old working surface in our double garage. It had been left by the former owners some 12 years ago and was a 1" chipboard against the back wall, almost the whole width.

With my son wanting a router for Christmas, it fired my interest to improve matters and I proceeded to reinforce the top, add a 3/4" hardwood ply and raise and widen the end section, so that it could allow the two bins to sit underneath and take up less room.

I took a photo after the new 9" vice was fitted under the bench and before oiling the new surface [ATTACH=full]21210[/ATTACH] . My son then mentioned that the bench did not have a 'well' for tools in use and today I set about adding this to the front of the bench. It is fixed with hinges and can be dropped down under the front of the bench when not needed, but has yet to be stained and oiled.

A shelf above the surface is also hinged, so that it can be put up to increase the working area when larger projects are being created, rather than clutter it permanently.

I have yet to devise a way to support the well when hinged up and at present it simply has a loose timber, which does the job.

Considering I have not done woodwork for about 20 odd years, I am pleased with my efforts, such as they are. Should all be ready for Christmas.

Alex

Sorry, don't know why the first image was duplicated, possibly just adding a second image caused confusion? :roll:

 

[Noggsy]

Looking good mate. What about 2 or 3 battens fixed at right-angles to the shelf and secured under the table, which would then be free to pull out when the shelf was upright? Similar to how some drop-leaf tables work.

 

[Alexam]

Looking good mate. What about 2 or 3 battens fixed at right-angles to the shelf and secured under the table, which would then be free to pull out when the shelf was upright? Similar to how some drop-leaf tables work.

Cheers Noggsy, that sounds like a good idea. A couple of drop down legs should do it OK.

Alex

 

[Noggsy]

Legs would work, but that's not what I meant. Battens that slide out from under the benchtop, supporting the shelf when needed, then slide back under when you want to fold the shelf down again.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Noggsy.

I did understand and that would be the simple answer. The underside of the worktop is a bit cluttered, but will have a good look today and see what looks best.

Cheers again.
Alex

 

[AES]

Looks good Alexam, I wish I had all that space.

I "work" in my cellar which is great in some respects (it never gets below about 10 or 12 degrees for a start) but it does limit my available space somewhat - for a start I have to share the space with the CH oil tank, washing machine & drier, loads of gardening tools, and (obligatory over here when my house was built), a nuclear fall out shelter (yes, really!).

Ah well.

AES

 

[rspsteve]

Nice work Alex...keep the pics coming please.

Steve

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Steve,
Just been out in the garage this morning, mainly tidying up and giving another coat of oil to the surfaces.

Haven't thought through the means to hold up the fold down 'well' at the front, really need some square u shaped brackets, but can'rt see them around. The idea being to put in a couple of poles to draw out from underneath to support the well when in use, as suggested above.

Anyway, it will have to do for now and will be another job to finish off. Took a couple more pictures here

This shows the well held up temporarily by a timber,

this is from further away and shows the bookshelf I built some 20-30 odd years ago, which is very useful.

All for now. Cheers guys and hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and a great New Year.

Alex

 

[MMUK]

For the well supports, you could pick up a couple of offcuts of alu box section, fix them to the underside of the top and make some 'runners' to suit with a full width front rather than two separate runners.

Roughly something like this:

Or even make something to run on kitchen drawer runners :mrgreen:

 

[Alexam]

Sounds good, but if the box sections are square, the inserts also need to be square don't they?

If I could get a few dsquare U brackets, then the aluminium box tube would work. It's a question of finding them. Need a good old fashioned hardware store somewhere, that is unless anyone has other ideas ........ Please?

Alex

 

[SteveF]

could u use a pair of gate bolts ?

 

[Alexam]

could u use a pair of gate bolts ?

Good lateral thinking, but had thought of that already. There would not be enough strength the way the 'well' is fitted. It's hinged onto a 3 x 2 ( edge up ),which is used as an edge support to the work top. As such, the hinged shelf does not have a wide enough flat surface. If you can see that?

It will come to me eventually, I get my best ideas at night, then wake up and write them down. One day I'll dream I'm a 'real carpenter' and it will all come together in a flash!

Alex

 

[Alexam]

Right then. The work surface has had a couple of coats of Osmo oil ............ I understand that it should now be waxed with a hard wax. What wax should I use for best, hard working finish to our work top bench.?

The surface is hardwood ply with oak edging as well as some pine edge.

Alex

 

[Noggsy]

With regards the brackets, you could easily make wooden guides with slots morticed to match your wooden battens that will slide out. Then screw the guides in place (2 per batten) and Robert's your mother's brother.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Noggsy,

I had thought of that, but the problem is that the 'well' shelf is hinged to a 3 x 2, so there is a 2" lip to overcome. Will probably end up doing that.

Alex
Have a nice Christmas & New Year

 

[carlb40]

Sounds good, but if the box sections are square, the inserts also need to be square don't they?

If I could get a few dsquare U brackets, then the aluminium box tube would work. It's a question of finding them. Need a good old fashioned hardware store somewhere, that is unless anyone has other ideas ........ Please?

Alex

Fencing brackets?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-4-wall-ba ... 3f295a1aac
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Six-Fence-pan ... 5aceb40272
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Six-Fence-pan ... 4617e89cb9

Various sizes available. You could try Davies timber not too far from you or EH Smith in shirley

 

[Alexam]

Thank you Carl, I had thought about fence brackets as the shape is just right, but really wanted the same in 2" x 2" if possible. I know the sawmills at Wythall, just up the road, will give them a call after Christmas.

Hope you have a good one.

Alex

Like your landscape work on Flickr, have done portrait work myself for a few years.

 

[carlb40]

Thank you Carl, I had thought about fence brackets as the shape is just right, but really wanted the same in 2" x 2" if possible. I know the sawmills at Wythall, just up the road, will give them a call after Christmas.

Hope you have a good one.

Alex

Like your landscape work on Flickr, have done portrait work myself for a few years.

Hi Alex

Are these what you're after?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fence-Panel-B ... 3cd45c74f0

Thank you re flickr.
PS i was going to ask earlier if you did photography as your avatar is much like the one an Alex from wythall on The photography forum uses

 

[Alexam]

I'm the same person from the photography forum Carl.

Those brackets need the additional , extra wings to screw to the underside of the bench, so that timber can be pulled out to support the lift up tool well at the front. Similar to the post wall supports that you sent. The well Is presently supported by a bit of timber propped under the front, as seen in my last photo above, but I want to do a proper job and have two pull out timbers for this. As I then lift the hinged 'well' I pull out the two bits of 2x2 to give support.

Alex

 

[carlb40]

Thought you were, small world

Do the battens need to pull out? How about fixed - glued/screwed battens and use these or similar?
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st ... ber=422621