Workbench Build

[Fitzroy]

Having spent weeks stripping lathe and plaster and planning to remake the bedroom window I decided it would be easier if I had the workbench semi functional rather than in pieces taking up space in the shed. So I’ve drilled the end frames ready for drawboring, shaped the vice chop, and planed and sanded all the frame components.

Just need to think the build plan through one last time to make sure I’m not forgetting something that will be much more difficult once the frames are together!

End frame and leg vice ready to drawbore.

Vice chop shaped and sanded. Think I like the waney edge but still a little uncertain.

Heavy chamfers on all components hide a multitude of mistakes!

Fitz

 

[Cabinetman]

Seems to be a thing to have a statement piece of flashy stuff for the leg and that certainly fits the bill! I think the scollops out are fine, you certainly don’t want anything that would be rough or jagged.

 

[Fitzroy]

Bench was assembled ‘again’ as I needed the space to build windows. The top needs to be flattened and I’ve not worked out the tail vice yet. The leg vice got a piece of leather on the jaw and has seen some use, I’m loving the action of the vice and the cross works well.

Frame was finished in OSMO Raw 3044 to try to keep the sycamore light, elm vice jaw finished in Danish oil.

I’ve realised I do nearly all my hand cutting over the right hand end of the bench so a tail vice is really going to be in the way. As tail vices are common I’m left wondering how folks cut to length. Hmmm.

Fitz

 

[scooby]

looks fantastic. Excellent work.

 

[Cabinetman]

Cutting to length is normally done on a bench hook on the bench top with a tenon saw, larger pieces on a low sawhorse/ stepup with a handsaw.
I had an end vice that I Never used, planing should be up against a bench stop, the fact that the wood isn’t fastened down promotes a good planing technique as well.

 

[thetyreman]

that is one of the nicest workbenches I have ever seen! amazing work!

 

[Fitzroy]

that is one of the nicest workbenches I have ever seen! amazing work!

Thank you that’s very kind.

The timber has some lovely grain patterns, it also has quite a few worm holes, so could never be used for anything proper. It’s all been treated so fingers crossed.

I’m hoping once the top is flattened and sanded it will look a little more homogeneous as at the moment I find it a little patchwork looking.

My favourite bit is the vice. The homemade iron cross mechanism is a real success and the piece of elm for the chop looks great with the black epoxy fill.