April 14, 201214 yr  With all the talk going around about building a bench for woodworking, and such, i thought maybe a dose of common sense would be nice.      I DO have a bench I can work off of.   Is it FLAT to a .000001"?  Not exactly.   Does it have three or more fancy bench vises, with perfect dogs to push against?  Ah, not exactly.  Does it have a big, thick, heavy top?   Ah, no.   Does it have a tool well?    It does have a view of a well, in fact.    Just what is a bench for???   It is for WORK.   That is why it is called a Workbench.  Doesn't need $1000 in parts to work great. Doesn't need fancy vises just to hold something still while one works.   It Does have to Hold, Steady, and Support any item you place onto it, though.   Bench should NOT skitter across the floor ( with you a-chasing it) as you work.   A bench should just stand there and work. Sound like a "rant"?   Not really.   just being my practical self.    If I want to, say, sabresaw out a handle for a handsaw: a simple clamp or two to hold steady.  Bench does not bounce around.   Free to just hold the saw and cut.  If I need to sharpen a saw blade:two pieces of thin wood, clamped to the "front" of the bench.  "Bench Vise" will swing out of the way as i work the file along the teeth.   No chatter, either.   natural Sunlight ( morning is best time) to shine off the teeth, and show which needs a little extra work.   Now, IF I need to do some, say, edge planing, wellI rest the far end on the "Bench Hook" ( Stair railing comes up past the corner post, in the shape of a point) and clamp to the front of the "bench'.   Ready to be planed.  Does it work?Seemed to.  More mulch?  Dust Collection? mother nature's windy friends, they just blow the dust away.  All natural lighting, too.  This original bench's name?   MY Back Porch.   I work from the 2x4 railing on the back porch.  I can even clamp up a board to do a bit of hand-sawingsince i have to test the saws after I sharpen them.   Saw is awaiting a medallion...   I just don't need a high dollar bench at the moment... 'and may the road raise up to meet ye'
April 14, 201214 yr Author  While I have been know to use my tablesaw as a bench/assembly table, it is a bit hard to run a tablesaw in an apartment.   Here, I can work on my "tan" a bit as i enjoy the Great Outdoors.  Back porch is covered, but not enclosed.    It can get a might breezy out there.   I can either just go out my back door to do a little woodworking, or drive 7 miles one way to the Barn Woodshop. Somedays, I'm just too cheap to buy the gas.... 'and may the road raise up to meet ye'
April 14, 201214 yr There you go Steve! Many times I clamp things like my chain saw vice etc. to the tongue of my trailer. Instant workbench! Hey it works. Â Larry OWWM Forum Host
April 14, 201214 yr What ever works is good!Lew Kauffman-Wood Turners Forum HostTime traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
April 14, 201214 yr My main bench is a half sheet of plywood on 2 saw horses. Works for me.Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
April 15, 201214 yr I got 2 or 3 of those kind of benches myself , tailgate of the pick up works good too Harry Brink said: My main bench is a half sheet of plywood on 2 saw horses. Works for me. Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
April 15, 201214 yr Whatever works man!!! When I did work on homes, anything nearby that was bolted to the ground worked. You do what you gotta do! That being said, I know sometime soon I need to invest in a bench that has all the bells and whistles. Since I have gotten really into hand tools, I see the need for a good bench with dogs and hooks, a tail vise, side vise with a dead man and all the goodies. I don't think I'll need a tool trough. But a good 400 lb bench with a cabinet underneath. Someday in the near future, year or so, I hope to be able to start on a bench like the one below. Plenty of good stuff on top, and plenty of storage on down below. I love your work bench Steve, but it's good to dream too right!!! John MorrisThe Patriot WoodworkerProud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops
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