September 3, 201114 yr I have been a little busy in the shop, I'm finally building a proper workbench. I got a great deal on some really nice 8/4 maple a year or so ago and decided it was time to put it to use. So far I have built the leg and stretcher assemblies but not glued it together. I am waiting to get the top finished before I do that and I can then move the old bench out to make room. The top was completed today and is maple with a little walnut for contrast. I think it has turned out well. I am off to a buddies shop who has a 48" belt sander and gonna make a few passes to flatten it. I must say though it came out almost dead flat. I think the lowest spot is about 1/32" out. Not too bad for my first attempt at gluing a big table top. The top is 28" wide and 80" long. The bench will stand 34 1/2" and will be the perfect height to also be used as an out feed for the table saw. I am hoping to get the vises built and installed later this week and get a few coats of oil on it.  The top in glue up  Here it is finished. The walnut ends are held in place with a 1/2" thick tongue and 2-5/16"x4" lag screws. no glue was used at all on the ends. I was afraid of wood movement. I am hoping the end caps will help to keep the top flat over the years.  My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
September 3, 201114 yr KenGreat l;ooking bench. Love the Walnut accents. I would imaine he will be around for quite some time. Great Job. Wayne MahlerGod bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.
September 3, 201114 yr Ken that is a great looking top. That should be a awesome work bench. I'll be watching to see how it finishes out.John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
September 3, 201114 yr Nice looking bench top Ken. You did slot the holes for the lags , right?bob Bob Kloeswww.bobkloes.com
September 3, 201114 yr Author I knew I was forgetting something....Doh!!Bob Kloes said:Nice looking bench top Ken. You did slot the holes for the lags , right?bob Bob Kloeswww.bobkloes.com
September 3, 201114 yr Author Thanks Bob.....I was getting a little frustrated with fitting the second end cap that I totally forgot about elongating the holes. I used a router and a 1/2" straight bit to flush up the ends and form the tongue and on the second one something happened with the router and the tongue wound up tapered. I think the depth stop loosened up. I had to start all over. I really dont think the top is going to move much if at all here in our dry climate, but its better to plan for it and not have it move than not. My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
September 3, 201114 yr Just learning experiences. Its how we get better. I still remember watching Norm in the beginning slopping glue all down the tenons on a breadboard end of a table. I wish I could have heard the crack when it blew apart. Yes routers can do that. Do you have a rabbet plane or a shoulder plane? Its fun shaving a tenon to fit with those. No noise or dust. You can glue veneer on to tighten it up. Just make sure the grain runs the right way to what you are gluing to. Regardless of how dry it is, wood will move sometime. Just the way it is. bob Bob Kloeswww.bobkloes.com
September 3, 201114 yr Author What I did was to re-rout the tongue. I then trimmed it to size with a Stanley #92. Fit like a glove. Bob Kloes said:Just learning experiences. Its how we get better. I still remember watching Norm in the beginning slopping glue all down the tenons on a breadboard end of a table. I wish I could have heard the crack when it blew apart. Yes routers can do that. Do you have a rabbet plane or a shoulder plane? Its fun shaving a tenon to fit with those. No noise or dust. You can glue veneer on to tighten it up. Just make sure the grain runs the right way to what you are gluing to. Regardless of how dry it is, wood will move sometime. Just the way it is. bob Bob Kloeswww.bobkloes.com
September 6, 201114 yr Author I have completed the base of the bench and its getting closer. I still need to add the front apron and install the front vise and make a tail vise. Just a quick pic with the top sitting on the base. Gonna be a beast!! Â Â My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
September 6, 201114 yr Ken that is really looking good. That will be a fine bench for a long time to come. I really like the walnut end caps. Nice touch. John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
September 6, 201114 yr Author Thanks John. I also pegged all the tenons with walnut as well. My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist
September 6, 201114 yr I thought that look that way on the legs but I wasn't for sure. Nice touch. I like it.   John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
September 6, 201114 yr Very nice job Ken. Looks great. Nice workmanship. bob Bob Kloeswww.bobkloes.com
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.