June 25, 201115 yr Bought my first woodworking workbench yesterday. Add in the local paper. I got a small workbench, I believe it is the type sold by harbor freight. It is 20 " deep by 55" long with 2 vises, 3 drawers and 1 cabinet. Came with 4 dogs.Also got a Craftsman 12" Benchtop Drill Press. Both looked like they were brand new. Both for $150. Pays to read the want ads.Very similar to the picture here. Dan
June 25, 201115 yr Sounds like you're making some very nice additions Dan. BTW, as soon as I clear the curio out of my shop I'll dig out the jig you asked about. Ron DudelstonAbove and Beyond WoodWorks
June 25, 201115 yr Dan,I think that its great that you are interested in woodworking. A good workbench is one of the most important tools you will ever own and the one you bought is a good starter. As your skills and interests progress, you will find that you want to build a bench that suits your specific needs. I built my first at age 19 and am giving it to an aspiring young (11 years old) woodworker in my neighborhood. A work bench is, above all else, a very big clamp. It is a three dimensional clamping suface that will help you hold boards in a variety of ways. Never forget that and soon you will be planning a bench of your own. I am about to start building a new bench for myself and I will documenting it on this site in a blog. Make sure you check it out. I am new to this site, but I have recieved a warm welcome and I think that there is a wealth of information among the few members here. Good luck in everything you attempt and keep making saw dust! Also, I am selling a few old Stanley Bailey bench planes on this site and the proceeds will be going to The Patriot Woodworker. Make sure you take a look.
June 25, 201115 yr Dan, great job sir!!!! That was really good deal. I am envious, I have been working off my large 800 lb assembly bench for the last 10 years, I installed a ShopFox woodworkers vise in one side and I am currently in the mood to design a workbench to suit my needs as Adam stated is a great thing to do when your in that time of your woodworking. Great job Dan, way to keep an eye out on the local adds. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
July 31, 201114 yr I'm still struggling with the idea of a bench. I'm leaning more and more towards handtools, not that I would ever give up my tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press, lathe or planer. But handtools do glorious things for the mind, body and soul and I want to do more with them. The bench is the central and most important tool in a hand tool shop, also the biggest, most expensive and they take up a lot of space.  Most of my projects are small so I think a small bench would work fine, but i want it extra sturdy and very versatile because I do a wide variety of unusual work from freeform carving to boxes, bowls and spoons. So, what features, attachments and qualities should I think about as I design or look for my new bench? I have Schwarz's book on benches (the blue one) and just ordered Anarchist's Tool Chest.
July 31, 201114 yr Chris's books on workbenches inspired me to build the bench I am building now. I have always favored a leg vise and I can tell you that they work great and are easy and inexpensive to install. I am a handtool worker and (although I love my machines too) I lean more and more too them everyday. Build it big. Build it heavy. Holdfasts are your friend.I am reading The Anarchist's Toolchest right now and I can tell you that you will not be disapointed. Mike Davis said:I'm still struggling with the idea of a bench. I'm leaning more and more towards handtools, not that I would ever give up my tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press, lathe or planer. But handtools do glorious things for the mind, body and soul and I want to do more with them. The bench is the central and most important tool in a hand tool shop, also the biggest, most expensive and they take up a lot of space.  Most of my projects are small so I think a small bench would work fine, but i want it extra sturdy and very versatile because I do a wide variety of unusual work from freeform carving to boxes, bowls and spoons. So, what features, attachments and qualities should I think about as I design or look for my new bench? I have Schwarz's book on benches (the blue one) and just ordered Anarchist's Tool Chest.  Adam WelkerRed Car Construction and Fine Woodworking
July 31, 201114 yr Good score Dan. Lots of info here Mike. http://www.workbenchdesign.net/index.htmlMike Davis said:m still struggling with the idea of a bench. I'm leaning more and more towards handtools, not that I would ever give up my tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press, lathe or planer. But handtools do glorious things for the mind, body and soul and I want to do more with them. The bench is the central and most important tool in a hand tool shop, also the biggest, most expensive and they take up a lot of space.  Most of my projects are small so I think a small bench would work fine, but i want it extra sturdy and very versatile because I do a wide variety of unusual work from freeform carving to boxes, bowls and spoons. So, what features, attachments and qualities should I think about as I design or look for my new bench? I have Schwarz's book on benches (the blue one) and just ordered Anarchist's Tool Chest.  Good, Better, Best never let it restTill your Good is Better and your Better is Best.
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