There are some weeks that try as I might, I just cannot get any garage time. This last fortnight has been a bit like that.
I have had some ash acclimatising for about a month now, ready for a workbench build. I have cheaped slightly (a lot) because douglas kindly got the timber, and wizzed it through his planer for me until it was damn near perfect. As a result, I only really need to cut the pieces to size, cut some joints and assemble. Only, I say...
There are a number of threads on here about people building the Roubo bench- I have gone with the other one- the English workbench in the Shwarz book, with its deep front aprons. I will have nothing to compare it to, but over the coming years I plan to put it through its paces and so will see how it fares. My design differs from the book in a number of ways- the book is being used for inspiration rather than a plan. All of the dimensions are different, the construction of the legs is different, the jointing is similar, but different, and the top is based on mdf and a firedoor rather than hardwood. That said, benches have traditionally been build from what was available, so if solid core firedoors and mdf were available 200 years ago, then it is possible that they would have been used. I believe that they should also be built around the dimensions of timber that you have, rather than spend forever trying to source things to a particular size just because the plan says so- there has to be some flexibility.
internet picture of bench
My bench will not have the shelf- I want to try and avoid places to put too much rubbish. I debated having a tool well, but decided against for the same reason- I will put tool storage on the wall behind, and if necessary will put a cantilevered tool well behind. It will incorporate a leg vice, but in homage to the benchcrafted design, it is to have a handwheel on it. I am yet to decide whether to put the nylon rollers on as Tony did on his bench, or go without, as Douglas did. Both seem happy with the outcome, and I am yet to get the screw. For a slight twist, to save having to do too much metalwork to make a handwheel fit, I am thinking about making a solid (rather than spoked) one from palo santo. To do so, I need to source a 200-225mm cylinder about 50mm thick. Anybody know a source? It should have the mass to push the vice face in when the wheel is spun.
Tonight, I have cut to length the 4 legs, which consist of an inner and outer piece. I have also cut to length and tenoned the rails of which there are 2 upper and 2 lower. Having jumped in the shower and got all clean, I have a niggling doubt that I have cut the rails wrong, and may not have subtracted the outer leg lamination from the overall width. I will have to measure again tomorrow- at least they have been cut too long. I cut some tenons on the table saw, and some on the router table. Both have came out alright and I am not sure which method I prefer. If I had any means of holding work, I would cut them by hand, which is probably as quick. I may have to knock up a saw horse, and bring forward the purchase of the holdfasts, but for now I can make do with one of these methods. I will be annoyed itf they are wrong, but there is no point worrying about it.
No pictures yet, but I will take some as I start assembly...
I have had some ash acclimatising for about a month now, ready for a workbench build. I have cheaped slightly (a lot) because douglas kindly got the timber, and wizzed it through his planer for me until it was damn near perfect. As a result, I only really need to cut the pieces to size, cut some joints and assemble. Only, I say...
There are a number of threads on here about people building the Roubo bench- I have gone with the other one- the English workbench in the Shwarz book, with its deep front aprons. I will have nothing to compare it to, but over the coming years I plan to put it through its paces and so will see how it fares. My design differs from the book in a number of ways- the book is being used for inspiration rather than a plan. All of the dimensions are different, the construction of the legs is different, the jointing is similar, but different, and the top is based on mdf and a firedoor rather than hardwood. That said, benches have traditionally been build from what was available, so if solid core firedoors and mdf were available 200 years ago, then it is possible that they would have been used. I believe that they should also be built around the dimensions of timber that you have, rather than spend forever trying to source things to a particular size just because the plan says so- there has to be some flexibility.
internet picture of bench
My bench will not have the shelf- I want to try and avoid places to put too much rubbish. I debated having a tool well, but decided against for the same reason- I will put tool storage on the wall behind, and if necessary will put a cantilevered tool well behind. It will incorporate a leg vice, but in homage to the benchcrafted design, it is to have a handwheel on it. I am yet to decide whether to put the nylon rollers on as Tony did on his bench, or go without, as Douglas did. Both seem happy with the outcome, and I am yet to get the screw. For a slight twist, to save having to do too much metalwork to make a handwheel fit, I am thinking about making a solid (rather than spoked) one from palo santo. To do so, I need to source a 200-225mm cylinder about 50mm thick. Anybody know a source? It should have the mass to push the vice face in when the wheel is spun.
Tonight, I have cut to length the 4 legs, which consist of an inner and outer piece. I have also cut to length and tenoned the rails of which there are 2 upper and 2 lower. Having jumped in the shower and got all clean, I have a niggling doubt that I have cut the rails wrong, and may not have subtracted the outer leg lamination from the overall width. I will have to measure again tomorrow- at least they have been cut too long. I cut some tenons on the table saw, and some on the router table. Both have came out alright and I am not sure which method I prefer. If I had any means of holding work, I would cut them by hand, which is probably as quick. I may have to knock up a saw horse, and bring forward the purchase of the holdfasts, but for now I can make do with one of these methods. I will be annoyed itf they are wrong, but there is no point worrying about it.
No pictures yet, but I will take some as I start assembly...