PeteG
Established Member
I printed off the plans for the bench, which listed the tools required, the shopping and cutting list, and a nice and easy step by step, ideal for someone who hasn't used a pocket hole jig before or previously made a bench of any type. Tools required...circular saw, drill, jig saw and a Kreg face clamp, and although I have a circular saw, I couldn't wait to use the Bosch 10SD mitre saw purchased back in January in a "Axminster mid week madness offer", and has been sat boxed up in the spare room ever since.
The shopping list asks for 6, 8 foot lengths of 4 x 2, but the cutting list wants 3.1/2" x 1.1/2"! I believe this project is aimed at beginners, and as there was no mention of a table saw on the required tool list, there's was no way I intended to fanny about trying to cut 8 foot lengths of 4 x 2 down with a circular saw
Thankfully the local Wickes had lots of planned 3.1/2" x 1.1/2" in stock.
So, Sunday morning, take our lass to work, then take the dogs for my weekly walk...Try not to slip a disc, hernia or have a heart attack trying to get the mitre saw from the spare room, down the stairs, and on to the table under the car port. Once set up, I had a couple of hours to measure up and make as many cuts as possible before picking our lass up from work at 1pm. Which meant everything had to be brought back indoors and left in the kitchen until I returned an hour later, and I could do it all again.
Time for a few picces
First up, the car port set up...
Next...My patent pending material support, which believe it or not, when I made this on the righthand side of the saw fit quite well, as you'll see now, it's a mm or two out.
The first piece of timber had a split end, both ends were split to be honest, but I was very happy with how clean a cut I had with the mitre saw.
The first pocket holes I'd made for a test run.
The first proper joint, bottom side rail and front leg. The front leg being the bit under the clamps.
A few more joints....and it's taking shape. Didn't have a great deal of time spare Monday night, but hopefully on Tuesday night it will be pretty much finished.
Managed to finish it off about 10.30 last night...Our lass is always up bright and early so didn't want her to see a near complete bench first thing this morning...She is a very happy lady
The shopping list asks for 6, 8 foot lengths of 4 x 2, but the cutting list wants 3.1/2" x 1.1/2"! I believe this project is aimed at beginners, and as there was no mention of a table saw on the required tool list, there's was no way I intended to fanny about trying to cut 8 foot lengths of 4 x 2 down with a circular saw
Thankfully the local Wickes had lots of planned 3.1/2" x 1.1/2" in stock.So, Sunday morning, take our lass to work, then take the dogs for my weekly walk...Try not to slip a disc, hernia or have a heart attack trying to get the mitre saw from the spare room, down the stairs, and on to the table under the car port. Once set up, I had a couple of hours to measure up and make as many cuts as possible before picking our lass up from work at 1pm. Which meant everything had to be brought back indoors and left in the kitchen until I returned an hour later, and I could do it all again.
Time for a few picces
First up, the car port set up...
Next...My patent pending material support, which believe it or not, when I made this on the righthand side of the saw fit quite well, as you'll see now, it's a mm or two out.
The first piece of timber had a split end, both ends were split to be honest, but I was very happy with how clean a cut I had with the mitre saw.
The first pocket holes I'd made for a test run.
The first proper joint, bottom side rail and front leg. The front leg being the bit under the clamps.
A few more joints....and it's taking shape. Didn't have a great deal of time spare Monday night, but hopefully on Tuesday night it will be pretty much finished.
Managed to finish it off about 10.30 last night...Our lass is always up bright and early so didn't want her to see a near complete bench first thing this morning...She is a very happy lady
