Workbench Top Advice

[Osvaldd]

I was given some free mostly 3"x"3 timber. I would love to build myself a proper workbench, but the problem is the pieces are only 120cm long, I feel its a little bit too short for a workbench. What about gluing them widthways? is that the right word? Would that be ok?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You might find it would ripple end to end, it would probably be more stable if you laminated it so it ran end to end - make up the length you want with the joints staggered. It wouldn't be too difficult as you wouldn't want to try gluing the whole top in one hit, you could make up 9" or 12" slabs (which you would probably do anyway).

 

[Orraloon]

Stagger the end joints like phil.p said and have whatever length you want. It's the way commercial work tops are made.
Regards
John

 

[Osvaldd]

Fantastic, thats what I'm going to do then.
Quick question, is doing half-lap joints worth it when doing this type of lamination?

 

[dzj]

Fantastic, thats what I'm going to do then.
Quick question, is doing half-lap joints worth it when doing this type of lamination?

It'll be strong enough just staggered.

 

[MikeG.]

Fantastic, thats what I'm going to do then.
Quick question, is doing half-lap joints worth it when doing this type of lamination?

I'm not sure you'll gain much from that extra work, Osvaldd. It might stop end-grain joins from opening up so much, but won't contribute much to the overall strength, I reckon.

 

[deema]

Your original suggested layout will work just fine. Just orientate the grain to run as vertical as possible to minimise and cupping on the surface. You need to do this for which ever laminated solution you choose.

 

[Osvaldd]

Well its done, almost... Flattening the underside now. I'm happy with the way it turned out, end grain joints nice and tight. All done by hand.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You need flatten only the parts that contact the frame, unless you enjoy working for nothing.

 

[Orraloon]

Looking good. Woodwork is so much more enjoyable on a good solid bench.
Regards
John

 

[custard]

Well done, that looks excellent!

=D>

 

[Osvaldd]

You need flatten only the parts that contact the frame

It’s an English style bench with a tool well, I'm going to need a flat underside as a registration to plough a groove for the tool board.

 

[Trevanion]

Very neat joints! How did you do the end grain ones? Straight off the saw?

 

[Osvaldd]

Very neat joints! How did you do the end grain ones? Straight off the saw?

No, my hand sawing is not that accurate. Hand planing to knife marks.

 

[Inspector]

It’s an English style bench with a tool well, I'm going to need a flat underside as a registration to plough a groove for the tool board.

Perhaps a dumb question but can't you register off of the top surface?

Pete

 

[Osvaldd]

@Inspector
Possibly, but it's done now. I just wanted to leave the top alone until the very end, when the bench is put together.

 

[Ttrees]

What a result!, from the design you had only a month ago, to a much better constructed one, and getting it laminated up with nice tight butt joints to boot. =D>
Your jack plane is not destined for the parts bin afterall.
Keep us updated
Good luck with the rest of it
Tom

 

[thetyreman]

looks really good, did you finish the bench?

 

[Osvaldd]

Not yet, most joinery is done though, ready to be assembled.

 

[DBT85]

Looks fantastic.

I too had to work on the underside but mine was not as well laminated as yours seems to be. I did only worry about the bits where the frame met the underside though. I then registered off the top for the groove for the wellboard as suggested.

I look forward to seeing yours finished! (and mine for that matter!)