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Thread: My Xmas Bench
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23rd December 2023, 10:16 PM #1
My Xmas Bench
Just in time before Xmas I got my new bench done.
It took around 2 years for this bench between the first thought of making it and today. I took some time to think what I wanted. I wanted a traditional bench similar to one, which my great great grandfather might have worked on. IanW showed me the plans of Frank Klausz. At same time, he offered me a pile of timber he looked to move on.
A mix of some good slabs and reclaimed posts with thick paint on it. As far as I believe it contained spotted and blue gum, ironbark and ironwood. At least the front stretcher is probably ironwood. That stuff does not even float.
I only took the big slabs to a shop to get them leveled before glueing the top together. Everything else I managed in my own humble shed. A lot of squaring by hand, because I have no electric jointer, planer or thicknesser. I am pretty good now at dimensioning lumber by hand and also sharpening.
But back to the bench. Changes I did to the Frank Klausz design:
- final dimensions were dictated by the available lumber
- I lowered the stretcher a little to get more room in case I want to add some storage later.
- I opted for a standard face vice rather than the shoulder vice
- I used metal tail vice kit instead of the design in the original plans.
And I did a few bits and pieces and shapes more to my liking.
I only made two dogs so far and used the ball catch trick IanW showed us. Makes so much sense and is dead easy.
Now I finally have a nice heavy and sturdy bench. My former bench was sturdy, but Gertrude (yes I named her Gertrude) is hundred times more solid. She does not move, flex or rack at all. It is like she is bolted down.
A few little things and final benchtop smoothing and finish is still to be done. So far only a few coats of BLO on the bench top and a couple coats of Danish oil on the under carriage.
I decided to spare you with all the build pictures and descriptions. This was pretty standard mostly. But if you want me to elaborate on some aspects, I am happy to expand.
Otherwise, happy Xmas everybody. For me it came early [emoji3]
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23rd December 2023, 11:30 PM #2
Great looking bench well done working within the constraints of the material to build to your needs. Are the lower stretchers (I think that’s what you call them) attaching to the legs via mortise and tenon and then a coach bolt or a butt joint and coach bolt?
Cheers
Nathan
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24th December 2023, 07:27 AM #3
Looks great, and an excellent use of recycled timbers
Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.
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24th December 2023, 07:34 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Lovely work and beautiful timber.
I'm probably missing something obvious, but what's the theory behind the ball catches in the dogs? I can't say I've ever had one fall out.
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24th December 2023, 08:45 AM #5
There is a stubby mortise and tenon. The tenon is only 12mm long. Mainly to help locating the connection better and prevent twisting. I don't believe it has any structural function.
I cut the mortise by drilling several shallow holes and the chiselled out the waste. I left the ends rounded and quickly rounded the ends of the tenons as well to fit. I found that was easier and quicker.
The connection is then tightened by bolt and nut. For the nut I just drilled 2 holes from the back of the stretcher and chopped the rest. That left an oval shaped hole big enough for the nut and a spanner to grab it. I did not drill through but left about 5 to 8mm of material before breaking through. That's just for optics. The original plans had these holes all the way through.
This is from behind.
IanW had this described here somewhere, but I cannot find it at the moment. The ball catches are not there to prevent falling through, but so they stay up at the position I want them. Traditionally they have some kind of "wooden spring". A flexible wooden strip which prevents the dog sliding down back into its hole. The spring-loaded ball does the same trick.
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24th December 2023, 10:01 AM #6GOLD MEMBER
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Well done. Looks good.
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24th December 2023, 10:03 AM #7
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24th December 2023, 10:09 AM #8GOLD MEMBER
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24th December 2023, 10:35 AM #9GOLD MEMBER
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Gorgeous CK! Do you have any photos of the construction of the tail vise?
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24th December 2023, 10:55 AM #10
Are you going to make a free standing board jack ? Or build in a fitted sliding one later?
I have a good design for a free standing one that I made a fast copy of some years back which ill put a pic on if you like.
I saw what was a Vic rail workshop original I think and copied that in timber.
Fitting any drawers later under ?
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24th December 2023, 11:15 AM #11
Really great looking bench. Should be good for a lifetime of woodwork. I could not think of a better xmas present.
Regards
John
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24th December 2023, 12:56 PM #12
Really lovely workbench mate!.
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24th December 2023, 01:24 PM #13
I was thinking making something with left over timber. There is a design in Frank Klausz instructions, but if you have a good design, please share.
I will probably make some drawers later. For now, I am just adding a shelf underneath.
Sure, I shall get to that a little later.
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24th December 2023, 01:32 PM #14
Thanks. I had to think about the tool well a little. I was worried about collecting crap. So far, I am glad I kept that aspect. Just working on it while finishing off the vices, it was very helpful.
You might have noticed that I did not incorporate the traditional ramps to sweep out debris.
I had a leftover board from an old shelf. Looks like tassie oak. It was too short for the entire length of the bench. I could have covered the remaining hole with the ramp. Instead, I opted to just make a lid. Now I can just put my big rubbish tub underneath and sweep everything through the hole.
Or I just use the shop vac [emoji6]
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24th December 2023, 01:53 PM #15
Nice touch.
The well does collect stuff . I use mine for shoving stuff out of the way as the next process being done is more important to start than putting everything away . Specially when I will be using some of the tools that are already out.
Its main use for me though is being able to clamp things to the bench front. I cant fit a clamp to the back of the bench because its always been up against a wall and the tool board and shelving also blocks access to the rear of the top. When your making drawers one end is in the vice, the other needs to be held tight against the bench and it cant be done without a well and a clamp. If its not clamped at the loose end, planing in the drawer front of any size to be matched to the carcase its going to live in becomes more difficult. Same with fine tuning the drawer sides and clamping the loose end for that. You cant plane things like that with things flapping around up one end.