Small workbench to stage a couple new tools.

SwampDonkey · December 17, 2011, 11:04:56 AM

I needed a small workbench to mount a couple tools I recently acquired.

This is how far I have come along. Mortise, tenons and dovetails. The bench will be on casters with one set that can be braked.

Will start working on the cross pieces, these are the back (closest to camera) and front. Two drawers up top, middle wide drawer and bottom 12" deep drawer. Hate to see space go wasted, I have some hand power tools that will fit nicely away in this project. ;D

SwampDonkey · December 17, 2011, 05:37:15 PM

Dovetailed in the two middle cross braces.

Next, the drawer slides to be installed

WDH · December 17, 2011, 09:39:49 PM

That thing looks like it will be stout. Nice touch with the dovetails.

Bill Gaiche · December 17, 2011, 10:01:17 PM

SwampDonkey, lookin good. That should be plenty strong and fast with casters. bg

SwampDonkey · December 18, 2011, 12:58:38 AM

Little video. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rbnsi5G0AQ

Or, forgot to mention there are bottom cross members to install. They will be a special bolted joint. ;)

Can't see the dovetails in the cross members in those pictures. Just the uprights.

OneWithWood · December 18, 2011, 09:09:22 AM

Do you grind your chisels to different profiles for paring and chopping?

I am just getting back into doing some serious woodworking and the first thing I did was sharpen my plane irons and chisels. The plane irons and paring chisels got a 25° profile with a 5° micro bevel. The chopping chisels got a 30° profile and a 5° micro bevel.

TreeWinder · December 18, 2011, 10:31:38 AM

Excellent, I'll take two...

Piston · December 18, 2011, 11:54:03 AM

Looks good so far!

I like the way the dovetails add some character...

Quote....to mount a couple tools I recently required

And what might those required tools be? ;)

SwampDonkey · December 18, 2011, 01:58:46 PM

Quote from: OneWithWood on December 18, 2011, 09:09:22 AM
Do you grind your chisels to different profiles for paring and chopping?

I am just getting back into doing some serious woodworking and the first thing I did was sharpen my plane irons and chisels. The plane irons and paring chisels got a 25° profile with a 5° micro bevel. The chopping chisels got a 30° profile and a 5° micro bevel.

OWW, exactly. And that is what this little baby is for when sharpening and honing. ;D

I also have the skew blade rig. That section with the writing on it is the jig to set micro bevel and chisel profile. Handy to have in the tool chest. ;)

Drawer slats installed.

They have a duel purpose, to help square up the bench. The bottom braces are just a but joint. I have not drilled the bolt holes yet. The sides and back will have 1/4" birch plywood. Thus the need for middle cross braces that I dovetailed in, for backing to the plywood. ;D

I also rounded the ends of the bottom rails, otherwise it could be hard on ankles on those square corners. Ouch!!

Clam77 · December 18, 2011, 05:19:02 PM

Lookin good so far - might have to put in an order for one!! :D

Looks like it'd be perfect for a bench-mounted drill press or a dovetailing machine or something of the like...

WDH · December 18, 2011, 06:42:05 PM

Country Music, eh? 8)

SwampDonkey · December 18, 2011, 07:45:10 PM

My mother told me the other day I needed a radio in the shop. I said I have had one there for some time. I've already modernized. ;D

Busy Beaver Lumber · December 19, 2011, 09:06:51 PM

Very nice bench SwampDonkey. Really admire your Dovetail joint

Axe Handle Hound · December 20, 2011, 08:58:06 AM

Quote from: SwampDonkey on December 18, 2011, 01:58:46 PM

OWW, exactly. And that is what this little baby is for when sharpening and honing. ;D

SwampDonkey- Isn't that an awesome little sharpening jig? I absolutely love mine.

Bench is looking good! I can't quite tell from the photos...are we looking at birch or maple?

Phorester · December 20, 2011, 09:23:55 AM

Very nice, precise work, Swamp. Looks great and will last a couple of lifetimes.

SwampDonkey · December 20, 2011, 03:56:57 PM

Axe Handle Hound, kilned sugar maple. Yeah the jig is top notch, of course I have never complained about anything Veritas makes, they have high standards.

I just purchased a Incra mitre guage, shoulda had it years ago. Works awesome. 8)

I have these 1-3/8" thick planks I'm using for the top. You can see one there with a bark inclusion in it. Can't waste, and besides it's a bench top. ;) The top will be installed after I have the enclosure panels on it. But the drawer building will come first so I can have access all the way around alining and measuring. ;D Never enough drawers and cabinets to put stuff away. :

I have the casters on it, but can't see in that light. Casters are casters I guess. ;)

These are the tools I'm making a home for. ;D

WDH · December 20, 2011, 10:29:28 PM

Your table saw/work table will now get jealous

.

Norm · December 21, 2011, 07:16:07 AM

Nice work SD, can you tell me some more about your sharpening jig?

Piston · December 21, 2011, 07:32:35 AM

QuoteYeah the jig is top notch, of course I have never complained about anything Veritas makes, they have high standards.

I certainly agree. If I didn't have that sharpening guide/jig I wouldn't have sharp chisels! It makes it easy.

.....and I'm one of those who need easy :D

isawlogs · December 21, 2011, 08:09:10 AM

Norm,

Its a veritas tool made by lee valley tools http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=51868&cat=1,43072,43078&ap=1

I have this one .. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=33001&cat=1,43072,43078&ap=1

Its so easy to get a good edge with these. Well worth the money !

Norm · December 21, 2011, 08:37:42 AM

Thank Marcel!

So where do you get your flat stones at to use with it?

SwampDonkey · December 21, 2011, 08:41:36 AM

Lee Valley, they have tons of water stones.

I got the one with 1000 grit on one side for sharpening and on the flip side it is 8000 to hone. Makes steel shine like glass. 8)