It looks alot like my sawbench that has a 2x6 top. As for the holdfast, I use my booted foot. Before I built the bench, I tested stacks of lumber to determine a comfortable height for boot holding. It has worked well. Any board that wants to move gets a single C-clamp on the opposite end. Good luck with your bench.

I use a cheap floor standing metal cabinet with a door and multiple shelves. Your glue, finishes, and solvents will add up quickly. Although it's not a fire resistant cabinet, i do like the idea of it being metal and enclosed. You can probably find something that will work for minimal costs if you attend a few estate sales in older neighborhoods. I think I paid $15 for mine. Money well spent if you have the floor space.

Wow, very very cool!!!!

Looks like a cross between a Marsh (or Groves) and Spears and Jackson handle

Nice!

As one who voted for the walnut, I am glad you are writing this up as a build along.

The chalk marks make sense.

That's a great looking bench. Very well done.
That thing is gonna be a pleasure to use. Time to go ahead and ding and dirty it up.

On the desk I made, the brass pulls simply screwed into the walnut with no epoxy used.

For lining up the key hole, maybe a few ways to do this, I use a combo or double square and set it to match the top edge of the lock to the center point of the raised pointed nib (key post for lack of better term) that fits inside the hollow tip of the key. Transfer this mark to the lid being careful to use the same reference spot on the lid since the edge of those locks are angled.

I drill a small hole for that center key post and use that to locate the lock and mark where the remaining wood needs to be removed. Once the lock is mortised in, I then adjust and shape the hole as needed with a small round rasp and small square rasp.

Very nicely done.
The finish looks wonderful.
Ag

Great question, I don't know but I await an answer.
While we wait:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgekmOqCFTU

Ag

Good grief, Dave, you did all those in a year. I was just thinking you had been absent for quite some time and wondered what you've been up to. Really good stuff, I see. Just beautiful work, as always. How you cranked that all out in a year leaves me speechless. Now take a vacation - you've earned it (I'm sure.)

John

Magnificent!!! Truly a piece of art.
Robert