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Thanks for the write-up. You did an excellent job with a basic set of hand tools. Most of us, me included, would have postponed starting on this project until we had acquired a shop full of tools to meet every contingency. That looks like a very sturdy workbench. You will get many years of enjoyment from it. Also, glad to have you on the forum. I have learned a lot here. You will too. There's a lot of talent here and people don't mind sharing their knowledge and experience.
Hank
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Nice post. Next time, when mortising, don't use a rubber mallet, that's what gave you the tendonitis, the bouncing transmitted the force to your elbows and joints. Better to make yourself a wooden mallet, or use a steel hammer.
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(09-16-2017, 08:45 AM)Admiral Wrote: Nice post. Next time, when mortising, don't use a rubber mallet, that's what gave you the tendonitis, the bouncing transmitted the force to your elbows and joints. Better to make yourself a wooden mallet, or use a steel hammer.
Without a doubt, making a wooden mallet is one of the very first things I'm planning to do once the bench is finished. i originally assumed it was just repetitive stress but what you say makes perfect sense.
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An impressive display of perseverance to say the least.
And as a bonus, you will have a nice reminder of the project you started.
And imagine how much better your planing will be when you have a proper workbench to do it on ! ! ! ! !
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09-21-2017, 09:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-21-2017, 09:28 AM by FloridaRetiree.)
GOOD JOB!
My first bench (built about 50 years ago) was made from multiple glued layers of 3/4" particle board purchased from the local lumber yard. Legs were 4 x 4's with a lower shelf. A tool tray in back, and like yours, a Record vice with a slide-up stop at the end, and a larger one on the left front side with peg holes in the front legs to work on vertical pieces.
It was primitive by today's standards but survived over 30 years of use and abuse.
After I turned pro, and won construction awards and such people would stop by my shop and say, "THIS is your workbench!?"
Shows to go that it is often not the tools or machinery but the one working with them from whence great creations are produced.
:-)
EDIT:
Another thing I learned over the years was to immediately remove (sand off) the factory finish from handles of chisels, planes, etc to get down to bare wood.
Does wonders to keep from getting hand blisters. Something about centuries of "Nature calling" I guess?
A laid back southeast Florida beach bum and volunteer bikini assessor.
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09-24-2017, 04:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2017, 04:09 PM by 32ojdidit.)
(09-16-2017, 02:57 AM)timsta007 Wrote: Some ice and a quick bandaid and I was back to work.
Hope you didn't forget to rub dirt on it.
JB
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies and I'll win a war!"
--Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
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That thing looks like a beast. Nice job!
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10-10-2017, 10:18 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-10-2017, 10:20 PM by timsta007.)
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10-10-2017, 10:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-10-2017, 10:21 PM by timsta007.)