05-07-2008, 08:41 AM
Thank you guys, for all your comments. It does really feel good to have it finished. No design patent on it, if you like please copy (something about flattery...) 
The workbench did get used in building the cabinet part, and indeed, I don't know how I got along without it before. Sooooo much nicer than the shop bench from Woodcraft that I was using before.
There are, however, a couple of things I would have done differently if I'd realized them at the time.
1) I would have made the frontvise jaw extend all the way to the edge of the bench. I don't know why I didn't, just a brain fart I guess.
2) I would have used the Lie-Nielsen tailvise hardware instead of the LV hardware.
3) I would have spent the extra dough and made the legs out of maple, instead of poplar. Workbenches aren't cheap, but ought to last forever, so spend the money to make it right!
4) I would have made the dog holes closer together. They are 5" apart, they should be 3" or 4" apart.
5) I would have used a solid laminated top, instead of the two wide boards in the middle. Again, spend the money and do it right. I haven't had any trouble yet, but I see flattening issues in the future and, well, it just would have been better!
I've saved this thread in its entirety, and I'll see if I can mirror it on my website for when it eventually poofs from here. One of these days when the weather is bad, I'll try to condense it into a cogent article.
For my next project, I'm planning on building a Chippendale chair out of walnut. However, I need to practice with my new carving tools and get semi-proficient with them first. A chair is probably the one project that this new workbench probably won't be all that helpful for. Go figure. But I need bedroom furniture, in tables, and a Chippendale secretary... so it will see plenty of use. 
Thank you all again.
The workbench did get used in building the cabinet part, and indeed, I don't know how I got along without it before. Sooooo much nicer than the shop bench from Woodcraft that I was using before.
There are, however, a couple of things I would have done differently if I'd realized them at the time.
1) I would have made the frontvise jaw extend all the way to the edge of the bench. I don't know why I didn't, just a brain fart I guess.
2) I would have used the Lie-Nielsen tailvise hardware instead of the LV hardware.
3) I would have spent the extra dough and made the legs out of maple, instead of poplar. Workbenches aren't cheap, but ought to last forever, so spend the money to make it right!
4) I would have made the dog holes closer together. They are 5" apart, they should be 3" or 4" apart.
5) I would have used a solid laminated top, instead of the two wide boards in the middle. Again, spend the money and do it right. I haven't had any trouble yet, but I see flattening issues in the future and, well, it just would have been better!
I've saved this thread in its entirety, and I'll see if I can mirror it on my website for when it eventually poofs from here. One of these days when the weather is bad, I'll try to condense it into a cogent article.
For my next project, I'm planning on building a Chippendale chair out of walnut. However, I need to practice with my new carving tools and get semi-proficient with them first. A chair is probably the one project that this new workbench probably won't be all that helpful for.
Go figure. But I need bedroom furniture, in tables, and a Chippendale secretary... so it will see plenty of use. Thank you all again.
Turning impaired.
