Bench Workout

After many years of collecting tools I have finally decided to build the tool that all craftsmen need to own; a solid work bench.

Considering that I work in one side of a two garage, bench size means everything.  I wanted solid, sturdy with storage space.  There are lots of plans on the web but I settled on the-not-so-big-workbench by Ed Pirnik in Fine Woodworking Magazine. 

Roughing out the lumber

The on-line plans are nicely detailed and contain a Sketchup Model.  I went for the video as well.

The parts are cut from red oak.  The tenons were cut on a table saw, while the mortises gave me good cause to go buy a 3/4 inch Robert Sorby mortising chisel.  The mortises are pre-drilled to remove waste wood then squared up with the chisel.

Dry fitting the parts to ensure all mates well.

Once all the parts were cut a dry fit ensured that all went together just fine.  I tend to like my mortise and tenons to fit fairly close when they are this size.  Once glue is added the pieces need to be tapped together with the rubber mallet.

Pinning the tenons with dowels

There are no screws so far in the construction.  The tenons are pinned with dowels and then trimmed flush.  I use a copper shim to act as protection as I trimmed the down.  I did this when the glue was slightly wet so that saw dust would 'stick' in any gaps between the holes and dowels.

Base all complete

Here is the base all assembled.  The maple planks stacked on top give a rough idea of the thickness of the top yet to come.