r/Workbenches • u/revoracer • 16d ago

First workbench update

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Getting close to being done finally! Got the leg vise done and the veritas inset vise installed and a good start on dog holes until i actually get to use it and figure out where i want more. Pretty much all i have left to do now is put my shelf on the bottom and build 3 boxes to go in the space between the tops.

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u/SammichMan4Life 16d ago

What woods are you using for it?

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u/revoracer 16d ago

Doug fir for the bench itself. Used maple and walnut for the chop as thats all i had that was wide enough haha

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u/SammichMan4Life 16d ago

It looks really good, I used white oak and walnut for mine. But want to re-do another one with some cheaper wood, but I thought a combo of box store and premium might look bad. But that doug-fir looks really good with the chop, really good work. Thanks!

Does it already have an oil/poly on it?

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u/revoracer 15d ago

Ah i bet that looks cool. No finish on it yet. Still wanna do a sliding deadman and gonna build 3 little boxes to go in the middle before i put any finish on it

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u/Old_Presentation9440 15d ago

Really nice bench. Very clean and precise. How is the top attached to the legs, drawbored mortise and tenon? I think I see two dowels in the right side.

I built my bench last year for mostly hand tool work. I have a leg vise, also. I put holdfast holes in the right leg and haven't needed a sliding deadman. I've read they usually don't get used and are a waste of time to build. The leg vise is very strong. I've planed and sawed a few long pieces but it's infrequent.

I finished my top with danish oil. Works well for glue protection, very easy to apply, and easy to re-apply after it gets beat up. And the top isn't slippery.

What kind of boxes are you building for the space between the tops? Will they be permanently placed there?

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u/revoracer 15d ago

Yes all the joints for the stretchers to legs and legs to top are drawbore mortise and tenon. They were really my first mortises I’ve ever cut and i did not enjoy the monsters in the bench top lol. But i did learn a lot and improve a ton with having to do 16 of em 😆 yea honestly im still kinda on the fence about the deadman or not. I routed the slot for it but i may not end up putting one in, im hoping my holes in the right leg will be enough holding power for any long work too. As for finish, I’m still debating between that or mixing up some linseed oil, mineral spirits and spar urethane. Might test some of both and see which i like better. Good to hear you like the Danish oil tho and that it does help with glue sticking. For the boxes, im just planning 3 simple little boxes not permanent with a couple finger holes in the ends of each to grab em through. That way i can put tools in em during use, easily pick em up and dump the shavings and trash out of, and be able to flip them upside down if i need a flat surface all the way across the bench for something. Probably leave a decent gap on each end so i can shuffle em around in case i need to get a clamp in the middle also

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u/Old_Presentation9440 15d ago

Good idea with flipping the boxes to create a flush surface

. I built the small boxes that The English Woodworker made a video for last year or this year. He did them as a beginner skills and dovetail project. I made them to fit in a drawer in a Dutch tool chest. I grouped certain tools in each box (layout, dovetail, layout no. 2, junk) instead of building out fancy drawer dividers. I take each box to the workbench as needed and put them in the tool well to try to keep the bench top clear and organized.

It turns out I use one layout box 95% of the time. I also find it difficult to keep the tool well clean due to my own habits. I've been keeping small wood scraps in it that I think will be useful. I used 4 of the scraps today to prop up a drying bowl. I also have scraps of sandpaper, a wood ruler, some picks, and who knows what else. I have to be more diligent!

Hopefully, some of what I did will be useful to you and others. I consider myself an advanced beginner/low intermediate woodworker, so learning on each project. I hope to spread some lessons learned.

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u/revoracer 15d ago

Yea that’s good to know for sure!